Taking our message to the governments PUBLIC SERVICES DAYS - 4 DEC LONDON: 5 DEC EDINBURGH.As the Positively Public campaign continues, plans are well in hand to take our message to Keep Public Services Public, to the various arms of Government across the UK.

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PUBLIC SERVICES DAYS - 4 DEC LONDON: 5 DEC EDINBURGH

Taking our message to the governments

by Matt Smith

As the Positively Public campaign continues, plans are well in hand to take our message to Keep Public Services Public, to the various arms of Government across the UK.

4 December will see a major lobby of the UK Parliament to promote our campaign Positively Public. Scotland will be represented and details have gone to branches.

Additionally, activity will take place in Scotland on 5 December. The Scottish Committee and representatives of our Service Groups will be building on the arguments from this campaign, particularly as they impact on Scotland.

The event - to be held in Edinburgh - will allow us to meet with Scottish Parliamentarians from all political parties to put across our message. I

t is hoped that the First Minister together with his senior colleagues will be able to attend. We want to emphasise both our commitment to public service and to continue our opposition to privatisation and to PFI/PPP.

In recent months we have met with Ministers, as UNISON Scotland, as part of the STUC, and through the Affiliated Political Fund to make clear that PFI/PPP is unacceptable.

While dealing with principal issues we have also taken the opportunity to emphasise the need for full staff protection in instances when PFI/PPP does go ahead.

Branches are urged to engage employers and politicians locally on these issues. The campaign is not simply a national, nor a Scottish one. It should engage UNISON across the country and involve our members.

Some local branch activities are dealt with in a separate article. Why not get your branch to do something similar?

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BRANCHES BUILDING THE CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC SERVICES

Postcards, balloons and good old rallies

by Chris Bartter

As the pressure increases to ensure that Scotland delivers its share of the Positively Public Postcards, news is coming in of branch initiatives that will help to meet the target of 21,600 signed cards.

Highland branches joined together in Inverness on 3 November for a successful 'street postcard signing' day, netting hundreds of signatures.

The local authority and two Health branches have been joining forces, with the Primary Care branch sending out the cards (plus a pen) to all its members and asking them to sign up.

Similar events are also planned by Renfrewshire later in November, and on Public Services Day - 4/5 December East Ayrshire Branch will have a street stall in Kilmarnock and also be releasing their balloon race.

This is a direct link between Positively Public and recruitment as balloons are being issued to anyone who signs up a member during November or to the member that signs up! Prizes will go to the furthest away balloon label returned.

The City of Edinburgh Branch has sent out 10,000 postcards to members and will join with all the other branches in the area for Edinburgh TUC's rally for public services on 17 November.

Any other detail of Branch Positively Public activity will be welcomed by Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) at West Campbell Street., chris.bartter@unison.org.uk.

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Strike action vote sparks Electricity deal

by Chris Bartter

As we go to press, a two to one vote for strike action among nearly 500 members working for ScottishPower's Power Systems Division (North and South) has spurred an offer from ScottishPower that is likely to settle a dispute about outsourcing its 'New Connections' business.

An offer has now been made that will mean protection of ScottishPower staff's rights in the new company and confirms ScottishPower as having the controlling interest.

As well as TUPE protection to those transferring, there will be protection of former pensions rights, voluntary severance options and such things as share ownership, salaries and increments. In addition, many ScottishPower agreements like those on training and development, family friendly provision and bullying and harassment, are to transfer to the new company.

This offer is currently being put to the Power Systems staff. In July ScottishPower decided to enter into a joint venture with McAlpine's to outsource the New Connections business - which deals with major new connections such as large businesses, new housing estates etc. - agreed less than a year ago as an integral part of the Power Systems business. There was no consultation before the decision was made, no opportunity to consider the options available to take the business forward.

Members across the whole of the Power Systems Division were balloted in support of members in New Connections, and because UNISON believes that further outsourcing is likely.

They voted by two to one for strike action and three to one for action short of strike. This lack of consultation and partnership working came despite an agreement reached last year, which enabled ScottishPower to make significant savings, and respond to the new business environment and price capping.

In return there were guarantees on consultation, voluntary reductions, joint agreements on VSS terms and business flexibility over structures, working arrangements and location.

