Lay edited bi-monthly bulletin for 5,000 activists in Scotland

June 2009 No 79

Vote to keep out the politics of hate: European elections 4 June - Why we need to vote
At a time when people are more disillusioned with politicians than ever before, it would be easy to say ‘a plague on all their houses’ and vote for none of them. But the danger is that a vote for nobody could end up being a vote for the BNP on 4 June. ‘So make sure you vote - and vote against the BNP’, is UNISON’s message.

Union Friday - successful day of anti-BNP actiony
UNISON members and supporters, along with the STUC and other unions were out in force across Scotland on Union Friday 15 May with the message: “Stop the BNP - use your vote against the fascists in the European elections on 4 June.”

Public sector pay threats intensify
Attempts by some members of the media and big business interests to take advantage of the current economic turmoil to attack public service workers, have unfortunately been picked up by Scottish politicians.

Shetland backs single status deal
UNISON members have voted overwhelmingly to accept Shetland Islands Council’s Single Status pay offer. 90% voted to accept in a 50% ballot return.

Gearing up for Conference
Around 2,000 UNISON branch, region and self organised group delegates will descend on Brighton from 16 June for UNISON’s National Conference.

Minister: Collaboration in Health Service better than competition
Nicola Sturgeon MSP became a regular feature at UNISON’s 2009 Health Conferences. At both UNISON’s Scottish and the UK Health Conferences she made significant contributions.

Personal assistants and direct payments research goes on the road
Landmark research into the employment of Personal Assistants (PAs) through Direct Payments is about to be launched through a series of seminars across Scotland in June.

UNISON backs Scottish Refugee Week - can you help?
Scottish Refugee Week takes place 15 - 22 June, and UNISON Scotland will be playing a major part as part of its anti-racism strategy.

Campaign for a Scottish Living Wage launched
The campaign for a ‘Living Wage’ in Scotland of at least £7 per hour was launched on 5 May in Dalmarnock, Glasgow - the community which will be at the heart of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Climate Change and the labour movement
How can the labour movement best respond to climate change and build social justice and sustainability? That’s the focus of an important event on June 20 that aims to set up a new network in the Scottish labour movement.

Scotland hosts Health colleagues from UK nations in devolution seminar Ten years after devolution in Scotland, representatives of UNISON’s Health Service Group from England, Wales and Northern Ireland joined members of the Scottish Health Committee at their AGM and Policy Seminar in Edinburgh.

Protest at child detention
As we went to press, UNISON Scotland was protesting to the government about the detention of an asylum seeking mother and her traumatised four-year-old child in Dungavel.

Which Way to Equal Pay? - UNISON launches national advert campaign UNISON Scotland has launched a campaign to highlight the consequences for workers who have been drawn to so-called “No Win No Fee” solicitors.

Sign up now for new UNISON Scotland courses
The new activist training programme kicked off in April this year and the courses are filling up fast. There are courses available to suit all stewards and representatives regardless of your experience, as long as you meet the minimum criteria for the course.

Green UNISON Day - 5 June
UNISON has designated World Environment Day (WED) on June 5 2009, as ‘Green UNISON Day’. Actions have been arranged for UNISON offices around the UK, including in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Call for official Workers’ Memorial Day
After the biggest participation yet in Workers Memorial Day on 28 April, UNISON has again called for the government to recognise the Day officially.

Updating political strategy for campaigns ahead
UNISON Scotland is beginning to frame ‘key asks’ for the next Scottish Parliament elections - and is seeking the views of branches, service groups and activists like you to help influence the next government of Scotland.

Scotland NHS credit union
The Scottish Health Conference also heralded the roll-out of the credit union originally established in Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital by Robert Rae (Regional Organiser) and others. This CU will now be available to all NHS staff in Scotland!

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