TUC Cymru’s new General Secretary, Laura Doel, argues that trade unions need a seat at the table
Within the first 100 days of government, Plaid Cymru has set out its legislative programme – and it’s an ambitious one.
It’s encouraging to see a government setting out its plan early in its term. Commitments on tenants’ rights, environmental protection, water reform, access to justice and economic development all point to a government that wants to use its powers to shape a different future for Wales.
As these proposals develop, however, one thing will be essential: worker voice must be part of the conversation from the beginning.
There is much here that will resonate with priorities raised by TUC Cymru affiliates at Congress. Stronger protections for tenants are welcome at a time when too many working people are struggling with housing costs and insecurity. Commitments on environmental protection connect directly with concerns raised about maintaining the skilled workforce and public capacity needed to respond to environmental risks and build resilience for the future. And any efforts to improve access to justice deserve serious consideration.
As these proposals develop, however, one thing will be essential: worker voice must be part of the conversation from the beginning.
Wales has rightly championed social partnership in recent years. The best policy is made when government, employers and trade unions sit around the same table to solve problems together. Social partnership is not a hurdle to delivery. It is often the reason delivery succeeds.
That’s particularly true when it comes to some of the bigger reforms being proposed. Water reform, for example, raises important questions about workforce protections, skills, staffing and the role of trade unions in any future regulatory arrangements. Congress has already made clear that workers must be at the heart of any transition.
Syniadau uchelgeisiol, awdurdodol a mentrus.
Ymunwch â ni i gyfrannu at wneud Cymru gwell.
Similarly, the proposal for a National Development Agency could be an important opportunity for Wales. But if we’re thinking seriously about economic development, industrial strategy and the jobs of the future, then trade unions need to be in the room. The people who do the work often have the clearest understanding of what is needed to make policy succeed in practice.
But legislation is only one of the levers available to Welsh Government. Alongside new laws, there is a significant opportunity to make better use of the powers Wales already has, particularly through public procurement. The Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act was designed to ensure that public spending delivers wider social value, promotes fair work and improves wellbeing across Wales. Public procurement is not simply about securing the lowest cost. It is a powerful tool for shaping the kind of economy and labour market we want to build.
The best policy is made when government, employers and trade unions sit around the same table to solve problems together.
From a workers’ perspective, public money should support good jobs and good employers. Every pound spent through public contracts should help drive up employment standards, strengthen workforce development, support secure work and encourage meaningful engagement with recognised trade unions. At a time when many working people continue to face insecurity and pressure on living standards, Welsh Government should use procurement to reward employers that demonstrate a genuine commitment to fair work rather than allowing responsible employers to be undercut by poor employment practices.
Procurement also provides an important opportunity to strengthen worker voice. Wales has been a pioneer of social partnership, and that principle should extend beyond government and public services into supply chains. Contracting authorities should expect businesses benefiting from public investment to demonstrate how they engage with their workforce, listen to trade unions and deliver fair work outcomes in practice. If we are serious about embedding social partnership across the Welsh economy, procurement can be one of the most effective ways of turning that ambition into reality.
And our message to the new government is simple: bring us in.
The opportunities are significant, but so are the risks of getting it wrong. Poor procurement can lead to a race to the bottom on pay and conditions, weaken worker voice and undermine responsible employers who invest in their workforce. Public money should never subsidise poor employment practices. Instead, it should be used to promote fair work, strengthen social partnership and ensure that public investment delivers good jobs and positive outcomes for Welsh communities.
And our message to the new government is simple: bring us in. Not just because you should or because it’s a shrewd political move. Bring us in because we deserve to be there.
If this government is serious about delivering progressive change, then let us show what trade unions bring to the table. We represent the people who keep public services running, who deliver infrastructure projects, who protect our environment, who work in our factories, offices and communities. Our members don’t just experience the impact of policy; they understand what makes it succeed or fail in practice.
We believe there is real potential for this government to make Wales fairer, more equal and more prosperous. Those are ambitions we share. But the best way to achieve them is not for government to work alone and ask for views at the end of the process. Bring workers into the conversation from the start. Let us help shape the solutions. Let us show how social partnership can deliver better outcomes, not just for workers but for Wales as a whole.
TUC Cymru is ready to work with ministers to turn good intentions into real change. We will always stand up for working people and we won’t always agree. But where government wants to tackle inequality, promote fair work and build a stronger Wales, it will find a willing and constructive partner in the trade union movement.
Gofod i drafod, dadlau, ac ymchwilio.
Cefnogwch brif felin drafod annibynnol Cymru.
We represent workers across every sector of the Welsh economy and public services. Our members will be the people delivering many of these reforms, whether that’s protecting the environment, regulating public services, developing infrastructure, supporting communities or building the industries of the future.
Trade unions won’t always agree with government, and nor should we. Our role is to be a strong voice for working people. But we can also be constructive, evidence-led and solution-focused. The most successful governments understand the value of having trade unions as critical friends: supportive where we can be, challenging where we need to be, but always focused on securing the best outcomes for workers and communities.
These first 100 days have given us some important clues about the new government’s priorities. We look forward to working with ministers as these proposals take shape and ensuring that the voice of working people helps shape the Wales we all want to see.
The invitation from TUC Cymru is clear: let’s make social partnership real, let’s bring workers into the conversation early, and let’s build these reforms together.
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