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Welcome
Welcome to In ToUCh e-bulletin from the TUC, the bite-size round up of our news and views.
This issue features a profile of Frances O'Grady, set to become the TUC's new general secretary later in the year, details of the preliminary agenda for Congress next month, and the latest news on the build up to the Future that Works demonstration on 20 October.
Let us know what you think about the issues reported here by emailing editor@tuc.org.uk.
Copies of In ToUCh are archived at www.tuc.org.uk/intouch
TUC News
Build new economy: next general secretary
'We have the best opportunity in a generation to help build a fair, productive and green economy that works for ordinary people,' said Frances O'Grady, the next general secretary of the TUC, in her first comments after being elected to succeed Brendan Barber when he retires at the end of the year.
After receiving nominations from 32 unions representing 96 per cent of total TUC membership, Frances will become general secretary designate at Congress in Brighton in September, working alongside Brendan until the New Year when she becomes general secretary in her own right.
Read profile of Frances @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-21198-f0.cfm
Preliminary Congress agenda
An alternative to austerity, Britain's youth jobs crisis and tax justice are just some of the issues contained in the preliminary agenda for this year's TUC Congress.
Other topics for debate at the 144th Congress include concern over 'hidden courts', vulnerable working, public services, homophobic bullying in schools, the Stephen Lawrence legacy, clean coal technology and social housing.
The Congress takes place at the Brighton Centre from Sunday 9 to Wednesday 12 September. TUC President Paul Kenny, shadow Chancellor Ed Balls and ETUC general secretary Bernadette Segol will be among the speakers, along with the newly elected director general of the International Labour Organisation Guy Ryder.
Summary details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/union/tuc-21285-f0.cfm
Download preliminary agenda @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/355/Congress_2012_Preliminary_Agenda.pdf
Lay reps work recognised
The invaluable work of trade union lay representatives will again be recognised at Congress with the presentation of awards to reps in five categories.
This year's Congress Award for Youth goes to Steven Heyward of PCS; the health and safety rep award goes to Peter Ammundsen of USDAW; the learning rep of the year is Janette Dunbar of Unite; the organising rep Darren Arnold of RMT; and the women's gold badge will be presented to Mary Turner of the GMB.
Future that Works: update
Preparations are continuing for the 'Future that Works' march and rally in central London on Saturday 20 October, which will call for an alternative to austerity that protects public services and gets Britain working again.
The demonstration website is now live and includes campaign materials for download, information about the route and timings, and details of transport arrangements for the day.
Visit the Future that Works website @
http://afuturethatworks.org/
Unions in Olympics
Unions are playing an important behind the scenes role in the London Olympics, with 23 officials from the unions with members at the Olympic venues accredited for access to the Park should they be needed to handle disciplinary or grievance issues for their members.
In advance of the Games, Unite, UNISON and GMB, the three unions recruiting amongst the main contractors, agreed which union was to lead on which main contractor and details were put on a special section of the TUC website dedicated to the Olympics.
Performers union Equity also provided support for the many professional performers who took part in the highly acclaimed opening ceremony, as did their fellow entertainment union the MU, though the Musicians Union had a number of issues with Olympic-related events seeking to get professional musicians to perform free of charge - a perennial problem in the industry and one they will raise again at Congress this year.
More on the Olympics @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/union/index.cfm?mins=266&minors=53&majorsubjectid=14
Austerity destroys recovery
News that the economy contracted by a larger than expected 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2012 was greeted with dismay by the TUC, which said the preliminary figures for GDP offered evidence that the Government's austerity strategy was 'failing spectacularly'.
The economy is now smaller than when the coalition came to power more than two years ago. The TUC added that the recent fall in output was as bad as anything seen following the 2008 crash.
Full TUC reaction @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21267-f0.cfm
IMF warning
Ahead of the release of the latest growth figures, the TUC said that an IMF country report on the UK offered an 'alarming health check' of the state of the economy. Despite coming from the Chancellor's favourite economic experts, the study made it clear that Plan A was simply not working.
