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UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings challenged Europe’s trade unions to “make it happen” in the fight for a progressive, social and improved Europe, during his address to the UNI Europa Conference in Rome.

“We have to rekindle the spirit of what Europe is all about,” he said. “Europe is not about improving the returns for businesses, it’s about us – your members and your people.”

With the labour movement under a full-frontal assault from right-wing European governments, intent on limiting union power across Europe, he warned of the dangers of failing to act.

“We’re in this fight together,” he said. “In Europe and in the world”.

“When the strongest unions in the world are under attack like this, what hope is there for them?”

Jennings reminded members to be proud of their successes and highlighted the share in the Nobel Peace Prize given to Tunisian trade unions as an example of what can be achieved in the face of adversity, and gave examples of the global successes in which UNI played a role such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the global climate deal, and the Bangladesh Accord.

“We’re in the business of changing the world,” he said. “We’re not intimidated by the challenges we face. We make it happen. Don’t doubt for a moment we can’t do it.”

Jennings called for peace in Syria and reaffirmed UNI Global Union’s desire for Israel and Palestine to re-enter a peace process, confirming that both Israel and Palestine would be represented on the UNI Europa Executive.

He berated European leaders for failing to change track on austerity, and said the only way to fight rising levels of inequality was through stronger trade unions, collective bargaining rights and labour market institutions.

He concluded by revealing that “Make it Happen” will be the theme of UNI Global Union’s 2018 World Congress in Liverpool. The phrase encapsulates the trade union fight for a world of peace, justice and equality.