Trade unions must mobilise in support of disabled people, says TUC

21 May 2015

The General Secretary of the TUC, Frances O’Grady, will today (Thursday) address the opening day of the TUC’s annual Disabled Workers’ Conference at Congress House, London.

The conference will be attended by 200 disabled trade union delegates and will debate policies and priorities for the TUC on disability issues.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Less than half of disabled people are in employment, compared to three-quarters of the population as a whole. But many more want work. The new Conservative minister for disabled people, Justin Tomlinson, must show respect for those who want to work and compassion for those who can't.

“A good place for the new government to start would be restoring the Access to Work budget so that disabled people get support for the full cost of the workplace adaptations they need. And, more fundamentally, the government needs to explain exactly how it will keep its promise that the planned £12bn worth of welfare cuts won't hurt disabled people.

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen magnificent, self-organised resistance by disabled workers. It has been inspiring. And I’m proud that the TUC and trade unions have been a key part of that mass movement.

“In the months ahead, I want us to make that mobilisation for change even bigger and better. I am confident that, if we stick together, campaign together and organise together, disabled people can win a better deal. Many more disabled people can have the chance to participate and progress in the workplace with decent pay, training and promotion.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The full agenda for the Disabled Workers’ Conference can be found at https://www.tuc.org.uk/equality-issues/disability-issues/disabled-workers%E2%80%99-conference/tuc-disabled-workers%E2%80%99-conference-2015

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

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