It was also jointly agreed to develop a partnership approach to employee relations. Dave Watson, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for the utilities said,

"UNISON is well aware of the difficult trading environment many ScottishPower businesses operate in and the need to address these issues seriously.

"We have had to do just that on many occasions in recent years in full consultation with the members involved. "However, that is not a justification for treating staff like cattle - to be bought and sold at the whim of the company.

"Change can only be addressed in full and open consultation, followed by a negotiated agreement that both parties then abide by.

"Staff transferring to the New Connections business did so on the understanding that this would be an integral part of Power Systems, and there was no indication that they were later to be outsourced."

Further information regarding the offer is being distributed to affected staff as we go to print.

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Scottish Water could privatise Scotland's water, says UNISON

The legislation setting up the new Scottish Water Authority will allow the company to 'change the structure of Scotland's water service with little or no democratic control', says UNISON.

And it has also slammed the failure to take sufficient account of staff concerns.

In a presentation to the Scottish Parliament's Transport and Environment Committee, Dave Watson, UNISON Scottish Organiser for the utilities said,

"The powers being given to Scottish Water are too widely drawn. The whole structure of the industry could be changed with no democratic approval.

"It could turn itself into an enabling authority, or greatly expand PFI with no directions from Scottish Ministers. Ironically approval for cheaper public sector borrowing is far more restricted."

There are also major gaps in the legislation dealing with staff protection during the transfer.

"There is nothing in the Bill that guarantees protection for staff pensions, and it is unclear who will be responsible for bargaining on pay and conditions.

"We want a proper staff transfer order, incorporating both TUPE protection and statutory protection for pension rights, so that the pensions robbery that occurred in the Trunk Roads Maintenance fiasco has no chance of happening again", added Dave.

UNISON also criticised the Water Industry Commissioner (WIC)'s position. Some powers being given to the WIC could be exploited by private water firms to 'cherry pick' profitable services, leaving Scottish Water with the costly domestic supply.

See the full water briefing at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/water2.html

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National medical secretaries framework means 21% for many

by Chris Bartter

After a 58% vote in favour, medical secretaries have agreed the Framework Agreement hammered out between UNISON and NHS Human Resource Directors.

The agreement means regrading that will see many medical secretaries move up 21% plus over the next three years as they move on to and through Grade Four.

NHS Trusts have also agreed to endorse the deal, and subject to satisfactory agreements in Trusts on identifying the correct staff and the application of the Framework, the first instalment of the regrading is anticipated to be included in the November salaries.

Jim Devine, Scottish Organiser for Health, said

"This is a victory for medical secretaries across Scotland. Whilst we will have to wait and see how fair Trusts are being in their interpretation of the Agreement, the principle that has been accepted goes a long way to recognising the vital work that medical secretaries do.

"It is clear that the level of staff dissatisfaction led to considerable pressure on Trusts to come to this deal. But it is a framework, branches should use this to ensure that as many of our members doing this work are included in the regrading, and not allow trusts to introduce unfair distinctions between medical secretaries."

The deal provides for Medical Secretaries on the top of their grade to move to Grade Four immediately.

What the deal means.....

Present Salary £12,815

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Scottish police support staff get 6.5% pay deal

Around 6,000 Scottish police support staff are to get a two-year pay deal that will take the lowest paid out of the poverty pay trap and deliver fair pay.

The deal involves a 3.5% rise for this year (backdated to 1 September 2001) and a 3% rise for 2002. Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government said,

"This is a two-year, above-inflation deal that brings the lowest paid police support staff above the £5.00 per hour minimum for the first time. UNISON is very pleased that we have agreed this important step towards eradicating low pay in the police service."

Speaking from the service's National Seminar in Nottingham, Scottish Police Support Staff chair Margaret O'Neill said,

"Members are happy at the settlement and we now hope to take talks forward on a variety of other conditions issues at the next meeting with management on 12 December".

The deal provides that the bottom two pay points will be abolished, moving anyone on those points up to the third point on the scale. Coupled with the rise, this means the lowest paid will now move on to over £10,000 a year.

Police support staff carry out vital support functions in Scotland's police forces including, scenes-of-crime officers; telephonists; fingerprint officers; station assistants and radio control officers.

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Ministers must act quickly on Social Work staffing levels

by John Stevenson

Education Minister Jack McConnell has announced that the £81.5million of the Changing Children's Services Fund would be spent on integrating agencies involved in child protection.

