Published by UNISON Scottish Council, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. Editor John Stevenson
Current Scotland inUNISON | Back Issues | Communications Index | UNISONfocus online
Campaign launched FOR public services
by John Stevenson, SiU editor
UNISON Scotland is going on the offensive with a campaign promoting democratically controlled and accountable public services, in the run up to the Scottish Parliament.
"If we set the agenda FOR directly provided public services, then the fight against the PFI con, the Best Value con and the Outsourcing opt-out is all the easier", Morag Stevenson, Communications and Campaigns Chair told the April Scottish Council meeting.
Morag outlined a strategy for the next two years, but also a range of measures that could start right away.
The strategy would depend on service groups and Scottish committees working together, building links and setting up real working groups, not talking shops.
And basics like regular brief, punchy and easily understood policy briefings to branches could start immediately.
"Our officers and stewards are the key to communication in the union. They are the ones we have to brief first.
"They are the ones who are asked the questions on the shop floor. And they are the ones that are often too busy to wade through piles of documents."
Morag paid tribute to UNISON's publicity ethos, but warned against becoming too complacent."Too often the agenda is being set by those who are undermining public services and we are having to campaign on the defensive.
"We need to change that. We need to set the agenda FOR public services, especially in the run up to the Scottish parliament - because if that gets off on the wrong foot, we had better get good at campaigning defensively.
"We can also use the media to feed stories day in day out until they do begin to understand things like PFI. But that needs one arm of the union to know what the other is doing and being prepared to link to get the best effect.
"But most of all we can all take every opportunity we can to say what is GOOD about democratic, accountable and directly provided public services."
To do that, the union needed a strategy. "A strategy that has us working together in a steady and regular drip feed of positive publicity about public services", said Morag.
"And a strategy that not only builds confidence in our existing members, but also recruits more and more new members".
This should be done by:
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Fife's healthcare threatened
Fight on against "no-sense" closure
By Chris Bartter
UNISON's Fife Healthcare Branch is in the lead of a major community-based campaign against proposals which aim to close three hospitals and increase the pressure on the two existing acute hospitals.
The proposals which are part of the Fife Health Board's so-called Integrated Healthcare Strategy (IHCS), have met strong opposition from all around Fife and have led to the resignation of Lord Ewing of Kirkford (the former Labour MP Harry Ewing) as Chair of the Fife Healthcare NHS Trust.
The Branch has enlisted his help in the campaign and he is speaking to an all-Fife public meeting in Glenrothes arranged to take place as we go to press.
Alice Dollan, secretary of the Fife Healthcare Branch, said
"It is indicative of the poor arguments for these proposals that the Board has failed to organise any public meetings during the nominal consultation period
"All the meetings that have taken place, have either been called by local support or user groups or by the trade union.
"The closure of the three hospitals makes no kind of clinical sense, and no kind of geographical sense.
"One of them has recently had a major new facility built, and the reduction in the overall bed numbers is bound to place increasing pressure on the Queen Margaret and Victoria acute hospitals.
"Add to this the lack of any real financial evidence in the document and you have a recipe for disaster", added Alice.
The Branch has been very active in the campaign, distributing thousands of leaflets and posters all over Fife, calling lobbies and the major public meeting, and working with community groups and other trade unions in making sure the health board gets the message.
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NEC elections - Use your vote
Ballot papers are out for elections to UNISON's National Executive (NEC).
All members should have one in the colour UNISON magazine mailed to their home address over the last couple of weeks.
The NEC is the union's ruling body, so this is a key election and activists should remind members to use their vote.
Helpline
From the end of April there is a helpline number for members entitled to vote, but who have not received a ballot paper. You can call on: 0800 834 511
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New Deal Briefing
This briefing will cover the Government's New Deal initiative and UNISON's organisational and policy response.
Thursday 30 April 10.30am - 1.00pm UNISON Office 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow
- Andrew McLeod - Head of Training and New Deal, Scottish Office
- Tracey White STUC Assistant Secretary
- Christine Durance UNISON Policy and Research Officer
- Mike Kirby (Chair) UNISON Scottish Convenor
For further information contact your branch secretary or George McGregor, Research Officer on 0141 332 0006
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Employers set to dump UK bargaining
Scottish local government employers have announced that they are to withdraw from the UK bargaining machinery before next year's pay round.
