Solidarity with the millions of school climate strikers & updates on #GreenUNISON Day

It's today!

(UPDATE 6pm - see below for a range of pictures of today's #GreenUNISON branch action in the workplace and on #climatestrike events - search the hashtags on Twitter for many more UK wide. And here's the blog from General Secretary Dave Prentis on climate change being the greatest single threat humanity faces. And check Greta Thunberg's Twitter feed for an idea of the scale of today's global events, inspired by her initial solo school strike!)

UNISON is sending solidarity to today's school #climatestrike strikes, marches and rallies in Scotland - and around the world.

Check out the Scottish climate strikes on the Scottish Youth Climate Strike website.

Our branches across the UK have been organising #GreenUNISON Week actions this week and in Scotland it's Green UNISON Day today.

Branches are holding green workplace events where members can talk about pushing employers for action on the climate emergency and can make their own pledges of green workplace action.

Many are also joining their local #climatestrike marches and rallies.

All the info you need for today is on our last blog, pointing you to the resources on the Green UNISON Day page.

Our action is part of Scottish, UK and international trade union action in solidarity with the young people globally whose movement was inspired by Greta Thunberg's school strike. We want climate justice and a Just Transition.

Let us know what you're doing locally and send pictures. We'll be updating below on this blog later today.

PICTURES from UNISON branch action and #climatestrike action, mainly in Scotland. (more will be added tomorrow and look out for a full report in the next Scotland in UNISON):

In no particular order, and with thanks to everyone who shared pictures...

Aberdeen

UNISON NEC member Kate Ramsden addresses the rally.

Shetland

 (Pic from John Loughton's Twitter)

Fife Health

Edinburgh

UNISON Scottish Local Government Committee reps:

UNISON Scottish Local Gvt

@UNISONScotLGvt

·

1h

UNISON Scottish Joint Council reps took time out of their meetings with

@COSLA

to send solidarity to all taking part in the School Climate Strike today #unisongreenday #ClimateEmergency

South Lanarkshire

Glasgow

Lanarkshire Health

Dundee

If you have UNISON pictures from today that aren't here, apologies, please send them in or share on social media and we'll get more up asap. Well done everyone for all the work today for the school #climatestrike and #GreenUNISON Day.

New Video: Stephen Smellie on #GreenUNISON Day 13 Sept

Deputy Convener, Stephen Smellie talks in this short video about the importance of #GreenUNISON Day branch action on #climatechange & green workplaces, saying that we can all pull together to help stop global warming.

Every day there's more news about the urgent need for action at all levels - local, national and international - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with this warning from the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighting the reality of the dangers of runaway climate change.

UNISON is working with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and the Just Transition Partnership to lobby MSPs to strengthen the new Climate Change Bill. You can email your MSPs here or join the lobby on Wed 19 Sept by booking a place here.

Many thanks to branches who have already sent in their completed short audits and survey forms. If you've not yet, please do so and share any activities you have for Green UNISON Day on social media so others can help spread the word.

Stephen tells us in the video about his Green Workplace Pledge. Check the #GreenUNISON hashtag for examples of other pledges. You can make your own and share on Facebook and Twitter, with a selfie or a branch photo.

Green Workplace Pledge forms and other info here www.unison-scotland.org/green-unison-day-thurs-13-sept/  


Reminder: Next meeting of the Green Network, open to all members, is at 12.45pm, earlier than originally advertised, on Saturday 15 Sept in the UNISON Scotland office at 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX, following the International Committee meeting.

Three things UNISON members can do about climate change today/this weekend! #ScotPfG

You may have spotted some good news about climate action in yesterday’s Programme for Government, including action on phasing out new fossil fuel cars, investment in active travel, drink deposit schemes and low carbon infrastructure. (UNISON briefing here).

We particularly welcome news of the Just Transition Commission, although we still need to hear the details of it and some other commitments and proposals to be sure they can and will deliver on what is needed in the necessary timescales. STUC response to PfG here. Stop Climate Chaos Scotland response here. (We are obviously still opposed to the Scottish Government continuing with plans to cut Air Departure Tax - taking money from essential public services and going totally against proclaimed ambitions on climate.) 

