The first chapter, under the emblematic title of ’On the Offensive’ for stronger trade unions brought interventions from more than 15 affiliated organisations. All of them offered their support for the initiative outlined by the General Secretary, of turning the Seville Congress into the launch pad for the renewal of European trade unionism, to be more united, more coherent, more influential, and more representative of the whole working population.

A large number of the participants stressed the importance, during this coming period, of building trade union membership in all areas of employment, and especially among students and young workers; all those suffering the full impact of the casino economy, such as workers on insecure contracts; and also of opening trade unions up to the whole spectrum of employment arrangements in the labour market, including self-employed and economically dependent workers.

Finally, in his response to the debate on the first chapter of the Strategy and Action Plan, John Monks welcomed the common approach of the whole European trade union movement and confirmed that unionisation remains the main challenge for the coming years.