Cuts dont work

UNISON Scotland's analysis of the impact of austerity economics on Scotland's public services is highlighted in a column in today's Scotsman.

Dave Watson argues that, "Our public debt continues to rise, productivity is low, wages are dropping, inequality is increasing and youth unemployment is high.The idea that our present economic woes are a crisis stemming from out-of-control public finances is the neo-liberal myth of our times."

He also draws attention to UNISON Scotland's series of reports on the impact of cuts on particular groups of workers, "Unison has been systematically surveying groups of our members and the evidence is broadly the same – corners are being cut and plates are kept spinning in the hope that the whole façade doesn’t come crashing down."

Finally he sets out a better way, "We can invest so we can create demand and quality jobs, building an economic system that delivers a decent standard of life for all. We could reform our tax system to make it more progressive and crack down on tax dodgers. We need to agree that tax and public services are a good thing and value for money. We need to end the regressive council tax freeze and allow local democracy to flourish, invest in houses to rent and give Scotland a pay rise."

The full column can be read here.

Chancellor's mirage of 'economic recovery' does not mask real world - UNISON on Autumn Statement

Thu 5 Dec 2013

UNISON today branded the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement talking up the economic recovery as a “mirage”.  The picture he paints is not being felt by ordinary working people across most of the country, the union said.

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“The Chancellor can produce this mirage of an economic recovery and massage the figures as much as he wants, but it doesn’t mask what is being felt in the real world.  Prices have risen faster than wages for 40 out of the 41 months in the past years.  Average earnings are ?1600 lower in real terms than when they came to power.  There has been a massive explosion in the number of people forced to work part-time, on zero hours’ contracts and stuck on low pay.

“Raising the state pension age is cruel and unnecessary. It may be ok for the better off to work until they are 70 because they will have some years to enjoy their retirement.  But for millions, they will never see their pension because they will die before that age. 

“But does anyone seriously expect a 70-year old paramedic or nurse attending them in a medical emergency.  And should we expect people who sweep our streets, clean our hospitals and schools to carry on doing those jobs?

“The fact is the Chancellor is rushing into saving money for today’s Government, but putting future generations at risk.  Not all actuaries agree that we are all living longer so there should be a proper, evidence-based enquiry before any rash decisions are made.  What about the quality of  people’s life in retirement as well as the quantity?”

The union also called for the cuts juggernaut to stop,pointing out that unless people had money to spend in their local shops andbusinesses, tax cuts wouldn’t do them any good. Dave Prentis added:

“Many millions of workers have had their pay frozen for the past three years -  a pay cut of up to 15% - while those at the top still get their huge pay, perks and  bonuses.

“Local government is almost on its knees – and I know somecouncils may have to stop delivering services.  And make no mistake these services are important.”

ends

UNISON UK news release: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/autumn-statement

Pictures from UNISON's #YestoFairPay Day in Dundee, part of #AusterityUncovered

Pictures from UNISON's Fair Pay Day in Dundee today, part of the STUC Austerity Uncovered tour.

Report on STV news, at about 14 minutes in.

Rory McKinnon's report in the Morning Star.

Fair Pay Day of Action for local government workers

#YestoFairPay #AusterityUncovered

Unions today (Tuesday) launched a Fair Pay Day supporting Scottish local government workers as they prepare to vote on strike action.

Trade unionists on the STUC Austerity Uncovered tour asked why council workers are being offered a ‘measly’ 1% pay rise when ‘fat cats’* on the Sunday Times Rich List saw their wealth soar by £116 billion in the last three years.

UNISON branches across Scotland are holding workplace events and lobbying councillors today as they campaign for a Yes vote in the strike ballot, which opens next week.

And in Dundee the Austerity Uncovered anti-cuts ‘battle bus’ continues its tour of local communities hit hard by the UK Coalition Government attacks on jobs, pay and benefits that are hitting the most vulnerable so hard.

Fair Pay Day of Action around Scotland - and in Dundee for #AusterityUncovered

#YestoFairPay Please help publicise UNISON Scotland's next Fair Pay Day of Action on Tuesday 25 June. Branches are campaigning across Scotland for Fair Pay for local government workers and Yes to Strike Action for Fair Pay.

Also on 25 June, Our Fair Pay Day Family Fun and Rally in Dundee is part of the STUC's Austerity Uncovered There is a Better Way tour from 21-29 June.