There’s also lots happening this weekend about climate action and UNISON members can play a part by doing one or more of the following three things...

1. Add your voice to calls for the new Climate Act to be as strong as possible by making sure you support the SCCS E Action to contact First Minister Nicola Sturgeon or send a postcard (email Fiona Montgomery with your postal address to receive one for you and a few for colleagues f.montgomery@unison.co.uk )
    
2. Are you or colleagues interested in ‘Energy Democracy, Public Energy Companies and Investment for Just Transition’ – come to, and/or tell them about, the seminar on Friday, 8 Sept, organised by the Just Transition Partnership. 9.30am-12.30pm at the STUC. Speakers include Sean Sweeney, of Trade Unions for Energy Democracy. Apply to Matthew Crighton to be sure of a place. mcrighton@foe-scotland.org.uk
                               
3. All UNISON members are welcome at the Green Network meeting on Saturday, 9 Sept, in the UNISON Scotland office. Sean Sweeney is speaking at this too, along with Allison Roche, Policy Officer at UNISON UK. Come along and/or tell interested colleagues. Find out more about potential income generation for councils through city energy generation / renewables projects. Info also on pensions divestment, Just Transition, Green Workplaces, etc. 1.30-3.30pm. Details here
    
    

Act for our Future – help make new #ClimateChangeBill bigger and better

UNISON members are being urged to help make Scotland’s new Climate Change Act as strong as possible.

With other members of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), we are disappointed that the Scottish Government’s proposals for the new Bill are not ambitious enough.

The SCCS Act for our Future campaign has an easy online E Action. You can click here to email First Minister Nicola Sturgeon asking her to:

•Set a target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, and a reduction of 77% by 2030

•Ensure that future finance budgets are consistent with our climate targets

•Commit to actions that cut emissions and deliver a cleaner, healthier, more prosperous Scotland by:

Making all homes efficient and warm: Ensure that all homes have at least Energy Performance Rating ‘C’ by 2025.

Cleaner transport: phase out the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2030 to reduce emissions, clean up air pollution and improve the nation’s health.

Greener farming: Set a nitrogen budget for Scotland by 2020.
 
The Scottish Government consultation on the new Climate Change Act closes on 22 September. UNISON will be submitting a response, as will Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. More information about our asks for the Bill will be posted later this month on this blog.

Please support the E Action and help spread the word to colleagues and through social media.
 
UNISON Scotland members interested in working on climate change issues can join our Green Network email list and come to meetings. The next is on Saturday 9 September, 1.30-3.30pm in the UNISON Scotland office at 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow, G2 6RX. We have an excellent speaker on city renewable energy generation, as well as updates on campaigns for a Just Transition to a low carbon economy. If you would like to be added to the email list, contact Fiona Montgomery at f.montgomery@unison.co.uk
 
Also, see our Green Workplace pages http://www.unison-scotland.org/campaigns/green-workplace/ and the Green Network Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/greennetworkunisonscotland/

Support @sccscot Mass Lobby of @ScotParl 29 Sept & call for climate action

UNISON Scotland is supporting the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland mass lobby of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament on 29 September. Full details from SCCS are below, including how to register for the limited number of places, and how to send support if you can't attend.

And if you're a member interested in action on climate change, do join our Green Network. At our September meeting, we will be discussing lots of ways that trade unionists can get involved, and practical policies in working for a Just Transition to a low carbon Scotland. We meet in Glasgow on the afternoon of Saturday 3 Sept. Information here, where you can also sign up for our email list.

Calling for Climate Action - Mass Lobby of Holyrood

Join people from all across Scotland for a mass lobby inside the Scottish Parliament, calling on our MSPs to take strong action on climate change.

Thursday 29th September 12-2.30pm, Edinburgh

Registration & briefing from 12 at a venue close to Holyrood, mass lobby from 1pm inside Parliament

Last year, all five party leaders at Holyrood pledged to deliver on Scotland’s climate commitments. 

Now it's time for action.

The Scottish Government will publish their draft climate action plan before the end of the year, setting out the steps they will take to tackle climate change.

