Tony Blair faces "anxiety and anger" at both the TUC and Labour conferences over plans to give the private sector a greater role in the provision of public services, trade union chief John Monks has warned.

"There is a strong reaction on the public-private issue around the trade union movement...and there's more aggression in the relationship," he told the BBC.

Following Labour's historic second election victory, Downing Street has sought to convince union leaders that the prime minister's plans to extend private sector involvement in health, education and other public services do not mean privatisation. Union bosses do not seem to have been convinced.

"We're not sure exactly what the government have got in mind for the second term. The particular area that's most concerning the TUC is what are the boundaries that are between the public and the private sector in the delivery of public services," said Monks.

The TUC chief also warned that after the "shortest honeymoon on record" the government are in for a bumpy conference ride with "a very difficult period of relationships'" on the cards between Labour and the unions.

"It's going to be a lively, for sure, conference, some anxiety and some anger. I think it'll probably be the most political congress we've had for many a long day," he said.

Wednesday's release of the 133rd TUC autumn conference agenda highlighted a number of issues likely to increase the strain on relations with the Labour government.

On the plans to see increased private sector involvement in the public sector, a Unison motion says: "Congress does not believe that the expansion and improvement of public services can be achieved through an increased role for the private sector in the provision of core public services. "

The motion adds that "private finance and private partnerships will lead to the demise of quality public services" and calls on the TUC to "expose the shortcomings and inefficiencies of PFI and Public Private Partnerships and to promote alternative ways of financing public investment".

A TGWU motion also questions the role of the private sector in public services and says reforms should ensure public services remain publicly owned and publicly accountable.

However, an AEEU motion stresses the need for reforms and calls for more partnership between public and private sectors. "All stakeholders in public services have much to learn from each other and we should use best practice and expertise wherever it lies," it says.

Following suggestions that the government could impose charges of up to £100 on employees taking action against companies through employment tribunals, several motions and amendments express hostility to the idea. One motion warns the government that this would "not only penalise low paid and unemployed workers, but also clearly undermines the principle of equal access to justice for all".

Several motions will call for Britain to join the European single currency.

A GMB motion says: "Congress notes that the UK already meets many of the economic criteria laid down by the chancellor. It insists that the Treasury press ahead with its assessment of UK readiness to join the eurozone so that a clear recommendation in favour of the UK adopting the euro can be placed before the British people in a 2002 referendum."

The motion also blames the high level of sterling for the loss of UK manufacturing jobs and argues that a clear pro-euro stance would bring down the value of the pound and help save jobs.

On the UK's "long hours working culture" a motion from the NASUWT education union "calls upon the government urgently to tackle this fundamental problem, and to recognise the depth of dissatisfaction felt by teachers and other public sector workers who are bearing the brunt of ever-increasing bureaucracy and workload. Congress is concerned that people's lives are being sacrificed on the altar of economic competitiveness."

Another motion to be debated in Brighton expresses dissatisfaction with the way the government has legislated for compulsory union recognition. It calls on the government to remove legal restrictions on union recognition where union membership is at 50 per cent plus one within a company bargaining unit.

A motion from the National Union of Mineworkers calls on the government to repeal all anti-union laws introduced since 1979 and supports unions who adopt a policy of non-compliance with laws "designed to render trade union rule books ineffective, thereby denying the democratic rights of trade union members."

While many of the motions congratulate Labour's reforms of employment legislation and other achievements, the criticisms of a range of key second-term policies point to a growing degree of disillusion within the union movement at the government's second term agenda.

Monday September 10: 10.00am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 5.30pm.

Tuesday September 11: 9.30am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 5.30pm.

Wednesday September 12: 9.30am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 5.30pm.

Thursday September 13: 9.30am to 12.45pm and 2.15pm to 5.30pm.

Sunday September 9

am: John Monks workplace visit.

am: briefing for photographers and broadcasters.

lunchtime: John Monks press conference.

Monday September 10

am: President's (Bill Morris) address.

am: Stephen Lawrence Task Group presentation. Speech by Gurbux Singh of the Commission for Racial Equality.

pm: employment rights debate.

pm: Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Tuesday September 11

pm: senior cabinet minister

Wednesday September 12

am: Europe debate.

am: Wanja Lundby-Wedin, Swedish LO (TUC equivalent).

am: Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission.

am and pm economy debate.

pm: debate on public services.

Thursday September 13

am: international debate.

am: any remaining business.