Seen this on the Guardian, BBC and here. All mention she’s the first female leader, none say anything about politics beyond the usual words expected of a new TUC leader. I guess we’d have been told pretty quickly if she was a militant. Is a ‘strong responsible trade union movement’ one which takes on the government with industrial action or one which offers words but doesn’t rock the boat?

A Six figure pay package – And no election of the full TUC union membership. Unopposed – Unrepresentative. This is no way to re-connect with ordinary trade unionists! Jerry Hicks, Unite Union member, Bristol; UK.

I can’t pretend to know too much about Ms O’Grady and her policies but it is a good sign to see women making headway in the unions which are largely dominated by middle aged white men. I know my Great Aunt, who was a president of the TUC, would be delighted to see this appointment although a little disappointed that it took so long.

3. Chris

I can’t pretend to know too much about Ms O’Grady and her policies but it is a good sign to see women making headway in the unions which are largely dominated by middle aged white men.

Why is it a good sign? Is mere lack of genitals so important? Are you that sexist?

Middle aged White men? You mean Unionists? You mean members of the working class? Terrible ain’t it that the Unions should be run by the same sort of people who used to be their members? In reality this marks a minor milestone in the on-going irrelevance of the Trade Union movement. Margaret Mead pointed out a long time ago that nothing women did was valued in any society. It is because the Unions are becoming irrelevant, and because the TUC is so dominated by civil servants, many of whom are female, that this happened. Working people will see and take note. They will not join. Men or women.

“she worked on successful campaigns to stop the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board and for the introduction of a national minimum wage”

That’s amusing. If there’s an NMW then why does there need to be a minimum wage board for agriculture? One or t’other, surely?

“Is mere lack of genitals so important?”

Snigger. Women do have genitals you know. Different, thankfully, but they do have them.

Apart from in the public sector, Trade Unions are an embarrassing anachronism.

They sold their members down the road years ago and these days have less influence than your average think tank.

As another commenter says, six figure salary and no election. Just what we need!!!

@ SMFS

You seem confused. You are critical of unions for being dominated by white working class men and also critical for them having women in. If unions are so irrelevant then why do you bother commenting on their membership and organisational structure?

PS. You trolled better when you were a little more toned down. Sometimes less is more.

Hopefully she will help grown the unions in the private sectors. Workers employed by the private sector need stronger union representation to stand up for their rights, as well as those in the public sector.

She also needs to convince Labour to scrap some of the anti-union laws when it returns to government.