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Meeting in Brussels for the fourth annual General Assembly of EURO-MEI, leaders of media, entertainment and arts unions called for a progressive European policy blue print that invests in people, ensures solidarity, respects and cherishes their cultures and puts quality employment at the heart of a sustainable growth agenda. Affiliates adopted a series of resolutions to give shape to a renewed policy programme. At the heart of its strategic plan, EURO-MEI wants to campaign for policy changes and refocus national and European policies on the people. The programme affirms that those who create and those who help to bring works to life need to be put at the centre of a holistic industrial policy to build a culturally diverse digital economy in a global marketplace. Affiliates committed to step-up cooperation on organising and campaigns for the respect of trade union rights and freedom of association of all workers regardless of their employment status.  A further priority will be to further develop and strengthen the social dialogue process in the audiovisual and live performance sectors. Download the resolution “A Europe of culture, a Europe of progress” from the menu “related files”.

The Assembly elected William Maunier, Secretary General of the Audiovisual Workers Union of CGT, SNRT-CGT (France) for his second term as EURO-MEI President. Luke Crawley, BECTU (UK), Cordula Bauermeister, VERDI (Germany), Françoise Chazaud, FASAP-FO (France), Pier Verderio, FISTEL-CISL (Italy), Monika Wittmann, GDG-KMSfB (Austria) and Aldis Miscevic LKDAF, (Latvia) were elected Vice-Presidents.

“Our key challenges are to get trade union rights fully respected in all areas of the media, entertainment and arts across Europe. We need to tackle together the changes our members face as a result of globalisation, restructuring of the industries and technological evolution” EURO-MEI President William Maunier said. “We will campaign with sister organisation and partners for a change in EU legislations in order to strengthen social inclusiveness and cultural diversity”, he added.

Key speakers ETUC General Secretary, Bernadette Ségol (photo) and UNI Europa Regional Secretary, Oliver Röthig addressed the challenges stemming from the financial and economic crisis as well as the austerity policies put in place by the Troika and national governments. Ségol emphasised that employment and social justice needs to be put at the core of economic policies. Röthig underlined that the attack on social dialogue and collective bargaining needs to stop and decision makers have to recommit to a social Europe built on the recognition of the importance of strong social dialogue for sustainable growth. 

The Assembly also provided the opportunity to exchange with representatives of sister organisations and social partners on key issues. Elena Lai, General Secretary of CEPI, Stefaan Ceupens of the Directorate General for Employment, Social Inclusion and Social Affairs and Dearbhal Murphy, Deputy General Secretary of the FIA discussed with participants the prospects of sectoral social dialogue. The Commission, employers and unions alike are looking forward to working together to setting-up a EU sector skills council for the audiovisual and live performance sector, a priority all agreed should be given focus to.