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Public Services need UNISON's campaign
When it's become fashionable to knock public services and UNISON members, Scottish Secretary MATT SMITH says why our voice is more important than ever.
Pick up almost any of our Scottish daily papers and there you will find a story in which UNISON is involved.
Whether it be the protection of an individual, the fight for public services or a specific campaign, UNISON is to the fore. Increasingly our actions have been the subject of some adverse comment.
Criticism is made of our policies and actions, often without any justification. We can console ourselves with the view that at least we are being effective.
But we must also challenge these comments, where appropriate, and make clear what our agenda is.
It appears to be fashionable to knock public services and those who work in them.
There were always some who acted like that: the difficulty now, is that some of our detractors should, and probably do, know better.That makes it important for us to be focused in pursuing policy. Our aim should be to present our policies positively and to build alliances wherever possible.
A good example is PFI. For too long UNISON was a lone voice expressing misgivings but not attracting much debate.
Now we are leading the campaign and others are joining us. Some specialists in the media are asking the questions we have been posing for many months. Even those who criticise us rarely defend their position, with any evidence.
We are now entering a significant phase. The Parliament to be elected next May will take responsibility for most of our public services.
Campaign
We should be campaigning to ensure UNISON's voice will be heard in that parliament. Our campaign should have two themes.
First that there are many issues that the Parliament should determine, and no pre-emptive action should be taken before it opens its doors.
Second, that the case for our Parliament was largely about democratic renewal and public accountability.
Both of these themes are entirely consistent with an argument that we should promote and expand the public provision of our services.
Public support
There is little practical merit is electing a Parliament to take powers from Westminster if it then passes functions to the non elected state, or to the private sector.
These are arguments which will win public support. One only has to remember the success of the Strathclyde water referendum or the massive opposition to school opt outs to know that to be true.
Our campaign should be broad based. We need to speak to the Holyrood hopefuls and to the parties themselves. The media has a major part to play and we must encourage our members to join the public debate.
The next few months are crucial. We have won the arguments before. This time it is vital that we unite in common cause to see that our priorities - the public services in Scotland - become the priorities of the people of Scotland.
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Action plan to defend services
By John Stevenson, SiU Editor
"The period between now and next May is crucial in defending the basis of public services", said UNISON Scottish convenor Mike Kirby in a report to the last Scottish Committee.
Laying out an action plan, with a £50,000 bid to the General Political Fund, in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections, Mike said the campaign thrust "must not be oppositionalist, but promoted as a positive statement".
The campaign will involve:
- Promoting UNISON Scotland's manifesto for public services
- Lobbying political parties and seeking meetings with them on manifestos
- Monthly Scottish Committees to steer the campaign
- Briefings for branches and political fund
- Opinion polls, bulletins, press ads and leaflets.
"The Scottish Parliament should use its powers to reassert the public service ethos in Scotland", said Mike.
"The most efficient, responsive and democratic services are those provided publicly by staff who are valued and properly paid".
But the concern is that the Parliament budget could already be mortgaged by the government's Comprehensive Spending Review and PFI commitments by the time it gets control.
Mike points to the success of unions joining with Labour in opposition to defend services - so much so that even the Tories were once forced to climb down on local government funding.
But the new Labour Government has stuck to the figures inherited from the Tories.
"We have to join with the public again and restate their and our commitment to public services", said Mike.
Dundee victory a step in fight against detriment
by Chris Bratter, Communications Officer Scotland
Jill Arshad, a social care officer working for Dundee City Council has been successful in a landmark Industrial Tribunal (IT) case that could help thousands of staff claim back pay cuts made during and after local government reorganisation.
UNISON supported Jill who suffered a pay cut as a result of her transfer from Tayside Region to Dundee City Council.
The IT award says that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, applies to direct transfers of services like those during local government reorganisation, and that Dundee was wrong to apply the Detriment Regulations.
