New TUC chief wants better public sector work protection

New Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber will make improving public sector employment protection his priority for 2003.

In his New Year message, Barber said he would be concentrating on resolving issues over a two-tier workforce in the public sector as well as improving relations with government.

Although praising the government for boosting public spending, Barber said that the new year will see the trade union movement move "decisively forward" and that pension issues would also feature highly in his agenda.

"There have been many real advances secured since 1997, but the government needs to articulate a vision for Britain's world of work that again inspires union support," he said.