Matt Wrack speaking at TUC Congress

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack was elected as president of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) this week. Wrack will serve in the role for a year and will preside of the 2024 TUC Congress. In addition, he will chair the TUC’s general council and executive committee.

In a statement issued following his election, he attacked a “government for the billionaires which is relying on a toxic cocktail of authoritarianism, bigotry and attacks on our right to strike”. He also said that “austerity wearing a different colour rosette is still austerity”, warning politicians that “if they fail workers, they will face a determined, mobilised trade union movement”.

Wrack’s election follows Monday’s vote at TUC congress for a strategy of non-compliance and non-cooperation against the government’s new anti-union laws.

Speaking after his election, Wrack said: “On behalf of firefighters, I am proud to be taking up the role of TUC President at what will be a decisive moment for the trade union movement, in the wake of an inspiring wave of industrial action across the economy.

“The cost of living crisis is a war by the ultra-rich on workers. While profits and inflation have soared, workers are being hit with falling wages, crumbling public services and yet more austerity.

“Rather than address the crisis, this government for the billionaires is relying on a toxic cocktail of authoritarianism, bigotry and attacks on our right to strike. As TUC President, I will support the development of a movement that can defeat this authoritarian war on workers and win the repeal of all the anti-union laws.

“Since 2010, the fire and rescue service has lost one in five jobs. It’s a similar story across many industries. Now is the time to make the case for investment, jobs and pay – and to back that case with organisation and struggle.

“As we approach the general election and prepare for a change of government, workers are angry and hungry for an alternative. Austerity wearing a different colour rosette is still austerity, and politicians must understand that if they fail workers, they will face a determined, mobilised trade union movement.”

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