Mark Irvine, UNISON's Scottish Head of Local Government said; "We have been saying all along that the Detriment Regulations ran contrary to staffs' rights as set out in their existing conditions and by the TUPE Regulations.
"Many councils agreed with us and settled before getting to IT's. Now we have the first IT award that confirms our advice, and justifies our position. "
Mary Crichton, Dundee City Branch Secretary, said "This is very good news for local authority workers who have had pay and conditions cut through no fault of their own.
"It is clear that without UNISON's initiative many staff would have had to accept totally unfair wage cuts. We hope that Dundee City Council will now accept the arguments and end the anxiety for other staff in this position."
Lucy Crone, UNISON's Scottish Legal Officer said. "The potential effect is substantial. This means that in both past and future transfers between local authorities and from local authorities to other bodies, the government will need to ensure that pay and conditions are fairly protected."
UNISON has around 300 further cases registered against the application of Detriment Regulations, having already settled about 150 when authorities have accepted the union's arguments before going to full Industrial Tribunal Hearings.
Many questions remain unanswered as 95,000 homes face transfer with 7,000 jobs at risk. WILLIE CAROLAN looks at the background to this major threat to public sector housing.
Glasgow housing first to face transfer crisis
In mid-June Calum McDonald, Minister for Housing at the Scottish Office launched the 'New Housing Partnership' initiative.
The document which accompanied the launch - while concentrating on worthy aims such as increased tenant participation, priority for rural housing and increased co-operation between local authorities and Scottish Homes - also stressed "partnerships between the public and private sectors to deliver increased investment in housing".
So, just another example of New Labour wishful thinking? Given the glaring lack of detail in the document, surely no politician would sign this particular blank cheque? Step forward Councillor Jim McCarron, Convener of Glasgow's Housing Committee.
Despite manifesto pledges against privatisation Cllr McCarron announced that his preferred option was to transfer Glasgow's entire housing stock of 95,000 houses from council control to a local trust or company.
In the meantime the council appointed consultants to examine the way in which the transfer would proceed.
The attractions to councillors are obvious - 75,000 houses modernised over a six year period for an investment of £1.14 billion, when on current trends such a programme would take over 30 years using public sector money.
Crippling debt
The crippling accumulated debt burden of £1.13 billion would also be relaxed (though exactly how has yet to be spelled out) and the council would nominate one-third of the membership of the trust and would retain control over homelessness, strategic issues and housing benefit while the private sector would solve the major problems of the housing stock.
However if the proposed trust is a not-for-profit organisation with pegged rent increases what exactly is the incentive for private institutions to raise the £1.1bn needed to modernise the stock?
Similarly, if the whole aim of the government is to substitute private sector money for PSBC funding why should anyone pick up the huge debt burden?
Answers to these, and other questions (such as tenure; will tenants ballots be binding on councils - they were not when Scottish Homes transferred stock) have not yet been forthcoming, so some politicians may be experiencing some doubts.
The issues should be more clear-cut for trade unionists. The consultants report to Glasgow City Council refers to the initial transfer of the entire stock to a trust with the possibility of further transfers to other bodies such as housing associations.
The implications for job security, pay and conditions are various and it is not only staff directly employed by housing department that will be affected - DLO, architects, IT and other support services will all feel the knock-on effect if a private consortium finds a cheaper alternative in the private sector to local authority provision.
Hidden agenda
A rough aggregate in Glasgow suggests that as many as 7000 jobs could be affected.
UNISON has already begun to campaign against the new housing partnership and its not so hidden agenda of the 'enabling' authority, and will encourage branches to lobby councillors and to maintain and develop links with tenants organisations.
While final decisions have not yet been taken it is clear that a decision on the principle of the transfer will be taken before the May 1999 council election, even if the physical transfer is phased over two or more years.
If the Glasgow experiment appears successful, what pressure and inducements will be put on other councils to follow suit?
