From 12 to 14 December, more than 300 trade union representatives from European construction, building materials, wood and forestry trade unions will meet in Helsinki, Finland, for the 14th EFBWW General Assembly. During the three-day event, participants will discuss the main achievements of the last four years, set the priorities for the next Congress period, and elect the new leadership.
Before the opening of the General Assembly, on 12 December, the EFBWW will organise three side events. The first side event will be dedicated to gender equality in our sectors. At this event we will launch the practical manual for negotiators of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), including a toolbox with good practices on how to integrate gender aspects in CBA’s. There will also be side events on organising and communication and campaigning. The EFBWW will also organise a solidarity event with Ukraine.
During the opening of the General Assembly, Dr Guy Standing, author of the book The Precariat, The New Dangerous Class (2011), will be the keynote speaker. He will address the impact of precarization and social dumping on our sectors, the impact on democracy and the need for a solid trade union answer.
Together with Nikolaj Villumsen (MEP The Left, DK) we will also celebrate our victory for a better protection of construction workers against asbestos. This was one of the major EFBWW battles in the past congress period and we won!
During the Congress, the EFBWW will also present its activity report, highlighting its main achievements (leaflet attached). We will debate the steps needed for a fair Internal Market and how to ensure that the twin transition is a just transition and the EFBWW affiliates will decide on the priorities for the next Congress period.