UNION leaders from across the North-East will meet today to discuss a range of issues.

The Northern TUC's regional council will gather at Gateshead Civic Centre, where one of the motions will concern Government plans to cut more than 100,000 jobs across the civil service and related public bodies.

The civil service union, PCS, is campaigning to prevent the cuts, which would equate to 10,000 people in the North-East losing their jobs.

PCS members deliver essential public services, including child benefits, the national minimum wage, passports, New Deal, driving licences, tax credits and pensions.

The regional council will decide best how to take the campaign forward and offer solidarity and support.

The council will also discuss financial difficulties and potential ensuing job losses that have arisen from the alleged mismanagement of South Tyneside College.

Lecturers' union Natfhe will raise a motion to call upon the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to launch an immediate and detailed inquiry into how this happened, and how to prevent it recurring.

Also, the Unison Defend Council Housing campaign will submit a motion for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to immediately halt further housing stock transfers, ALMOs (Arm's Length Management Organisation) and Private Finance Initiatives.

Northern TUC secretary Kevin Rowan said: "The range and depth of issues trade unions are engaged in within the region shows their value and relevance as a social and economic force for good in the workplace and community."