Comments on the announcement that the government is to put on hold plans to sell off some of England's forests. “This is not a u-turn but the start of a three-point turn. We look forward to hearing that the Forestry Commission job losses will now also be called off and that the whole forestry disposal debacle will be scrapped. This shows that people power can make a difference.”
Commenting on the government announcement today (Thursday) that Dame Carol Black and David Frost are to carry out an independent review into sickness absence, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“If this were to be a genuine attempt to support those on long-term sickness get back to work then the TUC would welcome it with open arms. However we are concerned that it will end up as just another part of the government's cost-saving onslaught on the income and rights of those at work, and those on benefits.
Commenting on the Welfare Reform Bill published today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
Commenting on think tank Reform's report on public services published today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
Commenting on the government's announcement today (Wednesday) that it will not extend the right to request training to employees in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
Commenting on Barclays' 2010 pay and bonuses pool announced today (Tuesday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
Responding to inflation figures published today (Tuesday), which show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased to 4 per cent and the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to 5.1 per cent in January, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“The inflation figures show just how unfair Britain today has become. At the top bankers' pay and bonuses continue to grow, while ordinary people see their living standards fall, their jobs under threat and vital services cut.
Representatives from the TUC, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and Acas will sign an agreement later this week (Wednesday) which seeks to ensure workers' grievances that arise during the Olympics are dealt with fairly and speedily, and minimise disruption to the Games.
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady will warn today (Tuesday) that workers face an unprecedented attack on their living standards due to inflation, rising energy costs and tax rises, and argue that decent pay rises are vital for a stable and sustainable recovery.
At a conference organised by the TUC and Incomes Data Services (IDS) in London, Frances O'Grady will explain the three key pay challenges facing unions: securing fairness for public sector workers; negotiating settlements that reflect the cost of living; and winning the argument for better wages.