The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) was created, bringing together trade union organisations from 53 countries and claiming
Say Yes to a Unified and Solidarity-driven Europe
Union Syndicale Fédérale, the leading European civil service website, defends the officials and employees of the European institutions.
Union Syndicale Fédérale was set up almost 50 years ago, when it was known as « UNION DES SYNDICATS ». Trade union organisations join together under its banner to embrace the cause of unity and solidarity with the world of work. What these organisations have in common is their desire to promote the ideal of a genuine European Public Service which will bring about European integration in peace and prosperity, in the interest of the people of Europe.
Union Syndicale Fédérale (USF) currently has more than 20 Unions Syndicales affiliated, representing a variety of locations within the European and International Public Service. Their members number thousands of people of all grades, nationalities, professions and contractual status.
Union Syndicale Fédérale does not confine its ambition to protecting the moral, material and financial interests of its members or of staff of the institutions. Working together with the trade union movement in Europe, to which it is affiliated, it seeks, beyond that, to guarantee the people of Europe a public service for all of Europe which is stable, independent and up to the job, and mindful of how it manages the public’s money.
To achieve this, Union Syndicale Fédérale conducts its activities either directly or, where more appropriate, through its affiliates in a manner at once firm and constructive, acting as a counterweight to unfair pressure and to behaviour which conflicts with its principles.
In this way Union Syndicale Fédérale will do its bit to contribute to the evolution of the European society and to European integration, with due respect for democracy, workers’ rights and Human rights, keeping an open and tolerant mind.
A Brief History
1957
The Treaty of Rome. The Treaty established a European Parliament, a Council, a Commission and a Court of Justice. The creation of the European Trade Union Secretariat (SSE), which encouraged its organisations to take part in the process that led to the creation of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
1960’s
The enlargement of Europe, at the heart of the Cold War. The EEC, ECSC and EAEC (Euratom) were plagued by disorders that undermined the functioning of the common market. To avoid divergences caused by national political responses, the member states agreed on a step-by-step plan to create a European economic and monetary union.
1970’s
By the early 1970s, the number of institutions had risen to almost 10,000 officials and agents.
1973
The United Kingdom, along with Ireland and Denmark, officially opened the doors to the common market.
Union Syndicale Service Public Européen – Bruxelles (USB) was founded.
1974
Creation of the federation named ‘Union des Syndicats’, which later became Union Syndicale Fédérale