Sandwiches and beer for Cameron?

This morning's Telegraph reports that the Tories are attempting to court the unions.

David Cameron has launched a secret mission to win over Britain's trade unions in the run-up to the next general election.
The Conservative leader has held privately talks with the head of the TUC while party officials have met with the unions more than sixty times since the spring.
The trade unions have also been asked to help draw up opposition policy, the Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The initiative mirrors Tony Blair's so-called "prawn cocktail" offensive to win more support among business leaders in the early 1990s.

Tea and sandwiches I am sure that it isn't,but his meeting with Brendan Barber reportedly last month and the first time a Tory leader has met with the top union boss in more than a decade,will no doubt anger the Labour leadership

Back to the 70's-Don't think so

Hats off to the unions who according to Patrick Wintour in this morning's Guardain are to table 130 demands on the government

The complete list, obtained by the Guardian, includes a right to take supportive strike action, scrapping NHS prescription charges, bringing all hospital cleaning back in-house, and a new agreement on public sector pay with the Treasury.

The price of relying on the unions for financial support,I here many cry.A return to the beer and sandwiches of the 70's will be another.

But if you look at the proposals,they are simply reflecting a social consciounce.

According to the paper,some will include

1.extending the adult minimum wage to 18- to 21-year-olds and apprentices

2.changes that would to allow councils to negotiate procurement contracts that include fair employment clauses.

3.the right to five days a year paid educational leave for all workers,

4.extend the "not-for-profit model" to passenger train operators as franchises expire

Things that a Labour government should have been doing all along.