In September 2002, Finland's three trade union confederations submitted a letter to the Convention examining the future reform of the EU. Their message stresses the importance of giving more weight in the Convention's work to the issues that closely affect wage earners and citizens.
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In September 2002, Finland's three trade union confederations submitted a letter to the Convention examining the future reform of the EU. Their message stresses the importance of giving more weight in the Convention's work to the issues that closely affect wage earners and citizens.
In September 2002, the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö, SAK), the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (Toimihenkilökeskusjärjestö, STTK) and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (Akateemisten Toimihenkilöiden Keskusjärjestö, AKAVA) handed over a letter in Helsinki to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, the chair of the Convention- the body charged with preparing for the next Intergovernmental Conference, by proposing a new framework and structures for the European Union, notably in the light of enlargement (EU0201231N)
In the letter, the Finnish unions emphasise the importance of giving more weight in the Convention's work to the issues that closely affect wage earners and citizens. 'Our goal is to anchor the European society model in a constitutional agreement,' the letter states. According to the unions, it is urgent from the viewpoint of deepening and enlarging the Union that the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union signed at the Nice European Council in December 2000 (EU0012288F) should be made a legally binding part of the EU Treaties. The unions also highlight the importance of a common and sustainable economic policy within Economic and Monetary Union, and the role of public services in the 'European welfare model'. Further, they consider necessary an increase in the scope of qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers in the fields of employment, tax and social policy.
In their letter, SAK, STTK and AKAVA call for the removal of barriers to the development of European industrial relations. In the unions' view, the prerequisites must be created for development of EU tripartite negotiations and social dialogue, with the aim that European-level industrial relations should complement national systems.
Earlier in 2002, the Finnish trade unions had expressed concern about the forthcoming enlargement of the EU, and especially about the effects of possible tax competition with new Member States (FI0202103F).
Eurofound doporučuje citovat tuto publikaci následujícím způsobem.
Eurofound (2002), Unions set out priorities for future of EU, article.
