By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

Britain's leading trade union boss John Monks has warned Tony Blair to drop confrontational talk about union "wreckers" when he addresses next week's TUC conference.

	:	Trade unions guide
The big unions at TUC 2002

Speaking during an interview with BBC News Online, Mr Monks said the prime minister was still facing a tough time at the Blackpool rally.

And he highlighted the issues of Iraq, public services and pensions as potential trouble spots for Mr Blair.

He warned that, with relations between Labour and the unions under severe strain, Mr Blair should adopt a more conciliatory tone.

Blair must not lecture

"The prime minister's speech is challenging to the TUC this year. We want to be challenged and we want to contribute to improvement of public services and so on," he said.

Asked about the prime minister's previous descriptions of his opponents as "wreckers" or the "forces of Conservatism", he added: "We certainly don't want any of that stuff, no. That has run its course."

Private finance

Many union members were infuriated by Mr Blair's previous party season remarks in which he used both phrases to attack those opposed to his plans for reform of the public sector.

While he refused to point the finger at union members or members of his own party, his aides were less reticent.

Mr Monks, a pro-Blair moderate, denied suggestions that relations between the government and the union movement had deteriorated since last year, when Mr Blair abandoned what was set to be a stormy conference appearance scheduled for just minutes after the 11 September atrocity.

The TUC General Secretary said the government had gone some way towards answering fears over the use of private companies in the public sector - such as allowing the transfer of rights.

And he underlined Chancellor Gordon Brown's massive public sector spending programme.

Continuing crisis

But he confessed there were still serious concerns and frustrations over the proposals.

He said he would be happy to see further tax rises if they were needed to improve public services.

He opposed the call from transport union leader Bill Morris for a referendum on British entry into the euro to be postponed until after the next election and, instead, threw his weight behind a referendum next year.

He highlighted the continuing crisis over pensions as a major issue of concern and called on the government to compel employers to fund proper schemes for workers.

He also added his voice to those demanding proper evidence of Saddam Hussein's weapons programme before military action against him should be considered.

And he suggested the UN should be leading any coalition before any action went ahead.

He also warned of the "big and costly" step action would be, claiming it could even see "hand to hand fighting around the streets of Baghdad."

Watch the full interview with John Monks on BBC News Online from Saturday.