Over 1.6 million people took to the streets in response to the call put out by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and its affiliates. They were demonstrating in towns and cities across Europe for policy changes and more social justice. A million people converged on Rome to protest against the Berlusconi government’s pensions policy. In Germany, 500 000 marched for a brighter future. French trade unions staged events the length and breadth of France. Central and eastern European countries (Slovenia, Hungary, Poland) also joined in with a range of activities (conferences, rallies).

These European Action Days were the kingpin of a campaign run by the ETUC to put a focus on workable alternatives for a more social Europe. Trade unions know that Europe is in need of political reforms. But those reforms must made with the people, not at their cost. The ETUC will be a willing partner in steering change, as it told the Irish Presidency at last month’s Spring Summit. But reform must not mean unravelling workers’ rights. The social partnership needs strengthening to give people an opportunity to get organized for social and economic change. Europe must not just be about responding to competitive pressures. Europe can also be a response to globalization. This is why we need a constitutional treaty to provide a better armature for political action.We also need a strong European Parliament that is signed up to social values. The ETUC is therefore calling on all Europe’s citizens to turn out in force for these elections. It is the only way to get a united, more social and fairer enlarged Europe.“Last weekend left no-one in doubt that we want a more social Europe, and that means a sea-change in policy”. said ETUC Deputy General Secretary Reiner Hoffman.