Empowerment and pride in our union: New Year message from Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary

I would like to wish you and yours sincere best wishes for the holiday season. As most of us enjoy a break, we know that a number of our colleagues are keeping vital public services available for the whole community.

2011 has been an eventful year for UNISON and the labour and trade union movement, faced with a Coalition Government at Westminster, which does not understand the value of public services to the quality of life of everyone, and is ideologically opposed to much that we stand for and represent.

I would like to thank you all for your contributions, commitment and personal support of UNISON, with a renewed commitment that UNISON will be here for you in 2012, protecting and advancing the conditions of members at work, and in the community.

The pensions dispute has shown us at our best, leading members on the issues, when and where you want to be led. The sense of empowerment and pride in the union, will fit us all for what’s to come, in pensions, pay, protection of jobs and public services in 2012.

Have a Happy New Year.

Mike J Kirby
Scottish Secretary
UNISON