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 index
| top of page 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/
index | top of page
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 index |
top of page
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.
index | top of page
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. index | top
of page 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 index
| top of page 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. index
| top of page 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.
index | top of page
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) index
| top of page 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. index
| top of page 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 index
| top of page 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 index | top
of page
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 ! index
| top of page 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! index
| top of page 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. index
| top of page 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 index | top
of page 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. index
| top of page 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 index
| top of page 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!! index | top
of page | 
Nursery
Nurses - Message of Support
