Unions 21

By Brendan Barber, Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC)

Labour's manifesto acknowledged 'modern growing unions as an important part of our society and economy.' and it welcomed 'the positive role unions have played in developing a modern model of social partnership with business.'

The manifesto went on to pledge full implementation of the agenda for the workplace reflected in the Warwick agreement.

Barber's speech goes on to cover issues of productivity, working time, race relations, inequality, the relationship between unions and the Labor Party, and between unions and employers, globalization, skills development and union learning representatives, and pension funds.