Private sector involvement in public services and Britain’s recession hit manufacturing sector are set to headline debate at this year’s Trades Union Congress in Brighton.
The final agenda, published on Wednesday also sets the scene for debate on the youth rate of the minimum wage and a review of the Employment Relations Act.
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, will be one of the key speakers on the annual conference’s first day (Monday 10 September).
Other speakers at Congress, which runs until Thursday 13 September, include Gurbux Singh, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality; Bert Massie, Chair of the Disability Rights Commission; Wanja Lundby-Wedin, President at the Swedish LO (TUC equivalent); and another senior cabinet minister to be confirmed.
The final agenda is expected to be available on the TUC website from Wednesday, but the draft agenda is below
Sunday 9 September
- am John Monks workplace visit
- 11 am briefing for photographers and broadcasters
- 12 noon John Monks press conference
Monday 10 September
- am President’s (Bill Morris) address
- am Stephen Lawrence Task Group presentation. Speech by Gurbux Singh, CRE
- am equal rights, transport and health and safety debates
- pm partnership, manufacturing and employment rights debates
- pm Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Tuesday 11 September
- am learning skills and education debates, promoting trade unionism, economic and industrial affairs – sustainable development and energy review
- pm equal rights, welfare and pensions debates
- pm senior cabinet minister
Wednesday 12 September
- am Wanja Lundby-Wedin, Swedish LO
- am Europe debate
- am Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission
- am and pm economy debate including National Minimum Wage
- pm debate on public services
Thursday 13 September
- am international debate
- am any remaining business