It is ironic to recall that a Labour Government encouraged by John Wheatley and James Maxton created public sector housing precisely because the private sector could not or would not deliver the decent, affordable rented housing Calum McDonald professes to want.
A final irony - in the foreword to 'New Housing Partnership' Calum McDonald refers to Scottish housing as a battleground for competing dogmas. What a shame that he has chosen the dogma of Ridley and Heseltine rather than the legacy of Wheatley and Maxton.
Willie Carolan, is an activist in Glasgow City branch and a member of Communications and Campaigns Committee.
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Cuba: Thanks
Tom Morrison (West Dunbartonshire) wants to thank the many delegates and visitors at Conference who kindly donated their freebie hotel toiletries for his Cuba appeal.
Tom had a successful trip to the country and was delighted to pass on the much needed goods.
Hotel managers all over Bournemouth as well as being aware that UNISON is the UK's biggest trade union are now convinced that it is also the most hygienic!
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Legal helpline on the cards
The much praised legal helpline, run by Thompsons Solicitors as a service to UNISONScotland members has received another boost.
The last copy of UNISON magazine, sent to each member, contained a free 'credit-card' size card giving details of the service and a freephone number.
Frank Maguire of Thompsons, said "This is a natural development of the service. It has been very successful, dealing with over 60 calls a month, and we have had a large number of appreciative comments when we have monitored the success rates.
"The one reservation people have is that the service isn't well enough publicised, and this distribution of the card with UNISON magazine is our attempt to address that criticism."
The service offers 30 minutes of free legal advice on criminal law, family law and other Scots law matters not related to employment; discounted conveyancing and free wills.
Legal Helpline Freephone
0800 80 12 99.
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Youth Award recognises UNISON Scotland's pioneering role.
Katrina Murray, Chair of UNISONScotland's Youth Committee, has been awarded the TUC's Congress Award for Youth 1998, reports CHRIS BARTTER.
Katrina is a Community Development Worker in the Voluntary Sector from Falkirk Council Branch, has chaired the Youth Committee in Scotland for nearly two years, and has played an important role in ensuring that young members have moved from being an 'add-on' to being a central part of UNISON's structure.
She is a member of the STUC's Youth Committee, and one of the youth reps on the STUC General Council.
Katrina, who is also a Councillor in Fife, one of the youngest in Scotland, said "I'm pleased about this award - for myself, obviously - but more importantly for Scotland.
We pioneered much of the work that UNISON is now doing with young people, and I think this award is a recognition of that."
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East Ayrshire jobs hope
Things look bleak for 46 UNISON members in the trouble hit East Ayrshire DLO as the council prepares to sell it off
But as SiU went to press, a further ballot looked set to be held on a rescue package previously rejected by a meeting of members from several unions.
Things change by the minute in this crisis and UNISON's Matt Mclaughlin pledged "the branch will do all it can to salvage our members jobs".
Matt also thanked colleagues for their support.
"We have been really heartened by the overwhelming support from other branches and other sectors across Scotland", said Matt.
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
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/siu.html
Inquiry starts into bullying allegations
By John Corcoran, CCC and West Dunbartonshire
The much criticised grievance committee, set up to look at allegations that West Dunbartonshire's chief executive Michael Watters was bullied by senior councillors, got under way on 5 August.
But immediately, UNISON Regional Officer Nancy Kelly told the committee that Michael Watters, a UNISON member, reserved the right to challenge its composition.
UNISON has consistently argued that a committee, made up of Labour councillors and advisors, represents a breach of natural justice. That is why the union has been pushing for a local variation of conditions to allow the grievance to be investigated by a truly independent body
UNISON had already won a Court of Session interdict resulting in councillors Mills and Flynn being replaced on the committee after the court accepted that statements made by these councillors indicated a danger of bias on their part.
The court also accepted that accused councillor Andy White, had been influential in the committee's composition.
The committee was set up to hear the chief executive's grievance against two Labour councillors, Andrew White and James McCallum, who are alleged to have intimidated and bullied him and that there was a threat to oust him from his position.
