General Council
TUC policy is set by Congress each
year, but between Congresses this responsibility lies with the General Council.
Its 56 members meet every two months at Congress house to oversee the TUC's work
programme and sanction new policy initiatives. The larger unions are automatically
represented on the General Council, with up to ten members depending on the size
of the union. The smaller unions ballot for a number of reserved places. There
are also seats reserved for women and black workers, and a reserved space for
one representative each of young workers, workers with disabilities and lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender workers.
The President and Executive Committee
Each year at its first post-Congress meeting, the General Council appoints the Executive Committee for the year from amongst its own members. This meets monthly to implement and develop policy, manage the TUC financial affairs and deal with any urgent business. In the same session, the General Council also elects the TUC President for that Congress year. She or he chairs General Council and Executive meetings and is consulted by the General Secretary on all major issues.
Task groups and Committees
Task groups are set up by the General Council to deal with specific areas of policy such as learning and skills or representation at work. Committees are permanent bodies which link to other parts of the trade union movement. The Women's Committee includes members elected at the annual TUC Women's Conference as well as General Council members. The Race Relations Committee, the Disability Committte and the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Committee have similar links to their own conferences. The Young Members' Forum also reports to the General Council, as does the body representing Trades Union Councils (local trade union bodies).
A full list of the members of the TUC's General Council, Executive, the chairs of each committee and TUC staff can be found in our annual 'TUC Directory', which is available from our Publications Department