UNISON Scotland

Watchdog issues warning on Scottish climate change action

2012-01-31T18:26:00.000Z

Tuesday 31st January 2012 Recent emission reductions due to recession, not government measures Emissions now rising, new government measures needed An independent UK watchdog has today increased the pressure on the Scottish Government to amend the budget to ensure Scotland meets the targets set out in the Scottish Climate Change Act. [1] Responding to the publication today of the UK

Threat to 2000 police staff jobs is criminal - UNISON Scotland

2012-01-26T11:34:00.001Z

Date: Thursday 26 Jan 2012 Two thousand police staff jobs are under immediate threat in a budget-cutting move which UNISON describes as “criminally wasteful, poorly thought out and highly provocative”. Peter Veldon, Regional Organiser for UNISON’s Scottish police staff, said: “Scotland’s police chiefs propose to meet budget constraints imposed by the Scottish government almost entirely by

BBC anti-apartheid TV documentary series - starts tonight (Tue 24 Jan)

2012-01-24T17:16:00.001Z

UNISON Scotland activist Dave Kenvyn says: "This documentary series, about the worldwide campaign against apartheid, starts on BBC4 tonight (Tuesday 24 Jan 2012 at 10.00 pm) featuring, amongst others, me. It has already won a number of "Best Documentary" awards and is well worth watching." http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01b9hbg .

SSCS: Budget Bill fails to match climate ambition

2012-01-24T13:06:00.000Z

Monday 23rd January 2012 Calls for appropriate levels of funding to reduce emissions are ignored Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has expressed major disappointment in the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill which has now been published. The proposed Budget continues to ignore the need to fully fund the measures set out in the Government’s own plans to reduce Scotland’s emissions in

UNISON members horrified by attack from SNP minister Alex Neil

2012-01-23T13:41:00.000Z

Mon 23 January 2012 SNP government minister Alex Neil has caused a storm of anger amongst UNISON members after claiming that North Lanarkshire Council was “not fit for purpose” in his weekly blog on a newspaper website and further comments in The Herald on Saturday. In a direct attack on council workers, Neil stated that council departments were “bloated with staff”, accused workers of “badgering

Scottish Government must do the right thing by public services in Budget - UNISON

2012-01-20T14:56:00.000Z

Fri 20 Jan 2012 UNISON Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to do the right thing by public services and the people who provide them following the publication of the Budget Bill today. Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary said: “Finance Secretary John Swinney says his budget will use every lever available to secure investment and jobs. We want him to do the right thing

UNISON welcomes Edinburgh Council decision to support in-house bids over privateers

2012-01-19T12:42:00.000Z

Date: Thu 19 Jan 2012 UNISON Scotland has welcomed the decision by Edinburgh City Council to support in-house bids for vital city services instead of privatising them. The full council voted today for a joint Labour-SNP amendment with Green Party backing which overturned a proposal by the ruling Lib Dem-led coalition to award a contract for Integrated Facilities Management to private

Cuts to police staff could have damaging effect on law and order - UNISON

2012-01-17T16:57:00.000Z

Date: 17 Jan 2012 A new Bill to create a single Scottish police force could have a damaging effect on law and order if it signals a fresh round of cuts to police staff, UNISON Scotland said today. The union, which organises police support staff across Scotland, identified cuts and funding as major areas of concern following the publication of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill

SCCS tells Scottish Government 'Get on yer bike'

2012-01-11T13:00:00.000Z

Wed 11 January 2012 Scottish cyclists today gathered outside St Andrews House in Edinburgh to call on the Scottish Government to invest in cycling and walking and low carbon transport, and fully fund their own plans to meet Scotland's climate change targets. More than 350 people, most on bikes, took part. Pics here The action was supported by cycling ace Chris Boardman MBE, Britain's

UNISON members give green light to pensions negotiations - Scottish comment

2012-01-10T17:16:00.000Z

Date: 10 January 2012 At meetings today in London, UNISON’s elected lay representatives voted overwhelmingly to sanction further negotiations over public service pension schemes. Scotland has separate pension schemes in health and local government with regulatory responsibility resting with the Scottish Government. UNISON Scottish Convener Lillian Macer said: “As the

Edinburgh bows to low paid women in equal pay

2012-01-10T16:52:00.000Z

Date: 10 January 2012 The path to justice and compensation has been cleared for hundreds of UNISON members today as Edinburgh City Council abandoned its defence of long running equal pay claims. UNISON has been pursuing over 1100 claims for low paid women but many payments had been delayed by the council’s intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court in London.

