|
"Austerity means cuts in the public services and public companies and also cuts in the buying power for the working class," said Belgian socialist union leader Filip Peers.
"Austerity means recession and it deepens the crisis." However, Philippe de Buck , the chief of Eurobusiness the Brussels-based EU employers' federation, took a different view. "If you start striking at national level and in companies you only will harm the economy," he said.
"And it is not the right thing to do today." "It costs billions" of euros, he said, adding that Europe's reputation as a hotbed of trade union action would not attract global investors. Europe has a long history of union action and workers' rights and benefits have been one of the cornerstones of its welfare state, with its guaranteed medical care, unemployment benefits and often generous pensions. The union action was not felt across the entire region, however, with countries where austerity has not hit as hard experiencing little disruption. "So far, there are only symbolic demonstrations here in Germany, because we were able to avoid the crisis," said Michael Sommer, the head of Germany's main labor union federation. In Denmark, too, there were no strikes, since cooperation between workers and employers has largely survived the crisis so far. "The employers speak the same language as we do, and we understand each other's needs and demands," said Joergen Frederiksen, a 69-year-old retired worker and a former shop steward.
"There are good vibes between us and that means a lot."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor