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31 March 04

From Kerry
Unison Fife

I have started off a website for Scotland's striking nursery nurses. Haven't quite got it perfect but it's a start. Visit me on www.zyworld.com/bluebell (A great site but when you click this link, you will leave the UNISON site and it must not be assumed that UNISON Scotland subscribes to any of the content or principles on the site and UNISON can take no responsibility for the content)

From Lynn Bonner
Unison North Ayrshire

Let's hope we can keep strong girl's. North Ayrshire are talking with unison tomorrow, however they have already closed one of the community centres. wonder if the offer that they are going to put to Unison is the one we have already rejected. Or do you think the teachers really need a rest from their overcrowding whilst we have been out on strike. Ha Ha

From Stephanie Green
unison ayr

To all the nursery nurses still fighting keep strong keep together we are worth it and cosla know it. Went to Edinburgh on Monday with my south ayshire colleges it was a good ralley a real lift witch we all needed.Good luck to all tomorrow joining hands in Edinburgh.Ayr is holding a ralley second week in the holidays hope to see there your branch will get details soon. We will win and lets not forget this i am digusted with the ones who have went back as someone else said it means the last five weeks have been about. Good luck everybody

From Gerry Nicol
Unison North Ayrshire
- Message of the week!
Wishing my mum, Anne Nicol all the best in her and her collegues fight for what they truly deserve. I know she and others put their whole hearts into this job and I believe they deserve a much higher salary. xx

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From Tracey
UNISON Midlothian

Hope to see a big turnout for Elaine Smith's members debate in parliament on Thursday. The more the merrier!!!!!

From Terry Anderson
The striking nurses are trying to negotiate for a living wage, the attitude of COSLA is hindering any agreement.

30 March 04

From Margaret Grady
UNISON Glasgow City

Hi to all who were at Edinburgh yesterday. If you gave your email address to Pauline, (forgive me for this 'cause I can't find them) can you send an email to nurserynursessolidarityaction@yahoogroups.com. Hopefully that will get the sight up and running for all nursery nurses to keep in touch Very important at this stage!!! Keep strong and united. Don't let them con you into going back. Avoid suspending action like the plague. Best wishes, Margaret.

To visit the group on the web click To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nurserynursessolidarityaction/

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From Alison
Unison Highland

Keep going and dont give in. The deal Highland Nursery Nurses got was very poor.

From Yvonne
Unison North Lanarkshire

Totally Disgusted at the outcome of North Lanarkshires recent vote. Unfortunately I was in the minority to hold out for a NATIONAL PAY CLAIM. What has the last 5 weeks been about girls?

From Shevon
Unison Glasgow

It's pay day and we have no pay. This alone makes us all feel very down in the mouth but the rumours that other councils are settling makes it worse, I hope it's not true. All I can say to my fellow nursery nurses that when this is all over and despite the outcome, we all had the guts to stand up for what we believe is fair. Give yourselves a pat on the back!

From Kath
unison fife

great turn out in edinburgh yesterday, what a great feeling of solidarity, stick together everyone we can win, we deserve to

From Gail
UNISON Angus

I'm a nursery nurse in Angus out on strike, and I beleive in what I do.We have got to stick together and be strong. Remember a lot of these politicians started their educatation in nursery where they were given opportunities to build on their confidence and self- esteem, which is only a fractiion of what is provided in the nursery setting today.

From Diane
Unison Fife

great rally today (Monday) lots of nursery nurses....couldnt hear much of the speakers.....but singing was good.....well done and keep united

From Nancy
unison east dunbartonshire

East Dunbartonshire put an offer on the table today and my message is STUFF IT. I have put a big cross NOT accepting. I will show this to my collegues tomorrow and hope that they will follow. I do not intend to accept some inferior local agreement that has a back payment carrot dangled in front of me. Furthermore I urge all Nursery Nurses to look into the small print that accompanies their OFFER. NATIONAL ONLY wishing us all well in solidarity.

29 March 04

From Gerry Keegan
EIS Kilmarnock College

Keep struggling , girls and boys. www.gerardkeegan.co.uk fully supports you in your claim. You gave me the honour of spraking at your Glasgow Rally last year. I talked about the immense value of your contribution to the future social, educational, and economic well-being of Scotland.Keep plugging that message. All the best. Gerry Keegan >> next EIS message

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From Mark Burgess
Usdaw East of Scotland General (G330)

Retail workers feel a great sympathy and solidarity with the striking Nursery Nurses. We know what it is like to be undervalued and to work for poverty wages. The Branch hopes that you get the Nationally negotiated wage settlement you truly deserve. I raised the issue of your dispute at our Scottish Divisional Council. There was a great deal of popular support. I was also told that any formal request for a donation to the strike fund would be looked on very favourably by our Executive Council. Fraternal Greetings to all Unison memebers involved in the courageous strike action.

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28 March 04

From Helen
Unison Kirkcaldy

I have taken this information from Last Wednesdays Parliament debate (The Local Goverance Bill) part of this bill provides for a proper salary for councillors. Reading this will prove to you what a hypocrite Patt Watters is. This is part of Tommy Sheridan (MSP) speech in Parliament on 24.03.04 At a meeting in January I asked Pat Watters whether less populated council areas should base any decision about a remuneration package on the level of population, which would mean that their level of remuneration would differ from other local authority areas. The veins burst in his neck. Absolutely NOT he cried. He argued that because councillors have the same responsibilities and duties, they should have the same basic salary across Scotland. What a pity Mr. Watters does not uphold the same principle for nursery nurses of Scotland. It was breathtaking hypocricy I say if National level is good enough for Scottish Councillors it is certainly good enough for Scottish Nursery Nurses.

It also states on the website that ELAINE SMITH Labour MSP is bringing up a debate on NURSERY NURSE PAY CONTRIBUTIONS on THURSDAY 1ST APRIL at 5 p.m. Hope the outcome is good. Come on the 21 councils not setlled, lets be STRONG, SOLID and stick together.

From Jane
unison Kirkcaldy

we have come this far through sticking together and believing in ourselves.Stay strong and stick together,it's a recipe for winners.Cosla here we come!!!!!

From Assia Ali
Unison Glasgow

HI!to my colleagues at WILLOWS and to all striking nursery nurses. We're now entering our fifth week of indefinite action. Surely our employers must see that we mean business,and if they ignore us we wo'nt go away.Stay strong and united and we will win.

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26 March 04

From John Livingstone
PCS (DWP) GLASGOW SOUTH

To all involved in the dispute. I write as a parent of a child at nursery and it it self evident to us, if not your employer the amazing work you do with our children and that and that PCS are proud of your stance and you are a credit to the TU movement. Keep the faith!! >> see next PCS message | >> see next Parent's Message

From Tracey Kinnell
concerned parent

I am fully in support of the nursery nurses claim. My child has flourished so much with the input from these professionals, however because my child is only receiving a limited service am i within my rights to ask my local authority to pay for the other nursery sessions in a private establishment, as i believe my authority has pledged to provide five sessions per week for my child. I been in touch with my authority, but to no avail. >> see next Parent's Message

From Alan Fortune
Fire Brigades Union Fife

I am a firefighter, my wife is a nursery nurse so weve had it pretty rough recently, however, you have my full support. Keep strong, be positive and stick together. Good luck. > see next FBU message

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From Margaret Grady
Unison Glasgow City

Hi to Lorna McLean and every striking nursery nurse in Scotland. The support out there is stronger than ever. Today, yet another nursery that is "open" has been left with only the teachers due to the 100% support of parents who refuse to cross our picket lines and will not do so until this dispute is resolved NATIONALLY. Alongside that, public support ,heard on picket lines, read in newspapers and heard on radio and T.V is outstanding. Hang in and don't be downhearted. Look out for news of a web site for nursery nurse to communicate with each other in all regions.Hang in There One and All.

From Janis - Nursery Nurse
unison highland

keep up the pressure we are all behind you even a lot of the N.N.s from areas that have settled are still not happy.Highland area have been given more hours,less holidays,less holiday pay i.e. 47 weeks instead of 52 the job description has also been rewritten to include all duties and resposibilities formerly done by teachers .dont be sold the same STICK WITH IT YOU ALL DESERVE MORE STATUS, RESPECT AND WITH THAT COMES MORE PAY

From Marie Gaffney
Unison Fife Kirkcaldy

Carol Ball said it all, we have to stick together. Come on ladies lets stick it out!! WE CAN WIN !!

25 March 04

From Carole Ross
Dundee

Lets all stick together and dont give in I know its hard but we can win.

From Margaret
unison midlothian

hope to all nursery nurses at edinburgh march and rally on monday 29th march. details on unison web site. stay strong and united.

From Jill McNaughton
Unison Dundee

Hi Everyone, On Thursday 1st April Dundee Nursery Nurses are planning a special Demo to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the suffragettes.Their slogan was "DEEDS NOT WORDS". What's changed!!! Woman are still classed as socond class citizens. We will be dressing up as suffragettes to draw parallels with the woman of today! An excellent opportunity to unite as one in solidarity. Why not join in by arranging your own EXTRAVAGANZA in your City Centre. Let us know how you get on. Good Luck.

From Michelle Clark
unison dundee

Stay strong folks. This is a national campaign. The councils are trying to pick us off one by one and weaken the strike. Dont let them, by accepting local deals we are letting down our colleages across the country. There is a huge amount of support for our cause, from people interested in pre- school education to every low paid worker in the country. We owe it to them and to ourselves to stay strong and keep fighting. Together we can win. United we stand - divided we fall.Good luck to everyone.

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24 March 04

From Kay
unison renfrewshire

keep going and stay together. we can win this if we stay united.

From Marie Gordon
UNISON GLASGOW

Greater Pollok nursery nurses would like to send out best wishes and support to all our colleagues throughout Scotland. Stay strong and focused. We deserve to win this battle!!!

From Mike Arnott
Dundee Trades Union Council

Continuing support for a national settlement which meets the needs of our Nursery Nurses.

From Angela Kinkaid
unison paisley

Hi ladies it's been four weeks now and we are still standing firm!Think what a waste it would be to give in now.Keep standing together and believe WE CAN DO IT.

From Michelle
unison glasgow

could i just say a big thank you to everyone who has left a message for the nursery nurses.it has certainly gave my morale a boost.could i also give everyone at glasgow branch a big thank you ps carol ball your a star.

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From Donna Ferguson
unison Glasgow

Hello, i am a nursery nurse out on indefinite strike i am finding it very hard just like other members are but dont be disheartened if we stay strong we will win this fight!!! its now or never stay strong everyone!!!!

From Jenny Milne
unison Glasgow

Dear colleagues Here in Glasgow we donated blood over two days, those who could not give blood handed out leaflets outside the blood bank, it was very succsessful as well as giving something back we highlighted our strike action it was a great morale booster, this was my fist time, a big thanks to my colleagues for there encouragement to get me through, and welldone to everyone that took part, and a BIG WELLDONE to the person who suggested we do this :-) thank you!

From Helen and Fiona
Unison Kirkcaldy

A big thankyou to Carol Ball for her encouragement and uplifting words today. Very much appreciated. Great to find out that we are solid nationally.

From Lorna Mclean
unison renfrewshire

Morale is low in the fourth week of strike action.On reading these messages of support it boosts it slightly.But i agree we must stand united.Lets win this together. Nursery Nurse Renfrewshire

23 March 04

From Jillian Taylor
just think what you are doing is great and hope a national agreement is reached soon you deserve it

From Chris
you all deserve better than this, keep going and dont pull out. it would be shear stupidity to do that at this stage!!! come an, you can do it!!!!

From Anna Selwood
I totally support the nursery nurses claim for better pay, however I think it is irresponsible of Unison to call a strike and then wait 3 weeks before agreeing to talk. You can't expect people who are already paid poorly to be able to wait weeks with no pay for the union to take action on their behalf. Meanwhile children are left without nursery provision, some parents are losing sympathy and there is barely any mention of the strike by the media.

