TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak will today (Saturday) congratulate workers from the Midlands for their part in winning stronger rights at work.

Speaking at the TUC’s annual Midlands Conference, he will also commit to using new powers in the Employment Rights Act to go after dogy employers like Amazon, and to win their employees a voice at work through trade unions. In his speech, Paul Nowak will say: “We won a historic victory for workers with the Employment Rights Act.

“This was achieved through years of hard work, campaigning and lobbying by working people and their unions – here in the Midlands and around the country. It is proof of what can happen when we work together. More job security, thanks to a right to guaranteed hours.

Sick pay for all, paid from the first day you fall ill. Stronger protections against unfair dismissal. A new right to bereavement leave and improvements to parental leave.

"And let me put dodgy employers like Amazon on notice – there are new rights to protect against union busting too. I guarantee you that we are going to use these rights for workers in Amazon distribution centres to win them a union voice.

"But we face opponents like the Reform Party that are ruthless in promoting division. They say they will scrap the Employment Rights Act with a ‘Great Repeal Act’. But for workers it will be a the 'Great Steal' robbing the new rights we have just gained.

"That's why we've launched our campaign Unity Works, to bring working people together to counter division. To protect our hard-won rights.

“And to continue building a better future together." TUC Midlands Conference: the 2026 annual conference is being held at Pride Park, Derby on 28 March.

Union delegates and visitors will debate the big issues shaping the region and the changes that will improve workplaces and communities.

Unity Works: The TUC has started a new campaign called Unity Works. It will bring together working people of all backgrounds and beliefs to keep on winning positive change on the things that matter to all working people:

  • Work that pays
  • Secure jobs and decent conditions
  • Strong public services
  • Fair taxes on the super-wealthy
  • Respect at work and in our communities