Addressing thousands gathered at the historic “Big Meeting”, Judith Kirton-Darling linked the labour movement’s past struggles with the challenges facing workers today.

Marking 90 years since the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, she paid tribute to the volunteers, including many from County Durham, who travelled to Spain to defend democracy against fascism.

“Their message was clear: solidarity does not stop at borders,” said Judith Kirton-Darling, describing internationalism as a defining principle of the trade union movement.

During the 1984–85 miners’ strike, British miners communities were shown unwavering international support. Trade unions across Europe and beyond provided financial assistance, food, Christmas gifts and other practical support to striking families, demonstrating that solidarity is more than a slogan, it is a lifeline for working people.

She said that same spirit is visible today in the ongoing dispute between Tesla workers in Sweden and the company over collective bargaining rights. By refusing to handle Tesla goods, dockworkers, transport workers and postal workers across the Nordic countries have shown how coordinated action can strengthen workers’ demands and defend fundamental trade union rights.

Similarly to the past, workers now face new forms of concentrated corporate power, growing inequality and increasing pressure to bear the costs of the green and digital transitions.

The industrial transformation should not come at workers’ expense, public investment must deliver public value.

“Every euro of public investment must come with guarantees for quality jobs, collective bargaining, strong trade unions and respect for workers’ rights,” said Judith Kirton-Darling.

Governments must attach clear social conditions to public funding for strategic industries, warning that too often public money has been invested without safeguards, leaving workers and communities exposed when companies relocate production or close sites.
We need a robust European industrial policy that supports manufacturing, invests in skills and ensures workers play a central role in delivering the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

International solidarity is now more important than ever as employers, supply chains and investment decisions operate across borders.

“When workers’ rights are weakened anywhere, they are at risk everywhere,” said Judith Kirton-Darling, adding that victories achieved through collective action can also benefit workers across Europe.

Trade unions must honour previous generations not only by remembering their struggles but by continuing to organise for peace, democracy and social justice.

IndustriAll Europe calls for an economy that shares wealth more fairly, protects workers’ voices and ensures technology serves society rather than concentrated corporate interests, organised workers remain the driving force for building a more just and sustainable future.

“Together, across borders and across generations, we will win,” concluded Judith Kirton-Darling