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22 February 2003
UNISON challenges parties to revitalise Scottish public services
UNISON, Scotland's largest public service union, is launching a
major campaign today (Sat 22) calling for political parties to adopt
principles to revitalise Scotland's public services in the run -
up to the May 1 Scottish elections.
The £80,000 campaign will involve newspaper adverts, direct mailing
to PPCs and other organisations, and a magazine to all 150,000 UNISON
members calling on them to challenge their candidates to adopt the
union's principles.
UNISON's manifesto Revitalise
our public services is being launched today at the union's
Scottish Council, comprising delegates from all Scottish branches.
Matt Smith, UNISON's Scottish Secretary said. "The manifesto sets
out eight principles that need to be adopted to successfully revitalise
our public services. It is the most comprehensive and innovative
look at public service renewal Scotland has seen. Amongst other
arguments the union rejects the artificial 'produce/consumer' divide,
argues for planned development that involves new methods of monitoring
and collaboration between services. It rejects funding public services
from the private sector and calls for resources to be made available
to attract necessary staff and to allow broader service delivery."
The union, which organises around 150,000 Scottish public service
workers, has been prominent in arguing for improvements to Scotland's
public services, and opposing the private sector running public
services.
UNISON's Scottish Council will be held on Saturday 22 February
in the George Moore building, Glasgow Caledonian University, City
Campus, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow. It will start at 10.30 am and
is likely to finish around 1.00pm.
ENDS
[Although the meeting is a private one, UNISON's Scottish Secretary,
Matt Smith and/or Scottish Convenor Mike Kirby, will be available
for interview prior to and immediately after the meeting. Please
contact Chris Bartter (below) to arrange.]
For Further Information Please Contact: Matt Smith (Scottish
Secretary) 0845 355 0845(w) 07771 548 997(m) Dave Watson (Scottish
Organiser Policy&Info) 0845 355 0845(w) 07787 558 410(m) Chris Bartter
(Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558 3729(m)
See the full manifesto at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/revitalise
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