UK Trade Unions and EESC’s Workers' Group representatives to discuss impact of a possible "Brexit" on workers’ rights

On 21 April, the enlarged presidency of the European Economic and Social Committee’s Workers Group will meet British trade unions in London to discuss the UK’s EU referendum and its impact on workers.

During the meeting, key notes are foreseen by representatives of several UK trade unions such as Liz Snape, TUC President, Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, Steve Turner, TUC Spokesperson on Europe, Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, Owen Tudor, TUC Head of the EU and International Relations Department, Gloria Mills, ETUC Women's Committee President, as well as by several members of the EESC Workers’ Group and Labour MEP Claude Moraes.

Gabriele Bischoff, President of the EESC Workers’ Group, will address concerns of the Workers' Group about the impact of a Brexit on British and European workers: "We know that the trust and confidence of EU citizens and workers has never been lower. Nevertheless, we are convinced that UK workers are better off within the EU. The trade unions of Europe will continue to fight together for a fair and social Europe. We need a social triple-A-rating”, especially to restore confidence of citizens and workers.

On the occasion of this meeting, a study on "The crisis and the evolution of labour relations in the United Kingdom" will also be presented. It was carried out by the Labour Research Department at the request of the Workers' Group and analyses the socio-economic situation in the United Kingdom after the ‘credit crunch’ and the ‘Great Recession’ of 2008-09. Its focus is on social protection and living and working conditions, the social and labour measures taken, their effects and in particular the evolution of labour relations.

The study is available here: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.group-2-studies.39081

The meeting will take place at UNISON's headquarters:

UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY, UK

For more information, please contact:

Margarita Gavanas

Secretariat of the Workers' Group

European Economic and Social Committee

Tel.: +32 (0) 2 546 9394

E-mail:margarita.gavanas@eesc.europa.eu

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