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

Sept/October 2010 No 87

As cuts destroy our services, public and private sector jobs, and grind the economy to a halt, unions say... THERE IS A BETTER WAY
There is an alternative to savage cuts in public services was the message from a conference of unions and community groups hosted by UNISON Scotland in the run up to the major STUC demo on 23 October in Edinburgh.

Myths about the ‘crisis’
“Cutting public services will boost the private sector ....” WRONG.....

There is an alternative, so TELL A PAL!
That’s how UNISON Scotland will mark the European TUC Day of Action against Cuts on 29 September.

Branches consulting on ‘kick in the teeth’ pay imposition
UNISON branches are holding meetings and ballots of members that work for Scotland’s councils to establish the next step in the ongoing local government pay dispute.

Organising and rising to the challenge across Scotland
UNISON activists are rising to the challenge as a new organising energy leads to events across the country looking at new ways to involve members and activists and get out the message that there is an alternative to the ConDem ideological offensive.

They’re still trying to privatise water!
The Independent Budget Report is the latest body to propose the privatisation of Scottish Water, dressed up under the guise of a public interest company.

UNISON attacks CBI hypocrisy
UNISON Scotland Convener Mike Kirby has responded angrily to a call from the Chair of CBI Scotland to end the ‘war of words’ over public services.

Unions and pensioners join the Defend Glasgow Services campaign
Glasgow branch held its latest ‘Defend Glasgow Services’ public meeting with speakers from Strathclyde FBU, Glasgow UNISON Health, PCS Scotland and the Scottish Pensioners Forum.

UNISON ‘powers up’ at Belladrum
UNISON young members and learning activists joined with full-time staff to take UNISON’s message that there is an alternative to public service cuts to the Tartan Heart Music Festival at Belladrum near Inverness.

Lessons of past and present to face today’s union challenges
Organising, history of unions, law and campaigning were all part of a recent pilot course giving activists the tools to face the challenges to public services.

Police staff cuts ‘great news for criminals’
UNISON has called for a halt to the proposed job cuts among police staff. The union said that the proposals made by various police forces were “great news for criminals” and that if implemented the sackings would make Scotland less safe.

UNISON SCOTLAND NURSING CONFERENCE TUESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2010 10-4.30pm - Trades Hall, 85 Glassford Street, Glasgow
Our public services are increasingly under attack and proposed job cuts in the NHS in Scotland could have a major impact on services and quality of patient care.

Postcard and letter campaign to back protection of workers
UNISON Scotland has welcomed the publication of a Bill proposed by Hugh Henry MSP that would strengthen the legislation that protects public facing workers from abuse.

UNISON’s Matt Smith to speak at CND Conference
UNISON Scottish Secretary Matt Smith is one of the speakers at the CND trade union conference on Wed 6 October, 6.30pm, at the STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow.

UNISON backs Glasgay!
UNISON Scotland has welcomed the launch of 2010 Glasgay with its “irrepressible programme that continues to highlight prejudice, discrimination and inequality.”

Reps brush up on ‘Fitness to Practice’
Lay activists and full time officers from Health and Local Government recently attended a seminar on representing members in ‘Fitness to Practice’ cases.

Big Climate Connection lobby
It’s time to lobby MPs on climate change in November. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is organising the Scottish part of the Big Climate Connection lobby on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November.

Black members' AGM goes to Parliament
This year’s UNISON Scotland Black Members Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 13 November in Committee Room 1 of the Scottish Parliament from 11am-1pm.

Scottish Women's Conference
UNISON Scotland’s Women’s Conference will be held on Saturday 9 October from 11am to 5pm at UNISON Glasgow City Branch Office, 18 Albion Street, Glasgow.

UNISON Scotland Media Course 12-14 November
This training weekend covers all the essentials of dealing effectively with the Media. It will give members skills, knowledge and understanding of methodsand skills to improve branch level media contact.

Films and activists come together in film festival
Films and activists come together in September and October in the Take One Action Film Festival.

Welcome Trisha
Trisha Hamilton has joined UNISON Scotland as Scottish Communications Officer, replacing Chris Bartter who retired earlier this year.

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