UNISON pop up protests continue today at Glagow City Chambers 12.30pm

UNISON will continue their 'pop up protests' today (24 July) 12.30pm outside Glasgow City Council chambers. Any UNISON member taking part will do so in their own time.  Please see yesterday’s blog (23 July 2014) for more details about UNISON's court victory http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/council-loses-bid-to-block-games-bonus.html

Yesterday UNISON members also had a pop up protest outside Glasgow Kelvingrove Art Gallery (see picture). UNISON are protesting because Glasgow City Council company Glasgow Life refused to pay enhancements to workers during the Commonwealth Games.

Other workers in the council, other council run companies and the city’s transport companies will be paid enhanced rates and specific payments for working more hours during the Games. However, workers in the city’s Sports Centres and Museums will only receive their basic pay rate for any additional hours they work.

Many workers are already on a low income, and many have had shift changes forced on them without their agreement, and many have also had their annual leave curtailed during school holidays.

Brian Smith, UNISON’s City of Glasgow Branch Secretary, said, ‘Glasgow Life workers are working hard to make Glasgow Commonwealth Games a success. We want these games to succeed, just like everyone else. But these workers earn an average of £16,500 per year. These are the people who are working hard to deliver the Commonwealth Games but can’t afford tickets to go. They deserve fair treatment.’

Instead of sitting down to find a solution Glasgow Life has been wasting time and money with legal action against UNISON. Yesterday's court decision means Glasgow Life have to pay both their own and UNISON's legal costs, something UNISON never wanted to happen in the first place. UNISON believes the claim by UNISON members in Glasgow Life is reasonable and will continue their pop up protests today.

Council loses bid to block games bonus row protests

UNISON has successfully defended a Glasgow City council bid to win a court order to block a Commonwealth Games pay protests - in workers' own time - at the city chambers.

The protests related to council company Glasgow Life's refusal to pay enhancements whereas workers in the council, other council run companies and the city’s transport companies will be paid enhanced rates and specific payments for working more hours during the Games.

UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said: "The judge has ruled that the council and Glasgow Life were wrong in their view that UNISON members were acting outside the law.

"People have a right to peaceful protest in their own time. We'd call on Glasgow Life and the council to work with the trade union to address the underlying issues rather than spending money in the courts."

See the story in the Herald at http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/sport/commonwealth-games/cwg-news/council-legal-threat-to-block-games-bonus-row-protests.24826754

All workers deserve a fair deal for Commonwealth Games, says UNISON

Trade union members in Glasgow’s Sports Centres and Museums are in dispute with their employer Glasgow Life, a company run by Glasgow City Council. The dispute is over payments for working during the Commonwealth Games.

Workers in Glasgow City Council, other council run companies and the city’s transport companies will be paid enhanced rates and specific payments for working more hours during the Games.

However, workers in the city’s Sports Centres and Museums will receive only their basic pay rate for any additional hours they work. Many workers are already on a low income, and many have had shift changes forced on them without their agreement. And many have also had their annual leave curtailed during school holidays.

Brian Smith, UNISON’s City of Glasgow branch secretary, said, ‘Glasgow Life workers are working hard to make Glasgow Commonwealth Games a success. We want these games to succeed just like everyone else. But these workers earn an average of £16,500 per year. These are the people who are working hard to deliver the Commonwealth Games but can’t afford tickets to go. They deserve fair treatment.’