Four national objectives define framework for how UNISON works in Scotland

Kate Ramsden (Communications & Campaigns) looks at UNISON Scotland's priorities for this year, who leads on them and how they are implemented.

Objective 1: Recruiting and Organising: John Keggie, who leads on objective 1, recruiting, organising, representing and retaining members, said, “UNISON is looking for a 3% growth in membership and more stewards and reps and would like to see more members take part in ballots and other democratic processes.

“We are keen to encourage branches to apply to the region for funds for workplace recruitment and retention campaigns.”

“We made a successful bid to set up a migrant worker project within the Highlands and Islands to improve services to them and to encourage them to join the union.”

Negotiating, bargaining and promoting equality for members is the aim of objective 2 with a focus this year on single status and equal pay.

“We have developed a range of initiatives to support branches negotiating on single status and pressing employers to deliver fair and equal pay,” said Glyn Hawker who holds key responsibility.

“We also want to make sure that pensions across sectors are non-discriminatory and governed in members’ best interests; and that employers are meeting their public sector equalities duties. Our staff and activists need the knowledge and skills to negotiate and bargain on these issues and we’ll provide training and briefings as necessary.”

Objective 3 is about campaigning and promoting UNISON on behalf of members. Dave Watson, who leads, said, “Examples of what we are doing in Scotland include the Revitalise Campaign which promotes quality public services and the public sector workforce; the campaign against PPP and other outsourcing; the campaign for decent and affordable housing and the opposing racism plan.”

“We’re also campaigning on health and safety issues in the workplace such as violence to staff and stress, and are about to launch a project to promote work life balance.”

“We want to strengthen UNISON Scotland’s political structures and activists’ base to have the widest possible influence on policy makers at all levels,” added Dave.

The final objective aims to develop an efficient and effective union. Carol Judge, who has primary responsibility said, “We want to ensure that we’re a good employer and that we make best use of our staff to support our priorities in Scotland; that our data is accurate and that branches get support to keep it up to date.

“We aim to ‘green our workplaces’ and to develop an environmental strategy to recycle and reduce waste.”

Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary said, “A great advantage of these four objectives has been the consistency in recent years of maintaining the same broad themes while adjusting to meet circumstances as required.

“UNISON Scotland is keen to engage our activists in this implementing these objectives.” For more information about UNISON’s objectives, go to www.unison.org.uk/about/ objectives.asp

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