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.

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Dave Prentis - Join UNISON marching for Climate, Justice and Jobs

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis has spoken out to support the global call for urgent action on climate change this November and December. 

He said UNISON members will be joining in marches and rallies across the UK, organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and the Climate Coalition Movement, and in Paris, all timed to coincide with international demonstrations.

Dave explained the key role that trade union mobilisation has to play around ensuring the best outcome for workers and communities from the UN Climate Change talks to be held in Paris, in December. 

In an article for SERA , Labour's environment campaign, he said that trade unions are asking for a Just transition and decent work:

“UNISON is promoting the global public service trade union demands agreed by the Public Services International (PSI). All Governments in Paris should sign a universal, ambitious, binding and enforceable carbon emission-reduction agreement that goes beyond 2020. 

"All governments need to commit to a just transition as the human and economic costs of the transition need to be managed whether its support for displaced workers, affected communities who suffer local plant closures and job losses or low-income households who need support for affordable fuel.”

UNISON will be supporting the rallies and marches to be held on the weekend of the 28th and 28th November, in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and London, and in other major cities around the world at the same time. Dave said that it's important for members to join one of the marches, adding:

"We want to make sure that the UK government is clear about our trade union demands for a just transition: 

- creating new jobs and skilling a new generation through massive public investment in renewable energy, fuel poverty measures of insulation and green public transport;

- moving energy and industries from a fossil fuel dependency to a low carbon energy sustainable economy, while protecting workers' rights;

- providing a fair international climate deal to ensure a safe planet for future generations”

"Paris is just the beginning not the end. UNISON's green reps in the workplace will play a vital role in the Just Transition.”

UK marches:

Saturday 28^th November

Cardiff – Organised by Stop Climate Chaos Cymru. Contact Haf Elgar at Friends of the Earth, haf.elgar@foe.co.uk

Edinburgh – Scotland’s Climate March: Show Your Colours for Climate, Justice and Jobs organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland www.stopclimatechaos.org/march . Event details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/926559887410007/ Also, see details on this blog here about the UNISON Scotland Green Network meeting on 14 Nov and poss subsidised places for members nominated by branches, for a bus to the Paris demonstration on Saturday 12 December.

Sunday 29^th November

London – Peoples March for Climate, Justice and Jobs by Climate Movement Group and Climate Coalition – Join UNISON in the trade union block https://www.facebook.com/events/885178824853269/

Belfast - The Peoples Climate event in Belfast https://www.facebook.com/events/1067121923313017/

Meanwhile the International Trade Union Confederation today issued a statement on the Paris talks, calling for stronger commitments from governments. Details here 

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Climate, Justice and Jobs – Sat 28 Nov Scotland’s Climate March

UNISON Scotland is showing our colours by supporting the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Climate March on Saturday 28 November.

On that weekend around the world, millions will be marching to put pressure on world leaders for an ambitious deal at the UN climate negotiations in Paris in December.

Scotland’s Climate March is in Edinburgh, with other marches taking place in Wales on 28 November and in London on Sunday 29 November.

SCCS member organisations are calling for Scotland to show its colours in Paris and beyond, with strong action on climate change.

The Edinburgh march theme is “show your colours for climate, justice and jobs.”  SCCS will announce further details soon. Watch this space.

There will be a mass demonstration in Paris at the end of the talks on Saturday 12 December.

UNISON Scotland is also a strong supporter of the STUC annual St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally, which takes place this year in Glasgow on Sat 28 November. Branches are encouraged to be represented at both events.

UNISON was one of a large group of organisations supporting a WWF Scotland initiative this week that saw Scotland’s party leaders sign up to a cross-party climate change agreement.

#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.

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STUC St Andrews Day march cancelled. Rally GFT at Noon

#clutha As a mark of respect to all those affected by the tragedy at the Clutha Vaults last night and in view of the pressure which has been placed on the resources of Scottish emergency services, STUC has decided to cancel its annual St Andrew's Day anti-racism march. The march which had been due to leave from Glasgow Green at 11am will now NOT take place, but participants are invited to attend a short rally at the Glasgow Film Theatre at 12 noon as planned http://www.stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-external-events/st-andrews-day

UNISON Scotland at the Glasgow May Day march and rally #mayday13

7 May 2013

Several UNISON Scotland branches took part in the very successful march and rally on Sunday organised by Glasgow Trades Council.

