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Positive about public
servicesBy Chris Bartter, Communications Officer Scotland
UNISON has announced a £100,000 campaign to support Scottish public services in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections next May.
The money will come from the union's General Political Fund, set up to campaign for UNISON policies, and will not be used to campaign for or against any political party.
A special meeting of the Scottish Committee on 20 October stressed the need for a positive and united campaign - not allowing it to be diverted by divisive or unco-ordinated action.
Speaking after the meeting, Matt Smith, UNISON's Scottish Secretary, said:
"This will be a positive campaign, raising the issues that concern both UNISON members and the general public, without fear or favour of any party political self-interest. We want a Parliament that is positive about Scotland's public services."
The campaign will stress UNISON policies in favour of public services that are
- publicly owned and run, rather than owned and run by private consortia set up under PFI proposals;
- democratically controlled rather than hived off to quangos and other non-democratic bodies such as happened to Scotland's water and is proposed for some housing;
- properly resourced to ensure a proper quality of service.
A manifesto for public services will be produced later this month.
Mike Kirby, UNISON's Scottish Convenor, stresses that no political group will be allowed to use this campaign to gain political preferrment.
"We are already setting up meetings with the main political parties on this to let them know what our concerns are, and we will be telling them that our 150,000 members will be looking closely at their policies before they vote."
UNISON has two Political Funds, The General Political Fund which funds political campaigns which do not argue for or against political parties; and the Affiliated Political Fund that funds campaigning on behalf of the Labour Party.
"Of course there will be some areas of difference between our policies and those of the Government", he said.
"But this campaign is not about supporting or opposing individual candidates or parties.
"In fact both campaigns will be very similar in general policy terms - they will be arguing for UNISON policies."
Two thousand rally to save Dundee's services
Two thousand angry council workers passed a vote of no confidence in Dundee City Council at a meeting on 22 October, and called on workers in all of Scotland's councils to join them in a national campaign in support of public services and against cuts.
Mary Crichton, UNISON Branch Secretary, told the meeting, "We are being attacked right across the board. Every department is under threat and nobody is safe. Contract Services (DLO) has seen bonuses slashed and 16 white-collar jobs have been scrapped. Leisure and Parks bonus scheme is in danger of disappearing all together. Architects are fearful for the future in the face of the council's determination to cover frozen posts by bringing in agency staff."
Many workers, particularly in Social Work, are threatened with financial loss through the disappearance of Essential Car User Status.
The Council has also announced the unilateral scrapping of the third day Public Holiday at New Year - despite claims by council leader and COSLA Vice-President, Kate Maclean, that they would honour all national agreements.
"Housing stock transfers are possibly the greatest threat yet to our members because of the reduced workloads which would follow in every department of the Council," added Mary.
"In spite of this, Dundee has decided to transfer large numbers of stock without consulting the unions until after the event.
This cannot and must not be allowed to go on. We are fighting for the future of all democratically controlled local government."
The meeting recognised that some problems are the result of national policies and need to be addressed at national level. This could only be achieved through a Scottish wide campaign.
Most of the current issues, however, come about because of decisions taken locally by local politicians. These must be dealt with at local level in the traditional trade union way.
Dundee City UNISON has already agreed to submit a motion to Scottish Council in December echoing the call for a Scottish campaign and will be seeking the support of all branches.
East Lothian survey confirms crisis in councils
by John Stevenson, SiU Editor
An innovative survey by UNISON East Lothian branch has confirmed that staff are committed to delivering services but are demoralised by the cuts and changes in management styles which followed reorganisation.
"The survey showed that much of the pressure comes from council workers striving to do a good job in hard circumstances", said Tom Lithgow, vice-chair of East Lothian UNISON.
"If staff didn't care they wouldn't be so demoralised", he added.
That demoralisation is obvious with almost half of those responding (47%) saying they would leave if they could take retirement or another job came up.
84% said workloads had increased with 35% suffering work related stress in the last two years.
Management styles come in for criticism with 18% of staff feeling intimidated by managers. While many found immediate supervisors supportive, top management came in for a slating.
A lack of trust was obvious in the huge 78% who said they felt management only told them what they wanted them to know and the 61% who said working practices were changed without consultation.
26% said they had suffered some form of harassment in the last two years.
"When we did the survey we thought we were dealing with an East Lothian problem. But as I talk to people in other areas, it is clear this is reflected around Scotland", added Tom.
Branch officers feel that one explanation for management problems could be the large number of experienced managers who were lost at reorganisation.
Despite all this, 64% felt that the council provided a good service with 62% identifying themselves clearly as East Lothian rather than ex District or Region.
