Together with thousands of trade unionists from across Europe, Union Syndicale took part in the Brussels rally on Thursday, 24 September 2026, against the proposed “EU Inc.” framework. The demonstration highlighted growing concerns that deregulation measures presented in the name of competitiveness could weaken labour standards, workers’ rights and democratic workplace representation.
We joined the call for a social Europe that prioritises quality employment, strong public services and fair working conditions for all.
The Union Syndicale represents the staff of the European institutions, who are not covered by the future “EU Inc.” status. Its presence is nonetheless essential, for three reasons.
⚠️ The first is a matter of consistency. Every day, European staff work toward a project that the treaties define as a social market economy, and they cannot remain indifferent when a Union text threatens to weaken its social dimension. Defending the European social model means defending the very essence of our public service mission.
⚠️ The second reason relates to the reality of work within our institutions. Cleaning, security, catering, IT: a growing proportion of the people working alongside us in EU buildings are employed by private contractors. If these companies are allowed to choose the least protective legal framework in the future, it is these colleagues who will pay the price.
⚠️ The third is solidarity. The Union Syndicale is part of the European trade union movement, and collective rights (representation, negotiation, participation) form a common foundation that can only be effective if defended together.
The logic of “simplification” that underpins this text is the very same one that, in other areas, is weighing on the European civil service. What is at stake today for private-sector employees will therefore, in the long run, also affect institutional staff.
⚠️ The first is a matter of consistency. Every day, European staff work toward a project that the treaties define as a social market economy, and they cannot remain indifferent when a Union text threatens to weaken its social dimension. Defending the European social model means defending the very essence of our public service mission.
⚠️ The second reason relates to the reality of work within our institutions. Cleaning, security, catering, IT: a growing proportion of the people working alongside us in EU buildings are employed by private contractors. If these companies are allowed to choose the least protective legal framework in the future, it is these colleagues who will pay the price.
⚠️ The third is solidarity. The Union Syndicale is part of the European trade union movement, and collective rights (representation, negotiation, participation) form a common foundation that can only be effective if defended together.
The logic of “simplification” that underpins this text is the very same one that, in other areas, is weighing on the European civil service. What is at stake today for private-sector employees will therefore, in the long run, also affect institutional staff.
