Unions have warned the government it must review its policy of allowing private companies to run public services or expect a fight on its hands.

Ahead of the TUC congress next week, the organisation is suggesting the honeymoon with the government is over and fundamental issues must be addressed.

Tensions with the government are mounting over public services, pensions and pay.

We are essentially treated as lobbyists, just like the CBI and the business community

John Monks, TUC general secretary

TUC general secretary John Monks said he hoped Tony Blair would not patronise unions when he makes an eagerly awaited speech at the Blackpool conference.

Mr Monks said he had become "dissatisfied" with the government's relations with unions.

He said: "We are essentially treated as lobbyists, just like the CBI and the business community.

"The problem with that way of working is that there is very little sense of shared problems and shared challenges.

"It is a model that produces conflict rather that partnership."

He also believes the government finds it hard to make a decision, such as on pensions, where it has been keeping its cards "close to its chest".

Congress debate

The TUC leader, who is expected to leave next year to take a job with the European TUC, said he believed the prospect of war with Iraq and the timing of any UK entry into the single currency, would be among issues dominating the conference.

The crisis over Iraq is due to be discussed at the conference next Wednesday.

Mr Monks believes any proposed action should first go through the United Nations and only after evidence has been published.

But, he added, the UN should not stand idly by if there is evidence Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.

On pensions, Mr Monks said he was a "militant", supporting strikes to defend final salary and other schemes.

He said industrial problems that needed tackling included pensions, improvement of public services and the current dispute over firefighters' pay.

The TUC leader said he expected the conference to express strong support for the Fire Brigades' Union, which has called for a national strike in its bid for a 40% pay rise.

Mr Monks said he understood why unions had cut funds to Labour over the past year, but warned it could be counter-productive and result in them losing their political influence.