Trade union advisory group no substitute for proper engagement with unions and employers

Commenting on the creation of a new trade union advisory group, announced by government today, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“This is a step in the right direction. But alongside this, the government has excluded unions from the trade advisory groups which are consulted on the sectoral impacts of trade talks – these groups still consist of 100% business representatives. This new trade union advisory group is no substitute for proper engagement involving unions and employers around the same table. 

“We need to have a seat at the table on an equal basis with employers so we can raise the impact of trade talks on workers in different sectors of our economy and in our public services. Without this, jobs, rights and our public services are at risk of being undermined by sub-standard trade deals with the likes of Trump.”