Dozens of public sector workers in Shetland braved torrential rain and cold winds this morning to march in protest against UK government cuts to their pension schemes.
Around 70 members of trade unions including Unison local government and health branches and the GMB marched from the shopping centre at Toll Clock to the Market Cross under dark winter morning skies.
Hundreds of workers took part in the strike action, which caused widespread disruption to public services within Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland. Most schools were shut for the day and inter-island ferries were shut down, though the NHS stressed it had maintained “adequate” emergency provision.
Full Shetland Times report here
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UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Fantastic rally in Aberdeen for pensions justice
Over 2000 folk gathered in the Castlegate for a fantastic rally in Aberdeen today. #unisonscotn30 They were there to show huge anger at attacks on pensions and determination to fight for pensions justice for all. Congratulations to our union colleagues around the country for a fantastic show!
Kate Ramsden, Aberdeenshire UNISON http://www.aberdeenshireunison.com/index.html
Kate Ramsden, Aberdeenshire UNISON http://www.aberdeenshireunison.com/index.html
Teamster offer support
Teamsters and members of the national nurses union are today showing solidarity with our members with a demonstration outside the Briish Consulate in Washington today
Dave Prentis: Today history has been made by millions of ordinary men and women #unisonscotN30 #N30
He said that the millions taking part in today's action - mostly women, many first time strikers and tens of thousands of young people newly drawn into the union movement - were "the people against the powerful" who should take courage from today's success.
He added: "Today, history has been made - not by politicians - not by bankers and business leaders, but by the millions of ordinary men and women - few of them militants or hardened activists, many thousands who have never taken industrial action before, who, with courage and quiet resolve have said: ‘enough is enough’.
“They are decent men and women, who on any other day of the year are working tirelessly for this country; dedicated – devoted – to the people, the families, the communities they serve; ensuring we are safe, healthy, our children educated, our future protected. Little noticed, rarely thanked, often maligned, taken for granted.
“But today, for one day you’ll see them: the people we rely on for so much, gathering outside every school, every hospital, every library or public office, lining the high streets and filling in town squares - making their stand, with bravery and dignity."
Dave told the striking workers that instead of putting bankers in charge of whole countries, as in Greece and Italy, we should be putting the people in charge of the banks.
He said: "The stand we are making today is part of a wider awakening as people around the world demand an alternative to more cuts, more job losses, more poverty and austerity, enforced with a blatant denial of democracy.
"It’s the people against the powerful, the 99 per cent against the one per cent, the millions against the millionaires - and we know which side we are on."
Dave's full speech is here
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Evening Times: Picket Line Scotland - 300,000 join pension strike #unisonscotN30 #N30
Glasgow's Evening Times today reported on "Picket Line Scotland".
AROUND 300,000 public sector workers in Scotland went on the picket line today in the biggest strike for more than 30 years.
Across Glasgow and west Scotland schools, hospitals, courts, transport and Government offices were hit by closures and cancelled services.
Picket lines had been mounted outside schools, hospitals, JobCentres, courts and other buildings, while more than 1000 rallies and other demonstrations were held across the UK in a row over proposed pension reforms
Full report here
Across Glasgow and west Scotland schools, hospitals, courts, transport and Government offices were hit by closures and cancelled services.
Picket lines had been mounted outside schools, hospitals, JobCentres, courts and other buildings, while more than 1000 rallies and other demonstrations were held across the UK in a row over proposed pension reforms
Full report here
Bick: You have a legal right and moral duty to stand up to bullies
Marchers were still coming down the Royal Mile as the rally began and they cheered in their thousands when Rodney told them, “Thousands and thousands are out today and we’ll do it again and again if and when necessary.”
Rodney, president of the National Pensioners Convention and ex UNISON general secretary, rounded on the hypocrisy of the ‘millionaire’ cabinet. “They rightly stand and show respect for dead at the Cenotaph for one day. But they go on to show disrespect for the living for 365 days”, he said.
We rightly mourn the death of thousands in the World Trade centre “but when 25,000 old people die every year from winter related illness, nobody sheds a single tear”.
The hypocrisy that says we have to pay the price when it was “they and their city friends who caused all this mess in the fist place”.
Rodney challenge government accusations that public service workers were ‘uncaring’. “Who was it out in the fog that night on the motorway pulling bits out of the tarmac? Who is it that wipes the noses and bottoms day in day out? Not them. They wouldn’t know what caring was if it sat on them!”
