Unions on the warpath
The GMB’s new leader has launched an all-out attack on the UK’s “fat cat” pay culture, on the eve of the TUC’s 135th congress in Brighton.
Kevin Curran said he was simply fed up with Britain’s bosses’ moaning and decried their “whinging and whining.”
He blasted executives who threatened to take businesses abroad given the apparently harsh taxation culture.
Mr Curran urged them to “shut up or ship out,” adding said he wanted to see more “patriotic entrepreneurs.”
For their part, business leaders have been vociferous in opposing government’s plans to hold an in-house public service “forum” with union leaders. Bosses fear a return to the political climate of “beer and sandwiches” at No 10, witnessed in the 1970s.
Mr Curran was also outspoken on the decision to invite Digby Jones, Confederation of British Industry director general, to the TUC conference this week.
He said: “We have had a lot of fat cats who generate the headlines. But my members are sick and tired of people like Digby Jones attacking British industry.
“We want patriotic entrepreneurs, not just entrepreneurs who are interested in the size of their own wallets.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people in the top ranks of industry are non-performers.”
Mr Curran said he would campaign for more government intervention to aid the plight of UK manufacturing.
He accused on Mr Jones of “ignorant rantings” on this point. But the CBI chief said unions ought to realise that good industrial relations necessitated a “two-way street.” Mr Curran’s comments were taken as “extraordinarily naive”.
“They do their cause no favours by closing their ears to legitimate employer concerns,” Mr Jones added.
At the TUC conference this week, unions are likely to call for a dedicated minister for manufacturing.
New TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will launch a fresh campaign to end the UK’s long hours culture. He called on the business community to observe EU legislation that delimits the working week to a maximum of 48 hours.
“Long hours are a symptom of badly organised, unproductive workplaces and an easy way out for too many incompetent managers,” he said.
On BBC radio, he underscored the point, arguing: “What makes me angry is that people cannot see that the UK’s very long hours is a symptom of something sick about our work places.”
Meanwhile, Unison, the public service union, threatened strike action yesterday over the government’s controversial plan for more foundation hospitals.
Dave Prentis, leader of Unison, said the policy was “wrong” and “ill-conceived.”
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) is likely to voice its “fundamental opposition” to the introduction of university top-up fees.
Although, Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will speak on Tuesday, Mr Blair will not address delegates.
