My first hero, as a teenager, was James Connolly. I remember discovering that he was a feminist, and that was an eye-opener, coming from a man of such poverty. Frances O'Grady comeconnollydiscover Change image and share on social
A business is good if it gives a decent day's reward for a decent day's work, treats people decently, and gives them a voice at the top. Frances O'Grady businessdaydecent Change image and share on social
The image of the unions is still not in tune with where we actually are, which is fifty-fifty men and women, with an increasing number of women at the top. I think it is changing, but I'm not complacent about this. Frances O'Grady changecomplacentfifty share on social
Voting to go on strike is not a decision working people take lightly and is always accompanied by a strong sense of injustice at work. The impact of losing a day's pay is significant, not least for those in the lowest paid jobs who are already on the tightest budgets. Frances O'Grady accompanybudgetday share on social
Would I describe myself as new Labour? I'm Labour, organised Labour. I think labels have a limited use and that's where you really get into boy stuff sometimes, just sticking on labels. Frances O'Grady boydescribelabel Change image and share on social
From the ashes of a financial crash, there is a chance to create a new economic settlement that is more equal, sustainable and democratic. Frances O'Grady ashechancecrash Change image and share on social
I came from a family where joining a union was the expected thing to do. I've always believed that the relationship between an employer and an individual worker is fundamentally unequal. Frances O'Grady believeemployerexpect Change image and share on social
Britain is a textbook case of how growing inequality leads to economic crisis. The years before the crash were marked by a sharp rise in remortgaging and the growth of 0 percent balance transfer credit cards. By 2008 the UK had the highest ratio of household debt to GDP of any major economy. Frances O'Grady balancebritaincard share on social
The backwoodsmen are muttering about making Britain's draconian union laws - already among the toughest in Europe - harsher still. And parts of the media will continue to attack public service pensions, as if school meals staff, refuse collectors and healthcare workers have no right to a decent retirement. Frances O'Grady attackbackwoodsmanbritain share on social
Although there's a lot of focus on the Lib Dems, we need to keep our eyes on the far right of the Tories, who I suspect will become increasingly impatient in their appetite for tax cuts, deregulation and shrinking the state even further. Frances O'Grady appetitecutdem share on social