“Uncaring? They’re the ones closing the hospitals, throwing people out of jobs, cut, cut cutting.
He tore into the attempts to create a public-private divide on pensions. “It’s like saying that because one person has had their leg cut off, it is only fair that everyone gets a leg cut off”.
“You’ll need two legs if you’re going to beat the b****** - and that’s what we’re going to do!” said Rodney as the rally erupted.
“The government call us unpatriotic because 2.5 million of us are out on strike. What about the 2.5 million unemployed they’ve created – lost days every day of every year. Who is it who’s not patriotic?
And to those who crossed our picket lines today out of so-called ‘principle’, he asked, “Will they show the same principle and say ‘we don’t want that pension you have won for us because we didn’t stand up and fight for it?’”
Mike Kirby: Our solid strike with great public support shows government must stop great pensions robbery
UNISON's Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby told the rally in Glasgow that today's strike is being led by women who won't be fooled by government ministers.
He said that the real pensions crisis is in the private sector, where two thirds of employers don't pay a single penny towards their workers' pensions.
Mike said: "It could cost this country up to £15 billion to support the millions of private sector workers who have been locked out of saving for their retirement."
He added: "Never before have so many public service workers and so many women taken action. We know that today's strike is being led by women - 3.7 million could be affected by the plans to make detrimental changes to pensions.
"And they won't be fooled by government ministers' claims that their justified action will hit jobs.
"They know the real reasons that the dole queues are growing are the disastrous choices the government is making.
"The critics of today, the bonus billionaires and Tory Cabinet millionaires know nothing of the value of public services, where we care for elderly and infirm people, we teach children, empty bins and save lives."
See full news release here
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He said that the real pensions crisis is in the private sector, where two thirds of employers don't pay a single penny towards their workers' pensions.
Mike said: "It could cost this country up to £15 billion to support the millions of private sector workers who have been locked out of saving for their retirement."
He added: "Never before have so many public service workers and so many women taken action. We know that today's strike is being led by women - 3.7 million could be affected by the plans to make detrimental changes to pensions.
"And they won't be fooled by government ministers' claims that their justified action will hit jobs.
"They know the real reasons that the dole queues are growing are the disastrous choices the government is making.
"The critics of today, the bonus billionaires and Tory Cabinet millionaires know nothing of the value of public services, where we care for elderly and infirm people, we teach children, empty bins and save lives."
See full news release here
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Message of support to UNISON from Impact union in Ireland
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| Peter Nolan |
Today is a crucial day for workers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK.
It is also an important day internationally as trade unionists and governments throughout Europe and the world look to see Unison’s one million plus members take a stand to defend their pensions.
Message sent to Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby from Peter Nolan, National Secretary, IMPACT Municipal Employees Division
STV: Public sector workers strike across Scotland
Video includes Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Secretary
Full report here
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BBC: Striking staff march on Holyrood
Thousands of striking public sector workers have marched outside the Scottish Parliament, in protest at UK government pension changes. Full report here
Pictures from Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Tayside
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UNISON Tayside Health pickets at Kings Cross, Dundee
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More strike pictures from around the country
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More pictures from picket lines. More to follow!
Staff taking action at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen this morning
Early pickets at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank
Picket line in Edinburgh
Tooting up support outside Strathclyde Police HQ in Glasgow
Herald: Public sector staff in mass walkout
Last updated 30 Nov 2011 - 3:50 am
Schools, transport and hospitals in Scotland face disruption as public sector workers stage a 24-hour strike
More than 300,000 public sector workers across Scotland are taking part in the biggest day of strike action in decades.
Schools, transport, hospitals and courts will all be affected by nationwide industrial action against pension reform.
The action is in response to UK Government plans to increase the amount of money public sector workers pay into their pension, raise the age of retirement and introduce career-average pensions.
David Watson, Unison organiser for Scotland, said "just about everyone" will be affected by the day of action in the same way as on a public holiday.
More...
BBC News: Public services grind to halt as 300,000 workers strike across Scotland
Most schools have closed for the day and thousands of NHS appointments cancelled. Travel is also being hit.
As workers picket the Holyrood building for the day, SNP ministers will use a government debate to brand the pension plans a "cash grab".
More...
Morning Star: Walkout to be 'biggest since 1926' - Prentis
Mr Prentis said there was "absolutely no chance" of reaching a deal that would prevent the strike from going ahead.
Nurses, teachers, council workers and many others are set to walk out on Wednesday against government plans to short-change them on their pensions.
More...