It's important that this is an ambitious and credible plan, and contains action on things like renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the food we eat and the way we travel, and improving energy efficiency of Scotland's buildings.

This is a great opportunity to meet your new MSPs and tell them why climate change matters to you.

Book your place.

If you can't join us on the day, you can still send a climate message. Send us a tag for our climate message tree and we'll deliver it to your MSPs on the day.

On the day we will meet at a venue near Parliament at noon, so that you can meet with others from your region and have a briefing session to help you talk to your MSPs about climate change. Everyone will then go to Parliament together to meet with MSPs.

Don't worry if you're not sure how to talk to your MSP - you will be sent a briefing pack in advance with lots of helpful information, aswell as the briefing session on the day itself. Or you can simply explain to them why you're concerned about climate change and why you feel it's important they take action.

As this event takes place inside the Scottish Parliament, places to take part in the lobby must be booked in advance.

Book your place now

Once you've booked your place, make sure you invite your MSP

Full details on the SCCS website 

UNISON member interested in climate change? Green Network Meeting Sat 21 May

Calling all UNISON members interested in climate change!

Come to our next Green Network meeting in Glasgow - this Saturday, 21 May.

We have a guest speaker - Jim Densham from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Come and find out the latest on tackling global warming and campaigning for a low carbon Scotland. 

Tell us what you think we should be doing and/or what you are doing where you are.

And join in discussions about Just Transition, green workplace action as part of our Combating Austerity work, and the Scottish Food Coalition's call for a socially just and environmentally sustainable food system.

The meeting is from 11am -1pm in the UNISON Scotland office. 14, West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. Email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk for more information and to sign up for Green Network email updates.

Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland

NOTE TO PICTURE DESKS: Photocall 12.30pm Monday. Details below.


Embargo: 00:01 Monday 18 April
 
Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland

 
Trade unions are today (Monday 18 April) calling for strong action on climate change, with policies to support workers affected in the switch to a low carbon economy.

On ‘Climate Day’, ahead of a Holyrood election online debate, trade unions say there must be a ‘Just Transition’, ensuring support for workers whose jobs are phased out as Scotland goes low carbon.

Speakers from the STUC, PCS and UNISON will call at a lunchtime fringe meeting at the Scottish TUC’s Annual Congress for this fair switch to a low carbon economy. The meeting is organised by UNISON and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.

UNISON Depute Convener Stephen Smellie said: “Climate change is a key issue for trade unions as the world seeks to stop the planet heating above looming dangerous limits.

“We urgently need policies in place to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celcius, preferably 1.5 degrees, in order to halt catastrophic climate change.”  

A motion for debate at the Congress in Dundee this afternoon (Monday) notes that the deal agreed by world leaders in Paris in December did not include sufficient enforceable policy actions by governments to achieve this.

Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary, said: “Addressing climate change can deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to Scotland.

“Planning for a just transition means we involve all parts of society, sharing these benefits and supporting those whose jobs are affected, with education, training, skills and workforce development also crucial to delivering effective action.”

Cheryl Gedling, Acting-Vice President of PCS, said: “Our union was part of the official UK trade union delegation to the Paris climate talks, lobbying for support for a just transition and we supported the massive climate, justice and jobs marches in London and Edinburgh in December.

“Through initiatives such as the one million climate jobs campaign backed by PCS, it shows we can both cut carbon emissions and create jobs by investing in renewable energy, such as building wind turbines, in retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient, and running an integrated transport network on clean fuel.”

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Board Member Mike Robinson said: “Tonight’s Climate Day election online debate will see the five political parties represented in the current Scottish Parliament questioned on their climate policies and plans for the next five years.

“The Paris agreement reinforced the fact that a safe, affordable future demands a more urgent and concerted effort to make homes warmer, transport greener and heat and electricity production renewable. And we need all politicians to be more accountable for the long term impact of decisions affecting all our lives.”
 
 
ENDS

 
 
Notes to Editors and Picture Editors

 
Photocall: A number of trade union leaders, including the above speakers, will attend for a photocall at 12.30pm, meeting in Conference Room 2, City Chambers (also described as Conf Room 2, Caird Hall if any confusion), Dundee on Monday 18 April. 

