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

March 2008 No 77

Local government settlement:
Cuts this year but even more pain to follow next
The spectacular U-turn of the Scottish Government in abandoning their plans to introduce a nationally-set income tax to fund part of local government has largely overshadowed reporting of funding for Scotland’s local councils.

Huge support for Community Service strikers
Twenty-one Glasgow Community Service members are now in their seventh week of strike and still the Council remains silent.

50 frontline jobs at risk in Stirling
As SiU went to press, it was revealed that plans to close residential homes in Stirling as a result of a budget overspend could result in the loss of 50 frontline jobs. .

Strikes target global companies - not foreign workers
How long before public services are attacked by Euro laws that undermine conditions? UNISON’s Policy Chair JANE CAROLAN explains.

Call for water regulator to be sacked
Following further revelations in the Sunday Herald of the pro-privatisation links of the Chair of the Water Industry Commission, Sir Ian Byatt, and his denial of the impact of human activity on Climate Change, UNISON has renewed its call for him to be sacked.

UNISON pledges support for Paul Martin's Bill to abolish hospital parking charges
Labour MSP Paul Martin is launching a members’ Bill to scrap all charges in NHS car parks.

Parliament lobby for community and voluntary sector
A Parliamentary Petition launched by UNISON, UNITE, the STUC, Community Care Providers Scotland and Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations looks set to be heard on 17 March. As part of the joint “Fair Funding for the Voluntary Sector” pact, UNISON is planning a lobby and other events that day.

Highland home carers win pay deal by getting organised
Home carers in the Highland Branch have won significant gains in pay and conditions by getting organised and reconnecting with the branch. .

UNISON backs Gaza Medical Aid Appeal
UNISON’s Scottish Council is to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians' Gaza appeal, and is calling on branches to do likewise. And it condemned the BBC and Sky for not airing the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Appeal.

Meeting slams ‘vitriolic’ attacks on social worker
UNISON’s Scottish Council of Branches slammed recent media reports on a so-called ‘gay adoption’ case and the vitriolic attacks on an individual social worker.

See The Age of Stupid and help to save the planet
It’s not often that we get the chance to help change the world from a cinema seat… But in March - and potentially for the rest of the year - watching The Age of Stupid could give us all that exciting, campaigning opportunity.

Lobby MSPs for Scotland to lead the world on climate change
This year is a crucial one on climate change and UNISON activists are being asked to lobby MSPs for a strong Bill. .

New courses from Learning and Organising
The new course programme for 2009/10 has now gone out to branches and is on the website at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/education.

Moray fights back against TaxPayers’ Alliance ‘generating puff’
The Herald newspaper ran a cracking story recently about Moray Council coming out out fighting against the TaxPayers’ Alliance (a right wing tory think tank).

Further Education - return to national bargaining?
Welcoming the Scottish Government intention to consult on a possible return to national bargaining in further education, UNISON is re-organising its structure to involve members in the campaign.

Eight point plan to tackle child protection ‘ticking time bomb’
A UNISON survey shows that without decisive action, it is only a matter of time before there is another Baby P tragedy.

Young Members’ training leads to Skillseekers recruitment
It really does go to show that like-for-like recruiting works and that with the support of your Branch young members’ officers can make a huge difference, reports Michele Coulter.

Achieving Dreams, Celebrating Success
The UNISON National Black Members’ Conference took place during the weekend of 16 January in Bristol.

Disabled members publish action plan
UNISON Scotland’s Disabled Members’ Committee wants to engage with all Branches in Scotland to publicise their action plan for the coming year.

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