In doing so, the Commission called a halt to the plan by EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, to follow the call of the haulier lobby to allow the cross-border transport of particularly large and heavy HGVs (so-called Megatrucks or Gigaliners). Hence, the European Parliament affirms its commitment to shift transport from road to rail and clearly demonstrates that the approach adopted by the EU Transport Commissioner is simply unacceptable.

The European Commission and the ECB as part of the EU Troika violate current EU law and human rights - this is the conclusion reached by Andreas Fischer-Lescano, Professor at the Centre of European Law and Politics (ZERP) at Bremen University, in a legal opinion commissioned by the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), the Chamber of Labour (AK), the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). The recently published opinion was presented on March 4 in Brussels.

Tomorrow, March 8, is the 103rd anniversary of International Women's Day, to once again make more equal opportunities and gender equality the subject of discussion. The idea of a Women’s Day dates back to 1908 when female textile workers went on strike in the USA. According to the United Nations, women in New York protested against the poor working conditions. Looking at the current situation as regards equal opportunities and gender equality, progress, even though it has been made, is limited.

On 26.2.2014, the so-called “Fourth Railway Package” was adopted by a large majority of Conservative and Liberal MEPs in the European Parliament, which de facto means a further push for the liberalisation of rail transport in Europe. In view of the large number of amendments put forward in the EU Parliament, the European Commission regards the reforms as not far-reaching enough, whilst from the point of view of the trade unions many highly problematic developments could be avoided.

It is almost a year ago to the day that the EU Commission proudly introduced the EU Social Investment Package (SIP) to the general public. The thought behind it was to launch a comprehensive strategy for structural reforms in respect of social policy and to support the Member States in their efforts to improve social protection and to invest in people. The Package provided comprehensive guidelines with regard to investments in children, active inclusion, healthcare and long-term care, homelessness und social policy innovations.

This week, the EU Parliament voted on a Report, which shall make it easier for researchers, students or interns, who do not originate from the EU, to come to Europe. The new regulations shall clearly set out the conditions of entry and residence for participants in a pupil exchange, internship, voluntary service or au-pair programme.

On 12 February 2014, a public hearing concerning the trade policy of the European Commission over the past 5 years took place in the Committee on International Trade (INTA) of the European Parliament. Joining the panel in his capacity as a European expert from the sector with close links to trade unions: Nikolai Soukup, one of the top AK experts der AK on the subject of trade policy. His conclusion: from the point of view of AK and trade unions, employees have little reason to rejoice at the Commission policy of the past years.

This week, important steps have been made towards a European Financial Transaction Tax (EU-FTT). At the annual German-French Ministerial Council, which took place on 19.2.2014, the government representatives of both states agreed to negotiate a concrete proposal for implementing the EU-FTT even before the European Elections in May this year. For years, political parties, trade unions and NGOs have fought with strong support of AK & ÖGB for the FTT! It is vital to maintain the pressure on politicians!

Brussels, 17.2.2014: this day marks a historic event. “Right2water” is the first successful ECI in the history of the European Union. For the first time, the initiators of a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) were heard in the European Parliament. This initiative has been organised by the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and opposes privatisations of water and sanitation services in the European Union.