date: June 23 2007

immediate

Commenting on the outcome of the European Union summit, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

"It is extremely disappointing to see that UK workers and citizens are to enjoy fewer rights than those in the rest of Europe following the opt-out from Europe's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

'Are we to think that the UK economy can only prosper by treating UK employees worse than others in Europe?"

ends

Press release (100 words) issued 23 Jun 2007