The National Trade Union Confederation MERIDIAN has been accepted to be full member organization of the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions, starting with 1 January 2007. The headquarters of this imortant european trade union confederation is in Brussels, Belgium, in close proximity to the European institution.

To see the letter in romanian and in french which confirm our affiliation at CESI, please make < click here >. 

CESI is a European trade union organization. It encompasses trade unions from the member states of the European Union and other European states. To see the CESI's Constitution, please make < click here >.

Social Europe is slowly taking shape, with full employment remaining the priority aim. Without European initiatives and better coordination of national measures, it will not be possible to achieve further progress in social policy and win the fight against unemployment. Employees must therefore join forces to assert their interests at European level.

Europe is more than just the Member States of the Union, however. The enlargement of the EU marks the start of a new era. Europe’s cultural diversity and different traditions represent not only a challenge but also an enrichment. CESI supports the enlargement of the Union so that the preconditions for the development of the "European house" can be created.

CESI is a confederation, an amalgamation of trade union organizations from different European countries. It was founded in 1990.

As a European trade union umbrella organization, the following organizations can belong to CESI as members:

·       national individual and umbrella trade unions

·       European umbrella trade unions

·       European trade unions

At European level, CESI is a contact partner for the European institutions, particularly for the European Commission. It comments, above all, on social policy issues and, with the trade union work of its committees, contributes towards decision-making in European social and employment policy.

In cooperation with CESI’s educational institution, the "Europe Academy", the member trade unions are involved in the latest European developments. This promotes a European consciousness in the member organizations.

CESI represents free and independent trade unions from the private and public sectors that adhere to democratic principles and defend the respect of human rights.

As an independent European trade union, CESI is not bound by any ideology or state power.

CESI fights for a strong, independent civil service and efficient public institutions serving the European citizen. It supports the continued existence and further development of an independent European civil service. 

A trade union is an expression of the workers' solidarity and their common interests. Solidarity also includes those seeking work.

Workers in Europe are increasingly faced with multinational companies. It is therefore essential for the European trade union movement to create an effective counterbalance.

For CESI, social peace, social justice, recognition of workers’ rights and financially supportable social systems are indispensable coordinates of the European social model. The social market economy as the basis of this model guarantees market freedom and social balance as aims of equal importance. Citizens’ own initiatives and personal responsibility are an integral part of this.

CESI defends trade union pluralism and sees itself as a partner in the European social dialogue. Trade union policy influence must be strengthened through a partnership-based dialogue at European level.

The Executive Board is composed by the following members: 

•  Valerio Salvatore - President, 

• Helmut Müllers - Secretary General, 

•  Frank Stöhr - Treasurer, 

• PeterHeesen - President of the Academy Europe, 

• Christian Chapuis (CGC-Fonctionspubliques) - Vice-President, 

• Rainer Dumont du Voitel (FFPE) - Vice-President, 

• Domingo Fernandez Veiguela (CSI-CSIF) - Vice-President, 

•  Jörg Hebsacker (CGB), Vice-President, 

•  Wieslaw Siewierski (FZZ), Vice-President, 

• Romain Wolff (CGFP), Vice-President,  

The following meetings are scheduled for the beginning of the year:

1. 26, 27, 28 january 2007, Berlin: Symposium - " The future of old-age pension schemes "

2. 6th of March, 2007: Public Services Union of the CESI

3. 15th of March, 2007: Executive Board (only Executive Board members)

4.  22th of March, 2007: Education and Youth committee

5. 27th of March: Social affairs committee and "women" committee

Contact: 

Confédération Européenne des Syndicats Indépendants

1-5 Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée

1040 Bruxelles

Tél.: +32 2 282 18 77

Webpage: www.cesi.org