General Council Report 2024
4.1 Introduction
Workers continue to experience serious pressure in the workplace. Across the public sector workers are challenged by increasing demand and fewer staff, as the Conservative government persistently failed to tackle workforce recruitment and retention crisis in every sector.
In the private sector, while unions have won some significant pay victories, the continuing failure to secure any meaningful economic growth results in ongoing tensions with employers who seek to make workers pay the price.
Our economy continues to witness massive under- investment in all areas, including the crucial area of skills, at the same time as we begin to see the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and associated technologies influencing workplaces and the nature of work.
4.2 AI and rights at work
In April the TUC launched our draft Artificial Intelligence (Employment and Regulation) Bill after extensive work with experts from unions and other stakeholders, including from politics and academia.
The Bill establishes concrete rights and obligations in key areas such as consultation, transparency, explainability and equality to ensure the responsible adoption of AI.
Baroness Dawn Primarolo chaired a high-profile launch event in Congress House, with worker testimony and contributions from barristers at Cloisters Chambers, then shadow employment rights minister Justin Madders MP and colleagues from AFL-CIO and Microsoft.
Responding to the Conservative government’s AI white paper, the TUC convened the AI Working Group, which, along with the Institute for the Future of Work, produced guidance for union reps on algorithmic impact assessments. Political interventions included an AI Summit open letter to then prime minister Rishi Sunak with Connected by Data and the Open Rights Group, and participation at five Labour Party conference AI fringe events.
The TUC also contributed to union training, presenting at union conferences, branch meetings, TUAC, Spanish union CCOO and TUC Reps Connect. Wales TUC undertook worker focus group research and in January 2024 published an AI research report.
Building further on composite 13, in May the TUC launched a creative sector AI working group and completed an AI project strategic review (with Connected by Data).
Our public sector workforce stands as a beacon of resilience, shouldering immense challenges from working in crumbling school buildings to understaffed hospitals
4.3 Public services
Our public sector workforce stands as a beacon of resilience, shouldering immense challenges from working in crumbling school buildings to understaffed hospitals. Chronic underfunding, rampant outsourcing and pay constraints have created critical staff shortages, putting huge strain on an already overstretched system.
Instead of recognising public sector workers’ dedication, the Conservative government attacked their right to strike and firefighters’ collective bargaining rights (condemned by the TUC in line with resolution 65), attempting to undermine their ability to advocate for themselves and for better public services. This anti- worker agenda extended to civil servants, who were subjected to unfair public criticism from ministers. In line with composite 14 and resolution 51, we have consistently advocated for fair funding for services and fair pay for the workforce, including submissions to both the autumn statement 2023 and spring budget 2024. Investment is vital to address:
record backlogs in health
the fragmented social care system
struggling councils
overcrowded classrooms and prisons
the public sector recruitment and retention crisis.
Investing in our workforce is essential – an empowered and well-paid public sector workforce is the foundation for rebuilding public services.
In line with composite 15 and resolution 68, the TUC consulted extensively with the Public Services Liaison Group on public sector pay review body reform. This consultation resulted in a number of high- level recommendations, agreed by the TUC’s executive committee in May 2024, aimed at rebuilding trust and delivering benefits for public sector workers.
4.4 Investing in the NHS workforce: a path forward
Despite continuing under immense strain to deliver vital healthcare to millions, NHS workers faced a challenge to their right to strike from the Conservative government. In the last year, the former government consulted on imposing minimum service levels in ambulance and hospital services. The TUC condemned the legislation as impractical, undemocratic and potentially unlawful.
In line with resolution 54, our submission to the spring budget 2024 highlighted the significant disparity in investment in our health system compared to the EU average. This underfunding has demonstrably led to record waiting times for hospital treatment and cancer care.
Additionally, target ambulance response times are routinely exceeded, putting patients’ lives at risk.
