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date: Tuesday 28 April 2009

embargo: For immediate release

TUC disappointed by failure to end UK's long hours culture

Responding today (Tuesday) to the breakdown of talks between Ministers and MEPs on working time that resulted in the UK keeping its opt-out of the Working Time Directive, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'We are disappointed that another opportunity has been missed to end the UK's dangerous long hours culture.

'Long hours cause stress, illness and lowers productivity. And when many employers are moving to short-time working, the need for an opt-out of the 48 hour week is even more out of date.

'The UK Government still needs to tighten the law on working time, otherwise the EU could take it to court in order to protect UK workers from abuse of the 48 hour week.'

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 28 Apr 2009