Earlier in July, the IMF's World Economic Outlook - which slashed the growth forecast for the UK to 0.2 per cent for 2012 and 1.4 per cent for 2013 - offered further evidence that austerity measures are failing catastrophically.
More on this story @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21257-f0.cfm
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21221-f0.cfm
Lost decade
Meanwhile, figures from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research show that unless the Government changes course, the UK could be less than halfway through a lost decade of weak growth and high joblessness.
Underlining the need for a change of direction in policy, the latest report on the long-term sustainability of the public finances from the Office for Budget Responsibility shows that higher productivity, higher employment rates and progressive taxation all have a major role to play in getting Britain back into the black.
TUC on NIESR research @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21199-f0.cfm
TUC on OBR study @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21210-f0.cfm
Falling inflation not enough
Inflation figures published last month showing that CPI fell to 2.4 per cent and RPI fell to 2.8 per cent in June were welcomed by the TUC, but with the caveat that these reductions hardly began to address the crisis in living standards in Britain.
While a decline in price pressures would bring welcome relief for many workers, millions were still facing real wage cuts as the longest squeeze in living standards in decades continued. Stronger wage growth and an end to damaging cuts to tax credits were urgently needed.
More on this @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21227-f0.cfm
Young people not sharing in jobs growth
Last month's unemployment figures were described as 'excellent news' by the TUC, but there was alarm that young people were not sharing in the 'welcome' jobs growth and long term unemployment was still rising.
On the positive side, the TUC said that people would be relieved to see unemployment falling sharply, redundancies decreasing, vacancies going up and full-time jobs making up three quarters of recent employment growth.
On the negative side, however, long-term youth joblessness was up by 18,000 on the quarter to reach 421,000. The TUC said that the Government had to prioritise tackling youth unemployment before any more careers were wrecked before they got off the ground.
Full TUC response @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21233-f0.cfm
Long term jobless crisis
Ahead of the release of the latest labour market data, the TUC warned that long-term unemployment was at crisis levels and was getting worse, even as other labour market indicators improved.
The number of people out of work for at least a year has continued to rise among all age groups, with nearly half of unemployed workers over 50 now out of work for a year or more.
More on this story @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21226-f0.cfm
The £10 billion cost of regional pay
There is no evidence that the pay of teachers, nurses and dinner ladies is preventing local firms from hiring staff, and government plans to introduce regional pay rates for public servants could cost the economy almost £10 billion a year, according to a report published in mid July.
Concerned that the Government has yet to undertake any serious research into the economic impact of its proposals for the introduction of local or regional public sector pay, the TUC recently commissioned the New Economics Foundation (nef) to analyse ministers' proposals. The researchers conducted an in-depth analysis of the arguments put forward by the Government and found little evidence to support its position.
Summary details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-21220-f0.cfm
Full report available @
www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/345/EconImpactPublicSector.pdf
Kay Review
The publication last month of the Kay Review of equity markets and long-term decision making received a generally positive response from the TUC.
The Review provided 'welcome recognition' of the problems that short-termism was causing for British business and future economic growth, the TUC said, adding that many of Kay's recommendations could 'help promote longer-term corporate decision making and get top pay under control'.
Full TUC response @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21263-f0.cfm
Bosses play pass the pension charges
The TUC has called on the Government to ban employers from passing on to staff the costs of taking advice from consultants on the implementation of their new legal duty to enrol workers in a pension scheme.
The largest employers need to start enrolling staff from this autumn, with other employers following in a phased programme finishing with the smallest employers in 2016. Many employers are seeking help from outside consultants to ensure that they are meeting their new pension duties.
Further details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21281-f0.cfm
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21203-f0.cfm
Lack of trust
Responding to the latest Pensions Trends statistics, which show that the number of people saving in contract-based defined contribution (DC) schemes through their workplace has overtaken the number saving in trust-based DC schemes this year, the TUC said the news was 'extremely worrying'.
