European Trade Union Confederation
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European Trade Union Confederation | |
Founded | 1973 |
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Members | 60 million from 36 countries |
Country | Europe |
Affiliation | Independent |
Key people | Cándido Méndez Rodríguez, president John Monks, general secretary |
Office location | Brussels, Belgium |
Website | www.etuc.org |
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) was established in 1973 to provide a trade union counterbalance to the economic forces of European integration. Following the changes in Central and Eastern Europe, a large number of new trade unions have joined its ranks.
At present, the ETUC has in its membership 81 National Trade Union Confederations from a total of 36 European countries, as well as 12 European industry federations, making a total of 60 million members. Other trade union structures such as Eurocadres (the Council of European Professional and Managerial Staff) and EFREP/FERPA (European Federation of Retired and Elderly Persons) operate under the auspices of the ETUC. In addition, the ETUC coordinates the activities of the 41 ITUCs (Interregional Trade Union Councils), which organise trade union cooperation at a cross-border level.
The ETUC is recognised by the European Union, by the Council of Europe and by the European Free Trade Association as the only representative cross-sectoral trade union organisation at European level.
The youth wing holds Full members status to the European Youth Forum (YFJ) which operates within the Council of Europe and European Union areas and works closely with both these bodies.
The first President of ETUC, in 1973, was Vic Feather.
[edit] External links
- www.etuc.org - Official website.