Presentation

Union Syndicale Fédérale was set up 40 years ago, when it was known as « UNION DES SYNDICATS ». Trade union organisations join together under its banner to advocate the cause of unity and solidarity with the world of work. What these organisations have in common is their desire to promote the ideal of a genuine European Public Service which will bring about European integration in peace and prosperity, in the interest of the people of Europe.

• History of the Union Syndicale Fédérale (in French only)
• Declaration of Ispra (1974)

Union Syndicale Fédérale (USF) currently has 21 affiliated Trade Unions, representing a variety of locations within the European and International Public Service. Their members number thousands of people of all grades, nationalities, professions and contractual status.

Union Syndicale Fédérale does not confine its ambition to protecting the moral, material and financial interests of its members or of staff of the institutions. Working together with the trade union movement in Europe, to which it is affiliated, it seeks, beyond that, to guarantee the people of Europe a public service for all of Europe which is stable, independent and up to the job, and mindful of how it manages the public’s money.

To achieve this, Union Syndicale Fédérale conducts its activities either directly or, where more appropriate, through its affiliates in a firm and constructive manner, acting as a counterweight to unfair pressure and to behaviour which conflicts with its principles.

In this way Union Syndicale Fédérale will do its piece in contributing to change and innovation in European society, keeping an open mind on the implications of enlarging the European Union to encompass new member states but without losing sight of the need to maintain respect for each individual and for the principles of democracy.