Video: Scotland ready for 'day of action' - Daily Record
Video features Ronnie Smith EIS, Lynn Henderson PCS and Grahame Smith STUC speaking about Nov 30 strike for fair pensions
Piping hot strikers at Glasgow Caley
GCU UNISON members walk out on strike at midnight led by pipers and filmed by BBC and STV camera crews
N30 pensions strike begins at midnight - Tayside Police staff
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Autumn Statement
While many of the detailed spending measures in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement don't apply to Scotland, it does impact on overall spending and on reserved issues.
There will be £433m of additional Capital spend although this is spread over four years. The Revenue consequences are unclear.
Other announcements that do impact on UNISON members in Scotland include:
The UK Government is planning to borrow £billions to keep workers on the dole rather than investing to get people into work and growing the economy. Even those in work will be less willing to spend when they see what’s coming.
For more see Dave Watson's analysis.
There will be £433m of additional Capital spend although this is spread over four years. The Revenue consequences are unclear.
Other announcements that do impact on UNISON members in Scotland include:
· Raising the state pension age to 67 by 2026. Further proof you can’t trust this Government on pensions.
· More public sector job cuts. 710,000 across the UK and that could mean around 70,000 in Scotland
· A public sector pay cap of 1% for the next two years when inflation is topping 5%. The cumulative effect of 2 yr pay freeze, 2 yr 1% pay cap + pension contributions increase will be a 16.48% pay cut in public sector.
· Looking at Regional Pay so he can give ungrateful public sector workers in the most deprived regions of England and Scotland a further pay cut.
· Promised increases in Child Tax Credit abandoned.
· Creating further job insecurity by undermining employment rights on unfair dismissal, redundancy and TUPE.
· And if you still have a job you are more likely to die at work when health and safety rules are abandoned.
The UK Government is planning to borrow £billions to keep workers on the dole rather than investing to get people into work and growing the economy. Even those in work will be less willing to spend when they see what’s coming.
For more see Dave Watson's analysis.
Message of support from Ian Davidson MP
Public service workers and their families should not be paying the price of a crisis caused by the bankers – whether through pay freezes or cuts, job cuts, service cuts – or cuts to pensions.
That’s why I am supporting the pensions action on 30th November – and so should Labour!
Our party has for too long seemed to be taking its natural supporters – including UNISON members – for granted.
As the first of the candidates in the Scottish leadership elections to support the action - and I am glad that the other candidates have all now said they also support it - I will be out on picket lines in solidarity with public service workers campaigning for fair pensions for all.
Ian Davidson MP
Message of support from Drew Smith MSP
Drew Smith
MSP, Glasgow, Scottish
Labour Party
Young Labour & Students support N30
Pensions are often seen as an issue for older people. Far from it. It will be young people who will pay the biggest price of the Government's pension robbery. So we welcome this statement of support.
Scottish Young Labour and Scottish Labour Students are proud to announce their support for those workers and organisations taking industrial action on November 30th.
With University lecturers, teachers and public sector workers taking industrial action across Scotland to protect their pensions and ultimately their livelihoods, it important that we acknowledge the hugely positive effects these individuals have on the young people of Scotland and in recognition of these facts support them at this difficult time.
As ConDem and SNP cuts eat away at our public services these pensions proposals shift an unfair financial burden on to those in our society who work to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Scotland’s students and young people. These strikes are the only way some of the youngest workers have a chance to express their anger over the future of their own pensions and the pensions of their families. When we increase the contributions to pay for Osbourne’s deficit reduction we lay a heavy financial burden on those just starting to make their way in the jobs market.
Many of Scotland’s best and brightest young graduates go on to work in our schools, hospitals and public services and these proposals present a serious threat to future economic and holistic wellbeing of those graduates who chose to use work in the public interest.
Scottish Young Labour and Scottish Labour Students are proud to announce their support for those workers and organisations taking industrial action on November 30th.
With University lecturers, teachers and public sector workers taking industrial action across Scotland to protect their pensions and ultimately their livelihoods, it important that we acknowledge the hugely positive effects these individuals have on the young people of Scotland and in recognition of these facts support them at this difficult time.
As ConDem and SNP cuts eat away at our public services these pensions proposals shift an unfair financial burden on to those in our society who work to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Scotland’s students and young people. These strikes are the only way some of the youngest workers have a chance to express their anger over the future of their own pensions and the pensions of their families. When we increase the contributions to pay for Osbourne’s deficit reduction we lay a heavy financial burden on those just starting to make their way in the jobs market.
