General secretary of the TUC Frances O’Grady has outlined the organisation’s priorities in the lead-up to the 2015 General Election, and has highlighted the TUC’s focus on the labour market and the world of work.
In a statement detailing the TUC’s objectives over the next two years, O’Grady warned of a lost decade, brought about by falling living standards, rising food and energy bills, loss of jobs and services, and a lack of plans for recovery and growth.
The TUC has identified five key areas it will prioritise in order to persuade the Government to alter its growth strategy. These are:
- jobs and growth;
- fair pay;
- good services and decent welfare;
- voice at work; and
- strong unions.
O’Grady called for a jobs guarantee for young people, as well as a roll-out of the living wage across the public and private sectors. She also called for a stronger voice for workers in the management of companies.
“We will champion and work with those who are helping to create a fairer economy – from paying a living wage to giving staff a bigger say in how their company is run,” she said.
“The TUC will work with and champion public- and private-sector employers who reach living wage agreements, as part of its campaign for fair pay and a living wage.”
Referring to the TUC’s opposition to the Government’s plans to bring in measures set out in the Beecroft report, O’Grady said the TUC will continue to press for respect and a voice at work for UK employees. She also said the TUC plans to train a new generation of union reps to take its campaign messages to non-unionised workers and workplaces to engage with young employees.
O’Grady added: “The next election is likely to be fought over the economy and our living standards crisis. We want to see decent jobs, fair pay, good services and a stronger voice at work at the heart of the plan to deal with these big economic challenges.”
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