FOI must be safeguarded - Scottish Information Commissioner

2012-01-10T12:46:00.000Z

Scotland's outgoing Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion has played a vital role in establishing a strong Freedom of Information regime. In overseeing the successful implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), he has made wide-ranging and important decisions backing the public's right to know. Just one example, among many, is a number of key decisions on PFI/PPP,

Grampian Health UNISON video of pensions strike

2012-01-08T10:45:00.000Z

Ambulance crews reject payment for rest breaks

2012-01-06T12:14:00.000Z

6 January 2012 Following a ballot UNISON members in the Ambulance Service have rejected an offer of payment for working rest breaks. The result of the ballot was Accept 35% Reject 65% UNISON Scotland organiser David Forbes said: “This is fundamentally an issue of resourcing. Our members have been consistently telling us they need their uninterrupted rest breaks. They need to be able

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

2012-01-01T10:37:00.001Z

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

Review of 2011 - Celebrate the Successes... It’s going to be a Long War

2011-12-31T10:21:00.000Z

A review of 2011 from the unofficial UNISONActive blog calls on us to celebrate our successes but focus on organising for the challenges ahead. http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-of-2011-celebrate-successes-its.html

Public sector employment in Scotland

2011-12-21T11:02:00.000Z

The latest public sector employment figures highlight the impact public spending cuts are having on jobs and services. Branches have a received a briefing today but the headlines include: There are 588,900 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, a decrease of 23,500 (3.8%) since last year. Public sector employment accounted for 23.7% of total employment, down from 24.7% 2010. This has

Pensions negotiations updates

2011-12-20T09:16:00.000Z

No decisions till UNISON service groups meet 10 January: STUC unions to meet in January. See website links for latest briefings: 19 Dec: Health pensions - UNISON response http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2556 19 Dec: Local Govt briefing (England and Wales) No change before 2014 http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/LGPS_PoP_Campaign8.pdf Dec 2011: Scottish pensions

Climate Change - two ways to get involved in early 2012

2011-12-17T16:46:00.000Z

SCCS bike stunt and Earth Hour 2012 Calling all cyclists - SCCS needs your help with our campaign stunt. We need as many people on bikes as possible to gather outside St Andrews House (which is the main office of the Scottish Government), in Edinburgh, at 1pm on Wednesday 11th January. We need your help for just one hour to urge Scottish Ministers to increase funding for cycling and

PPP/PFI in Scotland

2011-12-14T15:57:00.000Z

Scottish Government ministers talk of Scotland being "set free from the shackles of PFI." Sadly as UNISON Scotland's latest briefing shows this is far from the case. The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) – the quango that was originally proposed by the SNP as an alternative to PFI - is currently in charge of a £2.5 billion Scottish Government PPP pipeline of PPP projects rebranded as NPD and hub

Our Future, Our Fight - sign the NUS petition on college funding

2011-12-13T14:28:00.003Z

13 December 2011 The UNISON Scottish FE committee strongly supports the National Union of Students (NUS) Campaign concerning the funding of colleges. Please sign their petition and get your members to sign this petition. www.ourfutureourfight.org Colleges have been severely hit by the funding cuts, losing 30% in 3 years. This has already led to substantial job losses and a poorer service

Durban: ITUC: No Guarantees for Climate as Governments Again Delay #COP17

2011-12-12T16:32:00.000Z

The international trade union movement today expressed its disappointment after climate negotiators in Durban agreed a platform to continue negotiations, but without any guarantees that will make the cuts to emissions demanded by science to stop a climate disaster. Trade Unions in Durban demanded the extension of the Kyoto Agreement, a globally negotiated legally binding agreement and a plan

SCCS: Durban - disappointment at desperate lack of ambition #COP17

2011-12-11T15:46:00.001Z

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland today expressed disappointment at the desperate lack of ambition contained within the UN climate agreement in Durban. Despite the growing warning from scientists, the reality is that this will be woefully insufficient to avoid global temperatures rising by more than 2 degrees, as was committed to at the talks last year in Cancun. Tom Ballantine, Chair of Stop

Ask Scotland’s climate change minister a question at UN talks in Durban

2011-12-05T17:45:00.001Z

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and international trade union campaigners are in Durban at the important UN Climate talks. On Wednesday 7 Dec SCCS will be meeting Scottish Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson. You can post questions to be put by them to Mr Stevenson in South Africa on Facebook or via Twitter. A video recording of the meeting will be posted online afterwards. The

