Unions demand place in Brexit negotiations

AS trade union organisations with members in Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic, we want a post-Brexit deal that protects their jobs through frictionless trade in goods and services.

Our unions will have members both in and out of the European Union, often working for the same employer. They must continue to have equal guarantees to their basic rights at work.

We are seriously concerned talks on issues vital to our members’ jobs, rights and livelihoods have stalled.

Theresa May’s decision to rule out single market and customs union membership before the negotiations even began was an historic mistake. All options that facilitate frictionless trade in goods and services should be on the table.

Trade unions played a key role in the Good Friday Agreement. We have decades of experience of negotiations behind us and we call on the UK Prime Minister to put party manoeuvring behind her.

We need politicians from all sides and each devolved administration, as well as business and unions, involved in negotiating our future to prevent the return to a hard border and ensure workers don’t pay the price of Brexit.

FRANCES O’GRADY

General Secretary, Trades Union Congress

PATRICIA KING

General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions OWEN REIDY

Assistant General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, NI Committee