UNI Global

Objectives

UNI Global Union represents more than 20 million workers from over 600 trade unions across 40 countries.

Members of the organisation’s board, which includes general secretaries from UK-based unions and the TUC, campaigned to bring the event to the UK for the first time and served as ambassadors for Liverpool.

It provided the opportunity for members to join together to discuss current topics, hear from keynote speakers and look ahead to the organisation’s future strategic plan.

Format

A spectacular opening ceremony of the Congress  - created by Andrew Sherlock, head of drama at Liverpool John Moores University in partnership with Culture Liverpool – took place in the Arena, part of the ACC Liverpool complex.

Speakers at the event included Jeremy Corbyn, Reverend Dr William Barber, Guy Ryder and Dilma Rousseff.  

Christy Hoffman was elected the new general secretary of UNI Global Union, replacing incumbent Phillip Jennings who led the organisation for 18 years.

The event marked the 10^thanniversary of the city’s reign as European Capital of Culture. UNI Global Union encompassed the Future World of Work strand of the programme, exploring how work will change over the coming years and how this will impact on our lives. 

A closing party was held in the city’s Camp and Furnace venue.

Challenges

Events took place across the ACC Liverpool campus during UNI Global Union including the International Business Festival in Exhibition Centre Liverpool.  However thanks to the flexibility of the venue, and the ACC Liverpool and supporting teams, all events ran smoothly and efficiently.

Verdict

Christy Hoffman said:  “This complex event was many years in the planning among a number of organisations and we were pleased to be able to bring it to the UK for the first time.  It was wholly appropriate for the event to take place in Liverpool as a proud working city and a traditional centre of the union movement.

“There were many highlights during conference and it was a particularly significant year as we celebrated the 150^thanniversary of the TUC as well as 100^thanniversary of women’s right to vote.

“We were made to feel part of the city throughout the planning process and during conference.  Feedback from delegates was extremely positive. ACC Liverpool and the city of Liverpool welcomed us with open arms and we are truly grateful for their support.”