However, the "For Scotland's Children" Report gives no guarantees of any extra money to increase staff levels.

Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Convenor, praised the step taken by the Scottish Executive towards pulling agencies together, but said Ministers must act quickly to stop social work levels dropping any further.

Mike told Glasgow's Evening Times

"Social workers have been leaving the profession in large numbers over the last couple of years, especially those working with children.

"This is something the Executive need to address and quickly if Ministers are to ensure children stop slipping through the net. Full credit must be given to the Executive for its announcement, but we need more investment in staff.

"Social workers are underpaid and under-resourced and suffer from low morale. Those in the profession must be encouraged to stay and more enticements put in place for others to join if this plan is to work."

The report admits there are problems with fragmented and short term funding but does not address the crisis in Social Work Services. Significantly it recognises the need to avoid the upheaval and instability of yet more reorganisation.

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North Glasgow back out on strike!

After being set to suspend their strike to consider a new deal, NGH medical secretaries walked out again on 1 November as management refused to implement part of the agreement.

Despite a deal a few days earlier that seemed to pave the way for a return to work, the dispute now looked in jeopardy as we went to press.

"The Trust are indicating that they may try to take out an interdict. The stakes have been raised again and it is even more crucial that you give your support", said Carolyn Leckie, Branch Secretary.

The deal which had led to the strike suspension included:

• Access to the Grade 4 scale for all Medical Secretaries.
• Additional incremental credit for a large number that will assist them on to grade 4 salary scale.
• Whitley Increments (the poimt in dispute)
• Reopening of access to Proficiency allowances for all.
• A total of 13 months arrears of pay, including overtime payments at the enhanced rate.

Please send your donations to the UNISON Office, Cuthbertson Building, GRI, Castle St., Glasgow, G4 OSF. Cheques payable to UNISON North Glasgow Hospitals Branch Further information will be sent out and put on the UNISONScotland website as it happens

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UNISON shows pension rights can be protected for transferring careers staff

by Jennifer McCarey

UNISON aims to protect pension rights for careers staff transferring to Scottish or Highlands and Islands Enterprise took a step forward recently.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency have agreed that the new employers can seek admitted body status on behalf of staff on transfer. Both S/E and HIE have confirmed that they intend to do this.

Jim Corry, Chair of UNISON's Careers Working Party said, "This move is a welcome relief for members and endorses our policy that the new employers should seek admitted body status in the Local Government Scheme. Our members need to know that they will not be worse off as a result of transfer and this news will go along way to allaying any fears ."

Negotiations on this transfer have shown the importance UNISON members place on their pension. For many, pension rights and entitlement are their single biggest financial commitment after their mortgage.

Careers Stewards and Regional Organisers have been persistent in their requests for the future employers to provide clear information on future pension rights.

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have been engaged in discussions with the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) pension trustees and the Government Actuaries Department to clarify the pension position.

At this point however, there are still no guarantees and due process needs to be followed. But this announcement is a positive step forward. It now looks like staff will transfer with their existing pension entitlement intact and members will be free to decide whether they want to trade in their local government pension scheme or transfer to the scheme run by their new employer.

Index

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Ceilidh rewards successful organisers

UNISON's organising and recruitment campaign for this year (Organise 2001) will come to its annual pause with a celebration ceilidh organised on 30 November, the night before the next Scottish Council.

This occasion is being planned to mark the presentation of the Scottish Organising Awards.

Open to all Scottish Branches that have achieved Organising Status, these awards have a first, second and third prize in each of three categories.

Namely; most effective organisation and recruitment campaign; most effective membership participation strategy and most effective negotiation and representation strategy.

Taking Place at the STUC offices, ceilidh tickets are free but limited. Contact Fiona Martin or Nancy Kelly at West Campbell Street or on f.martin@unison.co.uk or n.kelly@unison.co.uk respectively.

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NURSING CONFERENCE
Be safe - raise concerns

That will be the message at UNISONScotland's Annual Nursing Conference scheduled for Friday 30 November in the Walton Suite of the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

Lynne Macmillan, Director of the campaigning charity Public Concern at Work, will talk about whistleblowing.