The TUC has continued to advocate for urgent action to tackle the record vacancy levels within the NHS workforce – the backbone of our healthcare system. We have argued that government policymaking should be focused on retaining the experienced and skilled staff the NHS already has, stemming the flow of workers leaving the sector. Expanding and widening participation routes into the NHS, such as through apprenticeships as set out in resolution 55, is also crucial. As emphasised in resolution 56, we must also maintain the quality of training and ensure sufficient capacity to properly onboard new recruits.
By addressing the root causes of industrial action – underfunding and inadequate pay – the new government can build solid foundations for a constructive relationship with NHS workers and unions. This, in turn, will allow the NHS to focus on what truly matters: delivering high- quality patient care. Investing in the NHS workforce through fair pay, improving retention with more flexible working options, and expanding recruitment routes is not just about boosting staff morale; it’s about ensuring a well-functioning healthcare system for all.
4.5 The education workforce: a year of mounting challenges
The education workforce across all sectors – early years, schools, universities and further education – also faces immense challenges, threatening the quality of education and workers’ wellbeing.
In line with composites 17 and 18, the TUC has highlighted how funding constraints in schools have limited resources for special educational needs (SEN) pupils and support staff, placing an extra burden on already stretched teachers and school leaders. Teacher shortages – particularly acute in STEM subjects – have exacerbated this pressure, leading to unsustainable workloads and less individual attention for the students who need it most. The TUC has also highlighted the deteriorating state of school buildings, following last year's General Council statement on RAAC.
The TUC convened a working group on international recruitment in social care with the Department of Health and Social Care, and became a founding member of the Unseen Care Hub
The Conservative government’s underfunded expansion of early years’ entitlements neglected to consider the workforce needed to deliver sufficient provision, with new TUC research underlining the realities facing undervalued and poorly paid early years’ educators. As a result, parents – especially those from low-income backgrounds – have experienced difficulties finding spaces. This impacts on children’s readiness for primary school and potentially widens development gaps.
In the TUC’s oral evidence to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee, we highlighted evidence that funding cuts in further education colleges have restricted course offerings and resources, hindering quality and efforts to widen participation. In line with resolution 62, we highlighted how recruitment and retention challenges have been caused by low pay, heavy workloads and precarious contracts.
University workers have responded to attacks on pay, pensions and working conditions with industrial action. Increasingly precarious employment, combined with heavy workloads, creates a constant struggle, driving burnout and demoralisation.
The TUC has continued to make a strong case for a coherent, fully funded national workforce plan in education. It should focus on mitigating staff shortages through improved retention, manageable workloads, and better working hours. The plan should also consider the impact and implementation of technology, ensuring it is done in consultation with the workforce and their representatives. Without such a plan, delivering quality education to all students is significantly compromised.
4.6 Social care
This year the TUC coordinated action between unions and campaigned for proper funding, decent pay and consistent standards in social care, in line with composite 14.
We have worked with affiliates to spotlight the exploitation faced by social care workers. Together, we called for improved pay and conditions for care workers in a cross-sector roundtable convened by the then minister for social care and raised minimum wage breaches with HMRC and other agencies.
Responding to affiliates’ concerns, the TUC convened a working group on international recruitment in social care with the Department of Health and Social Care, and became a founding member of the Unseen Care Hub. We provided evidence to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s (ICIBI) inspection on social care and worked with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) on new proposals to extend licencing to the care sector.
The TUC also engaged with former shadow ministers on establishing a National Care Service with decent pay and conditions at its heart, and worked with affiliates on proposals for a Social Care Fair Pay Agreement. We also provided expert input into several major academic studies and participated in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) conference discussion on decent work in the care economy.
4.7 Local government
The TUC has continued to advocate for a fair funding settlement for local government that provides the capacity for local authorities to meet their responsibilities while also addressing the unequal funding distribution between authorities across the country. More so than any other area, local government bore the brunt of Conservative public funding cuts, with around 20 per cent of local authorities at risk of financial failure in the next year. This number is projected to rise to 127 councils over the next five years if no substantial financial interventions are made. Sticking plaster funding announcements are no longer enough.
