Catherine Stihler, Scottish Labour MEP

Sir,

The drive for Social Europe was aimed at ensuring that we obtained the benefits of a Single European Market without the undercutting of workers wage and conditions.

European Court of Justice judgements in the Viking, Lavall and Ruffert cases undermined Social Europe by giving higher priority to the freedom of movement over the right of both UK and other EU workers. We are now witnessing the damage done by these judgements.

We believe that the recent interpretations of European employment law must be reversed and that is why the Socialist Group manifesto - approved in November 2008 - calls for the revision of Viking, Lavall and Ruffert judgements.

A well functioning European Single Market is good for jobs and prosperity but it cannot be a reason for driving down labour conditions.

Yours sincerely

David Martin and Catherine Stihler

Labour MEPs for Scotland