Friday 1 October
From today 16 and 17 year olds are entitled to a minimum wage of 3 an hour. The adult minimum wage has gone up to 4.85 an hour today, whilst the training rate has increased to 4.10.
Introduction of new regulations that require all employers to have procedures in place to deal with internal grievances and disputes.
New disability rights regulations come into force meaning that all employers are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, and the previous scope for justifying acts of discrimination is much reduced. Workplaces and service providersí premises have to be physically accessible from today.
Monday 4 October
Watford 10am: TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber and the townís MP Claire Ward open the Hertfordshire Trade Union Learning Centre that will be running training courses for union members across the county, 27 Woodford Road.
Bournemouth Conservative Party Conference (to 7 October) : TUC Assistant General Secretary Kay Carberry speaks at a fringe meeting on pensions, Hilton Hotel.
Wednesday 6 October
London 11am: Kay Carberry speaks about women at work at a SERCO conference on industrial relations, Marriot Hotel, Westminster.
London Noon: Kay Carberry presents the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers íArts and mindsí awards to schools for their creative work promoting diversity and equality.
Stoke Brendan Barber speaks at the British Ceramics Confederation Health and Safety Conference, Britannia Stadium (Stoke Cityís Ground). He will also be presenting the industry health and safety awards for 2004.
Thursday 7 October
TUC publishes a report separating the facts from the myths and fears surrounding the numbers of people claiming incapacity benefit and detailing concerns around potential cost-reduction programmes.
London Noon-2pm: íBarriers to workí, a TUC seminar looking at ways of helping unemployed and economically inactive people back into work, Congress House.
Friday 8 October
Manchester 1.30pm: TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances OíGrady speaks at a Coalition Against Poverty conference looking at whether welfare benefits are high enough, Manchester University Conference Centre.
Monday 11 October
China TUC General Council representatives join a DTI delegation visiting Shanghai, led by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt MP, Brendan Barber and CBI Director General Digby Jones, to investigate Chinaís role in the world economy and visit British businesses operating there. Brendan Barber will also be visiting trade unions in Beijing and Hong Kong.
Thursday 14 October
London 7pm: Frances OíGrady speaks at a rally hosted by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on the eve of the European Social Forum.
Friday 15 October
London European Social Forum (to Sunday 17): thousands of activists and trade unionists from across Europe gather at Alexandra Palace, London, to discuss social change. Programme and further information available at www.fse-esf.org
Saturday 16 October
London 2pm - 4pm: Frances OíGrady speaks at a European Social Forum plenary íWomen struggling against oppressioní.
Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen 020 7467 1248 or pager 07699 744115, email: media@tuc.org.uk; Ben Hurley 020 7467 1248 or 07699 713182 (pager) or email bhurley@tuc.org.uk; Dan Ashley 020 7467 1372 or email dashley@tuc.org.uk
TUC diary dates
1st - 15th October 2004