On the committee are three Labour councillors, Geoff Calvert (Chair); Danny McCafferty and Patricia Rice.
Also attending the first meeting was Dan Brown from COSLA (deputising for JCC employers secretary Douglas Sinclair), there to recommend on independent legal and personnel advisors.
The meeting appointed Brodie Partners to advise on employment law and John Tonks, a retired Director of Personnel at Gravesham Borough Council as personnel advisor.
U-turn
Even Labour had originally called for an independent investigation. They had appointed Professor Fairley of Aberdeen University to conduct the investigation.
However they extended the terms of reference to include bolt-on issues such as "management culture", something later described as a "clipes charter".
UNISON protested that this was not part of the grievance. Professor Fairley agreed and withdrew. Labour then did a U-turn on an independent investigation and appointed a committee of Labour councillors.
UNISON will continue to monitor the performance of this committee.
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Cheapness beats value as jobs go to tender
The City of Edinburgh Council is to put three grounds maintenance contracts out to voluntary tender, despite UNISON showing there were flaws in their 'benchmarking' comparisons.
The branch is now consulting members and has mounted a broad-based campaign to change the council's decision - a decision already condemned by Labour Party branches.
After the branch met a wall of silence from councillors, and with little or no consultation elsewhere, Garden Aid, bowling greens and forestry will go out to tender as part of the 'Best Value' process.
"The council is not going for value for money, just cheapness. And even then they've got their figures wrong", said Tracy Gilbert, Edinburgh UNISON's Best Value coordinator.
"Our Direct Service Organisation wants to be efficient, it wants to give value for money and it has shown it can with almost £2 million coming back to the council over the last 10 years."
The council did promise that tenders will be on a level playing field. "We will use that assurance to influence how the tenders are prepared", added John Mulgrew, service conditions coordinator.
The branch also claims there may be safety risks in selling off the contract that looks after gardens for the elderly and infirm.
"The risks of a casualised workforce not employed or vetted by the council are obvious", said Charlie McInally, a UNISON service conditions officer who works in Grounds Maintenance.
*Thousands flock to NHS 'Family Funday'
By Chris Bartter, Communications Officer Scotland
Around 5,000 UNISON members and families attended the hugely successful 'Family Funday' organised by the three health branches in Ayrshire and Arran to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the NHS.
Taking place in Loudoun Castle Park, Galston, the day was enjoyed by all. Entertainment was aimed specifically at families, with traditional races with an NHS theme (a teddy bears race, Operation Go! etc).
The Dalmellington Silver Band provided the music as Matt Smith, UNISON's Scottish Secretary, opened the day's events
He said; "I was delighted to be able to assist a very worthwhile event.
"Unions often get a bad press, and something like this shows UNISON has a very positive influence in the community."
Prizes for the winners of the races, the Beat the Surgeon competition, and the raffle were presented by local MP Des Browne, and Sam Galbraith MP, Scottish Health Minister.
The day was made possible by the generous funding of UNISON's Ayrshire & Arran Community Health Branch, North Ayrshire & Arran NHS Branch and South Ayrshire Health Branch, local businesses and Ayrshire and Arran Staff Lottery, whose June Draw winner, received the keys of a jeep from David Fraser, Chief Executive of the North Ayrshire & Arran NHS Trust and Des Browne MP.
Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny (normally known as Susan Hudspith, Secretary of UNISON's South Ayrshire Health Branch,and Pat Gorman, Secretary of North Ayrshire & Arran) said:
"It was a tremendous amount of work, but when we saw the success of the day, it all became worth it.
The working partnership we have developed in Health in Ayrshire with the assistance of Regional Officer, Margaret Jamieson shone on the day.
Kay Rodie, Secretary, Ayrshire & Arran Community Health Branch, said "Our next major members event will be to celebrate the millennium, and we hope to include our UNISON colleagues from other sectors in Ayrshire."
