Bernadette Ségol has been Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation since the Athens Congress of May 2011. The ETUC represents 83 trade union organisations in 36 European countries as well as sectorial federations.

Over a period of 10 years, from 2000 to 2010, she was the head of UNI Europa, the European trade union federation for services and communication, which represents 7 million workers and 330 affiliated trade unions.

Bernadette Ségol played a significant role in the creation of more than 200 European Works Councils and has provided assistance to their day-to-day running.  She has contributed to the overhaul of the services directive (2003-2006).  She has fought for legislation covering temporary agency work, using the dialogue established with employers to achieve a better legislative framework within the European Union. She is particularly committed to strengthening the affiliated trade unions from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and from candidate countries in a bid to facilitate their involvement in European trade union work and to promote trade union rights. One of her main focuses is wage equality in Europe.

Born in Luzech (France), she has a Master's degree in philosophy.