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The first in a series of regular columns detailing UNISON's activity in the Scottish Parliament, with regular briefings from UNISON sponsored MSPs.

by George McGregor, Scottish Research Officer
(see below for briefing by Margaret Jamieson MSP)

Since the opening of our new Parliament, contact with elected politicians and decision-makers has been greater than ever before. Hardly a day goes by without UNISON meeting Ministers, and MSPs of all political persuasions.
We also regularly give formal evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees and submit responses to Scottish Executive consultation documents

Last month First Minister Donald Dewar, Lifelong Learning Minister Henry McLeish and Equalities Minister Jackie Baillie spoke and answered questions at the Scottish APF Conference, Health Minister Susan Deacon addressed our Scottish Council and we met Local Government Minister Wendy Alexander.

Housing evidence

Our Glasgow housing stewards gave evidence to the Social Inclusion Committee on housing stock transfer and we met with MSPs from the Justice Committee to discuss domestic violence and freedom of information. Our attention is not just on Government MSPs.

Need to work closely

Proportional representation and the powerful committee system within the Parliament means it is vital to work closely with MSPs from all political parties.
That is why in the next couple of weeks we will be meeting with the SNP MSPs on the Local Government and Social Inclusion Committees. MSPs are being kept updated on UNISON policy.

Minifesto

A copy of UNISON's Local Government Minifesto and the Paisley University research into Glasgow housing stock has been sent to all MSPs.

And we are developing a regular e-mail system to target MSPs with particular interests.

Fairness, equality and public service

Margaret Jamieson MSP outlines some of her recent work in the parliament

As a, now former, UNISON official, as a long standing UNISON member, and now proud to be the Chair of the UNISON Parliamentary Group, I have always believed that the basic ethos of my union - fairness, equality, and public service - should be central to my political thinking.

This is why I am pleased to support the work of the Scottish Executive in Scotland's Parliament.

Parliament's response to the recent storms over Section 2a, mounted by those who would want to enshrine unfairness and inequality - a stunning rejection to the forces of reaction led by the Tories - is only one part of the work to create a fairer Scotland.

What people forget is that this is only one small part of the Ethical Standards in Public Life Bill, which intends to bring probity and openness into all parts of public life, including, I am glad to say, Health Boards and Trusts.

Recent work by the Health Committee, of which I am a member, in response to petitions on Stracathro and Stobhill, have shown not only how quickly the Parliament can respond to the issues facing Scotland's public service, but also the remoteness of many Health Boards to the population they were appointed to serve.

I have already given notice of my intention to work to change this. The work of the Parliament points to a new fairer, more inclusive Scotland. Over the next few years, Government proposals on this consistent theme will unfold.

I am glad that I will be able to scrutinise and help develop these proposals, informed and educated by my work in UNISON over many years.