O’Grady on referendum

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady has made clear that she favours an “imperfect Europe” over the alternatives. 


The TUC has welcomed the fact that prime minister David Cameron drew back from trying to negotiate away workers’ protections as part of his deal with EU leaders but says that workers’ rights and jobs must be put centre stage of the EU referendum debate.


The issue of remaining in the EU is not clear-cut among unions. But in an interview with Reuters, O’Grady said: ”A Brexit would have massive implications for jobs, rights and the very fabric of the UK.”


She added: “If I was asked the question, would workers be better off under a model of capitalism dominated by Russia or China or America, the answer is clear. However imperfect Europe is, it’s better than the alternatives.”


www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/17/brexit-threatens-british-workers-rights-maternity-leave-holiday-frances-ogrady-tuc-trades-union-congress-eu

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-unions-idUKKCN0V517D