The European Union creates peace, security and prosperity. It is important to continue your success story at a time when our continent and our country are facing unprecedented challenges.
The European elections on June 9, 2024 will determine how the European Union can further develop as a role model for social security and a climate-friendly transformation. The German Federation of Trade Unions and its member unions call on all employees to use their vote on election day to strengthen the political forces that rely on peaceful, democratic coexistence and coexistence with social security and that combine ambitious climate protection with growth prospects and secure jobs.
At the same time, the DGB and its member unions are warning of a shift to the right in the European Union. Right-wing extremist and right-wing populist parties not only poison the social climate. Their anti-European policies would also lead Europe and Germany into a severe economic crisis, with billions in losses in value creation and a dramatic loss of jobs. Democracy, the rights of workers, the concept of social security and climate-friendly change in Europe must be defended against the right-wing parties. An essential prerequisite for this is to combine social, economic and ecological objectives.
In order to lead Europe and Germany into a good future, an investment offensive is needed in public infrastructure and services of general interest, from education to transport, the health system and digitalization as well as in the climate-friendly restructuring of the economy and society. Its essential basis is the European Union’s “Green Deal”. This program must be continued into a “European Green Industry Deal” in order to achieve climate neutrality and competitiveness and to secure and create good, future-proof jobs.
It is crucial that the investment offensive at the European and German levels is made possible by an investment-oriented financial and budget policy. To this end, the current limits on public credit financing as well as the EU state aid rules must be adjusted and modernized.
The DGB and its member unions expect that European politics will further develop the social dimension of the EU, as was recently the case with the initiatives on minimum wages and collective bargaining. In the future, public procurement, but also funding to support companies’ transformation projects, must be linked to social standards in the EU, including collective agreements and co-determination.
In times of upheaval, career prospects and reliable public services are indispensable. A policy that enables people to have stable living conditions in turbulent times and protects them from social risks is the best prerequisite for approval of democracy and the success of the transformation.
With their vote next Sunday, employees can give good direction to politics and shaping the future.
We call on all employees: take advantage of this opportunity and help create a Europe of Good Work, a peaceful, democratic Europe with social security.
Christiane Benner, First Chairwoman of IG Metall: “The European elections on Sunday will set an important course for the coming years. It’s also about the future of the industry, about safety for our colleagues, about social cohesion. We call on our colleagues to vote for democratic parties and prevent a legal alliance.”
Martin Burkert, Chairman of the EVG: “We railway workers connect Europe by moving people and goods across borders. That’s why we want a Europe that invests more in climate-friendly transport and thus ensures long-term good work: through sensible supportive subsidies for rail transport, instead of even more cheap competition and liberalization at the expense of employees. That’s why this European election is a crucial choice of direction for everyone.”
Yasmin Fahimi, Chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation: “Peace, freedom and security are the starting point of the European idea. But if the European House wants a strong foundation, then we must further expand the Union’s social standards. Competition and freedom of movement must not be used as a means of putting pressure on good work. For the transformation to be successful, a strong Europe must now enable more investments. EU state aid law and the Green Deal must be expanded so that the leap into a new era is successful and ensures prosperity for everyone.”
Robert Feiger, Chairman of IG BAU: “The recent labor dispute in construction has once again shown that the ‘rules of the game’ guaranteed by the Basic Law are indispensable in a democracy. This is the only way true participation is possible; this is the only way employees can work for better working conditions and higher incomes without having to fear sanctions. That’s why in the upcoming European elections it’s important to vote for candidates who fully support these democratic rules or even want to develop them further. Candidates who lack even a hint of this support are unelectable.”
Maike Finnern, Chairwoman of the GEW: “Education is a cornerstone of democratic Europe! Young people want to actively shape Europe and our society. Lowering the voting age to 16 will significantly strengthen the European idea. Good education for everyone in Europe, equal opportunities for everyone, that must be possible! Good education must be well financed. EU programs like Erasmus+ are central for students, schoolchildren and trainees to gain important learning and life experiences in other European countries.”
Jochen Kopelke, chairman of the GdP: “What is decided in Brussels affects the day-to-day work of us police employees. Despite different nationalities and structures, Europe’s police forces basically speak the same language. They all guarantee the internal security of their country; more togetherness guarantees the internal security of Europe. With your vote you will strengthen democracy and cooperation in Europe – for more common security, freedom, respect and tolerance.”
Michael Vassiliadis, Chairman of IG BCE: “The European Union is a booster of progress for citizens – not only as an alliance of peace, democracy and participation, but also as a model for economic cooperation and networking. Employees in industry in particular appreciate the value of the common EU internal market. The industry is faced with the enormous task of climate-friendly transformation. It can only be successful if it is linked to the prospect of good jobs, prosperity and participation guaranteed by collective agreements. The guarantees for this are the democratic forces in the political spectrum, which have an eye on transformation, co-determination and social balance. Strengthening them must therefore be the focus of all efforts in the European elections.”
Frank Werneke, Chairman of the United Services Union (ver.di): “What we achieve here in Germany always has a European dimension: We are not an island, but live right in the heart of Europe. The EU needs us! And we need the EU as a strong and solidarity-based community of values that pulls together to defend our democracy and our freedom. As voters, we now have the chance to use our voice: for a united and social Europe. For our prosperity, our freedom and our democracy. The European project is too important to be left to those who want to destroy it.”
Guido Zeitler, Chairman of the NGG: “Minimum wage, platform work, supply chains: With guidelines and laws, the EU Parliament sets important guidelines for more justice and fair working conditions. That’s why every single vote counts on June 9th: our future must not be decided by those who spread hate and want to destroy Europe.”