*Black members diary dates
Jigjit Kaur, Secretary of UNISONScotland's Black Members Group is appealing to Black Members Groups around Scotland to get prepared to get delegates to a number of important meetings in the Autumn.
"The first is our own Scottish AGM," she said, "It will take place on 17 October, in Edinburgh at UNISON's Belford Road Office. Details will be circulated to branches.
In November, from the 5-7 in Brighton, the National UNISON Black Members Conference takes place at the Metropole Hotel. We hope Scottish Black Members Groups are fully represented at both of these, and would ask them to contact their branches to get delegated to the meetings."
Also in November is the STUC's Black Workers Conference, taking place on the 28-29 November in the new STUC Offices in Glasgow.
It has been purposely arranged to coincide with the now traditional St Andrews Day March against Racism and Fascism, taking place in Glasgow in the morning of the 28 November. Jigjit wants the biggest possible turn out from UNISON Branches.
"St Andrew's Day has become a celebration of the multi-cultural nature of Scottish society." she said. "UNISON has played a big part in that and branches should continue to play their leading role."
*Round the Branch Magazines
Celebrating NHS
50th with a pay cut.Glasgow Southern General Hospital's Organise in UNISON leads with a story of a 0.2% pay cut.
Management say they'll reinstate it if workers accept cuts in other conditions.
A packed 14 page edition also covers National Conference and runs an enlightening awareness quiz on domestic violence.
It also updates on the development of the credit union.Stained glass panel
Highland Communities Healthcare's Excuse Me leads on consultation about reorganising the local Trusts.
It also reports on a stained glass panel commissioned by the branch to celebrate the NHS 50th birthday.
Lots of information and contacts, and a jargon crossword!
*Show racism the red card
UNISONScotland is sponsoring the Scottish Launch of the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.
With the aim of fighting racism in football, the campaign has already made considerable headway in England, having run several promotional events at various Premiership and First Division clubs.
An educational pack and video have also been produced for use with schools, and Scotland will be looking at how best to use these.The video contains interviews with over 50 of the worlds great players including Henrik Larsson, Stefan Mahe, Craig Burley, and Paul Lambert
The launch, at Glasgow City Chambers on 7 September, will feature a number of players from Scottish Premiership clubs - Rod Wallace, Colin Hendry and Brian McClair have 'declared' so far - and is being arranged through the Scottish Professional Footballers Association.
Ged Grebby, Co-ordinator of Show Racism the Red Card said "We welcome the support of UNISON in Scotland for the launch of what we hope will be a very successful campaign.
"The attitude that Scotland does not have a racism problem, is I hope, now discredited. What the players, spectators and clubs are saying in this campaign is
"We are aware of the problem, and we aim to do something about it.' UNISON's support will be important in that continuing work."
The next step for the campaign in Scotland is to promote the video as widely as possible in Scotland's schools.
Getting communications right
Following the success of Spring's Media Handling course, the Communications and Campaigns Committee (CCC) has gone out on a limb and arranged a further course for the autumn.
Scheduled for 16-18 October in Glasgow, the course will follow the same successful pattern as before.
John Stevenson, Chair of the CCC said; "We have managed to secure the assistance of Mary Maguire (UNISON's national Press Officer) and Christine Jardine, a freelance journalist and lecturer in journalism, both of whom tutored on the spring course."
Branches are more and more having to deal with the media and it is important that UNISON comes across as well as possible. The course is designed to assist you with that."
In addition the weekend Magazine Editing course returns on November 20 -22.
Based in Reid Kerr College, Paisley, the course is designed to give direct hands-on experience of writing for, and producing, a bulletin/magazine.
The course is run on PC's using Microsoft 'Publisher' software, but you should not be put off applying by the technology.
"We plan to run a basic 'computer familiarity' course for any applicant that wants it." says John.
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*Caption Competition
Not to put too fine a point on it, last month's entries were, well, mixed.
