Vote YES to keep your union’s voice

UNISON Scotland is urging all members to defend the union’s campaigning voice by voting ‘yes’ to keep its unique political fund. The ballot runs from 1-30 November.

Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish secretary explains: “Like all trade unions, UNISON is required in law to have a political fund for campaigning generally and specifically to affiliate or donate to any political party.

“UNISON is unique in giving members four options - to join the General Political Fund for general campaigning, or the Affiliated Fund which is connected to the Labour Party, or contribute to both, or to opt out of the fund.

What’s political?
The best way to define this is to list the kind of campaigns that the union could not have mounted without a political fund.

promoting and defending public services through Scotland’s Public Works campaign


lobbying and campaigning against outsourcing and privatisation, including the victory in Edinburgh


campaigning for fairer pay through the Worth It campaign


fighting racism and discrimination, including our successful fight against the BNP


defending pensions


improving employment rights, including paid holidays, rights for agency workers - and building support to stamp out zero hours contract abuses


getting legislation for more equality including through public sector equalities duties


extending coverage of the Scottish Living Wage and getting this issue up the political agenda in the Scottish Parliament and in public sector agencies and the Third Sector.


UNISON Scotland support for the People’s Assembly and we have contributed to a new campaigning guide issued by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity Scotland.

UNISON Scotland responses to consultations conducted by the Scottish Parliament are in part resourced from the Political Fund and have included:

Appointments to Public Bodies
Building Standards
Careers Service
Energy & Fuel Poverty
Environment
Equality
Ethical Standards m Finance
Freedom of Information
Health & Community Care
Housing
Justice
Lobbying
PPP/PFI
Regulation of Care.