Public service pensions benefit business

2011-12-05T11:13:00.000Z

Strathclyde Pension Fund is launching an innovative £100million scheme to benefit small and medium size businesses in Scotland. The aim is to deliver a return for the fund, boost the economy and create jobs. Proposals from Scottish firms will be studied by a panel of experts who will sign off loans or equity deals. The fund will target firms looking to expand and willing to pay the "living wage"

Rodney Bickerstaffe at Edinburgh #N30 - video

2011-12-02T11:34:00.000Z

Rodney Bickerstaffe's speech to the magnificent Edinburgh Rally on November 30. Public Sector Workers stand united against attacks on pensions. More on http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland and http://www.youtube.com/user/STUC1

Mike Kirby's speech to the Glasgow Rally #N30

2011-12-02T11:30:00.000Z

Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of Unison and STUC President addresses the Public Services Pensions Rally in the Barrowlands Glasgow on the 30 November 2011. More on http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland and http://www.youtube.com/user/STUC1

BBC News - Public sector strikes in Scotland: video

2011-12-01T10:29:00.000Z

BBC News - Public sector strikes in Scotland: Services across Scotland have been disrupted as up to 300,000 public sector workers joined colleagues in the rest of the UK in a strike over pension and job changes. Some good footage of rallies around Scotland and vox pops. There's a token numpty for "balance" but you'll spot and ignore him.

Morning Star: Strikers Show The Tories Who's Boss

2011-12-01T10:28:00.000Z

Strikers Show The Tories Who's Boss: 2 Million Out To Save Their Pensions / Britain / Home - Morning Star: In Scotland over 300,000 workers took to the streets while in Wales an estimated 170,000 walked out in opposition to the brutal cuts. Rallies up and down England drew tens of thousands - and received the overwhelming support of the public. Speaking at a rally in Birmingham TUC general

South Lanarkshire pickets pic

2011-12-01T10:08:00.001Z

Strike pics from Dumfries, Stirling, Glasgow Life, GHA & Argyll & Bute

2011-12-01T09:08:00.001Z

On the picket line in Dumfries Lots more pictures from Dumfries on Picasa here Picketing in Stirling And at Glasgow Life's Gorbals swimming pool And at Glasgow Housing Association Argyll & Bute

Inverness Courier on strike rally and Danny Alexander 'robbery'

2011-12-01T08:11:00.001Z

DEAFENING cheers and the sound of claxons reverberated throughout the Mercure Hotel in Inverness this afternoon as hundreds of public sector workers gathered at a rally to make a stance against proposed changes to public sector pensions. Before the rally, workers, holding placards and banners, marched to the hotel past MP Danny Alexander’s office in Huntly Street just before noon where

Highland News: Inverness strikers vent fury at "robber" MP Alexander

2011-12-01T07:55:00.001Z

ANGRY strikers in Inverness vented their fury at local MP Danny Alexander over pension changes as public services were crippled in the national day of action by trade unions. Picket lines formed outside many buildings in the city and were visited by a character named "Danny the Robber". Dressed in comic book burglar gear and carrying a "swag bag" of stolen pension cash, the character had

Shetland Times: Strike action wins strong support in Shetland and disrupts public services #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T17:54:00.001Z

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

Shetland Branch slideshow #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T17:46:00.001Z

Hugh Henry MSP supports pickets in Paisley #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T17:32:00.001Z

From Paisley 30 Nov 2011

West Dunbartonshire picket line pictures #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T17:27:00.001Z

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde branch pickets with their fantastic banner - more in slideshow below #unisonscotN30 #N30 #welovethenhs

2011-11-30T16:42:00.001Z

Fantastic rally in Aberdeen for pensions justice

2011-11-30T16:36:00.000Z

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

Johann Lamont MSP shows her support on the Glasgow march

2011-11-30T16:25:00.001Z

Johann Lamont MSP joined marchers in Glasgow http://johann4leader.org/ .

