Adair Turner, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) told delegates at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference, held on 8-11 September 1997, that the CBI and the TUC should seek joint commitments where possible over a wide range of policy areas, including education and training and European social policy. He said that he did not support the previous Government's proposals for a further round of legislation to limit trade union rights, but equally he did not favour moves by the present Government towards introducing a statutory basis for trade union recognition. The CBI would clearly prefer voluntary agreements, and Mr Turner stated that it did "not think partnership is best fostered when one partner feels that they have been forced to deal with the other".
The director general of the UK's CBI employers' organisation set out his hopes and fears - especially on the issue of EU social policy - to union delegates at the annual conference of the TUC in September 1997.
Adair Turner, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) told delegates at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference, held on 8-11 September 1997, that the CBI and the TUC should seek joint commitments where possible over a wide range of policy areas, including education and training and European social policy. He said that he did not support the previous Government's proposals for a further round of legislation to limit trade union rights, but equally he did not favour moves by the present Government towards introducing a statutory basis for trade union recognition. The CBI would clearly prefer voluntary agreements, and Mr Turner stated that it did "not think partnership is best fostered when one partner feels that they have been forced to deal with the other".
The majority of the speech concentrated on the CBI's policy towards EU social policy. Mr Turner confirmed that British employers can no longer hide behind the UK Government's previous opt-out from the "social chapter", instead preferring a role in influencing EU policy especially where it affects nation-state level.
The CBI clearly feels that there should be a change of direction in EU social policy. Mr Turner went on to say that in the past the unions demanded legislation from Brussels because they had no say in policy matters within UK government circles, and that the CBI supported the opt-out because it was appropriate for the climate of the time. Now, because there is a different climate, social partnership is a better means of progressing than the legislative route. The CBI is likely to be heartened by the fact that the day after Mr Turner made his speech, Padraig Flynn, the EU commissioner responsible for social affairs, announced to congress that a new European social programme is to be launched by the European Commission in 1998, which will aim to improve the prospects for employment, instead of being based entirely on the legislative approach.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1997), CBI eager to avoid EU employment legislation, article.
