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It is "a bit rich" for the CBI to accuse the union movement of seeking to obstruct public service reform, according to the head of the Transport and General Workers' Union.
Commenting on accusations made by CBI director general Digby Jones that trades unions were acting as a "block" on reform of public services, Sir Bill Morris, general secretary of the T&G, said:
"Digby Jones' plea to the Government to turn a deaf ear to calls for improved workers' rights shows the true yearning is for a backwards employment culture, one which supports a two tier workforce in the name of 'flexibility', backs no consultation with workers on their future and sanctions sacking by text message and the closure of employees' pension schemes.
"And dire warnings that employers and unions will grow further apart ring particularly hollow when the CBI stands in the way of extending the legal right to join a trade union for around six million people today working in small firms.
"Comments such as these are music to the ears of bad employers. The CBI may well see this as the good old days, but for unions and employees this approach spells insecurity and misery for many."
Morris went on to warn the Government that the CBI's whinging on public services has no legitimacy:
"Those who make no claim to be users of our public services can perhaps be forgiven for not noting the progress made in public service reform. With agreements such as Agenda for Change, far from blocking progress unions are supporting reform and now have to defend these measures under threat from foundation hospitals.
"When we speak up for public services, we do so as triple stakeholders. It is the trade unions who are committed to improving and sustaining our public services because our members fund them, provide them and depend upon them."