Teamster offer support

2011-11-30T15:53:00.003Z

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

2011-11-30T15:48:00.001Z

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis today told a rally in Birmingham that today's strike was "the biggest demonstration of determination and defiance that this country has witnessed for almost a century." 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

Evening Times: Picket Line Scotland - 300,000 join pension strike #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T15:41:00.001Z

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,

Bick: You have a legal right and moral duty to stand up to bullies

2011-11-30T15:21:00.000Z

Upwards of 10,000 public service workers were treated to a barnstorming performance by Rodney Bickerstaffe today outside the Scottish Parliament. #unisonscotn #N30. Reaching out to the young people on the rally, he was cheered as he urged them, “You wonderful young people, you have a legal right and a moral duty to stand up to bullies and diktat or they will walk all over you”. Marchers were

Mike Kirby: Our solid strike with great public support shows government must stop great pensions robbery

2011-11-30T14:50:00.001Z

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

Pensions Justice: marching to Holyrood photo - lots more in Edinburgh slideshow below

2011-11-30T14:38:00.001Z

From Edinburgh 30 Nov 2011

Message of support to UNISON from Impact union in Ireland

2011-11-30T14:11:00.001Z

Peter Nolan Good wishes and solidarity to all Unison Scottish workers fighting today to defend their basic conditions of employment. 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

STV: Public sector workers strike across Scotland

2011-11-30T13:41:00.001Z

30 November 2011 10:59 GMT Scotland is facing the biggest day of strike action in a generation with public sector workers across the country striking over changes to their pensions. Video includes Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Secretary Full report here .

BBC: Striking staff march on Holyrood

2011-11-30T13:30:00.001Z

Thousands of striking public sector workers have marched outside the Scottish Parliament, in protest at UK government pension changes. Full report here

Picket lines, march and rally pics in Orkney #unisonscotN30 #N30

2011-11-30T13:18:00.001Z

Moray council branch slideshow

2011-11-30T13:01:00.001Z

Gathering for rally in Aberdeen - slideshow

2011-11-30T12:57:00.001Z

North Ayrshire pickets slideshow

2011-11-30T12:44:00.001Z

Marchers in Edinburgh gather below the castle

2011-11-30T12:31:00.001Z

From Edinburgh 30 Nov 2011

Strathclyde Police and Fire Branch pickets picture slideshow

2011-11-30T12:00:00.001Z

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health branch picture slideshow

2011-11-30T11:35:00.001Z

Glasgow City picket lines slideshow

2011-11-30T11:26:00.001Z

Slideshows from Lanarkshire Health, Edinburgh City and Skills Development Scotland

2011-11-30T11:08:00.001Z

Pictures from Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire and Tayside

2011-11-30T10:13:00.001Z

Edinburgh City UNISON branch flag waving to support picket lines around the capital More from an Edinburgh council picket line UNISON Tayside Health pickets at Kings Cross, Dundee North Lanarkshire branch pickets

More strike pictures from around the country

2011-11-30T09:44:00.001Z

Pickets at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway Pickets in Greenock On the steps at Glasgow School of Art's historic Charles Rennie Mackintosh building Out at Foresterhill Health Campus, University of Aberdeen Pickets at SEPA in Edinburgh

More pictures from picket lines. More to follow!

2011-11-30T09:11:00.000Z

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

2011-11-30T06:33:00.000Z

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

BBC News: Public services grind to halt as 300,000 workers strike across Scotland

2011-11-30T06:31:00.001Z

BBC News - Public sector strike cripples services in Scotland: Public services across Scotland have ground to a halt, after 300,000 public sector workers went on strike over planned UK pension and job changes. 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

Morning Star: Walkout to be 'biggest since 1926' - Prentis

2011-11-30T03:17:00.000Z

Walkout to be 'biggest since 1926' / Britain / Home - Morning Star: A mass walkout by millions of workers over pensions on Wednesday is set to be the biggest strike since 1926, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis predicted today (28 Nov). 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

Video: Scotland ready for 'day of action' - Daily Record

2011-11-30T01:55:00.001Z

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/videos-pics/2011/11/29/scotland-ready-for-day-of-action-86908-23597866/ 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

2011-11-30T00:52:00.001Z

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

2011-11-30T00:42:00.001Z

Tayside Police branch - after walking out on strike for fair pensions at midnight

Autumn Statement

2011-11-29T22:55:00.000Z

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: · Raising the state

Message of support from Ian Davidson MP

2011-11-29T21:54:00.000Z

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

Message of support from Drew Smith MSP

2011-11-29T21:09:00.000Z

Unison members taking strike action as part of the national pensions dispute have my support and solidarity. Pensions are deferred wages, not perks. The UK and Scottish governments should be getting around the table with the public service trades unions to negotiate a settlement but instead they have forced the issue to the point of crisis. Paying more, working longer and getting less

Young Labour & Students support N30

2011-11-29T18:13:00.000Z

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,

Message of solidarity from MEPs

2011-11-29T18:04:00.000Z

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

Guardian columnist: Protection of public pensions will support, not damage, the economy.

