TRADES COUNCILS asked for a “bit of respect” yesterday — but union delegates rejected their proposal to be given voting rights at TUC Congress and on the union body’s general council.

A motion submitted by the TUC Trades Councils Conference, which can currently send one non-voting delegate to Congress, called for a rule change which would give it a nine-strong delegation and a single seat on the general council.

Trades councils are locally organised bodies which bring together TUC-affiliated unions in a particular area or council district, co-ordinating local campaigns and inter-union solidarity.