As we all know many of the important decision that affect our working lives are made in Europe well in advance of them being implemented here in Ireland.  That is why it is so important that we make our voices heard as early as possible in the European process so that we can influence and shape the changes that will affect us. 

SAMPLE LETTER 

(Use your own letterhead)

Dear Member of the European Parliament/Minister/(...),

The European Union is at a critical crossroads when it comes to telecommunications. As a trade union representing 16,000 workers in the communications industry, we are concerned by the telecom package the European Union is debating right now. If passed in the version currently discussed by the Council of Ministers, the new telecom legislation risks putting Europe behind some of our largest trading partners such as the United States, and Asia.

With regard to the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs and the i2010 Strategy for an Innovative and Inclusive European Information Society it is of vital importance that we establish a European telecom legislation that keeps us competitive, strengthens European companies and creates quality jobs.

These objectives can only be reached if we create a true universal high-speed internet across the European Union and if we ensure that consumers and workers benefit alike from an opening of the spectrum market. Above all, it is important that all stakeholders have a voice, including trade unions, on telecommunications issues impacting them.

In view of the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers on 27 November 2008, we urge you to consider our concerns on the telecom package as explained in our position paper that you will find enclosed.

Yours sincerely

(…)

 Position Paper
Europe Needs the Right Telecommunications Reform:
To Fuel the Economy, Create jobs, and Build Universal Broadband

The European Union is at a critical crossroads when it comes to telecommunications. Right now, the European Union is debating a telecom package that if passed risks putting Europe behind some of our largest trading partners such as the United States, and Asia in developing a telecommunications policy for the 21st Century. But it is not to late.

We need to create a telecommunications package that will:
1. Fuel Europe's economy, create quality jobs and keep us competitive.
2. Create a true universal high-speed internet across the European Union.
3. Ensure that all stakeholders have a voice, including trade unions, on  telecommunications issues impacting them.
4. Ensure that consumers and workers benefit alike from an opening of the  spectrum  market while respecting radio spectrum as a public good.

Economic Growth and Quality Jobs
Europe risks falling behind our trading partners such as the United States, Japan and Korea if we can not keep up with basic telecommunications needs for businesses and trade. The current telecom package encourages functional separation. This will have a negative impact on job creation, investment for universal broadband and limit consumer choice.

Universal Broadband
Right now, not enough Europeans are equipped to succeed in the 21st Century Economy because they lack access to true-high speed internet. True high-speed internet is not just about surfing the web, downloading music and movies faster. It is becoming a vital link for citizens to participate fully in economic and civic life. The current telecom package does not ensure the right polices for large-scale investment by network providers to create a true universal high-speed internet.

Stakeholder Participation
Right now the telecom package excludes trade unions. Communications Unions play a vital role in European economic life by doing the work in the industry. Building a true universal-high speed internet throughout Europe will require the participation of all stakeholders.

Radio Spectrum
The Commission proposes the liberalization of radio spectrum based on the principles of technology neutrality, service neutrality and spectrum tradability. It is important that a coordination of spectrum management across the EU involves National Regulatory Authorities, operators and other stakeholders equally in order to ensure the recognition of radio spectrum as a public good and to allow for quality of service, infrastructure investment and the fulfilment of general interest objectives. New frequencies should be used for the creation of new jobs and investments. Regulatory bodies need to ensure that newly allocated spectrum will be developed and not bought and held
 
Net Neutrality
We must protect free speech on the Internet so that people are able to go to the websites they want and download or upload what they want when they want on the Internet. There should be no degradation of service or censoring any lawful content on the Internet. At the same time, reasonable network management is necessary to preserve and effective and open Internet. Most important, building high-capacity networks will ensure that all European citizens have fast, open access to all content on the Internet.