TUC General Secretary speaks at Teesside

The TUC is currently campaigning for an extra bank holiday between August and Christmas. And the work-life balance will be one of the issues discussed by Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, when he delivers the annual University of Teesside Business School lecture on Tuesday 2 November at 7pm.

His wide-ranging lecture will be held in the University of Teesside’s Innovation Centre, off Stephenson Street, Middlesbrough. It will explore:

• the economy and manufacturing
• productivity and high-performance workplaces
• the changing union agenda away from pay to work-life balance, diversity, skills and pensions.

Brendan Barber will also take questions from the audience following the lecture. He said: "I’m delighted to be delivering this lecture here in Teesside at such a crucial and time for the region, as local people have the opportunity to vote for their own regional assembly. Local workers in traditional manufacturing industries face a turbulent future and we remain a long way from a solid manufacturing recovery. We need to address these economic challenges as a matter of urgency.

"There is an indisputable link here with the vital need for people to have access to training at work, so they can develop their skills and the region can boast a high performance - and content - workforce that will bolster the local economy. Unions in the twenty-first century are at the forefront of the drive to improve work-based learning, as well as fighting for decent pensions and striving for a decent work-life balance for workers.”  

There will be an opportunity to photograph Brendan Barber before the lecture at 6.30pm on Tuesday 2 November in Teesside Business School, Second Floor, Clarendon Building, University of Teesside. A reception will also be held at Teesside Business School, beginning at 5.30pm. Entertainment is to be provided by jazz quartet the Noel Dennis Band, with guest saxophonist Dave O’Higgins, a renowned musician. Noel Dennis, 25, from Stockton, combines jazz musicianship with his full-time post as a Marketing lecturer at the University.

Brendan Barber

Professor John Wilson, Director of Teesside Business School, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Mr Barber has agreed to deliver our Annual Lecture. His willingness to do so provides an excellent opportunity to hear first hand the views of a key national player on issues of such significance for all of us.”

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