TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber today (Monday) argued that the need for equality – offering fair chances, tackling inequality and unlocking the talents of everyone in our society – is greater than ever in a recession.
Commenting on the Bank of England's decision today (Thursday) to cut interest rates to one per cent, TUC Head of Economic and Social Affairs Adam Lent said:
“This was the correct decision and the one the markets expected. The priority now must be to get the high street banks to pass on this cut without delay to businesses and homeowners. Failure to do so will end up prolonging the economic downturn.”
Commenting on the DWP report “Saving For Retirement: Implications of pensions reforms on financial incentives to save for retirement” published today (Thursday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“This rigorous research shows that the great bulk of people are likely to be better off in retirement when auto-enrolment into an employer scheme or a personal account starts in 2012.
As workers struggle back into work following the recent snowstorms, the TUC today (Tuesday) issues new advice about when it is reasonable to stay at home and how employers should treat time lost through bad weather.
Following today's announcement of the shortlist to run the newly invigorated Tyne and Wear Metro system trade unions, MPs and Council Leaders all signalled their support for this vital public service.
Commenting on the dispute centring on the Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“With big job losses announced every day, workers are fearful for their jobs. Refinery workers are understandably and rightly angry at employers who have not given British based workers the opportunity to apply for new jobs. The employer will be in breach of the law if they restrict any future vacancies to workers of a particular nationality or location.
The TUC today (Friday) welcomed the increase in the amount of an employees' weekly earnings which counts towards statutory redundancy pay from £330 to £350, which takes effect this Sunday (1 February).
Responding to comments made today (Thursday) by the Prime Minister at the New Local Government Network annual conference that the Government intends to allow local authorities to build more council houses, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
The TUC is today (Thursday) calling on the Government to make the banks in which it has shares or who are receiving assistance from the Bank of England fully reveal their tax haven activities.
Nearly a decade after the national minimum wage (NMW) was introduced on 1 April 1999, the TUC has calculated that at least 1.5 million workers are still being cheated out of the NMW by dishonest employers.