 
The fringe meeting is organised by UNISON Scotland and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Details are here http://www.unison-scotland.org/2016/03/16/climate-day-trade-unions-call-for-a-low-carbon-scotland-stuc2016-fringe/ 
Climate change and trade union action: Motion 11 to be debated at STUC Congress http://www.stuc.org.uk/events/16/stuc-119th-annual-congress  on Monday afternoon. Copied below for information. 
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will host an online election debate from 7-8.30pm on Climate Day (Monday 18th April) with the five parties currently represented at Holyrood. www.stopclimatechaos.org/online-debate-2016 http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/online-debate-2016 . The debate will be livestreamed and will be hosted by journalist David Torrance.   
 

11. Climate Change and Trade Union Action

“That this Congress notes the agreement at the COP21 summit in Paris
in December that the world must take steps to limit global warming to 2
degrees and preferably 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, in order
to halt catastrophic climate change. However, we also note the failure of
the summit to agree enforceable actions on governments to ensure this
is achieved.
 
“Congress notes the successes in Scotland in setting ambitious carbon
reduction targets, the wide consensus amongst most political parties for
action, as well as the broad based civic campaigns bringing together
environmentalist, faith, community, student and trade union groups in
support of this. However, we recognise that more needs to be done to
achieve the targets.
 
“Congress commends the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland manifesto
‘Securing a low carbon Scotland for 2020 and beyond’. In particular, we
support the demands for a Warm Homes Act and for investment in
infrastructure to be directed towards a low carbon economy.
 
“Congress calls on the Scottish Government to draw up a transition plan
that will ensure climate justice for those workers in the carbon industries
whose jobs will be phased out in a transition to a low carbon economy.”
 
Mover: South Lanarkshire & East Kilbride TUC

 
 
 

UN climate talks and cancellation of demonstrations in Paris - Support #ScotClimateMarch #COP21

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis today urged the highest possible turnout for marches in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and Belfast next weekend, in solidarity with climate campaigners in Paris and around the world.

The International Trade Union Confederation  made the same call. Both were responding to the decision by the French authorities, following the terrorist attacks in Paris, to cancel demonstrations there on 29 November and 12 December at the start and end of the important UN climate talks.

Dave Prentis said: “While we show our respect for the Paris tragedy, it is also important that we show that, even without the Paris demonstrations, politicians will not be left of the hook when making the most serious climate change commitments for the next generation.

“By marching on 28 and 29 November, our voices will be stronger than ever in calling for a climate deal that must protect people and the planet.”

Demonstrations in the four UK capitals are going ahead on 28 and 29 November. Scotland’s climate march in Edinburgh is on Saturday 28 November. www.scotlandsclimatemarch.org 

Trade unionists are marching for a Just Transition to a low carbon economy to be part of the final global climate deal.

Some free bus places for Paris climate demo for members nominated by their branch

UNISON Scotland has a small number of free bus places for the Paris climate rally on 12 December. Please spread the word to interested members.

The Paris event follows key marches in Scotland on Saturday 28 November - the Climate March in Edinburgh, for Climate, Justice and Jobs, and the STUC's annual St Andrew's Day march against racism, with its theme this year of Refugees Welcome Here.

Members  wanting to secure one of the bus places paid for by UNISON Scotland should ask their branch to nominate them and send details to apply to Fiona Montgomery f.montgomery@unison.co.uk (with Paris Bus in the subject line) as soon as possible. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The international demonstration takes place at the end of the United Nations climate talks where it is hoped that world leaders will agree a strong deal to reduce emissions. Civil society organisations want to show strong public support for action sufficient to prevent dangerous runaway climate change.

Details of the bus itinerary, incl basic accommodation and some meals, are on the Friends of the Earth Scotland website. It leaves Edinburgh at 5.30pm on Thurs 10 Dec, returning, via Glasgow, in the early hours of Monday 14 Dec.

UNISON Scotland's Green Network is meeting on Saturday 14 November at the UNISON office in Glasgow to talk about the Paris talks, building support for Scotland's Climate March on Sat 28 Nov, Green Workplace action and a Just Transition to a low carbon economy. All interested members welcome.

