UK News 10-09-2001 Blair In Showdown With Unions who: Trade Union Congress (TUC) what: Begin annual conference with strike threats over part-privatisation of public services where: BRIGHTON when: Today snippet: "Tony Blair will be deserted by one-in-four Labour voters if he presses on with `creeping` privatisation in schools and hospitals," warns The Mirror this morning. "The Prime Minister is testing the loyalty of Labour Party members to destruction," commented GMB boss John Edmonds yesterday on the results of a MORI poll commissioned by his union which showed that 24 percent of Labour voters would switch to Liberal Democrat in the next election if Mr Blair brings in more private companies to provide public services. As the Trade Union Congress conference begins in Brighton today, Unison, the biggest public sector union, has "threatened strike action if its members` interests are not protected," reports The Guardian. Unison`s general secretary Dave Prentis has implied that the government does not intend to make good on a promise to give NHS status to employees in three privately financed hospitals. "If the Government reneges on these pilot schemes," said Mr Prentis, "I have no doubt whatsoever that our members will want our union to take industrial action." Today, trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt will try to mollify delegates by promising strengthened pension safeguards. Yesterday she insisted that that private sector will be merely a "subsidiary partner" in education. Mr Blair is due to speak to the conference tomorrow. [... more]

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