Bill Speirs revealed the agenda details

Publishing details of the agenda for the Scottish Trades Unions Congress (STUC) in Inverness, union chiefs said a series of motions on the conflict have been put forward.

They added that emergency motions could also be put to the gathering.

The STUC will convene at the Eden Court Theatre, in Inverness, from 14-17 April, two weeks before voters go to the polls in the Scottish parliamentary elections.

Having secured a significant increase in the level of trade union membership in Scotland, this year's congress will speak with renewed authority Bill Speirs

A motion from rail union the RMT brands the conflict a "war of aggression" and calls on the UK to "withdraw".

Another motion from train drivers' union Aslef warns that the conflict and war on terrorism are creating "hostility towards refugees" in Britain.

Several other motions have been put forward opposing the continued use of private finance initiatives (PFIs) for public service projects.

Public sector union Unison demands "free nutritious school meals for all pupils in Scotland" and the STUC youth conference seeks backing for a voting age of 16.

Unions are expected to support a motion from the Fire Brigades Union seeking solidarity in its campaign for higher wages.

STUC general secretary Bill Speirs said trade unionists would meet "at a crucial time both domestically and internationally".

He said: "The views of the trade union movement in relation to the priorities for the administration at Holyrood, and on the war in Iraq and its aftermath, are conditioned by the people we represent.