The Trade Union Council’s Brendan Barber has announced that he is stepping down as General Secretary at the end of year. After 10 years of leading the Trade Union Council Mr Barber has decided to retire at the end of the year. His successor will be elected during this year’s TUC congress in September. Frances O’Grady the TUC deputy general secretary is the favourite to become Mr Barber’s successor. If elected Ms O’Gradywill be the first female leader of the union.