Douglas Black, chair of UNISON's Scottish Local Government Executive slammed the move as "a blatant attempt to withdraw from long-established effective bargaining machinery".
Along with things like PFI and outsourcing, "it is clear the employers are intent on creating a local negotiating structure which will ensure our weaker branches see their conditions deteriorate", warned Douglas.
The reasons given by the employers are that, under new UK structures, they could be outvoted by 24 to four, and that they want Scottish bargaining arrangements in place for the Scottish Parliament.
The employers say they will honour this year's pay deal and all existing national agreements.
"It is ironic that they say they will honour last year's single status agreement, when the reality is that they have consistently tried to frustrate the implementation of a Scottish deal by introducing new elements and by seeking to renegotiate crucial aspects of the national deal", added Douglas.
As such Douglas seriously questions the employers' commitment to achieving a Scottish single status deal.
UNISON's white collar and manual committees were due to meet on 21 April to thrash out a response. Meanwhile, they have called for urgent talks with the employers.
UNISON is trying to build a united front to fight this 'self-evident" risk.
"We cannot let the employers play one union off against another and I am sure our partner unions will join with us. This is one fight we cannot afford to lose".
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Campaigning against stress
UNISON Scotland's Health and Safety committee is marking Workers Memorial Day (on 28 April) by launching a campaign against work-related stress and illness, writes Chris Bartter.
The union is calling on health and safety reps and relevant branch officers to gather information on the rates of staff sickness including any increases, and the reasons behind them.
UNISON will also continue to point out the links between budget cuts, outsourcing, reorganisation, understaffing and increasing pressure. A new leaflet and poster based on the national stress leaflet is being designed, and a pack is being prepared with material for reps and stewards to use.
Millie Somerville, chair of the Scottish Health and Safety Committee said;
"We will be using the increasing amount of information now available, to convince employers that increasing the amount of work done, and decreasing the amount of staff available to do it simply leads to stress. We want them to sign up to a stress-free work environment.
"It is very appropriate that we are using Workers Memorial Day to highlight this problem. Stress seems to be the new epidemic and UNISON is determined to fight against this damaging health and safety problem.
The campaign launch on 28 April will be followed by a series of four briefing sessions for Health and Safety and Service Conditions Officers from Scottish branches, to give them the basic information they will require to pursue the campaign.
Contact your local trades union council for events on 28 April, like the wreath laying at the Workers Memorial Tree in Edinburgh.
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Anne takes over at the STUC
by Chris Bartter
April's STUC Congress sees Anne Middleton, UNISON's Deputy Scottish Secretary take over as this year's President.
Following Pat Kelly of the PCS Anne will be the first UNISON president of Congress, and only the third woman to hold the post since the restructuring of the General Council.
She is currently Vice-President, and Chair of the STUC's powerful Public Services Committee.
"We can now see the wisdom of the STUC in restructuring and creating women's seats", said Anne.
"The majority of the General Council are now women, and half of the committees are chaired by women - that is a much more accurate reflection of the trade union membership in Scotland and of local communities".
Anne is also looking forward to the next developments.
"For some time we have had direct representation from young people on the General Council", she said.
"We have just agreed to implement direct representation from black and ethnic minority trade unionists. These developments are in line with the direction the movement needs to go if we are to maintain our membership and influence".
Anne lists dealing with the changing face and nature of trade unions as one of her priorities for her year as President.
"We must realise that trade unions are changing and change our methods of working to fit in with them.
"I would list the organisation of women and part-time workers as well as the promotion of trade unions amongst young workers as some of the areas of concern.
"I am particularly pleased that the first conference that will be held in the STUC's new premises will be our Youth Conference in June".
Other areas that Anne thinks she can assist with are in the promotion of trade unions in the structures and operations of the new Scottish Parliament, and she also wants to help promote Scotland s public services.
