On Tuesday 12 December, a delegation of UNISON representatives joined thousands of people at a rally in Brussels to demand an end to austerity, better public services and fairer working conditions.
The Europe-wide mobilisation, On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers, was organised by The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). It took place during EU negotiations over the new Stability and Growth Pact, which aims to limit debt and deficits for member countries.
The ETUC, which represents 45 million members, claims that under the current draft proposal for a reform, 14 member states will be forced to cut a combined 45 billion euros from their budgets next year alone.
“Under the current proposal, member states with a deficit above 3% of GDP will have to reduce their budget deficit by a minimum of 0.5% of GDP every year,” a spokesperson said.
“That would lead to fewer jobs, lower wages, stretched public services and leave most EU member states unable to make the investments needed to meet the EU’s own social and climate targets.”
London NEC member Abiola Kusoro attended the rally. She said: “It’s fantastic to be in Brussels today as part of a UNISON delegation to the On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers demonstration.
“We are marching united with unions from across the European continent in a powerful display against austerity and for a fair deal for workers.
“It is so important that UNISON has such a visible presence here today and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to meet and speak to activists from our sister unions to discuss recent member-led campaigns and how we can work together in the future.”
The article UNISON joins thousands in Brussels to protest austerity first appeared on the UNISON National site.