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Economic situation under the spotlight

14/11/2008
-during a speech at the University of Wolverhampton.
 
Brendan Barber presented the annual Crystal Lecture, organised by the University in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, Gerwyn Jones and Dominic Wilson
 
Speaking at the event at the University’s Telford Campus, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress praised the rich industrial heritage of the region and the opportunities the University of Wolverhampton offers to all.
 
Mr Barber also outlined a three point plan for weathering the current economic storm, which focuses on investing in the country’s skills base; making flexible working more widely available and encouraging more workplaces to become high-performance workplaces.
 
He added: “The TUC is calling on the government to develop a radical programme to minimise the effects of the downturn, ensure the pain is spread fairly, and promote a more balanced economy.
 
“With the global balance of economic power shifting from west to east – from New York, London and Frankfurt to Dubai, Mumbai and Shanghai – there is a real need for policymakers to respond.
 
“To forge a new model of globalisation that ordinary working people can relate to, or risk a protectionist backlash – and possibly worse.
 
“It’s up to our politicians to show us that the market is our servant not our master, that people matter as much as profits, that fairness can be delivered during a prolonged downturn. This, then, is perhaps the central political and economic challenge of our times.”
 
Professor Dominic Wilson, Dean of the University of Wolverhampton Business School, said: “The Crystal Lecture is always a major event in the University calendar and we were delighted to welcome such a high profile and internationally respected speaker. Brendan’s speech was extremely topical, challenging, positive and raised many crucial issues facing government and employers today.”
 
Gerwyn Jones, Wolverhampton Branch Chair from the Chartered Management Institute, said: “The Crystal Lecture is always an excellent event for networking and an entertaining speaker. This year’s event was no exception and Brendan Barber provided attendees with a thought provoking insight into the challenges facing us in turbulent economic times.”
 
The 2008 lecture was the 15th annual Crystal Lecture. The Chartered Management Institute hosts two such events each year, the other being the Maclaren Lecture at Aston University.

Further information

Picture: L-R - General Secretary of The TUC, Brendan Barber, with Gerwyn Jones, Wolverhampton Branch Chair from the Chartered Management Institute and Professor Dominic Wilson, Dean of the University of Wolverhampton Business School.
 
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