The EU Commission had planned to use the so-called “Monti-II Regulation” to clarify the relationship between industrial action - in particular strikes - on the one hand and economic market freedoms of the internal market on the other. The resistance to the proposal was strong right from the start, and not only by worker representations. Now for the first time, since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force, Member States have not accepted a draft proposal. This took place by way of a subsidiarity complaint.

When it comes to the question whether the European Union should finally introduce the long overdue tax for speculators, also called Financial Transaction Tax, one can definitely count on the support of the representatives of the citizens in the European Parliament. It was for the second time this week that its supporters in Strasbourg voted with broad cross-party majority in favour of a speedy and comprehensive taxation of financial transactions.

The negative consequences of the financial crisis for society have once again been shown: this week, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, Eurostat presented the latest developments in respect of taxation in the European Union. Even though, compared to previous years, the 2010 EU tax burden remained stable at 38.4 %; when it comes to VAT, however, Eurostat hints at a sharp increase of tax rates - bad news for employees on a lower income.

Politicians and scientists agree: when it comes to using water, we still have a long way to go. This year, the traditional “Green Week” of the European Commission has been exclusively focussing on water policy. Even though the newly published Bathing Water Report confirms that 92 % of all lakes are meeting the minimum standard for water quality, the situation concerning rivers is far less satisfactory.

The EU Commission assumes in its latest spring forecast that the EU economy is currently in slight recession. It has been estimated that the economic output in the Eurozone this year will fall by 0.3 percent, whilst zero growth has been predicted for the entire EU. The forecast expects a slow upturn which will probably start in the second half of the year.

The financial and economic crisis has ripped large holes into national budgets; domestic debt has risen, putting the sustainability of public finances in jeopardy. The most logical consequence - at least in the opinion of the Economics and Finance Ministers at this week’s conference in Brussels - is cutting back on pensions!

A number of complaints to the European Commission have resulted in the EU authority dealing with the charges levied on light private vehicles in individual EU Member States. The Commission informs in a Communication that currently seven Member States have put in place a vignette system for light private vehicles, including Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. Belgium is planning to introduce such a tolling system for light passenger vehicles; the Netherlands and Denmark are discussing the issue.

Not true, many will argue. However, if one reads the latest proposals included in the employment package of the EU Commission, one quickly realizes where the priorities lie. Even the German “Handelsblatt” puts it in a nutshell and writes: 84 billion Euros are planned to boost employment - from 2014 to 2020 - however, putting the houses of the crisis-ridden banks in order cost many times as much!

What shall the future of EU Company Law look like? The EU Commission is presently in the process of clarifying within the scope of a public consultation whether it is necessary to adjust the European regulatory framework covering this sector to current developments. During a conference organised by the Social Democratic Faction in the European Parliament which was attended by trade unions, it became clear that workers’ involvement and participation rights of employees are at stake and have to be defended.

The AK basically does not want to criticise the aim pursued by the Airport Package to increase the capacities of European airports, to reduce delays and to improve the quality of air passenger services.