The Pan-European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation was established in Rome in March 2007, fifty years after the signature of the Treaty of Rome, which started the European integration processes. The creation of the PERC was based on a resolution adopted at the ITUC Founding Congress in November 2006 in Vienna, Austria. The PERC brings together all the ITUC affiliates on the European continent and consists of 87 national centres representing more than 85 million trade union members, from Lisbon to Vladivostok. The PERC cooperates closely with the ETUC in promoting social dialogue, decent work and the achievements of the European social model throughout the continent.
The PERC is represented by the General Secretary, who according to the Constitution is the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The PERC General Assembly elects the President and Vice-Presidents.
The PERC works to promote the strategies, priorities and policies of the ITUC and seeks to contribute to social development, the consolidation of democracy and respect for human and workers’ rights in Europe. Promotion of trade union action, representation of workers’ interests through the strengthening of the trade union movement and support for multilateral cooperation and bilateral activities, are central objectives of the Council.