#JoinUNISON
STV News at Six reported last night on union opposition to the introduction of employment tribunal fees.
Bernard Ponsonby's report included interviews with UNISON Scotland Legal Officer Suzanne Craig and Jim McCourt of Inverclyde Advice & Employment Rights Centre.
Suzanne explained how the punitive fees will put people off taking claims to employment tribunals.
Watch the clip on STV Player (9mins 50s into the programme).
And the BBC reported on UNISON winning the right to challenge the fees. The judicial review will take place in October.
UNISON members won't have to pay, as we said here.
UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Showing posts with label STV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STV. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Thursday, 27 June 2013
UNISON women's equal pay success making the news - and winning support
#JoinUNISON www.joinunison.org #equalpay
A strong editorial in today's Herald newspaper criticised Dumfries & Galloway council's "grudging statement" on UNISON's equal pay victory.
It said the council's apparent stance is exactly what led to the Equal Pay Act in the first place, following the 1968 case of the Ford women machinists.
The similarities with the Ford women in Dumfries led to a situation where "a nursery assistant could look out of the window at a groundsman mowing the grass and know he was entitled to extra benefits and pay while she was not. That could not be fair."
The editorial concludes that it would be entirely wrong for Scottish councils to "perpetuate inequalities that should have been erased from the workplace 40 years ago."
Here's a few more links to coverage of UNISON's historic Supreme Court equal pay victory.
A strong editorial in today's Herald newspaper criticised Dumfries & Galloway council's "grudging statement" on UNISON's equal pay victory.
It said the council's apparent stance is exactly what led to the Equal Pay Act in the first place, following the 1968 case of the Ford women machinists.
The similarities with the Ford women in Dumfries led to a situation where "a nursery assistant could look out of the window at a groundsman mowing the grass and know he was entitled to extra benefits and pay while she was not. That could not be fair."
The editorial concludes that it would be entirely wrong for Scottish councils to "perpetuate inequalities that should have been erased from the workplace 40 years ago."
Here's a few more links to coverage of UNISON's historic Supreme Court equal pay victory.
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Media coverage of UNISON council staff strike ballot #YestoFair Pay
#JoinUNISON 5 June 2013
Some of the media coverage of UNISON's news release announcing a Scotland wide strike ballot of council staff...
BBC: "Unison to hold strike ballot over Cosla pay offer
"The union said it would ballot 75,000 members working for Scotland's 32 local authorities.
"Unison described the pay offer as "miserly", following a two-year pay freeze...."
STV: "Unions to ballot 95,000 local government workers on autumn strike
"Local government workers across Scotland are to be balloted on strike action following the rejection of a 1% pay offer.
"Unions will ballot 95,000 members working for Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Those balloted include cooks, cleaners, classroom assistants, housing staff, library workers, cleansing and environmental protection staff, technicians and trading standards workers, early years workers and social work staff.
"Members whose conditions are linked to local government pay and conditions are also to be balloted.
"Chair of Unison’s local government committee Stephanie Herd said: “Members are angry about a miserly 1% offer, following two years of a pay freeze.
“Council staff work hard delivering quality public services. They are overstretched after more than 34,500 local government jobs have gone. They are underpaid, and they see the wealthiest people in this country getting ever richer.
“Our members deserve fair pay and we believe they will vote yes for strike action to put pressure on the employers to improve the offer.
"Around 20,000 members of the Unite union who work in local government are also to be balloted..."
Evening Times: "Council staff in pay row strike ballot
"Stephanie Herd, who leads the union's local government committee, said members are angry at receiving the "miserly" offer after two years of a pay freeze.
""Over this period the value of their pay has gone down by nearly 13%, while the cost of food and heating has soared," she said...."
Radio Forth: "Scots council staff to be balloted on strike action..."
The Sun: "Council workers are to vote on strike action in a pay battle...."
Some of the media coverage of UNISON's news release announcing a Scotland wide strike ballot of council staff...
BBC: "Unison to hold strike ballot over Cosla pay offer
"Local government workers across
Scotland are to be balloted on possible strike action, after public services
union Unison rejected a 1% pay offer by councils.
"The union said it would ballot 75,000 members working for Scotland's 32 local authorities.
"Unison described the pay offer as "miserly", following a two-year pay freeze...."
STV: "Unions to ballot 95,000 local government workers on autumn strike
"Local government workers across Scotland are to be balloted on strike action following the rejection of a 1% pay offer.
"Unions will ballot 95,000 members working for Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Those balloted include cooks, cleaners, classroom assistants, housing staff, library workers, cleansing and environmental protection staff, technicians and trading standards workers, early years workers and social work staff.
"Members whose conditions are linked to local government pay and conditions are also to be balloted.
"Chair of Unison’s local government committee Stephanie Herd said: “Members are angry about a miserly 1% offer, following two years of a pay freeze.
“Council staff work hard delivering quality public services. They are overstretched after more than 34,500 local government jobs have gone. They are underpaid, and they see the wealthiest people in this country getting ever richer.
“Our members deserve fair pay and we believe they will vote yes for strike action to put pressure on the employers to improve the offer.
"Around 20,000 members of the Unite union who work in local government are also to be balloted..."
Evening Times: "Council staff in pay row strike ballot
"Council staff are being asked to go on strike in an attempt to improve a 1% pay offer
"Public services union Unison will ballot 75,000 members in Scotland's 32 local authorities."Stephanie Herd, who leads the union's local government committee, said members are angry at receiving the "miserly" offer after two years of a pay freeze.
""Over this period the value of their pay has gone down by nearly 13%, while the cost of food and heating has soared," she said...."