In support of our advocacy efforts, the TUC is conducting research with local authority leaders. This research aims to understand the real- world consequences of local government financial shortfalls. Additionally, we have commissioned work with the New Economics Foundation to build the social and economic case for preventative spending in local government. This research can inform and influence any future review of local government finance.
4.8 Civil service and justice
The TUC is committed to supporting unions’ efforts to reverse the huge damage that 14 years of Conservative austerity did to our civil service and justice system. This commitment extends to protecting standards upheld by those in public life, in line with resolution 64.
Following on from its consistent attempts to shrink and weaken the civil service, this year we saw a renewed attack from the Conservative government on the fundamental right to strike. As we stated in our response to the then government’s consultation on minimum service levels (MSLs) for the border force, its proposals would do nothing to address the consequences of underfunding the border force and wider civil service.
As stated in composite 19, the TUC recognises the urgent need for a root-and-branch review of the whole criminal justice system. We want the emphasis to be on creating a justice system that is fully funded, with improved terms and conditions so that we have a system that's fair, accessible and decent for all. We have advocated for this with all political parties.
4.9 UK skills system: investing in the future, today
Our skills system is in disarray. Over the course of 14 years of Conservative government, funding cuts, the abolition of the Union Learning Fund and the elimination of adult skills entitlements resulted in a significant decline in lifelong learning and training opportunities.
As part of our work furthering the priorities identified in resolution 62, the TUC has collaborated closely with affiliated unions to campaign for greater investment in skills. We advocate for the vital role trade unions and union learning reps play in supporting workers to pursue training and upskilling opportunities – vital in a highly dynamic and changeable labour market.
Responding to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee’s call for evidence into the skills the UK economy needs for the future, the TUC provided oral and written evidence. Our response emphasised the crucial role unions play in supporting millions of workers across all sectors with training and development. We highlighted the negative impact of Conservative government funding cuts and employer deficits in employer-led upskilling and training, and the declining quality of apprenticeships. The TUC showcased how unions address this through collective bargaining and promoting lifelong learning. Concrete examples of unions’ positive impact in workplaces, alongside UK and international evidence, were provided.
As part of the TUC’s commitment to skills development, we have pursued restoration of funding for the highly successful Union Learning Fund. We have commissioned a feasibility study that will explore how we can support unions’ vital work in member learning and development and revitalise our network of union learning reps. The report will identify the union advantage in the skills space, highlighting areas where trade union engagement in learning and skills adds value by enhancing skills participation and improving economic outcomes.
4.10 International
The TUC welcomed UNISON’s Liz Snape as the new General Council international spokesperson. Her first mission was representing the TUC at DISK’s Congress in Istanbul, helping prepare our work with it on supporting trade unionists in the textiles sector.
At the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the TUC supported the candidature of Luc Triangle as the new general secretary. Luc addressed TUC Congress in Liverpool, and shortly after was confirmed as general secretary by a special ITUC Congress. Paul Nowak, Liz Snape and Stephen Russell represented the TUC at the ITUC General Council, with Kate Bell, Steve Turner (Unite), Rosa Crawford and Stephen Russell representing us on the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) executive committee, where we pushed for a resolution on Palestine.
At Congress, the other international speakers were Liz Shuler (president, AFL-CIO) and Eric Campos (general secretary, CUT Chile), who marked the 50th anniversary of the Pinochet coup.
In line with composite 21, the general secretary joined the ITUC-led delegation to Ukraine in May, the only national leader to do so. He met both the FPU and KVPU and with the energy and health workers, with the Mirror carrying his story in a guest editorial. With the NEU, we also financially supported the ETUC's first-ever solidarity summit on Ukraine, held in Lublin, Poland. Our report on labour rights in Ukraine Resistance and Reconstruction - with highlighted the lack of consultation with unions over plans to rebuild the country's infrastructure - was launched globally at a reconstruction event in Warsaw. Unions have since finally been invited to participate in formal reconstruction discussions.
