THERE is a sense of deja vu about this year’s North-West TUC annual conference.

As 120 delegates prepare to meet in Liverpool today, a lot will be the same as before; with five years of a Conservative-led coalition behind us, and experience of Conservative governments before then, the challenges we face are the same.

Our conference will be an opportunity to reaffirm our position against austerity and for decent pay, but also a chance for us to look to be innovative and lead the way, as we have done on issues such as devolution and mental health at work.

If the past five years have taught us anything, it is that we have to be ready to respond to what is thrown at us.

Our trade unions and trades councils have responded brilliantly. Once again, we’ve mobilised tens of thousands of trade unionists, in the large Manchester demonstration, to send a resounding message to the Conservative Party Conference: “No to austerity, yes to workers’ rights.”

As this government has sought to attack our trade union rights and freedoms, we’ve spoken up and are fighting back. 15 public meetings on the Trade Union Bill across the region and a large north-west contingent for the lobby of Parliament have informed thousands of members of the public and made sure MPs of all political persuasions have both seen and heard our opposition.

Yet while the government’s agenda has seen threats to our ways of working and public services, we’ve taken those opportunities presented to us. With devolution to local councils the big thing for public services, the spotlight has been on our region, with Greater Manchester being the guinea pig.

We’ve negotiated and reached agreements with leaders of all 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester about the changes.

This means that our trade unions will have a voice and a seat at the table when decisions are being made that affect their members. This will be a model we will look to replicate across the rest of north-west England to ensure when services are looked at and jobs affected, we will be there, representing members and protecting our public services.

Looking ahead, the challenges remain. The Trade Union Bill remains on the government’s agenda and we will have to respond collectively. Our first motion at this year’s conference will see discussion on how we do that. The issues our unions face and the motions at this year’s conference are as diverse as our movement.

We must still oppose government austerity that impacts on our most vulnerable in society. The motion from our women’s committee highlights how austerity in many cases has disproportionately hurt women, and our disabled workers’ forum notes how decisions on budgets impact on the day-to-day quality of life for many. An economic agenda that works for people must be a priority.

Motions to conference call for an alternative alongside opposition. A fairer social security system, as opposed to the failing universal credit system being implemented. Well-funded social care that rewards workers fairly for their important roles instead of the race to the bottom. An education system that preserves our schools and colleges and values our teaching staff, not pushes them out of the door.

Building public services that serve and sustain local communities. Safe railways, staffed with guards as well as drivers, instead of plans from Rail North and Merseyrail for driver only operation. Tackling the housing crisis with truly affordable homes and social housing, instead of the present system of homes that are unaffordable for many which leave them facing the pitfalls of private renting and all that it brings.

The coming year will no doubt be a challenge. Our work, as defined by conference, will run against the backdrop of the EU referendum. Protecting our members and communities will be our priority. Ensuring we have strong trade unions to stand up and fight back will be important.

As Heart Unions week demonstrated, trade unions are a positive force for good, inside and outside work. We protect and deliver for members. We must continue to do this, and I am sure, that here in north-west England we will rise to that challenge once again.

• Lynn Collins is regional secretary of North-West TUC.