Skills deal for government work

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Workers employed by firms on government contracts will be offered the chance to boost their skills and told how to join a trade union under a new agreement.

A joint statement between ministers, business and union leaders outlines how workers delivering government services should be given access to training.

Skills Secretary John Denham said the move will improve the nation's skills.

The TUC said people employed by contractors deserve the new provisions which are also endorsed by the CBI.

The statement said giving workers access to training for basic skills could improve the quality of services.

Innovation

The government already incorporates the objectives for its own employees - now the aim is to spread them to contractors.

"It is by working in partnership like this that we can achieve real progress and deliver on the government's skills agenda," said Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson.

Soon any people employed by contractors who win government contracts will be able to find out how to join a union and learn more about the law and how it relates to their job Brendan BarberTUC

Mr Denham said: "Public sector procurement amounts to some £150bn every year. That spending can be a powerful lever for taking forward our priorities, whether that means securing more innovation or improving the nation's skills.

"It illustrates our commitment to lead the way on improving the skills in the public and private sector and to enable those who work for us, whether directly or indirectly, to progress in life and work."

Susan Anderson, director of public services at the CBI, said: "The CBI endorses these guidelines as a basis for ensuring the staff in public services, in all sectors, are valued and get the opportunity to develop."

Mark Fox, chief executive of the Business Services Association, said: "It is welcome that we have all been able to set our hand to signing this document, which provides a good basis for continuing constructive relations."

Strike action

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Soon any people employed by contractors who win government contracts will be able to access basic skills training at work, be able to find out how to join a union and learn more about the law and how it relates to their job.

"I look forward the same opportunities being opened up to the staff of contractors working in local government and the NHS so that eventually all public services workers are covered by this agreement."

The move comes as Britain faces a wave of industrial action over pay. Schools gates could stay shut and rubbish remain in the street uncollected if council workers walk out in a planned two-day strike.

Unions say 600,000 staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are prepared to strike on Wednesday after rejecting a 2.45% wage offer.

Earlier this month, Gordon Brown warned trade unions there would be "no return" to past laws and no pay deals as political parties prepare to submit annual accounts.

Rights

It is likely Labour's accounts will reveal as much as 80% of its funding now comes from unions in the wake of the cash for honours scandal.

The prime minister's spokesman said the joint statement did not change the law or introduce any new rights for workers.

"What is being published this morning is a joint statement agreed by government, trade unions, the CBI and third sector organisations," he said.

"We are asking employers to ensure that employees are aware of all their employment rights."