"It is important, both from the point of the Scottish People and Scottish trade unions, that we develop modern responsive public services in Scotland.
"We have a chance, with a new Scottish parliament, to influence that development by working in a social partnership with the government - whoever it will be.
"We owe it to or members to ensure their interests are represented and local services retained".
Anne's background has always been in the public services or their unions. An Aberdonian by birth she became a library worker for Aberdeen Town Council in 1964.
She successfully applied for the new job of Branch Organiser, establishing union services and support for Nalgo Branches in the Grampian Area in 1977, before being promoted to District Officer in Glasgow in 1979.
She has dealt with almost every area of Scotland in her career in the trade union, but has retained her strong links with Aberdeen.
"I still have family and friends there, she says. "I've always tried to keep a connection with Aberdeen Trades Council, and I am delighted that my presidential year will culminate in a Congress in Aberdeen".
Until then, however, the job of the STUC President will be paramount, and UNISON can be sure that Anne's tireless stamina will ensure that her year will reflect well on us as well as her.
A fair SHARE for Glasgow
UNISON's Glasgow Area Health Committee, representing all the Health Branches in the city has launched a campaign against the funding shortfall afflicting
Glasgow's health services since the introduction of the SHARE (Scottish Health Authorities Resource Equalisation) formula for distributing finances.This formula was based purely on population numbers and took no account of the health care needs of an area.
This meant that an area like Glasgow with large areas of poverty and deprivation lost money - to the tune of £80million according to Bill Copeland, chair of the Area Health Committee.
"The previous Tory government refused to accept that poverty was a relevant factor in the health of an area", he said. "Despite all the evidence to the contrary they robbed Glasgow of much needed resources.
"Our campaign is designed to bring to the attention of the new government that, whilst they are looking at the structure and organisation of the NHS they have to also investigate the method of distributing resources".
The campaign has already produced leaflets and stickers highlighting UNISON's case and urging members to lobby their local MPs to argue for Glasgow's Fair SHARE with the Scottish Office and the Health Minister.
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Fully booked school librarians
UNISON school library stewards Allan Gordon and Ian McCracken are being buried under an avalanche of reports.
HMI, the Scottish Office and COSLA seem to have made 1998 "The Year of the Report" and have recently produced - among many others - Achieving success in S1/S2, Scottish Group Awards - Consultation and Standards for the provision of Library Services in Schools.
Allan and Ian are anxious to contact other UNISON school library stewards to tackle these reports. Ian says:
"It's vital that school librarians in UNISON work together on this. As usual, none of the authorities have done anything to involve UNISON or school librarians. Using Scotland inUNISON is an ideal way to get in touch with others".
Contact Ian McCracken at Govan High School (0141 445 4464) or Allan Gordon at Hillpark Secondary School (0141 637 1071
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350 jobs reprieved by school meals campaign
By John Stevenson
Three hundred and fifty jobs have been reprieved in Edinburgh after a joint UNISON and community campaign to save hot school meals won concessions from the council.
Decisions on cuts have been put back until after the summer and after a review of the service involving parents and nutrition groups.
UNISON, the Edinburgh School Meals Campaign and the Edinburgh Community Food Initiative had worked closely in a combined campaign over the last two months.
The branch kicked off the campaign with press releases, and a deputation to the Labour Executive on 31 March.
That evening, lively singing of "Food Glorious Food" met councillors outside the Labour Group meeting while parents argued the case inside. A UNISON led demonstration followed at the full council on 2 April.
"There were too many unanswered questions about these cuts", said Morag Stevenson City of Edinburgh UNISON joint branch secretary.
"The council says less children are taking hot school meals but their own Best Value report to the government says the uptake of free school meals has increased.
"They want packed lunches - but there was no plan as to who would handle them and how that would be done to meet hygiene standards".
"Jannies against Sannies"
This point was taken up by janitors who wrote a letter of support, making it clear that they would not take on the work of sacked meals staff.
Adele Hamilton of the Edinburgh School Meals Campaign told councillors, "Our children are our future generation.
"You would expect the council to give to this generation, rather than take from them.
