15 December, 2010European Metalworkers' Federation and European Trade Union Confederation again stage protest actions against detrimental plans of austerity imposed on European countries.
EUROPE: The European Metalworkers' Federation and affiliated unions joined the European Trade Union Confederation on December 15 in holding protest actions around Europe against austerity measures and spectacularly increased bonuses for traders. The first call to action against austerity measure in Europe September 29 brought millions of workers to the streets.
Unfortunately the success of the first action did not result in a new approach of the European Governments taking into account workers' interests. The recent decision of the European Council stressed on stronger fiscal disciplinary measures essentially imposing penalties on Member States for poor management of their budgets.
The dominant analysis in the EU is that austerity is the right road to recovery, but the EMF joins the ETUC in saying that it could be the road to ruin.
The ETUC EMF and affiliated trade unions held a series of activities on December 15 including rallies, work stoppages, general strikes and other. The actions are organized on the eve of next meeting of the European Council. The ETUC published on its website a map giving an overview of trade union actions happening in Europe.