About TUAC
TUAC represents the views of trade unions to the OECD. Our goal is to ensure that OECD policy, standards and recommendations reflect the needs of working people.
What we do
Established in 1948, TUAC’s mission is to ensure that OECD actions meet the needs of working people, and that the OECD makes policies that genuinely foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. TUAC takes part in a wide range of OECD events from policy committees to Ministerial meetings.
TUAC works to shape the international agreements, standards, recommendations and statements of the OECD as well as the outcomes of the G7 and G20 processes.
TUAC seeks to influence OECD policy in areas of great importance to trade unions. These include economic policy; employment and labour market policy; sustainable development and just transition; digitalisation and artificial intelligence; responsible business conduct; education and skills; and public governance. TUAC also seeks to help trade unions make use of OECD recommendations and data in their own advocacy efforts.
Our network
TUAC has 58 affiliated national trade union centres from 30 OECD countries, as well as five associated unions from OECD partner countries.
Affiliated and associated unions engage in the work of TUAC and the OECD through TUAC’s three standing Working Groups:
- The Working Group on Economic Policy
- The Working Group on Education and skills
- The Working Group on Multinational Enterprises
TUAC also has various ad hoc groups including the Ad Hoc Group on Digitalisation and the Digital Economy, and the Ad Hoc Group on Climate Action.
Union leaders meet twice a year in the TUAC Plenary – TUAC’s decision-making body – to set priorities and determine areas of policy work. The TUAC Plenary also elects the President, Vice Presidents, and General Secretary for four-year renewable terms.
TUAC works closely with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), with which it coordinates trade union inputs to the G7 and G20. On sector-specific issues, TUAC works with the global union federations and is a member of the Council of Global Unions. TUAC also works with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS).
