Unions welcome apparent shift by the G8 from austerity to a focus on growth and jobs

Commenting on the Declaration issued at the end of the G8 Camp David Summit on 20 May, international unions welcomed an apparent shift of focus from austerity and budget cuts to growth and jobs.

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade union Confederation, said “We welcome the clear statement by the G8 that their commitment is to promote growth and jobs. But this has now to be reflected in a change of policy on the ground, where short sighted austerity is destroying jobs and confidence of workers and consumers”.

Richard Trumka, President the US trade union Centre the AFL-CIO and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD said "With President Obama as chair, the G8 has turned turn away from austerity and depression and toward jobs and growth. The member countries now must take action to make the commitments at Camp David into reality."

John Evans, General Secretary of the TUAC said “It appears that at Camp David the position of pro-jobs leaders won out over the deficit hawks. This shift must be reflected by the OECD Finance Ministers meeting on 23 and 24 May in Paris.”

Union Leaders will be attending the OECD Ministerial meeting and pressing their case for a pro-jobs agenda.