Thousands in Edinburgh demand peace for Gaza

#Gaza Thousands turned out on in Edinburgh on Saturday to demand an end to the killing in Gaza. The Edinburgh UNISON banner was there as the rally at the Mound moved along Princes Street for a minute's silence and ended at Bute House, the First Minister's official residence.
  

Edinburgh UNISON banner - Tom Connolly

Hundreds also gathered in Aberdeen in the fourth consecutive week of demonstrations in the city. More than 60,000 also rallied in London. Malcolm Chisholm MSP and Aamer Anwar were among the speakers at the Edinburgh rally.

pic Tom Connolly

After 19 days of bombardment from Israel, the death toll in Gaza passed. UNICEF estimates that one in three civilian deaths are children under 18. Whole families have been wiped out. On 23 July, a UN statement said: "One child has been killed in Gaza every hour for the past two days."

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