10/07/2012
TUC Appoints First Female Leader
Britain's Trade Union Congress will be lead by a woman for the first time in its history.
The union has confirmed that Frances O'Grady will become its next general secretary, taking over from Brendan Barber at the end of the year.
While she is little known outside the union movement, Ms O'Grady has "diplomacy, charm and imagination," former TUC leader Lord Monks said.
"From early on, we identified her as a rising star," said Lord Monks, who was general secretary from 1993 to 2003.
O’Grady joined the TUC in the mid 1990s.
Born in Oxford in 1959, the youngest of five children, O’Grady’s father was a shop steward at the British Leyland plant at Cowley. Her grandfather had been a founder member of the Irish Transport & General Workers Union.
She became the first woman deputy general secretary of the TUC in 2003.
Frances O'Grady takes on the role of general secretary at a time of growing industrial unrest. The TUC is organising a mass demonstration against the government's austerity measures in October.
(H)
The union has confirmed that Frances O'Grady will become its next general secretary, taking over from Brendan Barber at the end of the year.
While she is little known outside the union movement, Ms O'Grady has "diplomacy, charm and imagination," former TUC leader Lord Monks said.
"From early on, we identified her as a rising star," said Lord Monks, who was general secretary from 1993 to 2003.
O’Grady joined the TUC in the mid 1990s.
Born in Oxford in 1959, the youngest of five children, O’Grady’s father was a shop steward at the British Leyland plant at Cowley. Her grandfather had been a founder member of the Irish Transport & General Workers Union.
She became the first woman deputy general secretary of the TUC in 2003.
Frances O'Grady takes on the role of general secretary at a time of growing industrial unrest. The TUC is organising a mass demonstration against the government's austerity measures in October.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 September 2010
Unions Call For Co-Ordinated Action On Cuts
Trade unions are calling for co-ordinated strike action against the Government's planned spending cuts. Delegates at the TUC's annual congress in Manchester have backed plans for "joint industrial action", if the scale of planned Govenrment cuts is not reduced.
Unions Call For Co-Ordinated Action On Cuts
Trade unions are calling for co-ordinated strike action against the Government's planned spending cuts. Delegates at the TUC's annual congress in Manchester have backed plans for "joint industrial action", if the scale of planned Govenrment cuts is not reduced.
08 September 2008
Unions To Debate Public Pay Protest
Delegates at the TUC Congress in Brighton have voted in favour of co-ordinated industrial action against the government's public sector pay policy. A motion pressing for days of action has following Westminster minister's attempts to limit pay rises to 2% in the public sector in order to "stem inflation".
Unions To Debate Public Pay Protest
Delegates at the TUC Congress in Brighton have voted in favour of co-ordinated industrial action against the government's public sector pay policy. A motion pressing for days of action has following Westminster minister's attempts to limit pay rises to 2% in the public sector in order to "stem inflation".
09 September 2003
CBI chief addresses ‘change’ at TUC Congress
CBI Director-General Digby Jones has challenged union leaders and delegates attending the TUC congress to “embrace change”.
CBI chief addresses ‘change’ at TUC Congress
CBI Director-General Digby Jones has challenged union leaders and delegates attending the TUC congress to “embrace change”.
28 January 2011
Pension Strikes Not Ruled Out
Following TUC talks, union bosses have failed to rule out industrial action over public sector pension cuts. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, agreed that the issue of pensions united workers regarding possible strikes. However he said the campaign against spending cuts would go on, with a mass protest planned on 26 March.
Pension Strikes Not Ruled Out
Following TUC talks, union bosses have failed to rule out industrial action over public sector pension cuts. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, agreed that the issue of pensions united workers regarding possible strikes. However he said the campaign against spending cuts would go on, with a mass protest planned on 26 March.
14 December 2010
Culture Secretary Says 'BBC Is Left Wing'
Just a few months after a BBC boss suggested that his own organisation was 'left wing' the corporation has again been blasted for alleged anti-right wing political bias.
Culture Secretary Says 'BBC Is Left Wing'
Just a few months after a BBC boss suggested that his own organisation was 'left wing' the corporation has again been blasted for alleged anti-right wing political bias.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.