Lay edited bi-monthly bulletin for 5,000 activists
in Scotland |
|
May 2010
No 84 |
THOUSANDS MARCH AGAINST CUTS
Thousands of public service
workers and service users took to the streets of Glasgow
on April 10 in the highest profile action against public
service cuts yet delivered by UNISON.
Election: Vote crucial for public services
UNISON’s 10 April March and Rally is just
one of a variety of activities being delivered by the union
at UK and Scottish level in the run-up to the General Election.
NEVER has your vote been more important for public services.
With an election dominated by political beauty contests
on TV and simplistic calls for ‘change’, the real issues
are our services, the people who rely on them and the people
who deliver them. We can afford these services and they
are crucial to rebuilding the economy. We musn’t repeat
the mistakes of the 80s and 90s that brought our services
to their knees. Apathy could be the winner in this election.
Don’t let that happen. Whatever you do, vote on 6 May.
 Stories
from the STUC in Dundee from 19-21 April are by John Stevenson,
Kate Ramsden, Stephen Lowe and Chris Bartter. SiU can only
run a selection of stories here. For much more go to www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010
Investment in services the only way
forward
The STUC public service debates saw the
launch of a Charter for Public Services and a radical strategy
for tackling poverty and inequality. UNISON was at the forefront
with Scottish Secretary Matt Smith and National Policy Chair
Jane Carolan leading the way.
Alliance to challenge council cuts
and sell-offs
The STUC will support an alliance of unions
and the community to seek widespread public support to challenge
cuts and privatisation in local authorities.
Protect vulnerable people but also
low paid staff and services
The STUC welcomed the additional protection
for children and vulnerable adults in the new Protecting
Vulnerable People Bill but warned that the costs of registration
must not fall on employees, especially the low paid, and
on the unwaged.
Pensions – private sector cutbacks
threaten burden on the state
The action of private sector bosses in
cutting staff’s pensions is likely to threaten the UK’s
economy, UNISON Scottish Convener Mike Kirby told the STUC.
Sharks are circling again for Scottish
Water
UNISON’s Dave Watson warned that ‘the sharks
are circling again’ as the CBI and right wing think tanks
campaign for Water privatisation.
Workers should be able to work without
fear of violence
All public facing workers should be able
to work without fear of violence, says the STUC. It agreed
overwhelmingly to campaign for the Workers (Aggravated Offences)
(Scotland) Bill to give greater legal protection to all
front line workers.
STUC invests in young activists
The STUC voted to support investment and training in young
activists. Not only are young people critical to the future
of the trade union movement - but the trade union movement
is critical for young people.
Invest in training and jobs and restore
union rights
The 113th Scottish Trade Union Congress
kicked off calling on Governments to work with the STUC
and employers’ groups to limit the effect of the recession
and to create a fairer and more sustainable economy and
society.
Councils must deliver on support needs
for children
The STUC urged all councils to make sure children with additional
support needs continue to get the services they are entitled
to.
Fund Nutrition Champions in NHS
Unions will urge the Scottish Government
to fund an extension of the two-year Nutrition Champion
posts in the NHS which will run out of funding this month.
Re-visit bus deregulation
Fractured and inconsistent bus services with not enough
new build means bus services cannot be left exclusively
to the private market, said the STUC.
Tackling crisis in NHS funding
The STUC backed a call for urgent talks
with the Scottish Government to address pressures on NHS
funding and called for a fight to protect NHS jobs and services.
Education not just teachers, says
UNISON
Education - it’s not just teachers UNISON told the STUC
as it approved a statement on class size, teacher numbers
and budgets for teacher education.
Young and old agree - vote at 16 is
way forward
The STUC backed a campaign to lower the
voting age to 16 with support from UNISON members both young
and old.
Learning award for SPT
The joint UNISON/Unite union learning team
from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport won this year’s
STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning.
STUC International
Mike Kirby backs STUC support for Palestine
and Sam McCartney describes repression in Swaziland.
STUC in Brief
Asylum, musical instrument teaching in
schools and support to recognise stammering as a disability
also saw UNISON speakers contribute.
FEATURE: The front line of public
services; caring and compassion no matter what
Helen Hardie is a Home Carer based in Keith.
On the front line of public services, she is one of many
who deliver essential services to the community.
Walk the Glen Centenary Sponsored
Walk and Family Fun Day
Fundraiser for UNISON Welfare on Sunday
30 May at Pittencrieff Park Dunfermline
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