But the comments made by members tell the human side of the story.
"Top management appear to be more interested in pennies than in providing a quality service to people who are vulnerable and at risk", said one member of staff.
"Morale is very low generally, due to staff being over-worked, under-resourced and insecure about their future", said another.
And reflecting the dangers of the 'best value' ethos, one member complained that the council was more interested in providing statistics about work being done, than actually getting the work done.
"..in the past, the public may have supported the Council against hostile government intervention, but if we continue as we are going they will become distant from us.... we will have become more 'politicians' than public servants - and there is a big difference."
Some felt the Council was mounting a public relations exercise to hide service cuts.
"Councillors say they consult with local people about local issues. Consultation actually means 'here is the Council's view'.."
"Whose side are we on?" asks another. "Loyalty suggests 'the Council' but surely it is 'the public'?"
UNISON views
The survey also asked members their views on UNISON.
77% knew how to contact UNISON for help and 73% found the branch magazine a useful source of information.
Contrast that with only 38% who thought management information was clear and 53% who felt management did not deal with conditions issues promptly or fairly.
The survey used a ballot type system for security and was mailed to each member.
Talks on a joint survey with the Council broke down and East Lothian did its own System Three poll. It got less response than the UNISON one but also confirmed that morale had suffered due to cuts and insecurity.
UNISON officials have called for meetings with the council to discuss the findings.
Scotland and Ireland are at the dawn of a new era
By Morag Stevenson, Communications & Campaigns Committee
Scotland and Ireland are at the dawn of a new era, Anna McGonigle (Northern Ireland UNISON and National Executive member) told the Scottish Womens Conference in Glasgow on 10 October.
"Women have the power to challenge the traditional disruptive powers. Ordinary women have stood up against what was wrong and spoken out for the most disadvantaged.
"A fair society can only be achieved by including those who are excluded. Peace is not just about the absence of violence - it is about justice and inclusion" added Anna.
Also stressing the theme of inclusion were guest speakers, Alison Shepherd, national UNISON president and Ann Middleton, STUC president and UNISON Scotland's depute secretary.
The Conference also welcomed sisters from UNISON Northern Ireland Region who gave a presentation on the "Women Seen and Heard" project and participated in the workshop sessions.
Funded by the European Peace and Reconciliation Programme, the project aims to create a rights-based approach to social inclusion and participation.
The report presented to delegates was the culmination of the year long project involving over 300 women from the most marginalised areas and groups in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland border counties.
It contains vital information and lessons both from decision makers and those who are furthest removed from decision making, and provides positive examples for tackling social exclusion and securing fair treatment.
The workshop session drew on the experiences of the project to look at practical ways to enable women to influence and take part in the decision making processes in the setting up of the Scottish Parliament.
Motions
The Conference carried motions on:
- Womens Health: the importance of well women clinics,
- Urging political parties and the Scottish Parliament to tackle poverty in families
- UNISON's carer allowances
- Qualifications as barriers
- Equality in local government pension rights
- Childcare strategy.
It also backed a statement of support for the defence of Glasgow's home care service.
UNISON saves marathon
UNISON took its place in the world of sports sponsorship this summer - amid the colour and spectacle of one of the north of Scotland's oldest Highland Games and the inaugural Nairn Games UNISON half marathon.
It was hailed an unqualified success by organisers, athletes and union representatives alike.
The race is one of the highlights of the Games held in the small seaside town on the Moray Firth and regularly attracts thousands of spectators. This year UNISON gained a high profile by stepping in to back the 13.5 mile race.
The race seemed in jeopardy when the previous backers withdrew their funding. UNISON's Raigmore Hospital branch secretary Jane Atkinson, a member of the Nairn Road Runners club organising the event, used her dual role to secure a two year sponsorship, safeguarding the race until the year 2000.
Braving an unseasonably cold west wind, an entry of 125 competitors toed the line.
The runners shared Nairn's seaside amphitheatre with the heavies heaving weights and tossing cabers, highland dancers, kilted pipers and the impressive Central Band of the Russian Navy.
Inverness athlete Brian Fieldsend recorded 76min 26secs to snatch victory in the closest finish in the event's history - only seven seconds covered the first three.
Another Inverness based runner, Shirley Hay of Highland Hill Runners, claimed a more comfortable win in the women's race by a margin of five minutes. The locals also had something to cheer as Nairn Road Runner women took the team title for the fourth time in five years.
Presenting the prizes, Regional full time officer Donald Shiach joined colleagues in expressing his delight that the race had been such a success.
Borders staff fight to keep quality homes for elderly
Members working in Scottish Borders six residential homes have voted to fight to keep their service in-house and against cuts in pay and conditions.
