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ETF Congress moves Europe forward
27 May 2005
European transport trade unionists issued a strong challenge to neo-liberalism at a major conference this week.
The Second Ordinary Congress of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) on 25 and 26 May 2005 in Aland, Finland ended successfully yesterday with a rejection of mainstream ideology and pressure from big industrial groups. Bringing together 400 women and men from all parts of Europe, delegates also demanded a new White Paper on transport, focusing on the impact of social policy.
Congress heard a strong commitment from the Luxembourg Presidency to social rights and integrated transport. Lucien Lux, Transport Minister of Luxembourg - current President of the EU Council of Transport Ministers and former trade unionist - concluded his speech, covering ETF policy positions for the different transport modes, by assuring delegates that he remained a strong supporter of trade union values. "Together we are stronger," he reminded participants.
The congress elected a new ETF General Secretary, Portuguese trade unionist Eduardo Chagas. Chagas, formerly responsible for the ETF’s maritime sections, said: "The ETF has grown up in the six years since it was founded; now we are truly moving Europe forward."
In her speech to congress, outgoing General Secretary Doro Zinke said that the ETF had made its mark on Europe by effective campaigning against Ports Package 1 - the first attempt by the Commission to liberalise the region’s ports. Now it was time to defeat the second ports package - which was even worse, she said.
Congress guests included John Monks, European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary and Carola Fischbach of the European Federation of Public Service Unions.
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