Fri 9 April 2010

Main healthcare union to quiz candidates and Cabinet Secretary

UNISON - Scotland's largest healthcare union, will hold its annual health conference today (Friday) in Glasgow, and will hear from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, who will give the keynote speech.

In addition the group conference, involving representatives of the 50,000+ UNISON members working in Scotland's Healthcare, will hold an election hustings, where candidates from the four main parties in Scotland will put forward their policies on healthcare, and other issues.

Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Group, Tom Waterson said "We are taking the opportunity of this election, to promote our Public Works campaign, and quiz candidates on their party's policies to defend our public services and those who provide them, in the teeth of the business campaign to cut them.

"We know that our Health Service is vital, that its spending actually boosts our economy, and that we can afford to provide decent care."

Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the conference on the current issues facing Scotland's NHS, she will answer questions from the delegates UNISON is Scotland's largest Healthcare union and has continued to increase its membership for the third year running.

ENDS

Note for editors; The Conference takes place from 10.00am on Friday 9 April in the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. Nicola Sturgeon MSP will be speaking at around 11.00 am. The hustings (which she will NOT take part in), will take place between 2.00 and 3.00pm. )

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