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Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Donald Trump's union-busting regime a ‘cautionary tale’ over Reform UK, TUC says
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC speaking at the TUC congress at the ACC Liverpool, September 11, 2023

REFORM leader Nigel Farage’s claims to be for working people is at odds with his kowtowing to Donald Trump’s union-busting regime, TUC leader Paul Nowak warned today.

He said that the US president’s first few weeks in power have seen him attack working rights and vital workers’ institutions.

Mr Nowak highlighted the close relationship between Mr Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Mr Farage and warned: “What’s unfolding in the US should be a cautionary tale for us all.

“This is what happens when you let the political fraudsters of the populist right in. 

“Having promised to be a champion for working people, President Trump is already torching workers’ rights and slashing public services.

“And he’s empowered unelected tech billionaire — and union-buster — Elon Musk to fire thousands of essential government workers.

“Nigel Farage is making the same bogus claims about being on the side of working people here in the UK.

“But you should judge a man by his record and the company he keeps.

“As well as spending vast amounts of time kowtowing to Trump and Musk, Farage and his fellow Reform MPs have voted against the Employment Rights Bill at every stage.

“Given the choice of supporting legalisation that will boost worker protections and incomes — Farage and Reform have chosen instead to be on the side of bad bosses, zero hours contracts and fire and rehire.”

Mr Nowak made the comments while attending an event bringing together leaders from the global trade union movement and senior officials from international financial institutions in Washington DC.

The event at the World Bank HQ is being held by the IMF, World Bank and International Trade Union Confederation.

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