Pictures below . . including of the UNISON Kinneil Band.

(Sadly the UNISON Scotland banner now needs new poles after a particularly strong gust of wind.)

May Day updates for Inverness, Aberdeen and Glasgow #MayDay13

2 May 2013

Details here of the May Day plans for Inverness and additional information about the UNISON Family Fun Day in Aberdeen, both on Saturday 4 May.

See also the STUC list of May Day events. And Glasgow Friends of May Day latest is below...

 

Inverness

Inverness (organised by Inverness and District Trades Union Council)
Assemble 10.30 am at Inverness Castle
March off 11.00 am down Castle Street onto Bridge Street turning onto Bank Street crossing the Grieg Street Bridge onto Huntly Street and finishing up at Friars Shott, Huntly Street.
Various speakers. I&DTUC would appeal to you to encourage members of your Trade Union and friends to join with us in making this an event worthy of holding each year in the City of Inverness.

Aberdeen

ABERDEEN (organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Assemble: 11am Rubislaw Terrace, March down Union Street. Rally: Castlegate

For more information contact: Brian Carroll on 07826 890 342.

UNISON Family Fun Day, Union Terrace Gardens 12.30pm-4pm.

Bouncy Castle, T'ai Chi, Art Attack,Stand Up Comedian, Face Painting, Magician and

Free Food (Cafe 52) and Live Music: Forest Fire, Flaxman, Iain MacDonald, Mark Ayling

ALL WELCOME ALL FREE

 

Glasgow

GLASGOW (organised by Glasgow Trades Union Council)

The Glasgow May Day celebrations will take place this year in the O2 Academy, Eglinton Street.

Assemble: 11.30 am George Square. March off: 12 noon. Rally: O2 Academy

Speakers include Neil Findlay MSP, Alvaro Sanchez the Political Counsellor from the Venezuelan Embassy, Lillian Macer -Convenor UNISON Scotland, No2 Bedroom Tax Campaign and Tommy Gorman.

For more information contact: Tricia Donnelly on 0141 334 9983

AND GLASGOW FRIENDS OF MAYDAY update:

MayDay Celebrations step up a gear in Glasgow

Things are hotting up as Glasgow gears up for the most prominent MayDay celebrations for a number of years. In a major concert, Comedian and activist, Mark Thomas; marxist magician, Ian Saville, and former BBC Young Folk Musicians Siobhan Miller and Jeana Leslie join political song master Arthur Johnstone, and harmonica virtuoso, Fraser Speirs,  in a star studded line-up at the Great MayDay Cabaret that crowns this years’ Friends of MayDay activities. 

 

Mark Thomas has done a number of recent events in Glasgow, and was approached to headline the city’s MayDay Cabaret when he chaired the hugely successful Tony Benn film preview during the Celtic Connections festival. The concert is scheduled for Monday May 6, in the city’s Oran Mor from 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50 from the venue or (including a booking fee) from www.oran-mor.co.uk. It is sponsored by the Co-operative Membership.

News is also breaking of an intriguing set planned by singer/writer Dave Anderson. He has been working with the Co-Op Funeralcare Brass band to develop a ‘crossover’ set with different musical strands. Dave said “I’m really looking forward to working with a brass band of the quality of the Co-op. This is a first for me but they have a great reputation as a fine band. I’m sure we’ll deliver a new and exciting set!”

The previous day (Sunday 5) the traditional Mayday march assembles in George Square at 11.30am. The march winds its way through the city to the O2 Academy in Eglinton Street, where Alvaro Sanchez, the Political Counsellor from the Venezuelan Embassy, Neil Findlay MSP and disability campaigner, Tommy Gorman will speak. 

These are the highlights of a range of activity in the two weeks around MayDay that ranges from walks to comedy, to films and theatre.

The hugely successful film, The Happy Lands, returns to Glasgow to be shown again at the GFT. This great film deals with the General Strike and the subsequent lock-out in a pit village in Fife. Made by Theatre Workshop with local community volunteers and actors, this was a hit of the recent Glasgow Film Festival, and we are really glad it has returned. GFT on Sunday May 5 at 3.45pm.

Other films are being screened by Glasgow’s anti-racism campaigners, Hope not Hate, who are premiering From Cable Street to Brick Lane on Friday evening May 3 at 7.30pm in Partick Burgh Halls - All welcome. And the Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign screens Will the real Terrorist please stand up? at their social evening in the STUC on Friday 10 May at 7.30. Free but ticketed. Tickets on the door.

