UNI Europa leadership elected: “We will defend democracy and collective bargaining”

Oliver Roethig was re-elected as Regional Secretary of UNI Europa at the 6th UNI Europa Conference in Belfast on Tuesday, pledging to defend collective bargaining and stand up for democracy amid growing challenges across the continent: “I’m honoured by the trust delegates have placed in me,” Roethig said. “In these difficult times, our mission is clear: we will protect and strengthen collective bargaining, stand up for democracy, and ensure that working people have a say in shaping the future of Europe.”

Peter Hellberg of Unionen, Sweden, was re-elected as President of UNI Europa. In a passionate speech to delegates, Hellberg warned of a global rise in repression of trade unionists and democratic backsliding: “When workers organise to give collective voice to rightful demands for better working conditions and better workplaces, it is not only an expression of freedom of association and freedom of speech at the workplace. It is also an expression of the trade union movement being a great school of democracy.”

Lieveke Norga of Belgium’s ACV Puls was elected 1st Vice-President of UNI Europa, a role previously held by Pilar Rato of CCOO. On the motivation for her candicacy, Norga said: “In our trade unions we need female leadership, and we need young leadership.”

Mario Petitto (SLP-CISL, Italy), Frank Werneke (ver.di, Germany), Louisa Bull (UNITE the Union, United Kingdom) and Françoise Chazaud (FASAP-FO, France) were elected as UNI Europa vice presidents.

With this mix of established leadership and new energy, UNI Europa is prepared to strengthen, expand and deepen worker power until the next Conference in 2030.