Following the welcome by Walter Grahammer, host and Austrian Ambassador to the EU (Karl Schramek, Austrian Ambassador to Belgium and Ambassador to NATO was also present), the French General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol, was the first to address the invited audience. At the centre of her speech: the particular significance of their engagement in European policy matters by ÖGB und AK in Brussels. Europe can learn a lot from the Austrian culture of social dialogue. The facts speak for themselves. The Austrian social partnership, on the employees’ side characterised by strong trade unions and supported by the Chambers of Labour, is the main reason why Austria, compared to other EU countries has achieved outstanding results in respect of good jobs, low rates of unemployment, in particular with regard to young people (it is a well-known fact that Austria is the European champion here), and a competitive economy. Nevertheless, in Austria too not everything was perfect. The taxation on high levels of wealth, as also confirmed by international studies, was too low.

In his speech, the President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, Erich Foglar, thanked the guests present for their support with regard to the political successes of the trade union movement in 2012. At the forefront: the Financial Transaction Tax, also called Speculation Tax. Right from the start, all Austrian social partner organisations had backed the idea to make speculators responsible for the damage they have caused and to prevent future casino excesses at the expense of employees. Only a few years before, the European Commission had derided this political initiative as completely unrealistic. However, many years of hard and persistent work by trade unions and civil society had finally affected a turnaround. Foglar thanked in particular the Members of the European Parliament for this achievement, who supported this idea across political constraints with a broad majority. The ÖGB President also used the opportunity to ask the Members of the European Parliament for their support when, now and in future, social dialogue at European level had to be strengthened significantly.

In his address, Herbert Tumpel, President of the Chamber of Labour, emphasised that Europe had to become far more tangible for the people. Market freedom was not enough. Social fundamental rights, which already existed on paper, had to be brought to life. Too often in the past, the social dimension of the EU had been neglected. The time had come to gradually change this imbalance. Priority had also to be given to tackle important topics of the future, such as a coherent European energy policy or European strategies to strengthen the industrial sector, said Tumpel.

After the official speeches the time had come to give due recognition to the President of the Chamber of Labour. A task, which ÖGB President Erich Foglar was only too pleased to fulfil. After all, holding various leadership positions, Herbert Tumpel and Erich Foglar, said the trade union President, had enjoyed a professional and close personal relationship, which had lasted for more than 15 years. Because of his engagement for Austrian and European employees, Herbert Tumpel had gained much respect and recognition.

However, the staff of AK and ÖGB in Brussels also wanted to show their gratitude. As a “Memory of Brussels“ they presented the AK President with an illustrated book with personal dedications and photos of the numerous political appearances by Herbert Tumpel in Brussels.

To sum up a memorable evening in the capital of Europe: thank you to AK President Tumpel, a great personality in the Austrian and European labour movement. Thank you Herbert!