The closest we got to funny came from a full timer!
Phil Martin - our Australian colleague on an exchange with Kath Ryall - thinks we all look like beefcake (too much Bondi Beach influence?)
His offering was:
Offscreen announcer: "And the Mr UNISON finalists are ..."Stevie: "This git might look good in formal wear, but I'll clean him up when we get to the swimsuit section!"
This anonymous entry could have had a chance, but we had to disqualify...
George to Stevie: "Is that a Trident in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me"
Better, though ineligible for a range of reasons:
"Chris Bartter awaits a call from Matt Smith to confirm whether he can smile in the presence of the GMB."
The prize therefore goes to Phil. Your Neighbours video is in the post.
*Education Courses - 1998
A preview of 1999's early courses should appear in our next issue. All applications must come through your branch secretary.
COURSE TITLE DATES VENUES CLOSE DATE Stewards Induction 22-24 September Dunfermline 08 September Tackling Stress 23-24 September Glasgow 10 September Discrimination 25-27 September Dundee 11 September Stewards Induction 29 September-01 October Stirling 15 September Self Organisation 01-02 October Edinburgh 17 September New Conference Delegates 03 October Glasgow 18 September Grievance & Discipline 06-08 October Glasgow 22 September Health & Safety Induction 06-08 October Aberdeen 22 September Tackling Stress 08-09 October Irvine 24 September Grievance & Discipline 13-15 October Edinburgh 29 September Self Organisation 15-16 October Glasgow 01 October Media Handling 16-18 October Glasgow 02 October Grievance & Discipline 20-22 October Dunfermline 06 October Tackling Stress 22-23 October Edinburgh 08 October Bullying at Work 26-27 October Glasgow 12 October Bullying at Work 29-30 October Edinburgh 15 October Young Members 30 October-01 November Stirling 16 October Health & Safety Induction 03-05 November Stirling 20 October Bullying at Work 05-06 November Dundee 22 October Disability Awareness 09 November Aberdeen 26 October Health & Safety Induction 10-12 November Paisley 27 October Assertiveness 13-15 November Inverness 30 October Health & Safety Induction 17-19 November Glasgow 03 November Magazine Editing 20-22 November Paisley 06 November Disability Awareness 23 November Glasgow 09 November Disability Awareness 27 November Edinburgh 13 November Health & Safety Stage 2 27-29 November East Kilbride 13 November
*Social Work; the real issues that caused the walk out
By John Stevenson SiU Editor
Glasgow UNISON is balloting members connected with Home Care on official strike action as we go to press.
This follows an unofficial walk out backed by almost 2,000 members, in support of colleagues suspended for boycotting work on the transfer of the Home Help service from to Catering & Domestic Services.
"We believe that a full and proper service to elderly and infirm clients can only be offered as part of an integral Social Work service", said Angela Lynes, Glasgow City branch secretary.
"The home help service is much more than cleaning and catering... home helps are part of a social work team providing a whole service".
With the number of council departments set to fall from 21 to 12, members were clearly concerned that the service was being packaged for a sell-off.
The suspicions are not helped by Glasgow's plan to hand over its secondary schools to the private sector.
The opposition to the transfer is also a conditions issue.
"As the council embarks upon a major restructuring of its services and departments, it has failed to consult properly within its agreed procedures", added Angela.
Recognising that tensions were running high, the branch had set up a hotline with management in case of a crisis. Management is accused of not using this when the flashpoint came.
'Life and limb' cover
One of the widely publicised issues in the strike was the lack of 'life and limb' cover.
UNISON had always provided this before but "... staffing levels in Social Work are now so low that during last year's industrial action staff found emergency cover arrangements gave increased staffing levels. The anger was such that during this dispute, Social Work staff refused to provide 'life and limb' cover", says a branch briefing.
There is clearly massive anger amongst Glasgow members about the actions of management. There is also anger at the lack of coverage of the real issues in the press.