Many of Scotland’s best and brightest young graduates go on to work in our schools, hospitals and public services and these proposals present a serious threat to future economic and holistic wellbeing of those graduates who chose to use work in the public interest.
Message of solidarity from MEPs
Please find attached a message of support and solidarity from the members of the Socialist and Democratic Group in the European Parliament for the trade union action taking place in defence of Pensions Justice on Wednesday 30th November 2011. I am heartened to say there is similar action taking place across the European Union.
All the best
David Martin MEP
Trade union Actions across EU for a change in EU and national level Economic policies to protect jobs, public services, social rights and pensions Justice
We, the Members of the Socialist and Democrat Group in the European Parliament, send all our support and solidarity for the trade union Actions taking place across Europe on and around the 30 November. More than twenty British unions and over two million public service workers take industrial action in defence of their pensions in the UK, and similar actions across Europe in defence of jobs, public services, social rights and a democratic and social Europe.
Across Europe, both public and private sector workers are being punished for a crisis they did not cause. Austerity policies are cutting jobs on a massive scale and forcing public sector workers to pay more in pension contributions, work longer before they can claim their pension and yet get less money when they finally retire.
The S&D Group condemns attempts to create antagonism between workers in the public and private sectors across Europe and emphasises that they are all victims of a failure of EU Governments and the EU Commission to get a grip of the economic and financial crisis, and develop economic policies for growth and jobs rather than for a downwards spiral into an economic abyss. The S&D believes that jobs and a decent pension are fundamental rights for all EU citizens that go to the very core of the European Social Model.
The S&D Group urges EU Member States and all the associated institutions to stop the in-fighting, and focus their energies on working together in solidarity to sort out the euro-and wider economic and financial crisis before we all go over the cliff. Workers across Europe are looking to decision makers to show leadership and act in defence of their futures, how long are we going to keep them waiting?
Fraternally,
The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
Guardian columnist: Protection of public pensions will support, not damage, the economy.
The Guardian's Seumas Milne lists five reasons why public service workers are right to strike...
The full article is here
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- Industrial action is the only way left to defend pensions.
- The strikes are in defence of public services, not just their workers.
- Protection of public pensions will support, not damage, the economy.
- Ministers won't shift because of a good case – but under pressure.
- Walkouts are a direct challenge to the wealth grab of the 1%.
The full article is here
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Dave Prentis: Not one single penny of increase will go into pensions
He explained why members are so angry and stressed that "not a single penny" of the 50% increase in members' contributions will go into the pension fund.
He said: "Every single penny will go back to the Treasury in London to pay off the deficit caused by the failure of the banking system."
Dave added: "It is not just a contribution increase. It's telling them they have to work longer, to 66, 67, and then when they do get a pension it will be far worse."
To hear the full interview on BBC iPlayer click here and go to 1hr 33mins 30 sec.
UNISON reaction to Autumn statement
Tuesday 29 Nov
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“Our recovery is as non existent as the Chancellor’s apparent understanding of economics. Growth has stalled, and experts are predicting the double dip will hit. What will it take for the government to realise Plan A is failing?
“We desperately need to get Britain spending. A bad situation will only be made worse by imposing a £3.6billion tax on public sector pensions, by holding down public sector pay, and by throwing hundreds of thousands of public service workers onto the dole. It’s time to drop the public sector pensions tax, and take steps to put money back into peoples pockets. This will boost growth and get Britain hiring – as it is, the private sector is in no position to dig the country out of trouble.
“Not only is austerity hitting growth – the way it is being applied means unfairness is growing. The government’s cuts and austerity agenda is hitting women, the young, and making those who are less able to pay plug the deficit. Meanwhile it is still billions in bonuses for bankers. This is only storing up trouble for the future.”
UNISON is preparing for the largest strike in a generation tomorrow (30 November) – as its 1.1 million members in public sector schemes working in the NHS, in local government, further education, higher education, school support, police staff, PCSOs, in water, energy and transport and in the community and voluntary sector, will join 30 other unions in the biggest industrial action in a generation over government ministers’ plans to make damaging changes to pensions.
Following the Autumn statement, UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, is calling on the Chancellor to stop the unjust attack on public sector workers and their families. The union said that plans to impose a £3.6 billion tax on public sector workers’ pensions, and to hold down pay for another two years, would not only bring misery to millions of families - it will put the brakes on economic growth. The union also criticised plans to bring forward the raise in retirement age as unworkable and unfair.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“Our recovery is as non existent as the Chancellor’s apparent understanding of economics. Growth has stalled, and experts are predicting the double dip will hit. What will it take for the government to realise Plan A is failing?
