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date: 10 September 2010

embargo: 00.01hrs Saturday 11 September 2010

Policy Exchange report is 'a crude attack on basic workplace rights'

Commenting on Modernising Industrial Relations published by the Policy Exchange today (Saturday), TUC Head of Equalities and Employment Rights Sarah Veale said:

'It may be dressed up in academic think-tank language, but this is no more than a crude attack on basic workplace rights and a charter for bad bosses everywhere.

'What these right-wing policy wonks in their nostalgia for the divisive years of Mrs Thatcher don't understand is that unions do not just benefit their members, but employers and wider society too.

'If they got out a bit more they would find that unions give employees a voice, deal with problems before they turn into disputes or end up in tribunals and allow change to be negotiated.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The Modernising Industrial Relations report is available from the Policy Exchange http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/

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Press release (300 words) issued 11 Sep 2010