"Cutting school meals will mean health will suffer, concentration will suffer, and it will encourage a 'snacking' culture in the next generation".
Adele was backed up by Chris Clark of the Edinburgh Community Food Initiative who stressed the educational as well as nutritional value of hot school meals.
"A packed lunch will not give children a nutritional diet. A sit-down lunch provides a wider variety of foods.
"Children can try new foods and learn social skills like table manners, using a knife and fork and just talking to their friends".
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Courses for May and June
New Conference delegates
This one day workshop is aimed at new delegates to National Conference. It covers conference procedures and public speaking.
3 June UNISON House Glasgow Closing date 20 May
Media Handling
This weekend residential course is a must for activists who are likely to be dealing with the media. Real journalists will take you through your paces.
29-31 May Stakis Hotel Glasgow Closing date 15 May
Grievances and Disciplinaries
Three day non-residential course designed as a follow on to the Stewards Induction Course.
19-21 May Edinburgh Closing date 5 May
Tutor Training (Stage 1)
This weekday residential course will cover; understanding how people learn, developing and using educational methods, planning workshops and tutoring sessions, arranging educational events
21-24 May Patio Hotel Clydebank Closing date 7 May
Applications
Course fees payable by branches, so you should contact your Branch Secretary or Education Officer first.
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Health Visitors call for wider
participationThe newest partner in the UNISON family the Scottish Health Visitors Association (SHVA) is issuing a call for UNISON members from other parts of the union to take part in their annual professional conference on 7-8 May in Pitlochry.
The SHVA has already circulated UNISON s Scottish Branches with copies of their conference programme.
Sue Prodger, their Conference Secretary says;
"We want to open our conference up to a wider audience, and it seems sensible to publicise it within UNISON as a first step.
"The conference is workshop-based and has a variety of sessions that would be of interest to other Health workers and some local government workers, such as social workers, too.
"We now supply all delegates with a Certificate of Attendance that can be used as part of the PREP requirements in nursing training".
A copy of the programme for the conference is available from the SHVA section in UNISON s Edinburgh Office, Douglas House, 60 Belford Road EDINBURGH EH4 3UQ tel. 0131-226 2662, Fax 0131-220 6389 [or direct from Sue Prodger on 01475 724 477 (wk)]
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Five claims for legal equality for lesbians and gay men
By Neil Macinnes
UNISON Scotland has agreed to support the Stonewall Equality 2000 Campaign for legal equality for lesbians and gay men.
Equality 2000 was devised as a way to campaign for all the important aims in the fight for legal equality by linking them together under a five point agenda.
- Equal recognition for young lesbians and gay men in our schools, an end to homophobic bullying and the repeal of Section 28.
- Equal treatment under the criminal law, an equal age of consent and the repeal of gross indecency.
- Equal protection from discrimination in the workplace in education and in the provision of goods and services.
- Equal recognition and respect for same sex partners.
- Equal recognition and respect for lesbian and gay parents and their children. Parliament and the future Scottish Parliament should recognise lesbians and gay men as full members of our society, enjoying the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens.
Only last month the European Court of Justice (ECJ) dropped a political and legal bombshell on lesbian and gay rights in this country, when it ruled against Lisa Grant's claim for equal treatment in the workplace.
This was the court's rejection of Lisa's claim that she had a valid case against her employers for sex discrimination - despite last years backing by the Advocate General.
The ECJ claimed that since gay men would also have been refused the perks which Lisa was claiming for her partner Jill, sex discrimination could not be claimed.
One positive outcome of the case is that it has provoked employers to think carefully about the issues and to act positively towards their lesbian and gay employees.
UNISON would hope that we shall see the same moves with public sector employers.
The union is hoping that all branches will get involved in this campaign by affiliating to Stonewall and will actively encourage members to get involved in the Postcards to Tony Blair campaign. This will be part of Stonewall's national campaign to have over 1,000,000 postcards delivered to Downing Street before Lesbian and Gay Pride 1998.
