TUC

TUC (Trades Union Congress) (UK) An organization of trade unions founded in 1868, initially as a central parliament of labour, through an annual assembly. From 1871, a permanent parliamentary committee represented the interests of trade unions to the government and individual MPs. In 1919, Ernest Bevin proposed that a general council should replace the committee, and develop the industrial side of the TUC, as opposed to its political work. The council was established in 1921, with the aim of coordinating the activities of its component trade unions, for example through making the strike of one union more effective by threatening supportive action from other unions. The TUC was closely involved in the 1926 General Strike, after which its relationship with the government was cautiously conciliatory. However, its role increased in World War II, when it was involved in industrial planning and management. Thereafter, until 1979, TUC leaders were often involved in discussions with Labour and Conservative governments. It lost much prestige and public support following strikes in the late 1960s and 1970s. Legislation by the Thatcher governments weakened trade unions in the economic sphere, while the reforms of the Labour Party under Kinnock, Smith, and Blair have reduced the TUC's political influence on the party. By 2002 its total membership had declined to below seven million. The TUC's public figurehead is its general secretary. Since this became a full-time post, the holders of the office have been Fred Bramley (1923–5), Walter Citrine (1925–46), Vincent Tewson (1946–60), George Woodcock (1960–9), Vic Feather (1970–3), Len Murray (1973–84), Norman Willis (1984–93), and John Monks (1993– ).http://www.tuc.gov.uk

Taff Vale judgment