This follows 18 months of 'market testing' by the Council to explore whether to hive off the homes or cut costs in-house. The results are due in November.
The Council claims this is due to shortage of funds and to provide value for money.
The in-house management team said they needed to cut staff pay and conditions to compete.
But UNISON Regional Officer Peter Veldon says: "Scottish Borders Council has developed a high standard of care for the elderly in their homes. A service driven by the needs of elderly people, not for profit.
"The market testing is unwanted and unnecessary. It is hard to understand why they wish to jeopardise their achievements and are now showing contempt for the staff who have provided a quality service".
The TGWU, GMB and UNISON have formed a working party of representatives from each of the homes to mount a high profile campaign against the plans.
They have already won support from the public, from MPs, the Labour group and other councillors.
Unions are about to present a report to the Council outlining the case for keeping services in-house.
Stephen Palmer Organising Assistant for local government said: "Homes in Dumfries and Galloway have already been privatised, now the Scottish Borders are considering the same to make savings, not to provide a better service.
"The council have quoted value for money and the Best Value regime attempting to justify what is a political decision. There are many other services which may follow this path."
Voluntary Sector tribunal victory
A part-time domestic assistant with the Talbot Association in Baillieston has won reinstatement to her job at a Employment Tribunal.
UNISON's West of Scotland Voluntary Sector Branch backed Cindy McMillan who had been seriously ill with impetigo when she was sacked at the beginning of this year - a week before she was due to return to work.
Despite continual monitoring of her sickness absence by her own doctor, the Talbot Association Medical Adviser and her own manager, the charity refused to overturn the sacking on appeal, and ended up at the tribunal.
George Kirkpatrick, who represented Ms McMillan at the Tribunal said: "This is a significant victory. Reinstatement awards are like gold dust, and UNISON has ensured that Cindy has at last received justice for her unfair dismissal."
The Tribunal found that the management had reacted in a wholly unreasonable 'knee jerk' fashion.without any consideration of proper procedure and good industrial relations practice. That, even in a voluntary organisation simply will not do."
Cavalier treatment of voluntary sector staff is a constant problem, and UNISON is delighted at the successful outcome to this case.
Single Status deal to go to ballot
Unions are close to a local government Single Status deal to go out to branches and members for full consultation.
Part of the process would be the setting up of a new Scottish Council since the Scottish employers have now left the national bargaining machinery.
"Hopefully the new agreement will mean that Single Status in Scotland will be significantly improved on the national deal", said Douglas Black, chair of UNISON's Scottish Local Government Service Group.
Both the APT&C and Manual & Craft committees have agreed a framework for consultation to involve:
- briefings to branches and members
- a special conference on the issue
- a ballot of all affected members, probably in January or February 1999.
If accepted, the deal would be implemented from 1 April 1999.
"It has been a difficult 18 months however we do now have some progress on Single Status in Scotland" added Douglas.
"We have consistently condemned the employers' decision to leave the UK framework but now our prime concern is to make sure there are proper systems in Scotland to represent our members interests", he added.
All three main unions are united in the framework for consulting members. Look out for details arriving soon.
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:
On the Web
Cuban visitors
Two representatives from the Cuban TUC (CTC) are arriving in Scotland as we go to press.
Armando Plaza Olazabal and William Rodriguez Arias from the CTC's Holguin province will be visiting Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh during their 5 day stay.
They will meet UNISON members in Glasgow City Branch, Glasgow Health Branch, Edinburgh City Branch and Dundee and visit Abertay University and Woodside Health Centre.
Return 2 Learn x 5
UNISON Regional Officer, Margaret Jamieson, cuts the cake (pic) at a formal signing of Return to Learn agreements between UNISON and five employers on the 14 September, writes CHRIS BARTTER
Margaret said: "This is the first Return to Learn partnership involving multiple employers across service boundaries in the UK.
"Return to Learn is an important development - especially for people who didn't have a chance of finishing their education. I am pleased that Ayrshire has shown the way."
Contracts have been signed and there are already people from some of the employers on courses.
The picture shows Margaret with L to R Councillor Rita Miller,(South Ayrshire Council); David Fraser, (Chief Exec. North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust); Gerry Marr, (Director of Human Resources, NHS Executive in Scotland); Aileen Bates, Chair, Ayrshire & Arran Community Healthcare Trust); Professor Gordon Wilson, (Chair, South Ayrshire Hospitals Trust) and Philip Bryers, (North Ayrshire Council).
Childrens Panel staff vote for strike action
By Chris Bartter, Communications Officer Scotland
UNISON members in the Scottish Children's Reporters Administration have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in support of their 1998 pay claim.