“We desperately need to get Britain spending. A bad situation will only be made worse by imposing a £3.6billion tax on public sector pensions, by holding down public sector pay, and by throwing hundreds of thousands of public service workers onto the dole. It’s time to drop the public sector pensions tax, and take steps to put money back into peoples pockets. This will boost growth and get Britain hiring – as it is, the private sector is in no position to dig the country out of trouble.
“Not only is austerity hitting growth – the way it is being applied means unfairness is growing. The government’s cuts and austerity agenda is hitting women, the young, and making those who are less able to pay plug the deficit. Meanwhile it is still billions in bonuses for bankers. This is only storing up trouble for the future.”
UNISON is preparing for the largest strike in a generation tomorrow (30 November) – as its 1.1 million members in public sector schemes working in the NHS, in local government, further education, higher education, school support, police staff, PCSOs, in water, energy and transport and in the community and voluntary sector, will join 30 other unions in the biggest industrial action in a generation over government ministers’ plans to make damaging changes to pensions.
From UNISON UK Press Releases
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Monday, 28 November 2011
UNISON membership applications jump 126% since #N30 ballot result
Comparison of monthly figures show that applications to join UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have jumped a massive 126% since result of the union’s ballot for strike action was announced. An overwhelming 81% of these applications have come from women – reflecting exactly who women are turning to for support. http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2534
Follow us on twitter for updates on Nov 30
Use the hashtags #N30 and #unisonscotn30 when tweeting please.
#N30 Pensions Strike: BBC poll suggests strong support
An opinion poll commissioned by BBC News #unisonscotn30 suggests 61% of people believe public sector workers are justified in going on strike over pension changes. The poll indicates greater sympathy for the industrial action amongst women - at 67% - compared to men, at 55%. Younger people, it also suggests, are considerably more supportive of the strikes than pensioners; almost four in five 18-24 year olds back the action, a little under half of over-65s do. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15910621
Saturday, 26 November 2011
£300m Scottish local government pension surplus
Research by UNISON - Scotland’s largest union in public services has shown that payments into local government pension funds in Scotland are £299.944million more than being paid out to pensioners. This figure does not include income to the pension funds from investments. The NHS scheme is also £2bn in surplus across the UK, nailing the myth pushed by UK ministers that more money is needed for public sector pensions.
The figures are published on the eve of a strike on November 30th which will see hundreds of thousand of public servants take industrial action over Government imposed attacks on public sector pensions.
The UK Government has imposed a change in the way future pension rises will be calculated from being based on the Retail price Index (RPI) to the Consumer price Index(CPI) this shift will mean that over time pensions will lose around fifteen per cent of their value. In addition there are also threats that the retirement age will be raised.
These changes are being imposed against a background of 5% inflation and a pay freeze across local government and the NHS. Members of the Local Government pension scheme pay between 5.5% and 8% of their salary into the scheme. As the value of wages drops this puts pressure on to not join or to opt out of the pension scheme. This in turn impacts on the stability of the pension funds and greater welfare costs when staff retire.
Speaking about the figures UNISON’s Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said:
“These figures show that public sector pension funds are not just healthy - but valuable contributors to the economy - funding much needed investment.The current attacks on both pensions and on public sector employment will be bad for the schemes - and in the long run bad for the economy. The UK Government won’t be putting any of the money they raise or save from stealing from pensions into the schemes - just using it to pay back debt run up to bail out their friends the bankers – it’s not justifiable or fair and people won’t stand for it”
The figures are published on the eve of a strike on November 30th which will see hundreds of thousand of public servants take industrial action over Government imposed attacks on public sector pensions.
The UK Government has imposed a change in the way future pension rises will be calculated from being based on the Retail price Index (RPI) to the Consumer price Index(CPI) this shift will mean that over time pensions will lose around fifteen per cent of their value. In addition there are also threats that the retirement age will be raised.
These changes are being imposed against a background of 5% inflation and a pay freeze across local government and the NHS. Members of the Local Government pension scheme pay between 5.5% and 8% of their salary into the scheme. As the value of wages drops this puts pressure on to not join or to opt out of the pension scheme. This in turn impacts on the stability of the pension funds and greater welfare costs when staff retire.
