STUC launches charter for Scotland's water industry

The STUC has launched a Charter for Scotland's water industry underpinned by the principle that Scottish Water should remain publicly owned and accountable.

In a presentation launching the charter last month, UNISON's Dave Watson laid out the objectives that our water industry should :-

• be publicly owned and accountable

• be an effective accessible public service

• maintain public health

• protect the environment

• underpin economic development

"The challenges facing a publicly owned industry are considerable but not impossible to overcome given time.", says the charter.

"The key requirement for creating a safe, efficient and effective water industry will be the implementation of a more realistic financial framework rooted in the realities of the water and sewage infrastructure in Scotland, not economic theory or false comparisons with England."

And the fact that employees are the industry's strongest asset must be recognised. "Good employment practice is at the heart of high quality public services. High quality, efficient and effective water and sewage services will best be achieved by a well resourced, motivated, trained and rewarded workforce with extensive opportunities to influence decisions about the development of the industry", says the charter.

See the full charter and Dave's presentation at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/stuccharter.html

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