The ecological transition is necessary for the planet and must not add another opportunity to further widen social divides. The European trade union can hinder disagreements only if it acts, by strengthening collective bargaining. CGIL Rimini and CSdL go to their respective Governments, Member States and EU institutions to engage in a diplomatic initiative to avoid conflict in Ukraine

“Together for a social, ecological, supportive Europe”, is the title of the videoconference in which DGB Odenwald (South Hesse – Germany), CGT Grand Est (Alsace – France), CGIL Rimini and CSdL San met in recent days. Marino, for many years linked by close relationships of friendship and cooperation. Participants: the Provincial President Harald Staier and the Regional Secretary Horst Raupp for the DGB, the Coordinator Responsible for European Cooperation Raymond Ruck for the CGT, the Secretary General of the CGIL Rimini Isabella Pavolucci and the Secretary General CSdL Enzo Merlini, in addition to their respective respective delegations. “The global challenges of our time, such as the pandemic and climate change, require ever greater collaboration to achieve a social, just, ecological and supportive Europe”; this was one of the premises of the videoconference, which allowed an exchange of assessments on the current situation of the pandemic and on the political-trade union trend in Germany, France, Italy and San Marino. The second is that a social Europe can only be anti-fascist: democracy the trade unions defend the European ideal, and human dignity from the neo-fascist threat, which is regaining visibility throughout Europe, riding on the protest against anti-covid measures. The discussion began by pointing out how the pandemic has hit hard everywhere; health personnel are exhausted and many citizens with other diseases are no longer treated. Vaccines have proved to be a decisive preventive tool against the more serious effects of the disease; as soon as possible they must also be made available to the poorest, otherwise the inequalities between peoples will become even more countries and new variants could develop. The pandemic has very negative economic and social provocative effects; the effects of the cuts in public spending perpetrated over time by the various governments, which have weakened health care and schools, have become even more evident. It is essential to identify a new model of development and society that places social justice and solidarity at the center. The person and the environment must come before capital and profit: trade unions must join forces to build a solidarity society that reduces the inequalities created by a market without effective common rules.

Strong trade unions, broad alliances and international solidarity are indispensable for the rights of the necessary political change and protecting the rights of female workers. There has been an increase in workers whose wages are lower than average in percentage terms and those who find themselves in a state of poverty, due to the increase in precariousness, work discontinuity and exponential growth of involuntary part-time workers. The battle against poor work and for permanent quality work is one of the fundamental objectives, from evolution within the continuous evolution of the integration process and of national and EU legislation. DGB, CGT and CSdL, the same ideal and cultural affinities and shared the community of intent have to overcome wage dumping, determined by pirate contracts, underlining the need to achieve an adequate level of all workers. Collective contraction is crucial for the achievement of these objectives and its expansion is necessary at national and European level. The support for increasingly effective action by the ETUC was therefore reaffirmed. Innovation, the competitiveness of the production system and the ecological transition must be supported by calibrated public interventions, which produce benefits for the peoples and do not become a new profit opportunity for the few. Public support is needed towards growth that creates stable and qualified employment, especially for young people, women and for the territories where there is greater need. Finally, in expressing deep will for any tension on the borders of Ukraine, CGIL Rimini and CSdL can strongly condemn any initiative that undermines peace and stability in Europe and reaffirms its opposition to war and conflict. CGIL Rimini and CSdL San Marino support their respective Governments, Member States and EU institutions to engage in an active neutrality initiative to reduce tension and promote a political agreement between all parties.

CGIL Rimini and CSdL San Marino