2011-11-29T10:45:00.001Z

The Guardian's Seumas Milne lists five reasons why public service workers are right to strike... 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

Dave Prentis: Not one single penny of increase will go into pensions

2011-11-29T10:21:00.001Z

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme today that members are striking tomorrow as "a final resort". 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

UNISON reaction to Autumn statement

2011-11-29T09:54:00.000Z

Tuesday 29 Nov 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

UNISON membership applications jump 126% since #N30 ballot result

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000Z

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

2011-11-28T13:43:00.000Z

Use the hashtags #N30 and #unisonscotn30 when tweeting please.

#N30 Pensions Strike: BBC poll suggests strong support

2011-11-28T08:26:00.000Z

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-

£300m Scottish local government pension surplus

2011-11-26T11:40:00.002Z

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

Monklands staff will be taking action on 30 Nov

2011-11-24T21:52:00.000Z

Staff at Monklands Hospital are supporting action on 30 November for fair pensions. .

Best value bins not so simple

2011-11-23T15:33:00.001Z

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

Glasgow schools to close to pupils on strike day

2011-11-22T11:56:00.008Z

From the Glasgow City Council WebsiteAll 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

Singing out loud for public services

2011-11-18T18:42:00.000Z

The Workers come from across the country and right across Britain's diverse public sector. Their jobs are different, but they share a love of music, and have joined up to record "Let's Work Together" in solidarity with everyone involved in November 30th's Day of Action for Pensions Justice. You can buy the single from 20 November at usual outlets. http://www.theworkers.org.uk/

Show that Scotland backs the Robin Hood Tax

2011-11-16T11:49:00.001Z

UNISON Scotland supports the Robin Hood Tax. It is a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) that could raise billions internationally and in the UK from the financial sector to provide funds to tackle global poverty, climate change and to curb cuts to public services. We’re urging members to take a minute to sign the Oxfam petition. Support for the FTT is growing.

UNISON welcomes Court of Session equal pay judgement

2011-11-15T18:03:00.001Z

Tue 15 Nov 2011 UNISON today welcomed a Court of Session judgement in favour of female UNISON members' equal pay claims against Edinburgh City Council. The Council had argued that, simply because they had different workplaces, women who worked in schools such as class room assistants, librarians or nursery nurses could not claim that they should be paid equally with male refuse collectors,

Website down temporarily

2011-11-08T12:05:00.000Z

The UNISON Scotland website is currently down but we are advised it should be up and running again in a couple of hours. Any urgent updates will be put on this blog.

UNISON backs Johann Lamont and Ian Davidson in Scottish Labour Leader Election

2011-11-05T14:20:00.000Z

Following a hustings meeting involving all Scottish Labour Leader and Deputy Leader candidates UNISON Scotland has endorsed Johann Lamont and Ian Davidson in the election to be Leader and Deputy Leader of Scottish Labour. The decision was taken after a meeting of UNISON’s Labour Link forum which included a hustings addressed by all of the candidates. UNISON is one of Labour's largest affiliates -

Members vote YES in pensions ballot

2011-11-03T15:21:00.000Z

Members of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to protect their pensions. The union balloted members including nurses, schools staff, social workers, care assistants, water staff, paramedics, police staff, school dinner ladies, and cleaners. Overall: Yes: 245,358 No: 70,253 Local Government (Including Scotland)

Support for pensions campaign

2011-10-30T15:30:00.001Z

There was welcome support yesterday from all of Scottish Labour's Leader and Deputy Leadership candidates for the ballot on pensions as highlighted in today's Sunday Herald. In the morning session, UNISON NEC member Gordon McKay introduced the pensions campaign to the debate. He called on the Party to stand with workers in defending their pensions. At a lunchtime fringe meeting on pensions,

Fat cat pay shows pension fight justified - UNISON

2011-10-28T17:24:00.003+01:00

Date: 28 October 2011 Public services union UNISON said today that the huge rise in Directors pay and rewards revealed today show that workers in public services are right to ballot for strike action to protect their pensions. A report by Incomes Data Services released on Friday showed that FTSE Directors total reward has risen by 49% in the last year. These pay packages include hugely