Webmanager: Unfortunately many others may believe this from the press coverage. The real position is that UNISON has been prepared to talk to CoSLA from day one. Lead negotiator Joe Di Paola reiterated that call two weeks ago. It is CoSLA who have refused to meet and are still refusing to meet as of today. The whole purpose of the strike is to try to achieve such a meeting in the first place. (See explanation of the seven council statement)

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22 March 04

From Marion Snee
unison Dundee

I fully support the nursery nurses. as a nursing assistant I know what it feels like to be undervalued and underpaid. keep going we are right behind you.

From June Rodden
Unison Glasgow

Stay strong all colleaques across Scotland. We are worth it. Stay together, support each other and we can win our fair and just national claim. Use, as I have done, Helen and Fiona from Kirkcaldy's list (below 14th March) of the MSP's who voted against the amendment to support us at The Scottish Parliament 11th March 04. Tell them our national worth and demand a reason as to why they are not supportive of our claim. Let's keep being proactive in promoting a national settlement. We have the means to make it so by making our voices heard and staying together!!

From Carol Williamson
unison dundee

stay strong and you will win! Right is on your side don't give in!!!!!!

From Carol Forsyth and Donna Kay
Unison Edinburgh City

A great big thank you to the supporters at Easter Road on Sunday, it was very daunting for Donna and I as we were on our own but the affirmations of support and the contributions fairly bucked us up...... We also want to say thanks to all the people who turned out on Friday for the walk over the bridge, that was a great morale booster on such a miserable day. Keep up the good work, we CAN win.

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From Anne Milligan
Unison Edinburgh

I am a striking nursery nurse in Edinburgh, & understand that it is easier to keep morale high within the bigger cities & towns as we are greater in number,& tougher within smaller councils, where members are fewer & more isolated but we must all stay strong & united, remember we are one voice asking for what is right & fair,& by showing solidarity we will win.I respect my fellow strikers in the smaller councils cos it's not easy to keep spirits high in the face of insult & critisism, & would like to see more cross-boundary action,like the Forth Rd, Bridge walk. This not only keeps our cause in the public eye,but is a great way to share support & boost morale.

21 March 04

From Linda Docherty
i really feel for the striking workers, but the mothers who support you should make their feelings heard, i hope you get what you deserve. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Caroline Hosking
Unison, Edinburgh City

Keep up your fight for a very justified rise - in fact I think you should get more than £14,000 start pay - more like £18,000 start pay - given the cost of houses, flats and rents in this City and elsewhere. Your fight is important for all of us, and especially other low paid public sector workers like home helps, drivers, and admin/clerical staff. ONE FINAL PLEA please put your singing/chanting on a cd/tape for people - I was outside the Scottish Parliament when the nursery nurses demonstrated and was so moved by their very creative and tuneful radical songs - don't let them be forgotten once you have won - why not make some cds and sell them to raise money for the strike fund?? in solidarity, Caroline

From Mags Dunbar
UNISON NEC

STAY UNITED SISTERS ! Do not be disheartened by those who have settled, UNISON fully supports you,keep the faith!xx

From Tony Staunton
UNISON Plymouth

Dear Comrades
Message of Support from the Far South West of England
Please accept our pledge of full support and solidarity with your fight in pursuit of a national pay claim. Your strike action is a shining example of the power of the union and offers us all hope and inspiration. Here, at the other end of Britain, there are no Council nurseries. The provision of day care for children is private, expensive and in short supply. For nursery nurses in the private sector, wages are extremely low, conditions of service are minimal, and union recognition is non-existent. Your fight is our fight. We know that nursery nurses are powerful - society depends on day care for children. The fact that nursery nurses are standing together in all-out strike action proves the power to win. The outcome of your action will have a direct effect here, offering nursery nurses proof that we can organise and can hold employers to account. We are spreading news about your action and will stay in close contact.
Yours in Solidarity
Tony Staunton
Branch Secretary

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From Adrian Welland
Unison Somerset County

As branch chair of Somerset County Unison Branch I would like to offer my support for your dispute. Shall put it on our next branch council agenda. Don't give up !All the best !

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20 March 04

From Kerry
Unison Fife

I was at the march across the Forth Bridge and I would just like to say how great it was to see people from as far a feild as SouthAyrshire, Angus and Dundee, It was brilliant. Thank you all so much! The support was strong. UNITED WE STAND!!!!!!!!

