Union leaders have called on the government to establish a "public services forum" to generate discussion with ministers on public service reform.

Following a meeting between union leaders and the prime minister at Downing Street, TUC leader Brendan Barber said he wanted to "make progress by agreement".

The forum, to be developed after consultation with Cabinet Office minister Douglas Alexander, would give the government the opportunity to "test their ideas before decisions are made".

Barber denied that unions were seeking special "access or privilege".

"It is clear that at the heart of government there are strong views. We need a forum that goes to the heart of government," he said.

He called for a new spirit of partnership through "permanent dialogue".

"Involving the public service workforce through their union is the best way of achieving that," added Barber.

The announcement came after the TUC warned that its members have "major questions that must be resolved with the government".

Ahead of its annual conference next week, the TUC released a harsh statement.

It attacked the attitude that modernisation was something done to public service workers rather than a process where they contributed as partners.

The TUC slammed the government for failing to halt the denigration of public services and the suggestion that mediocrity is widespread.

And claims that public services are inflexible against a dynamic private sector were described as "unhelpful".

The document will add to the concerns of Labour's senior figures, such as party chairman Ian McCartney, who have sought to play down claims of a rift with the unions.

Trade unionists argue their dispute over the role of the private sector goes beyond pay and conditions, though focus has centred on the "two tier" workforce.

As their members are also taxpayers and users who rely on public services, the unions say their opposition is because the private sector cannot guarantee "equality of access".

Barber claimed that the document did not amount to a declaration of war with the government and played down the idea of a rift.

"It is no secret that government and unions disagree on some public service issues such as foundation hospitals," he said.

"But while this statement does not hold back criticism when we think ministers are mistaken, it also reflects an increasingly constructive dialogue between government and unions in recent months.

"At its heart is a programme of constructive engagement with government, a welcome for the increased resources available and, as the statement concludes, a determined effort to 'make progress together'."

The Conservatives slammed the Downing Street meeting, claiming the government wanted to offer trade unions even more influence.

Shadow trade secretary Tim Yeo said the government's attempt to heal relations with the unions was an act of desperation.

"This summer has seen the prime minister desperately short of friends. His party has been split from top to bottom, on everything from Iraq and the euro to foundation hospitals and tuition fees. Now he has even been reduced to 'beer and sandwiches' with his union paymasters at the expense of real reform of our public services," he said.