Friday 10th July 2009
Lisbon Is Good For Workers – Confirmed!
The Director of the Ireland for Europe campaign, Pat Cox, has welcomed the decision of the EU’s top trade unionist to call for an unequivocal YES vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum. John Monks, the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, ETUC, is to urge delegates at the biennial Congress of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Tralee to back the Treaty.
“Like Mr Monks, Ireland for Europe believes that the Lisbon Treaty is a step forward for workers in its commitment to full employment, the social market economy and public services,” said Mr Cox. “It is also important that the ETUC leader clarified that the Lisbon Treaty has nothing to do with recent controversial decisions on workers’ rights from the European Court of Justice”, he added.
“Mr Monks also made it clear that as far as ETUC is concerned, the Lisbon Treaty with its newly enforceable Charter of Fundamental Rights will help, not hinder, the trade unions’ campaign for a Social Progress protocol.”
Ireland for Europe is an independent, civil society group promoting a YES vote in the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty. Among its patrons is ICTU General Secretary General, David Begg as well as many top employers in the country.
Media queries from Caroline Erskine at media@irelandforeurope.ie