Speaking about the figures UNISON’s Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said:
“These figures show that public sector pension funds are not just healthy - but valuable contributors to the economy - funding much needed investment.The current attacks on both pensions and on public sector employment will be bad for the schemes - and in the long run bad for the economy. The UK Government won’t be putting any of the money they raise or save from stealing from pensions into the schemes - just using it to pay back debt run up to bail out their friends the bankers – it’s not justifiable or fair and people won’t stand for it”
Fund | Contributions (000s) | Benefits (000s) | Surplus (000s) |
Falkirk | 73,402 | 55,940 | 17,462 |
Fife | 71,216 | 49,757 | 21,459 |
Dumfries & Galloway | 31,062 | 24,295 | 6,767 |
Highland | 53,283 | 37,870 | 15,413 |
Lothian | 191,521 | 153,236 | 38,285 |
North East Scot | 124,005 | 90,568 | 33,437 |
Orkney | 9,236 | 4,528 | 4,708 |
Borders | 21,253 | 15,484 | 5,769 |
Shetland | 17,565 | 8,803 | 8,762 |
Strathclyde | 588,714 | 471,142 | 117,572 |
Tayside | 101,176 | 70,866 | 30,310 |
TOTAL | 299,944 |
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Monklands staff will be taking action on 30 Nov
Staff at Monklands Hospital are supporting action on 30 November for fair pensions.
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Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Best value bins not so simple
UPDATE
Edinburgh councillors voted for the in-house option at a meeting on 24 November 2011.
There is no place in local government for anyone who knows "the price of everything and the value of nothing" according to UNISON as they publish their analysis of the Edinburgh Bin contract. Best Value includes social, environmental and economic factors. It’s not just the case that councillors are permitted to look at these aspects of the privatisation debate – they are legally obliged to examine all these issues alongside questions of service quality and price.
Edinburgh councillors voted for the in-house option at a meeting on 24 November 2011.
There is no place in local government for anyone who knows "the price of everything and the value of nothing" according to UNISON as they publish their analysis of the Edinburgh Bin contract. Best Value includes social, environmental and economic factors. It’s not just the case that councillors are permitted to look at these aspects of the privatisation debate – they are legally obliged to examine all these issues alongside questions of service quality and price.
Peter Hunter, UNISON Regional Organiser explained: "We left Thatcherite price wars behind when we ditched competitive tendering and built a new system to prevent bidders driving down costs by attacking employees and reducing service quality. If this was a straight price comparison we wouldn’t need rules, guidance and a democratic debate, we would just sit at a computer, type in "Go Compare" or get a quote from the Meerkat. Simples! Thanks to devolution Scotland has a broader test where we combine social justice and sustainability with the quest for efficiency. Against that background the in-house bid is great news for Edinburgh - £45m savings, but not at any price"
The UNISON report sets out the social, economic and environmental "costs" of the Enterprise bid and observes that the in-house bid is preferable on quality and price when viewed from a Best Value perspective. But UNISON is alert to the challenges ahead.
Peter Hunter said: "Employees and service users need to be very clear, a vote for the in-house option is not a soft option and it certainly isn’t a vote for the status quo. By testing the council service against the very best the market can offer the ABM programme is transforming a vast range of local services. Saving £45m from a cash strapped service is a major challenge but we’re ready to take that test. We’re up for change if it’s a change we can believe in."
Notes for Editors
UNISON briefing
For further details contact:
Peter Hunter, Regional Organiser Tel: 07740167777
Dave Watson, Scottish Organiser Tel: 07958 122409
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Glasgow schools to close to pupils on strike day
From the Glasgow City Council Website
All education establishments in Glasgow will be closed to pupils on Wednesday 30 November.
This decision has been taken by the council because of the planned widespread industrial action by a number of public service trade unions that day.
A council spokeswoman said: “The health and safety of our children is paramount and as we have no idea of knowing how many teachers and school staff will be in each establishment until the day of the strike, we have taken the decision to close all schools on Wednesday 30 November.
“This gives parents and carers time to make alternative arrangements for the day.”
All establishments will be open as normal on Thursday 1 December.
Plans will be made for non-striking staff who wish to attend work on the day and this will be communicated to education establishments this week.
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A council spokeswoman said: “The health and safety of our children is paramount and as we have no idea of knowing how many teachers and school staff will be in each establishment until the day of the strike, we have taken the decision to close all schools on Wednesday 30 November.
“This gives parents and carers time to make alternative arrangements for the day.”
All establishments will be open as normal on Thursday 1 December.
Plans will be made for non-striking staff who wish to attend work on the day and this will be communicated to education establishments this week.
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