For more information contact: Neil Macinnes, Secretary Scottish L&G Committee, Glasgow City UNISON 30 Bell Street Glasgow G1 1LG: 0141 552 7069
Scottish Council round-up
Conference priorities
Regional delegates Mike Kirby and Cath Friel have produced a guide for National Conference reflecting policies set by branches at Scottish Council.
This will help Mike and Cath in the business of prioritising and talking to other regions, the National Executive and the Standing Orders Committee.
"The guide cannot mandate branches who may well have different policies", said Mike Kirby, "but it may assist delegates in taking an overview of Conference".
The guide will go out to delegates in a special conference pack being produced by the Communications and Campaigns committee.
The Scottish priorities for Conference are:
- 184 Right to campaign
- 215 Industrial action fund
- 17 National minimum wage
- 46 PFI
- 64 Welfare state
- 107 Trade union law
- 124 Ireland
- 98 Tuition fees
- 56 Fuel poverty
- 10 Economy
- 59 Trident
- 143 TUC reform.
Cold weather
paymentsDelegates backed a call from Highland Branch's Munro Ross to campaign for improved cold weather payments.
PFI campaign call
Tam Waterston from Edinburgh Healthcare demanded full support from officials for the anti-PFI campaign, following the lobby at the Labour Party Conference.
Subs Increase
NEC Finance chair John Flynn tried to persuade delegates that a subs increase was needed but he had to field probing questions on the union's finances from Robin Hunter (Dundee General Health) and James Urquhart (Scottish Healthcare).
Alex Joyce (Edinburgh Healthcare) warned about the recruitment effects of hiking subs.
The debate will be held at Conference in June.
Elections
Mike Kirby (Glasgow City) and Cath Friel (Glasgow General Health) were re-elected as Scottish Convenor and Vice-Convenor.
Zimbabwe
Scottish Council welcomed trade union guests Maria Zuse and Kudakwashe Sinyoro from Zimbabwe.
Delegates were surprised to hear that they are facing many of the same problems as us but writ much larger.
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Round the Branch Mags
NHS White Paper
Highland Communities Healthcare Branch leads with the Government White paper proposing less trusts and abolishing the internal market.
A packed edition covers a sub branch being set up in Lochaber, a workplace bullying questionnaire, self organised group articles and an interview with Scottish Health minister Sam Galbraith.Strike for jobs and services?
Glasgow City's long running Bell Street Journal leads on the campaign for action to protect jobs and services.
It also reports on the branch officer election ballot results.
There's a PFI briefing and full details on the council's budget, along with a discount on Les Routiers approved hotels.
Ah, they know how to live well in Glasgow.
Using Scotland inUNISON
Shetland Health runs a story on risk assessment and uses a UNISONfocus item on the victory for Luton school meals workers.
You too can use UNISONfocus or Scotland inUNISON stories in your magazine - don't keep the news for activists, get it out to members.
Seminar
The Scottish Parliament and Public Services
Monday 1 June 1998 10.30am - 1.00pm Strathclyde House 1, Elm Bank Street, Glasgow
- Neil McKintosh Chair - Independent Commission on Local Government and a Scottish Parliament
- Matt Smith UNISON SCottish Secretary
Details from your Branch Secretary or George McGregor, Research Officer 0141 332 0006.
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Obituary
Andy Sweeney - "the movement can ill afford to lose one such as you"
Andy Sweeney died on Tuesday 31 March. He was 52. These bald statements go no way towards describing the loss that his death leaves in so many peoples lives.
Branch Service Conditions Officer, Secretary and Chair of Nalgo's Strathclyde Region Branch, Chair of its Scottish District Council and member of Nalgo's and then UNISON's joint National Executive, he was the rock around which most of Nalgo's key Scottish activists revolved. We felt he would always be there.
A giant of a man, not only physically, but also intellectually and morally, he never used his physical size in a threatening way (unless to stop trouble). He didn't need to. One of Andy's looks, which made you feel as though you had personally disappointed him, was usually enough to stop any nonsense immediately.
Born and brought up in a strong Communist family, his intellect and training equipped him to cut straight through the bullshit to the heart of any issue.