71.5% voted for strike action and a massive 85% voted for action short of a strike. Following the release of the ballot result the Branch moved quickly to implement it.
The employer has been notified of a one day strike on Thursday 29 October and a continuous boycott of a new technology information system called ChRIS after that.
The ballot was held in support of this year's pay claim which should have been settled on 1 April 1998. Management's current offer is 2.5% over the year.
Organisations of a similar status such as SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) have settled for 3%.
Gerry O'Hara, the SCRA UNISON Branch Secretary said, "It is disappointing that the staff of SCRA have been forced to ballot on industrial action over pay.
"We are not seeking vast increases, just the same as other public sector workers have achieved. The result is an emphatic endorsement of our claim and clearly shows the strength of feeling amongst staff."
The Branch has approached management to ensure life and limb cover is provided during the strike action and to offer them the opportunity to come back with a more reasonable offer.
The Branch, created after the breakup of local government in 1996, has really come of age during this dispute and the resolve of members and officers is absolute.
The Branch already had well over 50% of staff in membership and has been recruiting steadily during this dispute.
This has involved people like Sue Livingston, the Youth Officer, presenting UNISON's case to members and non-members alike using very funny flip-charts.
All of this means UNISON will emerge stronger and more organised within SCRA however this dispute is settled.
Round the Branch Magazines
What happened to the cathedral?
...asks NORTH AYRSHIRE's Counterpoints in the latest issue.
At reorganisation, staff were asked to aspire to become 'cathedral builders' and not mere stone cutters, says the magazine.
But the article then lists a range of problems including no consultation from management, arbitrary changes in conditions, staff being undervalued and facing job insecurity.
Says the magazine: "It seems obvious to us that if you want a cathedral .. you ought to get on with the cathedral builders".
East Lothian's The Plough leads on the branch's innovative survey (see SiU this issue) but is also packed with news on Best Value, Stress at Work etc.
East Renfrewshire's Summer issue hits you between the eyes with a gorilla full face front. Lots of news in a 12 page edition with a great special feature on bullying.
Stirling University's magazine welcomes Forth Valley Campus staff and advertises an open meeting to recruit new members.
West Dunbartonshire's The UNISON View reports on a huge 20% increase in membership. They must be getting it right.
Shetland Health reports on a HSE health inspection and warns on the dangers of using laptops too much.
Another happy UNISON merger
Congratulations to well known UNISON activists Gail Park and Charlie McInally who married on 7 October, sealing the knot on part of the UNISON merger.
Charlie, ex NUPE and now a UNISON Edinburgh branch officer, met Gail, ex NALGO and now assistant secretary in the same branch, through the union.
There have been all the jokes about the first 'mixed marriage', about Charlie (a gardener) marrying a Park and so on.
But the prize goes to Charlie's best man who presented two UNISON badges instead of the rings at the ceremony!
The jokes were all part of the warmth felt for the couple and friends from around Scotland put on a 'do' for them last week to wish them all the best for the future.
7:84 - twenty five years on
Born in Scotland in 1973, in the turbulence of left politics 7:84 Theatre Company is 25 years old this year.
John McGrath, a successful stage and television writer, created the company as a new form of drama, aiming at producing entertainment which approached people who would not normally think of the theatre as a 'good night out'.
Breaking the mould of traditional theatre based companies, 7:84 started new community-based tours, playing in community centres, halls and small theatres throughout Scotland, and addressing major political issues in a revolutionary way.
Their first (and still the most famous) production in 1973 was the Cheviot, the Stag, and the Black, Black Oil, synthesising popular entertainment with a political critique of capitalist treatment of the Scottish Highlands and its people.
Over the next 12 years McGrath's pen created plays that dealt with most of the contemporary issues - with the exception of the unsuccessful devolution referendum of 1979.
In 1978, the market had grown so much that Wildcat, a company based on the musicians in 7:84 was born.
The election of the Thatcher Government in 1979 brought plenty more topics but an increasingly hostile atmosphere and this, coupled with a large deficit and administrative problem lead to the withdrawal of the company's Arts Council revenue funding in 1988.
Changes in the board and in the management of the company also brought a new direction - in favour of new writing and a more personal approach to the political issues of the day. Iain Reekie, appointed Artistic Director in 1991, began to create the 'new' 7:84 - whilst maintaining its political allegiances and its aim to provide theatre for the people.
UNISON's connection with 7:84 has been continuous since 1983 when NALGO commissioned a street theatre production 'On the Pig's Back'.
Since then there have been regular sponsorship of 7:84 productions that are particularly appropriate, culminating in the successful show Caledonia Dreaming in 1997 - an early contribution to the campaign for a YES: YES vote in the devolution referendum.
