Europe
Europe
Conference on the role of education trade union in social partnership in Tajikistan
The Conference on “The role of trade union in realisation of social partnership” took place from 29-30 June in Dushanbe. It was organised under the auspices of the European Trade Union Committee for Education’s (ETUCE) national member organisation, the Trade Union of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Dozens of representatives from regional and local trade union organisations, higher education institutions as well as representatives from the Tajik Ministry of Education and Science participated in the conference. The ETUCE President, Christine Blower, and ETUCE European Director Susan Flocken attended the conference.
Public hearings on modernising school and higher education in Belgium
On 18 July, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a public hearing regarding the set of initiatives on the modernisation of school and higher education in Europe proposed by the European Commission.
The panel discussed the Commission’s communications, on “A renewed EU agenda for higher education” and on “School development and excellent teaching for a great start in life”, as well as the proposal for an EU Council Recommendation on “Tracking graduates”. These discussions will feed into an EESC exploratory opinion on all three initiatives.
The Commission’s proposals were also discussed at the public hearing organised by the European Committee of Regions on 20 July, as the Committee is preparing its opinion on modernisation of school and higher education.
Ekaterina Efimenko, ETUCE Programme Officer, attended both events.
ETUC/ETUI workshop on occupational health and safety in Estonia
From 5-6September, ETUCE, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and trade unions from various sectors at national and EU levels gathered in Tallinn to prepare the ETUC position on the review of EU Occupational Safety and Health directives.
Attendees outlined initial steps towards a 2018 ETUC campaign on ‘psychosocial risks (PSR)’. The ETUCE agreed that the campaign should focus on lobbying for an EU directive on PSR, a key issue for advancing decent and healthy workplaces in the education sector.
Eduardo Nadal participated in the workshop.
Press conference in support of Eğitim Sen’s members in Belgium
On 7 September, during a press conference in Brussels, ETUCE, together with one of its Belgian member organisations, the Centrale Générale des Services Publics Enseignement, expressed solidarity with Eğitim Sen members Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who have been on hunger strike since 9 March.
Valeryia Despainhe attended the event.
Final conference of ETUC project for better links between the European and national trade unions
On 7-8 September, ETUCE participated in the final conference of the ETUC project aimed at developing better links between European and national trade unions to influence the European Semester process.
ETUCE contributed to the ETUC ‘For Growth and Social Progress: Priorities for the Annual Growth Survey 2018” document. This survey is released yearly by the European Commission, and sets the priorities for Europe’s employment and economic growth, whilst also marking the beginning of the European Semester’s yearly cycle.
In the document, ETUC prioritised the need to increase public investment and proposed the establishment of a European Treasury to allow for public investment. Moreover, attention was given to the need to increase the scope and coverage of collective bargaining across Europe, to the Pay Rise campaign, and to calling for quality jobs.
Paola Cammilli participated in the event.
ETUCE Higher Education and Research Standing Committee’s meeting
On 11-12 September, the biannual ETUCE Higher Education and Research Standing Committee (HERSC) meeting took place in Brussels and was attended by more than 30 delegates representing 23 European countries.
Enhancement of the status and recognition of teaching in higher education, as well as the role of Higher Education and Research in supporting refugees and migrants and promoting democratic citizenship were at the centre of discussion at the meeting.
The event was chaired by HERSC Chairperson, Rob Copeland (University and College Union/UK), and ETUCE European Director Susan Flocken. Agnes Roman and Ekaterina Efimenko participated in the event for ETUCE.