When I was Nalgo's Scottish District Secretary, he was its Chair. I would often phone him with a problem. "What do we want to be the solution?" was his first question. I (or more often he) would articulate that. "Right", he would say, "How do we get there from where we are?" There was always a way once we knew where we were going.
Despite his clear and unequivocal political line, he was one of the fairest most tolerant men I have had the privilege to be a friend of, and to have worked with. Political friends and political foes of all hues admired and respected him. If they knew him better they also loved him.
Chris Bartter
Andy Sweeney was a first class negotiator and served in both the Scottish and National negotiating machinery.
Andy inspired affection in all who knew him. He had a lively sense of humour which nothing could dent. He was the most generous of hosts: to be invited to his home was to be assured of lavish hospitality and every kind of culinary delight.
He was an internationalist, an implacable enemy of racism and chauvinism in all their forms. He supported many a fine cause, successful ones like the campaign for a Scottish Parliament, and less successful ones such as Partick Thistle.
A man of great stature and generous girth, he made his mark in any company by his presence alone. A child, meeting him for the first time and seeing his smiling face and grey beard, became convinced that she was in the presence of Santa Claus.
He loved all kinds of music, and was an accomplished chess player. The backgammon players who assemble in various pubs in Byres Road also knew him as a fearsome opponent.
Our hearts go out to Irene, his wife of only three short years; his mother Jean; his brother Bill and his sister-in-law Anna; Bill and Anna's children - Michael and Joan - and Andy's 'inherited' family. They will feel his loss most. But all of us feel his loss.
John McFadden, UNISON President
Craig Binns, City of Glasgow Branch, lifelong friend.
Chris Bartter sums up by quoting from the eulogy offered by Craig Binns, one of his oldest and dearest friends, at his funeral, where hundreds of friends and comrades gathered to pay their respect.
"I never thought that I would be standing here, when you had fallen. Good-bye my friend. The movement can ill-afford to lose one such as you".
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16 May: Petition and human chain in Birmingham
Jubilee 2000: give a debt free start to a billion poor people
by Nicky King
Scottish G8 coordinatorDid you know that a billion people are enslaved to big financial institutions of the world like the World Bank and the international Monetary Fund?
Did you know that countries like Uganda have to pay £11.50 per person a year on debt repayment but can afford only £2 per person a year on health care? Surely this modern day slavery has to stop?
You can help to break these slave chains of debt by signing the Jubilee 2000 petition calling for a one-off cancellation by the year 2000 of the backlog of unpayable debts owed by the world's poorest countries on a case by case basis.
"There is no more fitting way to mark the entering of a new millenium than by cancelling the unpaid debt of the world's poorest countries", said UNISON's Cath Friel who moved the Jubilee 2000 motion at the STUC.
""I call on all STUC affiliates to join with the Jubilee 2000 Scottish coalition in calling for an end to the injustice of international debt and its effects on indebted countries", said Cath
UNISON, the STUC, Christian Aid and Oxfam have formed the Jubilee 2000 coalition to work towards making the world's largest petition of 21 million signatures.
The petition will be presented to the leaders of the eight richest countries, leaders like Bill Clinton, Helmut Kohl and President Hashimoto, when they meet at the 'G8 Summit' in Birmingham on 16 May this year.
To add power to this presentation, a human chain tens of thousands of people long will be formed round the Summit buildings.
You can join this chain by joining a special 'debt busting train' leaving Edinburgh at 7am, returning around 11pm on the day (£32 full return, £10 concession) or by using buses being arranged from various locations in Scotland (£15- £30). For further information contact:
Liz Hendry, the Scottish Jubilee 2000 coordinator at 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, 0131 225 5722, or
Nicky King the Scottish G8 coordinator at 01355 224216, e-mail nickyking@compuserve.com.
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We want to hear your news
Won any deals or cases for members? Any 'people' stories we could use? SiU is your paper, we want to hear your stories.
Your SiU contacts are: John Stevenson (Editor) 0131 343 1991
Chris Bartter 0141 332 0006,
Morag Stevenson 0131 469 3880
FAX PRESS RELEASES to 0141-331-1203
E-mail:
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