Other Concerts feature too. A group of Matt McGinn afficionados have come together to stage a tribute to the great folksinger. In St Andrew’s in the Square on Friday May 3 tickets £10 from info@glasgowwoodrecycling.org.uk 

The highly-praised talk by Scottish composer, Bill Sweeney on Music and the Working Class Movement, has been revived by the Morning Star Campaigns Committee as part of their Our Class, Our Culture series. This year at the STUC on the evening of Wednesday May 8. At 7.00pm, Free.

Along with all these goodies - the programme for which is being supported by the STUC as part of its There is a Better Way Campaign, and Thomsons Solicitors - the regular Tron series Mayfesto returns for another year - www.tron.co.uk/mayfesto/ and a Play, a Pie and a Pint continue their innovative programming each lunchtime at Oran Mor.

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Celebrate May Day 2013 #mayday13

1 May 2013

Details of the May Day march and rally in Glasgow on Sunday 5 May and on Saturday in Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Irvine, are below and on the STUC website

Also, see today's STUC news release sending solidarity to workers and their families across Europe who are protesting against austerity this May Day.

Saturday 4th May 2013

Aberdeen

ABERDEEN (organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Assemble: 11am Rubislaw Terrace, March down Union Street. Rally: Castlegate

For more information contact: Brian Carroll on 07826 890 342.

Dundee

DUNDEE (organised by Dundee Trades Union Council)

Assemble 11.30 am Hilltown Park

Rally12 noon , Albert Square at Burns’ Statue

Speakers to be confirmed.

For more information contact : Mike Arnott, dundeetuc@ymail.com, 07951 443656

Edinburgh & Lothians

EDINBURGH & LOTHIANS (organised by Midlothian TUC/Edinburgh & Lothians May Day Committee)

Assemble 11.00 am Johnston Terrace

March off 11.30 am to Pleasance Theatre for rally

Speakers Lynn Henderson (PCS) Mike Dailley (Govan Law Centre) Susan Archibald (Disability Rights Activist) Stacey Devine (NUS).

Music from Wendy Weatherby Penny Stone and Stockbridge Pipe Band

Compere: Susan Morrison

There will also be workshops on Stop Trident / No to Nato, Music and Organising Migrant Workers.

Irvine

IRVINE (organised by Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council)

Assemble 10.30 am Vineburgh Centre, Quarry Road, Irvine

March off 11.00 am to Vineburgh Centre for rally with speakers, stalls and entertainment

Speakers include:

Bruce Kent, former General Secretary of CND

For more information contact: Arthur West on 07826127759

Sunday 5th May 2013

Glasgow

GLASGOW (organised by Glasgow Trades Union Council)

The Glasgow May Day celebrations will take place this year in the O2 Academy, Eglinton Street.

Assemble: 11.30 am George Square

March off: 12 noon

Rally: O2 Academy

Speakers include Neil Findlay MSP, Alvaro Sanchez the Political Counsellor from the Venezuelan Embassy, Lillian Macer -Convenor UNISON Scotland, No2 Bedroom Tax Campaign and Tommy Gorman.

For more information contact: Tricia Donnelly on 0141 334 9983

Download a copy of the programme of Glasgow events around MayDay or visit the Glasgow Friends of MayDay webpage for more information.

 

Celebrate Mayday 2013 #mayday13

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5 April 2013

Details of this year's Mayday events around Scotland are on the STUC website.

(Remember to check for any updates as details are finalised.)

www.stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-external-events/mayday-2013

UNISON Scottish Secretary tells politicians: “enough is enough” #SCOct20

Speech by Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Secretary  at STUC March and Rally For A Future That Works - Glasgow 20 October 2012

As the ink dries on the signatures of Diamond Dave and Alex I on the Edinburgh Agreement

We gather to say to politicians of all colours and persuasions:

You’ve less than 100 weeks to sort it. To sort out your way of getting us out of the mire which you’ve created

#SCO20 pictures on UNISON Scotland website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/oct20/

Lots more pictures on UNISON Scotland website
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/oct20/

Star of stage and screen #SCO20 rally at Glasgow Green

If we're not mistaken that's our own Mike Kirby up on the big screen  #SCO20 rally at Glasgow Green
(pic by Murdo Maclean)

Last walkabout for UNISON Tayside Police Staff banner before the merger

 
From George McIrvine: Last walkabout for UNISON Tayside Police Staff banner before the merger. Sniff sniff #SCOct20 #Oct20 http://t.co/qWqxGF5l

BBC Scotland: Protesters to march against cuts in Glasgow #SCOct20

20 October 2012 Last updated at 10:48
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20014970
From BBC Scotland website:

The Scottish rally, organised by the STUC, will begin in George Square at 11:00 and will end at Glasgow Green.

