UNISON IMPACT LEADS SCOTTISH UNIONS AT STUC

by Chris Bartter

UNISON made a considerable impact at the shortened STUC Congress in Dundee last month. From pensions to poverty pay, from the UK economy to Iraq, UNISON speakers were key to most debates.

Pauline Grant (UNISON National President) started the impact, pointing out that whilst the Minimum Wage has boosted earnings, it has not resolved the gender or ethnic pay gap. She called for government action to tackle (and pay for) pay inequalities.

Later on the Monday, Bob Revie (Local Government) congratulated UNISON members for their vote to strike over pensions. Moving the composite on public sector pensions he called for a clear Scottish mechanism allowing public sector workers to influence the future of their pensions scheme.

That same day Sofi Taylor (NEC) seconded a motion on mainstreaming black workers in trade unions, pointing out that recruitment in this group was vital to break down institutional racism and for the future of the TU movement itself.

Tuesday was the turn of Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith who used support for a large composite on the economy to put UNISON's view that the public sector -far from being a drain on growth - actually was a key economic generator.

"Public sector workers contribute not just their services, but their taxes and spending power. And public sector spending greatly assists the private sector," said Matt.

Mike Kirby (Scottish Convenor) spoke on a motion on the so-called 'Efficient Government' proposals, to challenge the Scottish Executive to match its promises of better public services with the Treasury targets of cuts in public sector jobs.

Finally Angela Lynes (NEC) seconded a motion on Iraq, calling for a precise timetable to be set for troop withdrawal, and for trade unions to work with the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions to build capacity and solidarity.

Many other delegates made significant contributions on Education, Housing, Violence, Sectarianism and The State Pension, cementing UNISON's lead role in Scotland's trade union movement.

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