Derek Simpson

Derek Simpson - Joint General Secretary, Unite

In a HARDtalk interview originally broadcast on 2 March 2009, Stephen Sackur talks to Derek Simpson, the Joint General Secretary, Unite the Union.

As the recession deepens the credit crunch has become a jobs crunch.

From bank staff to auto workers, jobs are disappearing at the fastest rate in a generation.

Across Europe strikes and street protests seem set to intensify. Derek Simpson is the co-leader of the UK's biggest union, Unite.

Is organised labour on a collision course with the Labour Government as Britain's economy unravels? He talks to Stephen Sackur.

This interview will be shown on BBC World News at 0430, 0930, 1430, 1830 (except Middle East and South Asia), 2130 and 2330 GMT

HARDtalk is also broadcast on the BBC News channel at 04:30 & 23:30 GMT