UNISON - if privatisation is a gamble in NHS, it's a gamble with Edinburgh Council

2011-10-21T14:06:00.001+01:00

Date: 21 October 2011 UNISON has condemned Edinburgh Council for gambling with jobs and services as it sets out plans to sell off the city’s essential cleansing, waste and award-winning parks services. The union has also condemned the Council’s refusal to publish its last minute MORI poll into the public’s views. The council is publishing the first of three controversial privatisation

Bizarre twist in Edinburgh privatisation saga as council leader gives details of censored reports

2011-10-19T17:15:00.000+01:00

Wed 19 October 2011 UNISON has accused Edinburgh City Council of behaving like “a bizarre cross between Dad’s Army and the KGB”, following a newspaper interview where leader Jenny Dawe revealed details of a survey that the council had been trying to keep secret, and also details of the confidential bidding process to run the city’s refuse collection. Edinburgh City Council is planning

Trams Without Wheels - Privatisation in Edinburgh

2011-10-19T10:36:00.000+01:00

People in the Capital will be well aware of the SNP/Lib Dem administration in the Council and their potentially catastrophic privatisation proposal. The official, title, for this process is the "Alternative Business Model - or ABM .. it's more generally spoken of as " Another Trams Fiasco " UNISON locally has been at the forefront of opposing this nonsense - and working closely with groups in

Parliamentary Petition on The Great Pensions Robbery

2011-10-18T16:36:00.000+01:00

Obviously the BEST thing you can do for the cause of pensions justice is to vote YES in the ballot (and do your best to get as many other people vote YES as well) But there is another small action you could take to highlight the injustice of the change of pensions from RPI to CPI... Sign this petition https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535

Edinburgh Council censors critical report as UNISON launches privatisation pledge

2011-10-15T00:01:00.003+01:00

Date: Sat 15 October 2011 Beleaguered officials at City of Edinburgh Council have censored a report which records public attitudes to the proposed £1 billion privatisation of council services. Peter Hunter, UNISON's Regional Organiser for Edinburgh said: “The council has a legal obligation to consult stakeholders on the great service sell-off and there has been growing criticism of the veil of

UNISON survey shows nearly 28,000 violent incidents against public service workers last year

2011-10-13T23:40:00.002+01:00

UNISON, Scotland’s largest union in public services will launch its annual violence at work survey at a health and safety conference at Stirling University tomorrow (14 October). The survey shows that 27,775 violent incidents were recorded last year by Scotland’s public bodies. While the overall numbers remained stable there was a reduction in incidents in the NHS (down 1281 to 13,552) but

UNISON on unemployment figures: Reform Council Tax to put people back to work

2011-10-12T14:44:00.003+01:00

Wed 12 October 2011 As unemployment reaches its highest level in 17 years, UNISON, Scotland’s largest union in Public Services called on the Scottish Government to put people back to work doing the jobs that need to be done. In Scotland, unemployment has reached 212,000, up 7,000 over the last quarter and standing at 7.9%. The union has been campaigning for an alternative economic plan at UK

Stow College strikers rally support in pursuit of a Living Wage

2011-10-11T17:44:00.001+01:00

Tue 11 October 2011 “Where is this Living Wage the Scottish Government talk about?” - that's the question being asked by Stow College strikers. The UNISON members at Glasgow's Stow College are staging a rally on Wednesday 12 October in support of their campaign to win a living wage from their employers. Lunchtime on Wednesday marks the halfway point of a three day strike which began on

Stop the Great Pensions Robbery - UNISON meets to plan Scotland's biggest ever strike ballot

2011-10-04T15:00:00.000+01:00

Tue 4 October 2011 The members of UNISON’s Scottish Council - the decision making body for Scotland’s largest union in public services - meet on Wednesday to plan the biggest ever industrial action ballot in Scottish history. The vast majority of UNISON’s 165 000 members in Scotland will be asked, at the same time as the rest of the Unions 1.1m members throughout the UK – to vote YES to

Reps or Negotiators, Yes. But "Pilgrims"? I don't think so.

2011-10-03T17:26:00.000+01:00

Taking a look at the Tory Conference in Manchester (I'm trying to get some faces memorised for the Crimewatch Special on "The Great Pensions Robbery"). I happened to notice Eric Pickles, in his best cheery victorian mill owner style, complaining about Trade Union facility time in the public sector. What interested me most wasn't his attack - grinding the faces of the poor is after all this