GCTU EXPRESSES ITS FULL SUPPORT OF THE PROTEST ACTIONS THAT SWEPT ACROSS EUROPE
On the 20th of November 2012, General Secretary of the GCTU Vladimir Scherbakov sent a message to his counterpart in the ETUC which reads as follows:
Ms Bernadette SEGOL
General Secretary
European Trade Union Confederation
Dear Sister Bernadette Segol,
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), on behalf of its affiliates organising almost 50 million workers, expresses its fraternal solidarity with, and full support of, the protest actions that swept across Europe on the European Day of Action and Solidarity 14 November 2012.
Like the ETUC, we are deeply concerned that the austerity measures being imposed on the European countries generally result in economic stagnation and declining living standards, new layoffs, and cuts in social benefits, wages and pensions.
The challenges currently facing workers and countries in Europe are in many ways identical to the problems that have to be addressed by countries and workers in our region. We believe that the best way to overcome them is primarily through the strengthening of social dialogue and the implementation of economic policies aiming to create new and decent jobs, and reduce social tensions.
We want to assure you that in its future struggles to get the demands made by the protesters met, the ETUC can always count on support and solidarity from the GCTU and its member organisations.
Fraternal greetings,
Vladimir Scherbakov
GCTU General Secretary