News

Around 25 trade unionists from all over Europe gathered from 19 – 21 February 2013 in Leiden (NL) to reflect on the Finance sector’s future and the trade unions’ roles and challenges ahead: What could be the future scenarios we find ourselves in and what kind of trade union action should be taken to create a better world? Which future do want for us and our members?

Guided by three experts of the European Trade Union Institute and the Institute for Prospective Analyses (Berlin) who have developed the scenario methodology, participants engaged in new ways of thinking about how to shape the future and about the “long-term Prospects for Employment and Labour Relations”, as the title of the workshop suggested.

Creativity and new forms of trade union activism must be among the core instruments in facing the sectors’ massive challenges such as mass redundancies and non-respect for workers’ rights to information and consultation. The need to build a sustainable new financial system after the crisis – and the front role of strong and rejuvenated trade unions in this process - was emphasised by all participants. This reflection process inspired participants to have a broader vision and new energy for their trade union work.

The workshop was organised by the ETUI and financially supported by the European Union.