The TUC continued to support the work of Justice for Colombia, and seconded our senior international officer, Mariela Kohon, to work for the progressive Colombian government and the UN on the peace process.
On Brazil, the TUC instituted regular contact meetings with CUT Brazil’s international department, focusing on trade, the far right, and the Lula-Biden initiative on workers’ rights.
On Turkey, the TUC visited both KESK and DISK and spoke in support of their case at the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The TUC delegation to the ILO annual conference (3–14 June) participated fully in its main committees. The UK worker delegate, Amanda Brown (RCM), was voted on to the top tier of the ILO’s governing body. The TUC’s Stephen Russell joined the Committee on the Application of Standards, speaking on worker cases on Australia, Belarus, Eswatini and Turkmenistan, and led the workers’ group on the Philippines case. The Care Economy Committee was supported by Abigail Hunt (TUC), while Rob Miguel (Unite) covered the two-year standard-setting discussion on a Convention on Biological Hazards.
Eliza Ampomah (TUC) led on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Committee. She was also our L7 delegate, helping to get TUC priorities into the L7 statement, including artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the G7 leaders' meeting in Italy, which aimed to strengthen the rules-based international system.
The TUC campaigned against the Economic Activities of Public Bodies Bill, liaising with affiliates and the Right to Boycott coalition in line with composite 22. MPs and Lords drew on our briefings as the Bill was debated, and the Bill did not pass through parliament before the election.
The TUC campaigned against the Economic Activities of Public Bodies Bill, liaising with affiliates and the Right to Boycott coalition in line with composite 22
In response to the escalating violence in Palestine and Israel, the General Council issued two statements (October 2023 and May 2024). We unequivocally condemned the attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas in October 2023, and we called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, respect for international law, accountability, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. The TUC has also called for an end to settler violence in the West Bank and de-escalation of hostilities in the region. In January, we held an event for General Council members, and in May the Palestinian ambassador, Dr Husam Zomlot, made a historic address to the General Council, followed by a joint press statement. We twice wrote to Lord Cameron, then secretary of state for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and met the FCDO. The TUC has also maintained a constructive relationship with the (then) shadow minister for North Africa and the Middle East, and maintains regular contact with unions and NGOs in the region.
We launched a new TUC Aid project, which aims to build the capacity of trade unions in Cameroon to influence the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, jointly funded by the Trade Union Unit Trust Charitable Trust and NASUWT. This is part of a wider project managed by ITUC Africa. The TUC is also developing a project in Palestine with the PGFTU and Arab TUC, and another with Tucoswa in Eswatini.
The TUC wrote to the new UK government, flagging serious human and labour rights violations in the Philippines that broke the terms of the UK’s trade deal. Kate Bell addressed the Hong Konger Labour Festival in May and pledged TUC support for its campaigns, and we supported the CTUM’s call for UK textiles firms to divest from junta-controlled areas of Myanmar.
4.11 Tackling the far right
Through the ETUC executive committee, TUC representatives advocated for increased European cooperation to challenge the far right, leading to ETUC action ahead of the EU elections and work to disseminate constitutional means for unions to exclude far right activists. Globally, we continued work with the REDES anti-fascist network, and sent our support to Argentine unions striking in opposition to new president Milei’s far-right policies.
In June, representatives from nine unions (BFAWU, Community, Equity, FBU, GMB, NEU, PCS, UNISON and Unite) attended a TUC-funded residential training course on tackling the far right. Titled The International Rise of the Far Right: building the trade union response, the level-three political education course has been developed in conjunction with Trademark Belfast. Sessions for unions who were not able to register are likely to run in 2025.
At our LGBT+ Workers Conference, we hosted a panel focused on tackling far-right narratives around homophobia and transphobia. We have continued to source case studies and workplace examples from affiliates as we curate our support, directing unions to a new online hub on our website. We will continue to develop this work, and the intersectional challenges posed by the far right, using examples internationally and in workplaces across the country.
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