TUC general secretary Brendan Barber urged ministers to make bosses face up to Britain's growing pensions crisis.

Leaders also want laws that prevented strikes in solidarity with sacked Gate Gourmet workers at Heathrow reformed.

Several key general secretaries are urging Tony Blair to quit in the next year to allow an orderly handover.

But Unison's boss Dave Prentis and T&G deputy general secretary Jack Dromey warned that Chancellor Gordon Brown must not expect to be crowned next Labour leader.

Mr Dromey, who is married to Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman, said: "There will be no coronation of a prime minister in waiting."

'Totally discredited'

Mr Prentis said the timing of Mr Blair's departure from Number 10 was a matter for the prime minister.

He added that whoever took over must be given time to settle into the job.

That was a message echoed by Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson who said the important thing was not so much the change of leader but a change in direction.

RMT boss Bob Crow, whose union is not affiliated to Labour, said Mr Blair was "totally discredited" but added he doubted the chancellor would be the "saviour of working men and women".

Mr Brown, seen as the frontrunner to replace Mr Blair when he stands down, will speak at the TUC later this week.

Compulsory contributions

Adair Turner, who heads the government's Pensions Commission, is also due to speak in Brighton.

There is widespread concern over the falling levels of people's pension provisions.

Unions have also been resisting calls to increase the retirement age for public sector workers.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber wants the introduction of compulsory contributions from both employers and employees.