Labour and social lawyers from across Europe call on European Council to confirm social dimension of the EU

On 29 and 30 May 2009, a memorial conference was held at King’s College London, and at which several members of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) Transnational Trade Union Rights expert network actively participated, to honour the life and work of Professor Brian Bercusson, who had made an immense contribution to the development of Social Europe.

At that conference - attended by leading labour lawyers from all over Europe - great concern was expressed about the deterioration of fundamental social rights and the impact of recent decisions of the European Court of Justice for the rights of workers, and their organisations.

As a result of these concerns, it was resolved by those present that a declaration should be produced for presentation to the EU Heads of State and Government in advance of the meeting of the European Council of 18 and 19 June.

Please see attached the text of the declaration and the names of those labour and social lawyers who have so far indicated their full support, in what will be an open list to which others may wish to subscribe.

If you are able to support this initiative, please reply to Professor Keith Ewing, King’s College London (keith.ewing@kcl.ac.uk), from where it is being coordinated.