Last month also saw the TUC join forces with Age UK and consumer group Which? to issue a joint statement expressing extreme concern at the approach to dealing with pension small pots in the Government's consultation response published on 17 July.
TUC on DC schemes @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21229-f0.cfm
TUC on small pots @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21231-f0.cfm
Close tax loopholes at source
Government plans to crack down on promoters of aggressive tax avoidance schemes have to focus on closing all loopholes, the TUC has said.
'As well as targeting aggressive tax avoiders, ministers must cut this multi-billion pound problem off at source by closing the many loopholes that the super rich exploit', said Brendan Barber.
More on this @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21261-f0.cfm
Priced out of justice
July's announcement of the scale of fees that the Government is to introduce for employment tribunals received a highly critical response from the TUC, which said that these would deter many workers, especially those on low wages, from taking valid claims to court and warned that rogue bosses would flout the law without fear of sanction.
Further reaction @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-21213-f0.cfm
Growth needs lift off
News that government consultation on future UK airport capacity has been delayed has attracted a withering response from the TUC, which said that ministers could not afford to waste any more time dithering.
It added that extending UK airport capacity - including a third runway at Heathrow - was 'absolutely vital' to the future of the UK economy and would create much needed jobs.
More information @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21212-f0.cfm
Bosses who won't pay for safety
A survey published at the end of July revealed that despite laws which say employers must give their staff personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge, more than one in five workers are being forced to pay for it out of their own pocket.
PPE includes protective clothing, helmets and goggles designed to protect workers from injury, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals and infection. More than one in ten of the 2,700 people who responded to the online survey said that although their work required PPE, their employer either failed to provide this or failed to pay for it.
More on this @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-21272-f0.cfm
Asbestos fund needs to go further
The Government is to make compensation claims easier for the thousands of people who have mesothelioma - as a result of asbestos exposure at work - but have until now been unable to claim because their employer no longer exists.
However, unions fear the new scheme falls 'well short' of what ministers had proposed a few years ago and will provide no help to workers who develop other cancers or life-threatening diseases and who still have no means of claiming compensation.
Full TUC response @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-21271-f0.cfm
Unions' register victory
A report from the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee on introducing a statutory register of lobbyists has been welcomed by the TUC.
The Committee recommended that the Government should scrap its plan for a statutory register of lobbyists which would have required unions, but not employer bodies, to register.
More on this @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-21211-f0.cfm
Wealth gap becomes a chasm
Last month's Wealth and Assets survey showed that the top 10 per cent of Britons are now 500 times wealthier than the bottom 10 per cent.
'The crash should have brought an end to unjustified rewards at the top', said Brendan Barber. 'Instead people on low and middle incomes are shouldering the burden of the recession they didn't cause through low wage increases, rising indirect taxes, and a higher risk of debt'.
Further information @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21208-f0.cfm
Energy jobs need a boost
High energy costs and the UK's emissions targets are making life hard for the UK's steel, cement, ceramics and other core industries who have warned that thousands of jobs could be at risk without more government support for companies in the energy intensive sector.
A report produced by the TUC and the Energy Intensive Users Group says that there are currently 800,000 people working in the UK's energy intensive industries. But it warns that heavy energy users are operating under difficult conditions and, without ministerial action, jobs and investment could be lost to overseas competitors.
Summary information @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-21270-f0.cfm
Building Our Low Carbon Industries available @
www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/352/Buildingourlowcarboninds.pdf
Farewell to quality welfare
Changes to the social security system which include the removal of Job Grants, In Work Credits and Return to Work Credits would impoverish people and make finding work even harder, the TUC said last month. The TUC also warned that the delays in reforms to social care would mean extra worries for families.
More on welfare changes @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21209-f0.cfm
http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21204-f0.cfm
Settlement goods ban lawful
The UK can lawfully ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements, a legal opinion from Professor James Crawford SC has concluded.