Organised by UNISON's lead officer for nursing in Scotland, Bridget Hunter, the conference also features keynote speeches from Janis Hughes MSP, a UNISON member and member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee, Karen Jennings, UNISON's National Professional Officer, and Maureen Williams of the UKCC.

Further information should be available from your local UNISON steward or rep or by contacting Bridget direct on 0141-332 0006 or b.hunter@unison.co.uk. PREP certificates will be available for those who attend.

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Glasgow voluntary sector meets to organise

by Chris Bartter

New Branch Development Officer, Robert Rae has his work cut out for him. His job is nothing less than to organise and recruit UNISON members in the voluntary sector in the Greater Glasgow area.

Already targeting some of the key employers in the sector, Robert - who most of you will remember as the Branch Secretary in the South Glasgow Hospitals Branch - has already got newsletters running in some employers, met staff and appointed more stewards in others.

He is now turning to stewards and activists in other services to promote UNISON with friends and family members who may work in the Voluntary and Community Sector.

"We are looking for activists who know people working - in particular in the Richmond Fellowship - but also elsewhere in the Voluntary and Community sector." Said Robert.

"If people know of anyone I'd like them to talk to them about joining and getting active in the union."

Robert is organising a meeting for stewards/contacts in the Greater Glasgow area, especially those in the Richmond Fellowship and the Archdiocese of Glasgow.

This is on Wednesday 14 November at 6pm in Glasgow Resource Centre, 2 Fitzroy Place, Sauchiehall Street Glasgow.

Contact Robert at the West Campbell Street office or on r.rae@unison.co.uk so he can have some idea of numbers for catering arrangements.

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Workplace learning projects to begin

UNISON Scotland is now well into implementing both of its successful bids in the first round of funding applications for the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF).

These were for Lifelong Learning Advisors and IT skills training.

UNISON and our partner organisation, the Workers Educational Association (WEA) with the support of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Moray and South Lanarkshire Councils will be piloting the two projects side-by-side as they fully complement each other.

Anne Cascarino, UNISON's Regional Officer (education) said, "The first project is to establish 30 Lifelong Learning Advisors. This core group will link employer, union and learning providers through initial contact in the workplace.

"Key skills will include accessing information on learning opportunities, assisting new learners into programmes such as 'Return To Learning' (R2L) and providing further information on funding and progression ."

UNISON will establish support networks for the advisors during and after training to ensure support remains available and new information and best practices are shared.

Training should roll out for advisors in 2002 and branches interested in becoming involved should contact Anne Cascarino, Regional Officer Education at the Glasgow office. E-mail A.Cascarino@unison.co.uk

The second project will provide training for 100 workers in basic Information Technology (IT) skills. The preferred target group will have little or no experience of IT and, during the course, careers and learning guidance will be provided to enable and ensure progression to further training.

Once again, UNISON and their partners are uniquely placed to ensure the take-up of learning within the workplace.

Get further information on either project from Stan Morris at West Campbell Street. S.Morris@unison.co.uk

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Public service team working together

October 1st was the start of this year's Older People's Week and workers from health and social work services were out spreading the message about services for older people in South East Edinburgh.

As part of Edinburgh's Joint Futures work and in line with UNISON's Positively Public campaign, social work occupational therapist Kirsten Hey met with workers from SE Edinburgh's Primary Care Group at Cameron Toll shopping centre.

The staff spent several hours talking to the public and giving them information about services in the area.

OT and UNISON activist Kirsten Hey said,

"Victoria Street Social Work team is working closely with the primary care groups and now has link workers for all of the GP practices in its area. Today was a great opportunity for us to show the public that health and social services are working together to ensure the public receive a high standard of care that is Positively Public."

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Chhokar family calls for fully independent public inquiry

As the Chhokar family marked the third anniversary of the murder of their only son Surjit Singh Chhokar on 4 November, we publish excerpts of a letter from Campaign spokesperson Aamer Anwar.

The Chhokar family wishes to thank you, the trade union movement, political parties and thousands of individuals and organisations, and friends for their solidarity and unconditional support.

The three years of struggle have left an enormous strain on the Chhokar family's health and peace of mind. Many of you will be aware that Mr Chhokar recently had an operation to remove cancer.

There have been times when even though they are emotionally drained, tired, unable to stand up, that they have gone on to address meetings, in the hope that they would get justice.