Stephen Smellie, depute convener of UNISON Scotland, and Dave Watson, head of bargaining and campaigns, will be speaking at the event, which is from 2pm - 4pm at 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX.

There was good news on Just Transition today, with the announcement from the International Trade Union Confederation that the UN's International Labour Organisation has formally adopted the trade union criteria for the principle of 'Just Transtion'.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: "The challenge for governments is to settle a deal in Paris that will avoid catastrophic climate change, destroying lives and livelihoods across the planet.

"The plans set out by the ILO will help increase ambition on the ground, with employers and unions negotiating and planning for the future...

"This historic and unanimous agreement between governments, unions and employers on the need to work out industrial transformation without leaving anyone behind is a reason for optimism.

"The same governments that showed ambition at the ILO need to follow this through at the Paris summit."

The ILO guidelines for a Just Transition towards environmentally sound economies and societies for all can be found here.

.

#PeoplesClimate marches in New York and around the world. No jobs on a dead planet.

Campaigners for a new global climate deal say they will hold the biggest climate march in history when world leaders meet in New York later this month.

The UN Climate Summit 2014 takes place there on 23 September and the #PeoplesClimate march is on Sunday 21 September.

Hundreds of #PeoplesClimate marches are also being held around the world, including in London and Edinburgh.

The New York summit has been called by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who says it is crucial that countries commit to a new deal at UN talks in Paris in December 2015.

Millions of workers worldwide want to see a binding climate deal agreed.

A recently launched International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) campaign, signed by TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady, calls for climate justice, warning: “There are no jobs on a dead planet.”

Frances O’Grady today repeated her call for a decisive deal in Paris.

The Unions4ClimateAction campaign stresses that climate change is a trade union issue and calls for a Just Transition to a carbon free economy, demanding an ambitious and legally binding agreement in 2015.

UNISON Scotland is part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), which will be urging people in Scotland to speak up and support a global deal in campaigning up to the Paris meeting.

SCCS is publicising the grass roots organised #PeoplesClimate march in Edinburgh on Sunday 21 September. There is also a gathering in Glasgow on the same day.

Meanwhile, the UK Government today launched its strategy for the Paris talks and said that a global deal will be good for the economy.

.

E-Briefing for MSPs on today's Public Procurement Reform debate

17 April 2013

 

MSPs have been asked by the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee for their views on

"the efficacy of current public procurement processes and on the scope and potential for improvements to be made to these processes", to inform future work on the proposed Procurement Reform Bill.

UNISON Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to use the Bill to support innovative action against tax dodging and the use of tax havens, banning companies involved in tax dodging from public contracts.

We urge members to highlight the following ways in which procurement processes could be improved, to ensure that public spending on procurement is used to deliver important social, economic and environmental benefits, including improved protection for workers.

The Bill should be used to promote:

labour rights and workforce protections, such as the PPP Protocol and Section 52 Guidance (both of which must now be urgently reviewed and extended), and compliance with the Equality Act


a tax justice approach, where, using appropriate legal advice, the best options are found to bar companies using tax havens and/or other forms of tax dodging from being eligible for public contracts


a positive employment agenda – with companies which do not comply with a range of other certain basic standards not permitted to tender for public contracts (for example the blacklisting of trade unionists in the construction industry should lead to exclusions)


the Scottish Living Wage, both for directly employed staff and for employees working for contractors


sustainable procurement across the public sector, ensuring that public procurement policies contribute properly to Scotland meeting its climate change targets and support a ‘Just Transition’ to a low carbon economy

Collective Concerns voiced by civil society

Given the far-reaching implications of this Bill, UNISON Scotland is pleased to join with large civil society coalitions in Scotland – Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, Scottish Fair Trade Forum and Enough Food for Everyone IF – to highlight our joint concerns about the direction the proposed Bill is taking and to call for social, environmental and ethical objectives issues to be at the heart of this important piece of legislation.　

 

UNISON's response to the Scottish Government Procurement Reform Bill consultation.

 

UNISON's tax justice proposals for the Procurement Reform Bill.

 

.