TUAC has 59 affiliated trade union centres in OECD countries, representing more than 58 million workers in 2018, as well as associate members in Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa. TUAC operates through its Paris-based secretariat. TUAC’s origins go back to 1948 to the trade union advisory committee established under the Marshall Plan. When the OECD was created in 1962, TUAC continued its work of representing organised labour’s views.
TUAC’s policy advocacy aims to create shared prosperity within and between countries, including quality jobs, and to assert the positive role of trade unions and collective bargaining in achieving inclusive growth. Access to OECD discussions enables TUAC to act as a “first mover” within the labour movement in responding to new and emerging policy challenges.
TUAC works closely with other international trade unions, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), with which it co-ordinates trade union inputs to the G20 (through the Labour 20) and G7 processes, and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). On sector-specific issues, TUAC works with the Global Union Federations (GUFs) and is a member of the Council of Global Unions.
An annual meeting of the TUAC/ OECD Liaison Committee is organised with members of the OECD Council and the OECD Secretariat to allow for exchanges on future policy priorities and recommendations. TUAC releases a statement for, and attends, the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. It also submits policy evaluations to the OECD Council throughout the year. Trade union representatives participate in over 60 OECD bodies (OECD Committees and Working Groups) and policy events.
TUAC’s consultative status at the OECD enables an ongoing social dialogue. On average, over 500 trade union representatives take part in TUAC and OECD meetings each year.
TUAC briefs affiliates on current OECD projects and policies on an ongoing basis and coordinates policy statements and evaluates the outcomes of OECD meetings and publications. The TUAC secretariat regularly presents OECD policy issues at trade union and other external meetings.
TUAC has three standing Working Groups:
as well as several ad-hoc policy groups. The Working Groups prepare TUAC positions both for TUAC’s bi-annual membership meetings (Plenary Sessions), as well as for consultations with the OECD. Working Groups are open to all affiliates, international trade unions and TUAC partner organisations. Ad hoc meetings are held to address specific topics.
The President, Vice-Presidents and the General Secretary are elected for four-year renewable terms.
Elected Vice President of TUAC at the Plenary Session in June 2022.
Elected Vice President of TUAC at the Plenary Session in December 2021. Mandate until December 2025.
Acting General Secretary of TUAC
The TUAC Plenary Session is the official decision-making body. It meets twice a year and gathers TUAC affiliates and representatives of other international trade unions. The Plenary Session discusses and approves policy statements, the work programme, budget, and future priorities. It also elects TUAC Officers.
The Plenary Session is supported by the Administrative Committee, which is in charge of overseeing the management of TUAC. The Administrative Committee is comprised of:
The TUAC has three standing Working Groups
to help shape TUAC policy advocacy and policy analysis at the OECD. The Working Groups also serve broader purposes for the labour movement, including serving as internal trade union fora for policy discussions in close partnership with other international trade union organisations. The chairs and vice-chairs are appointed by the Plenary upon recommendation by the Adminsitrative Committee.