ANGELA RAYNER made a plea for unity at the TUC Congress today, as she confirmed that an employment rights Bill will be introduced within the first 100 days of a Labour government.

The party’s deputy leader gave a “cast-iron commitment” to electronic balloting, a legal “reasonable right to access” to workplaces for union reps and simplified recognition rules.

“I may have been born in Stockport, but I was raised in the trade union movement,” she said.

“I make no apologies that we will work hand in hand with trade unions as we will work with business to deliver a real partnership based on mutual respect, co-operation and negotiation.”

Ms Rayner received a standing ovation as she moved onto the “important bit,” concluding: “The battle for the general election is just getting started and it’s not going to be easy.

“There’s no doubt Labour has to win, but to get this victory, we have to come together, stand together and campaign side by side.”

She vowed to repeal the Tories’ 2016 Trade Union Act, which obstructs fair bargaining and holds back living standards, and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act.

Ms Rayner called the latter a “spiteful and bitter attack that threatens nurses with the sack,” adding that “we know that going on strike is always a last resort but is a fundamental freedom that must be respected."

Accusing Tory ministers of turning their backs on the economy, she said: “So let me tell you loud and clear, the next Labour government will ask Parliament to repeal these anti-trade union laws within our first 100 days so that you can get on with your jobs of fighting for better for your members.”

Ms Rayner confirmed commitments set out in Labour’s New Deal for Working People green paper, including a ban on zero-hours contracts, support for an investigation into the 1984 police attack on striking miners at Orgreave, an end to union blacklisting following the Consulting Association scandal and a boost for collective bargaining.

Promising a new fair pay agreement for adult social care, she said: “As a former social worker, I cannot overstate the difference this will make.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The country would clearly be better off with a Labour government. There is no doubt.

“That said, as the general secretary of Unite, my job is to fight for workers and ensure Labour commits to making the lives of working people better.

“As with all things, the devil will be in the detail and the words on the page. There can be no back-tracking on the agreed workers’ rights. Britain is hurting and Labour needs to be bold.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s time for change — and Angela has set out clearly and passionately how a Labour government would deliver that change.”

Ms Rayner’s speech also received praise from Unison general secretary Christina McAnea, who said: “Labour in government would dramatically improve the lives of working people and their families.”