19 March 04

From Jo-anne McGunnigle
UNISON North Lanarkshire

What do we want....NATIONAL! When do we want it.....NOW! C'MON COSLA YOU HAVE THE POWER GIVE US WHAT WE DESERVE.

From Eileen Carr
Unison Edinburgh

As a striking nursery nurse in Edinburgh I felt I had no other course of action open to me other than strike action - and for as long as it takes. We're not unreasonable people, we're not asking for the world - we just want a fair settlement at national level for the diverse and professional job we do - who's to say a nursery nurse in Edinburgh is worth more or less than a nursery nurse in Aberdeen or Ayr. We follow national guidelines, we do the same quality job - we should get the same pay/hours/conditions. Keep up the good work girls - I know it's hard going but it will be worth it in the end. Thanks for all the messages of support - it does help!!

From Steve
Amicus Kilmarnock

Go sisters! Hope you are successful in your rightful claim. Stick it out!

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From Pauline Robertson
Unison Fife

Great to see so many nursery nurses at the |Forth Road Bridge on such a horrible morning. I am sure all our spirits were lifted with the great response from the public tooting their support. WE WILL WIN through our determination and STICKING TOGETHER

From Nancy
unison east dunbartonshire

a big thank you to all the parents of Holy Family Nursery Class( Lenzie,Kirkintilloch) who have stopped us in the street and local supermarkets and vowed their support for our action. You all know who you are. Hope to see you all soon. Your support is appreciated.

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18 March 04

From Julie Beveridge - Parent
Ballingery Fife

Keep going with the action. You deserve better pay for the work you do. I am a parent with a nursery aged child who is missing it dreadfully but we will be hanging in there till you get what you deserve.special wishes to my local nursery nurses i won't mention their names but they will know who they are. Stay strong in benarty. i will help in any way i can... >> see next Parent's Message

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From Janet Brady
unison east dunbartonshire

United we stand, divided we fall. Come on girls, stand firm and we will win. I have along with all family members boycotted the Evening Times newspaper, because of biased reporting , especially reporter Gordon Thomson who seems to have a direct line to Glasgow City Chambers, notably education convener Steven Purcell

From Dibbie
Unison Glasgow

We train for two years for a NATIONAL Certificate so we should get a NATIONAL settlement!!!

From Dougie Nolan
GPMU West of Scotland

Good luck. Nursery nurses should get the wage they deserve. Consider what politicians get and what nursery nurses get, what a disparity. I think we all know who does the most for society. Your struggle is an inspiration to all trade unionists in Scotland and further. Again the best of luck.

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17 March 04

From Ashleigh Hillan
I hope you are all still in good spirits keep up the good work and hope to see this settled soon

From Joyce Drummond
UNISON GLASGOW HEALTH BRANCH

SOLIDARITY.YOU DESERVE A FAIR NATIONAL DEAL

16 March 04

From Janice
Unison Scottish Borders

I am a striking nurse nurse in the Borders and have support the campaign whole heartedly. With a small union membership and a sparsely populated area it is easy to feel isolated. The messages on the Unison board from colleagues & parents really help. Thank you.

From Frank Anderson
Public Commercial Services (PCS) Livingston Contact Centre Office

I would like to express my solidarity and wish the nursery nurses every success in their struggle to be treated fairly and paid fairly. I fail to understand why councils are reluctant to discuss national pay bargaining and why they are employing every dirty trick in the book to undermine legitimate industrial action. > next PCS message

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From Scott Kelso
My partner is one of the many striking nursery nurses in Glasgow. I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who are doing this. It takes a lot of courage. You deserve at the very least a fair wage and if this is the only way you can get that then I'm behind you, and all the people that I have spoken to are behind you.

From Tracey
Unison North Lanarkshire Council

Week No3 and Cosla are still refusing to see sense!!! When are they going to relise that we are not going away till we win this dispute and get the wages to reflect all we do in our job. WE WILL WIN, through our determination and sticking together. Come on girls, lets show the 'big boys' what we are made of!!

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