The STUC said it will be led by former Remploy workers who lost their jobs when the government owned factories were closed.

Disability activists, trade unionists, community groups and public sector workers will be joined on the platform by organisations like the National Union of Students, the Church of Scotland and the Hardest Hit Coalition.

...

Robin Parker, the president of the National Union of Students in Scotland, who will be speaking in George Square, said: "Students are standing side-by-side with trade union and community members from across Scotland today because we don't want to see Westminster's austerity policies dump an entire generation on the scrapheap.

"The Scottish government has said they are putting a priority on tackling youth unemployment, but they can do more. If they are serious about tackling youth unemployment, they need to be serious about funding colleges.

"Our generation needs a future that works."


Full article here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-20014970

FBU battlewagon ready for the #SCOct20 march in Glasgow

Get to George Square for 11am and follow the battlewagon of our comrades in the FBU - on the STUC march for A Future That Works


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Save our FE - March and Rally Glasgow Sat 6 Oct

4 Oct 2012

UNISON Scotland is supporting the Save Further Education march and rally in Glasgow on Saturday.

Chris Greenshields, of the FE Committee, will be speaking at the event which highlights the damaging cuts to funding to colleges.

UNISON's recent submission to the Scottish Parliament's highlighted many of the issues facing colleges. You can read it here. It was also reported in The Herald.

Full march details are online here.


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Budget: Tax cuts for rich and mass unemployment for youth is totally unacceptable - UNISON

Wed 21 March 2012

UNISON Scotland has condemned today's budget as "tax cuts for the rich few while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics".

Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said that cutting the 50p tax rate was completely unacceptable while unemployment soars across the UK - and Scottish youth unemployment hits record levels.

Scotland's largest union, which represents 160,000 workers across public services, called instead for an alternative budget for jobs, confidence and growth.

Mike Kirby said:
"It is completely unacceptable for the government to cut tax for the rich few in society while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics. 

"Freezing the miminum wage for young people is unfair and will do nothing to address poverty or joblessness.

"Over 100,000 young Scots are now jobless - that's the highest figure for a generation. And that's why the STUC has called for a demonstration at the Tory party's Scottish conference in Troon on Saturday 24 March.

"Youth unemployment in Scotland is higher than the UK average and it is increasing more rapidly. Government should be creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy and our people - especially our young people - for a better future. We need a halt to the failed austerity policies that are damaging vital public services.”

UNISON has published an alternative budget which shows that the cuts are not necessary.

The union is arguing for a number of popular options to help kick-start the economy, instead of tax cuts for the rich and spending cuts for the rest. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.

Mike Kirby said:
"There is plenty of money available to fund decent public services, it is just in the wrong hands. We need to get our people – especially our young people – back to work."


ends


Note to editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland.

2. UNISON’s alternative UK budget is available on the UNISON UK website here: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/budget2012.asp


3. The STUC has called a March and Rally against Youth Unemployment on Saturday 24 March in Troon venue for the Scottish Tory Conference.
Assemble 12 noon South Beach Esplanade (Victoria Drive)
March off: 12.30 pm
Rally 1.00 pm South Beach Esplanade (Titchfield Rd)

More details on the STUC There is a better way site
http://www.thereisabetterway.org/events/59/tory-conference-troon/


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March and Rally against youth unemployment outside Tory Conference in Troon Sat 24 March

No to workfare - Yes to jobs
 
March and Rally against youth unemployment outside Tory Conference in Troon
 
Sat 24 March 2012

Assemble 12 noon
South Beach Esplanade
(Victoria Drive)
March off: 12.30 pm
Rally 1.00 pm
South Beach Esplanade
(Titchfield Rd)




Click here to download flyer (pdf)

More info on STUC's There is a Better Way site


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Fantastic rally in Aberdeen for pensions justice

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