|
LONDON, Sept 11 (AFP): Britain's trade unions begin their annual gathering next week in the presence of Prime Minister Tony Blair, but only too aware that their influence, even on a Labour Party leader, is a far cry from that of the past.
Delegates to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella organisation for British unions, will gather in the southern English seaside resort of Brighton from Monday to Thursday with the agenda packed.
Top of the list will be increasing dissatisfaction with Blair's government over its treatment of workers, notably issues such as pensions and working hours.
The TUC wants Blair to take more notice of unions following May's general election, which gave the prime minister a third straight term in office, but with a sharply reduced minority.
|