Published by the TUC in July, the opinion supports the call for the UK government to bring in such a ban following a successful consumer-led campaign that has seen most supermarkets take settlement goods off their shelves. However, settlement goods are still reaching into wholesale and catering industries.
Summary details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-21194-f0.cfm
Read full opinion @
www.tuc.org.uk/legalopinion
Conference season
The TUC will be holding a number of seminars and conferences during the autumn.
On 18 September the TUC will be holding a seminar exploring the changing relationship between women, the labour market and the welfare system. To register, go to: www.womenbenefits.eventbrite.com
On 17 October the TUC will be hosting its annual poverty conference, exposing the myth that Britain has a 'something for nothing' culture. To register, go to: www.povertyconf.eventbrite.co.uk
Finally, on 23 October the TUC will be staging the annual climate change conference, on the theme of green is good for growth. To register, go to: www.greenisgoodforgrowth.eventbrite.com
Employment law update
The Institute of Employment Rights will be holding its annual Employment Law Update event on 10 October at Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London in association with Old Square Chambers and the TUC.
Details @
http://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2012-ken-gill-memorial-fund-0
Ticket office moves on wrong lines
Campaigners from Action for Rail held a day of protest on 26 July amidst fears that the Department for Transport will give the green light to the closure or reduction in opening hours of 86 of the 90 stations operated by London Midland.
Rail unions say that the Government's recent fares and ticketing consultation included leading questions hinting that ticket office closures would be inevitable as part of its wider plans for cost-cutting across the rail industry.
More on this @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial/tuc-21268-f0.cfm
Community Pride
LGBT trades unionists and community groups have joined together to confirm their support for a free national Pride event, accessible to all, to be held in central London.
The call came in the wake of the last minute, drastic reductions imposed on the World Pride event at the beginning of July by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Westminster City Council.
Further details @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-21228-f0.cfm
Calling all students of labour history
The Society for the Study of Labour History is keen for more trade union members, representatives and officers to get involved in its activities. Founded in 1960, the Society is the UK's principal organisation dedicated to the study of labour history, and as well as organising meetings and conferences it publishes the highly-regarded journal Labour History Review. Any enquiries regarding the journal to: Clare.Hooper@liverpool.ac.uk
Find out more about the Society @
http://www.sslh.org.uk
Find out more about Labour History Review @
http://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71%3Alabour-history-review&catid=8&Itemid=21
Labour film celebration
London's first labour film festival is to be held immediately after Congress, from 13 to 16 September, in the heart of the West End. It will feature special screenings of the likes of Mike Leigh's High Hopes, Ken Loach's Navigators, David Guediguian's Snows of Kilimanjaro and Ross Ashcroft's Four Horsemen.
Details @
http://londonlabourfilmfest.com/
Events
9-12 Sept TUC Congress, Brighton
13-16 Sept London labour film festival
18 Sept Women, work and benefits seminar
10 October IER employment law conference
17 October TUC poverty conference
20 October Future that Works demonstration
23 October TUC climate change conference
More info on TUC events @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/events/index.cfm
New this month
Localism: threat or opportunity? - guide to Localism Act from the TUC and National Coalition for Independent Action - from Organisation & Services dept or @ https://www.tuc.org.uk/tucfiles/354/Localism_Guide_2012.pdf
The Learning Rep - magazine for everyone with an interest in union learning - from unionlearn.
Details of TUC publications @
http://www.tuc.org.uk/publications/index.cfm
Links
Find out about union history @
http://www.unionhistory.info
http://www.unionhistory.info/workerswar/
http://www.unionhistory.info/equalpay/
http://www.unionhistory.info/britainatwork/
Check out union history on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/tuclibrary
Visit website of the Working Class Movement Library @
www.wcml.org.uk
Blog of anti-cuts campaign in Manchester @
http://lipsticksocialist.wordpress.com
Please email editor@tuc.org.uk if you wish to suggest a new link for the TUC website.
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