New T&G boss calls for unity

Mr Woodley made his name fighting for car workers

Unions should stop fighting each other and create a stronger force for economic change, according to the new leader of the Transport and General Workers Union.

Tony Woodley takes over the top job on Monday morning after winning the election for the post of general secretary in a tough battle earlier this year.

Former boss Sir Bill Morris steps down as leader to follow other interests.

Mr Woodley promised his members a "new culture" of dedication to their interests and a fresh spirit of unity between unions when he spoke to BBC News Online.

A tough former car negotiator whose father was a convenor at a Vauxhall car plant, Mr Woodley says he is not frightened of confrontation.

Despite asserting that there is "no alternative to Labour", he strongly criticised the government's decision to go to war with Iraq.

'Fight back'

"I'm very much looking forward to the job," Mr Woodley said.

"Members have great expectations of seeing the union starting to fight back for them in the workplace - on pensions, wages and sacking by text message."

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He said while in many respects the Labour government has done "a tremendous job" - citing the minimum wage as an example - it had a lot more to do.

"We're losing 12,500 manufacturing jobs every month - we really need to pressurise this government."

Mr Woodley called for new unity among the unions and suggested those in similar sectors should merge rather than compete for members.

"There's no sense competing for existing union members - we have to ask the question, why has union membership dropped to seven million from 11 million in this country?

"Because we've forgotten what our goal in life should be - to represent and fight for our members - not to mix with the great and good."

Deputy elected

Mr Woodley's new deputy will be Jack Dromey, who on Saturday beat two rivals in the election for the post.

The veteran official is also husband to government minister Harriet Harman.

Mr Dromey, the union's national organiser, polled 62,422 votes against 29,363 for Graham Stevenson and 24,145 for Barry Camfield. Turnout was 16%.

Mr Dromey said he would form a strong team with Mr Woodley and pledged to "rebuild" the TGWU.

"The message to boardrooms and to Tony Blair is clear - never again will the voice of working people be ignored," he said.