date: 8 September 2004 embargo: for immediate release

Attention: Internet editors

New TUC website launched for Congress

The TUC today (Wednesday) launch their new website, www.TUC.org.uk, ready for next week’s TUC Congress in Brighton. The new site has had extensive design and navigation changes to properly reflect the TUC’s wide range of work and issues, and to make it easier to locate relevant information from the thousands of documents available.

Other features include improved accessibility and printability, suggestions on related events and documents throughout the site, and an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed for news releases. A special sub-site will report live from Congress (13-16 September) on key decisions, speeches and events as they happen.

The TUC have been early adopters of the web in the voluntary sector, with five generations of the site since 1996, including their first database driven website in 1999. TUC.org.uk is a core channel of communications for the TUC, receiving around 150,000 visits a month, with over 20,000 people subscribed to receive customised email alerts on issues that interest them.

TUC Head of Communications, Nigel Stanley, said: 'This new site will be a key resource for union activists and members, government departments, journalists, and anyone interested in the world of work.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

· The site design and system have been developed by the Big Oxford Computer Company, who specialise in information technology services for the voluntary sector and e-Government - www.BOCC.co.uk

· The TUC maintains other websites, including workSMART (a work advice service for everyone at work) and unionreps.org.uk (an online community for trade union shop stewards)

· TUC Congress 2004 is to be held at the Brighton Centre from Monday 13 September to Thursday 16 September.

Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07626 317903; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Media enquiries: John Wood T: 020 7467 1269; Mobile: 0771 2006521; E: jwood@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 8 Sep 2004