About

The Central European Trade Union Network (CETUN) assembles trade unions from Czechia, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Montenegro, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Switzerland. As a regional grouping of ETUC members, the network’s goal is to foster trade union structures and social dialogue in the region. Through greater cooperation and coordination, participants aspire to promote common themes at European level.

News

Resolution

No Austerity on Workers’ Backs: Solidarity with Slovak Workers Against Unfair Budget Cuts

In Slovakia, as across Europe, budget consolidation is yet again being pushed through without social dialogue and hits workers hardest. CETUN stands in solidarity with Slovak workers and calls for fair, socially responsible fiscal policies.

Resolution

Building Momentum for National Action Plans: Promoting Collective Bargaining in Central Europe

The EU supports collective bargaining as the key to achieving upward wage and social convergence across member states. Building on work by ETUC and ETUI, we outline measures tailored to strengthen bargaining in Central Europe.

Resolution

Towards Fair and Sustainable Public Procurement in Europe

EU public procurement rules need fundamental reform to ensure public funds promote fair wages, sustainability, and regional development. Shifting away from the cheapest to the best bidder principle can enhance social cohesion, protect workers' rights and drive economic progress.

Resolution

Protect workers’ rights and public services in negotiations for a Swiss-EU institutional framework agreement

The EU's neighbours should not have to compromise on labour standards or public services to maintain good relations with their biggest economic partner. Current EU-Switzerland negotiations risk just that. Trade unions demand a change of course.

Study trip

Taking inspiration from Nordic trade union solidarity: The CETUN study trip to the NFS and BASTUN

The Nordic trade unions are an obvious inspiration for all endeavours to establish structured, multilateral, cross-border cooperation between trade unions. CETUN participants set out to Stockholm to learn from the experiences of the NFS and BASTUN.

Resolution

Expanding Social Europe: An Imperative for EU Convergence and Enlargement

As past EU enlargement rounds failed to ensure an expansion of Social Europe, twenty years on wage differences between member states remain staggering. Effective social dialogue and stronger labour rights can ensure a fair deal for workers and prevent repeating mistakes of the past.

Initiative

Solidarity with Ukrainian and Belarusian Trade Unions: The ILO Governing Body is no place for FNPR representatives

As an integral part of Vladimir Putin’s dictatorial and war-mongering regime, the FNPR has no place in the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Launch Event

It’s Time for Social Integration – How to Build up Social Dialogue in the Western Balkans

Trade unionists from across Europe attended the CETUN Launch Event where both the importance of regional trade union cooperation as well as an effective social dialogue as prerequisite for future EU enlargements were stressed.

Resolution

For an efficient transposition of the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in all EU Member States

Directive (EU) 2022/2041 is one of the most important social and employment policy achievements of the 2019-2024 legislative term. Its timely, adequate and faithful transposition of the Directive across all Member States must be ensured.