Tears have been shed in public and behind closed doors, tears for a son, because they will never be able to hold him again, never able to tell him how much they loved him.

Every human being is entitled to justice and families should not be forced to set up campaigns simply because they feel it is the only way they feel the authorities will listen to them or give them answers.

We hope that the legacy of Surjit Singh Chhokar is that never again should victims and their families be left to feel alone, isolated and frightened.

The verdicts of both inquiries were an indictment of the state of the Crown Office - fundamental errors, professional incompetence, failure of leadership - the real verdict was one of institutional racism.

Second class system

Sir Anthony Campbell's report dismisses any racism in the prosecution of the case yet it is in a system riddled with incompetence that institutional racism becomes embedded in the structures.

For over 400 years this country has delivered a second class system of justice to the black people and the poor.

At the start of these Inquiries Surjit's family were assured by the Scottish Executive and both Inquiry heads that they would be approaching Surjit's murder and the subsequent events with an open mind, and that nothing would be done to abuse them or cause them further pain.

Yet Dr Jandoo's report deliberately sets out to scapegoat the police over issues that were not even raised as complaints by the family and we believe this and the leaks from his Inquiry were an attempt to muddy the waters and divert attention from the manner in which the family were treated by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal.

This Jandoo Inquiry was supposed to be into the liaison arrangements following the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar. The fact that the two key witnesses Mr & Mrs Chhokar refused to give evidence to his inquiries means at best his Inquiry could only have provided a preliminary view of how the Crown performed its duties and would render his findings incomplete and unsubstantiated and fundamentally 'flawed'.

Jandoo's attempts to claim that words were put in Mr Chhokar's mouth are insulting and patronising and a ridiculous suggestion for anyone who has met him. Mr Chhokar had given a statement to the Public Session of the Inquiry detailing why he was withdrawing, yet although this was the one opportunity to include the words of the Family in the report, Jandoo took a decision not to include it.

Attacks condemned

Dr Jandoo dismisses Macpherson definition of 'institutional racism' yet replaces it with a totally inadequate definition of his own, that treats racism as a cold which comes and goes, rather than something that requires a systemic approach to tackling it.

I utterly condemn the attacks on the Chhokar family. These Inquiries were supposed to be investigating the role of the Crown Office not placing on trial the Chhokar family. They have committed no crime save that of hoping for justice.

If our community is to have confidence in the criminal justice system, it is important hat they treat all victims of crime equally and investigate and prosecute all crimes vigorously.

We intend to continue the fight for a fully Independent Public Inquiry and the family will respond to both Inquiries in full in due course.

Contact

For latest update go to our website at www.cfjc.org.uk Contact us c/o Scottish FBU, 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4AA

For response to inquiry attacks www.sundayherald.com/19679

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Orkney UNISON's Balfour and Ida Wylie have completed a gruelling six day bike ride in Brazil, raising thousands for Mencap and Enable.

The 80 riders raised £30,000 a day for each of the six days which took them from Ouro Petro to Rio de Janeiro. £10,000 will go to Enable locally.

Often cycling in searing heat (Ida suffered heat exhaustion on Day 5) and facing danger (a colleague was hit by a car on Day 4 but fortunately escaped serious injury) the group were overwhelmed on their arrival at the foot of the spectacular statue of Christ overlooking Rio.

Balfour and Ida thank everyone who donated, including UNISON's Orkney Branch.

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In the next issue of SiU

So much news this issue, so little space. Look out in December for....

Round the Magazines

Back with a round up of local magazines - especially following the highly successful course in October.

Young people speak out

"Young People are the future of UNISON ... the average age of a UNISON member currently stands at 48. In 20 years UNISON could be a union full of retired members", says one young member.

Many more speak out about the importance of young members organisation.

Womens Conference

Margaret Curran MSP was just one of the speakers on "Womens Voices - Influencing the Policy Agenda" at UNISON Scotland's Womens Conference in October.

Motions on Breast Cancer, Anti Depressants, Domestic Violence, and Women in Afghanistan were passed with the first two going to National Conference

See the next SiU for a full report from Jennie Biggs.

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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

comms@unison-edinburgh.org.uk

Chris Bartter

0141 332 0006,

chris.bartter@unison.org.uk

FAX PRESS RELEASES to 0141-331-1203