Frances O’Grady is to take over from Brendan Barber as TUC General Secretary when he retires at the end of the year. Ms O’Grady has been at the TUC as Deputy General Secretary for nine years and in other capacities for another nine, before which she worked as a researcher and campaigner on social justice and equality issues at the Transport and General Workers Union. She is seen by many as being on the Left. Frances O’Grady said:
This is a great honour. Never has a strong responsible trade union movement been so needed. With austerity policies biting hard and with no evidence that they are working, people at work need the TUC to speak up for them now more than ever.
We must be the advocates of the growth and jobs alternative. And with the policy prescriptions of the last 30 years increasingly discredited, we have the best opportunity in a generation to help build a fair, productive and green economy that works for ordinary people.
Nothing personal….but….- A Six figure pay package – & No election of the full TUC union membership. Unopposed – Unrepresentative –
This is no way to re-connect with ordinary trade unionists!
The General Secretary of the TUC should be elected by the Members of all the affiliated Trade Unions.
I think the way to connect with the individual trade unionist is through their own union. Balloting millions of members for what would undoubtedly be a very small turnout seems a colossal waste of money to me. The turnout in the election for Unite’s general secretary which Jerry lost to Len McCluskey was only 16%. How much lower would have been an election for TUC General Secretary? There are 1001 higher priorities for trade unionists.
Great news for women and trade unionists shows committment works.Well done Frances best news Ive had for ages.