Chris Bartter, UNISON's Communications Officer has been a member of the 7:84 Board since 1988. He is proud of 7:84's achievements.
"The creation of the more personal approach to politics was a necessary change for the company after 15 years of Thatcherite attacks on our society."
He said, "And the tremendous work that the Company does working with community groups through our Outreach Director John Heraghty, is an example to all who want to develop arts at a community level.
"I am particularly pleased that the company has not lost its cutting edge and the latest production 'Dissent' will cause an uncomfortable squirming in a few politicians.
A dynamic political theatre company is as vital now as it was 25 years ago. 7:84 is ideally placed to assist in building a new politics in Scotland."
We're going online
UNISON Scotland's website is going online in the next couple of weeks at
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk
Lots of information, help for communications activists, contacts, campaigns and education news along with Scotland inUNISON - with more to come as the site develops.
A New Deal for disabled people?
Disabled members in Scotland meet for their annual Forum on 21 November taking place in the STUC's new premises at 333 Woodlands Road.
The meeting is open to all disabled members in Scotland.
Nigel Pimm, Chair of the Scottish Disabled Members Group said:
"Des Browne MP is coming to tell us about the New Deal for Disabled People.
"We will also deal with any motions and have discussion groups on Access to Work, and the Government White Paper 'Promoting Disabled People's Rights."
Delegates and nominations for the Scottish Disabled Members Committee should be sent - on the appropriate forms (see your Branch secretary) - to Carol Judge, SRO in UNISON House, by 6 November 1998.
Maternity pay victory for bank nurse
UNISON has won maternity pay for a bank nurse working for Highland Communities NHS Trust.
Catriona MacLean was on a three month contract, repeatedly renewed from 1992 to 1994, and terminated in 1995.
She then became a bank nurse working the same hours on the same ward but when she went on maternity leave she was refused pay because the Trust did not view her as an employee.
"UNISON pursued a breach of contract action which was eventually settled with Catriona's claim being paid in full", said Lucy Crone, UNISON Scotland Legal Officer.
A delighted Catriona said,
"If it wasn't for UNISON, I would not have the maternity pay I was due.
"With all the uncertainty about ward closures, temporary contracts and so on, bank nurses need the strength of the union to make sure they get what they are entitled to."
7,500 Welfare raffle chances
UNISON Scotland's first Welfare Raffle has been launched with 7,500 tickets sent out to branches.
The draw will take place after the Scottish Council Meeting on 5 December.
Jim Waller, UNISON Senior Regional Officer said, "This is the first major Scottish initiative to boost welfare funds and I hope that all the tickets are sold."We want stubs, unsold tickets and proceeds back to me in the Belford Road Office by 27 November."
Tickets are all reasonably priced at 25p each, and Scotland is looking to make a major contribution to UNISON's Welfare fund.
Welcome for 6th National Lesbian and Gay Conference
By Neil McInnes, Scotiish Lesbian & Gay Committee
This year, Glasgow will be the host city of the 6th National Lesbian and Gay Conference, the third to be held in Scotland.
The conference will be held in the Central Hotel over the weekend Friday 20 - 22 November 1998, around 40 Scottish delegates will be there.
The final agenda for conference will be issued shortly and from reading the quality and subject matter of motions submitted I am sure it will be a very interesting and useful conference.
A full report on conference and the decisions taken will be published in a later edition of Scotland inUNISON.
Regional Delegates attending on behalf of UNISONScotland are Lynn Sheridan and Jim Mearns and they will co-ordinate Scotland's involvement and participation at conference.
This year I am one of the Co-Chairs of the standing orders committee for the conference and our regional representatives on the National Lesbian and Gay Committee who will chair parts of conference are Raymond Brown, (Strathclyde Police and Fire Branch) and Linda Jackson, (City of Edinburgh Branch).
Regional Development
One of the main areas of work for the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee this year, is Regional development. There are three active 'regional' groups in Scotland; the West Network- covering branches in the former Strathclyde area, the North East Network, and the East Network.
These 'regional' groups meet quarterly and offer support and advice for L&G members who do not have an active lesbian and gay group in their branches.
The creation of these 'regional' groups has lead to an increase in activity and recruitment at local levels, with much more participation at regional level.
Contacts
As secretary of the Scottish L&G committee, I can be contacted c/o UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow, G2 6RX. Telephone 0141 332 0006 or 0958 754 315.
Annual Report
The Annual Report of the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee will be presented to the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Conference on 31 October 1998. This paper will then be circulated to Scottish Council in December.
Any branch or activist wishing a copy - please get in touch.
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