Lay edited bi-monthly bulletin for 5,000 activists
in Scotland |
|
April/May
2006 No 60 (Next issue May/June 2006) |
Pensions action forces new talks
A breakthrough in negotiations
between the joint unions and local government employers
at UK level has led to the suspension of the UK-wide action
on 25-27 April, including the Scottish strike on 26 April.
Report backs nursery nurses
A research report commissioned by UNISON
has confirmed all the union has been saying about nursery
nurse pay and conditions.
Borders home care in privatisation
threat
UNISON Scotland has slammed a leaked report
that threatens to privatise part of Borders Council's Home
care service and make low-paid home carers redundant.
STUC Perth 2006:
Annual Congress Special:
Stories by John Stevenson
Executive must come up with cash for
equal pay
The STUC backed UNISON's call for the Scottish
Executive to fully fund a fair, equal pay scheme for Scottish
Local Government staff to match what had been done in other
public services.
'Momentous occasion' as Palestinian
and Israeli trade unionists meet
UNISON's Mike Kirby hosted 'momentous'
meetings at the STUC bringing together reps from the Palestine
General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) and the Israeli
Histradut trade union federation
Jack arrives on cue as our Matt defends
public sector
UNISON Scotland secretary Matt Smith couldn't
have timed his defence of the public sector better at the
STUC.
Ring-fencing no solution to cuts
We must fight against cuts in education
expenditure but we also need to avoid ring-fencing that
undercuts core services, says Bob Revie.
PFI protocol fails to protect workers
being 'sold like slaves'
"Private companies are cutting pay and
conditions. The protocol is being ignored", says UNISON's
Mick McGahey.
Progress on asylum seekers' children
campaign
The next step in UNISON Scotland's campaign for the welfare
of asylum seeker's children to be paramount, was reached
when the STUC General Council backed a statement agreed
by three unions.
Help bring dignity to Zimbabwean women
in their fight
Zimbabwean trade unionist Tabitha Khumalo
told the STUC, "On a wage of £3, with sanitary
towels costing £3, women have to choose between sanitary
towels or food for their children. You know what they choose".
Act together on public service pay
Public service unions need to act together
to challenge cuts in funding for pay, Katrina Purcell told
the STUC.
Irresponsible 'off the wall' decisions
about NHS funds
Funding private contracts with £45
million that could have been used by the NHS is 'irresponsible',
UNISON Scotland vice-convener Lillian Macer told Congress.
Information right must cover all services
Increasing charges for Freedom of Information
would undermine the accountability the Act has brought,
Mags Dunbar tells delegates.
Action to stop the temporary contract
trap
The STUC was urged to push for mass conversion
of fixed-term to permanent contracts as the new rules come
in on 10 July this year.
Fuel poverty campaign
Unions are to campaign for funding to encourage
energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty.
School behaviour needs resource response
The STUC has called for more resources
to protect school staff and to manage and support children
with behaviour problems.
Defend holidays
The STUC backed Karen Whitfield MSP's bill
which would ban large stores from opening on Christmas and
New Year's Day.
Balanced energy policy backed
The STUC backed a "balanced" energy policy
- including new nuclear stations and prolonging the life
of existing ones.
Connect with young Muslims
Unions must connect with young Muslim
workers to present a united front against racism and encourage
them to join and be active in unions.
In Brief from the STUC
Be proud of public services | STUC's corporate killing law
plea | Disabled access must be implemented |
PDF version