Radio Forth: "Scots council staff to be balloted on strike action..."
The Sun: "Council workers are to vote on strike action in a pay battle...."
Sunday, 24 February 2013
UNISON welcomes rise in student nurse and midwife numbers
24 Feb 2013
UNISON today welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to fund an increase in student nurses and midwives, the first since 2009.
There will be 100 more student nurses and midwives starting degree courses in 2013/14, a rise of four per cent.
STV reported on the decision announced by health secretary Alex Neil.
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland's Lead Organiser for Nursing, said the union had been making the case for an increase and welcomed the news.
He said: "UNISON welcomes this increase in the student nurse intake for 2013. We have and will continue to campaign and work hard to ensure that nursing and midwifery remains a key component in the future of our NHS.
"Essential to the delivery of that objective is a steady flow and invest in our student nurse recruits. We are pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to the compelling case for more students in 2013."
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UNISON today welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to fund an increase in student nurses and midwives, the first since 2009.
There will be 100 more student nurses and midwives starting degree courses in 2013/14, a rise of four per cent.
STV reported on the decision announced by health secretary Alex Neil.
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland's Lead Organiser for Nursing, said the union had been making the case for an increase and welcomed the news.
He said: "UNISON welcomes this increase in the student nurse intake for 2013. We have and will continue to campaign and work hard to ensure that nursing and midwifery remains a key component in the future of our NHS.
"Essential to the delivery of that objective is a steady flow and invest in our student nurse recruits. We are pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to the compelling case for more students in 2013."
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Friday, 15 February 2013
Multi-million pound cuts to council services and thousands of local government jobs lost
15 Feb 2013
A range of news reports today highlight multi-million pound cuts to council services and the loss of thousands of local government jobs around Scotland.
BBC Scotland reported on a third of Scotland’s councils setting budgets.
The Herald's front page headline was: “Thousands of jobs go as councils wield the axe.”
And STV said that millions of pounds and hundreds of jobs have been cut.
UNISON Scotland highlighted last week how council services are taking the brunt of spending cuts and called for a review of funding.
Stephanie Herd, chair of the Local Government Committee, said:
“Essential services provided by councils, including education, home care for elderly and disabled people, social work, environmental health, trading standards and many more are all affected by cuts and job losses.
“The austerity measures imposed by governments at Westminster and Holyrood are not needed. There is a better way and we will fight to retain good quality services. Paying off council and other public sector workers does not help local economies.”
UNISON Scotland works with the STUC to show that There is A Better Way
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Wednesday, 23 January 2013
STV: Unison protest calls for Glasgow City Council to scrap disability cuts
23 Jan 2013 STV: Video
http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/211109-unison-protest-calls-for-council-disability-cuts-to-be-scrapped/
By Rachael Fulton
Unison protest calls for Glasgow City Council to scrap disability cuts
 |
By Rachael Fulton
Carers, disability rights campaigners and unionists rallied outside Glasgow City Chambers on Wednesday to protest against proposed council cuts.
Hoisting their Unison placards emblazoned with demands to scrap learning disability service cuts, the assembled crowd of service users, carers and their supporters braved the Glasgow cold to make their voices heard.
Speakers such as carer Grace Harrigan and Ian Hood of Learning Disability Alliance Scotland gave emotive speeches at the steps of the City Chambers, calling for Glasgow City Council to protect its vulnerable and scrap plans to cut funding.
Author, artist and long-standing supporter of the anti-disability cuts campaign Alasdair Gray also took to the podium to lend his voice to the rally, his impassioned words met with uproarious applause from the audience.
Full story and video at STV site
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Friday, 14 December 2012
North Lanarkshire council must use £73m cuts decision delay to talk with unions
14 Dec 2012
UNISON’s North Lanarkshire branch today welcomed a delay until the new year on a decision on £73m of cuts that would “destroy the social fabric” of the area, but said the council must use the time for urgent talks with trade unions.
Branch Secretary John Mooney said: "Although we welcome this delay which UNISON has been calling for, it is vital that this time is used by the Council to fully engage the trade unions in meaningful dialogue around these cuts.
"Our stewards across the authority have been frustrated by the lack of information and involvement in the process, especially about the proposed saving suggestions for 2013/14 which, if accepted, would be implemented from April.
"The proposals for cuts to services and jobs need to be looked at. They would destroy the social fabric of North Lanarkshire if accepted. UNISON is urging the Council to use this delay to look again at the proposals and involve the trade unions in discussions.
“We had fantastic community support last week for our rally against the cuts, with people protesting in dreadful winter conditions. Councillors must listen to those whose services and jobs are at risk.”
UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said: "Councils are being placed in this position as a result of decisions of the Westminster and Scottish Governments.
"The cuts across the UK are not about austerity measures to meet an economic problem, but about politics - a politics that hates public services and loves to profit from privatisation.
"If North Lanarkshire Council, or any other council, moves to any form of compulsory redundancies, UNISON will consult on industrial action."
See reports on the decision to delay on websites at STV and The Herald.
See blog about last week's rally.
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Thursday, 6 December 2012
Rally at North Lanarkshire Council: Videos - & STV report: 'Grim reapers' in protest at £73m cuts
6 Dec 2012
Great speeches today at the rally in Motherwell against £73m worth of cuts being proposed by North Lanarkshire Council.
You can watch speeches here by UNISON's North Lanarkshire Branch Secretary John Mooney, UNISON's Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby, Marie Quigley, Chair of North Lanarkshire UNISON, and John Milligan, Secretary of North Lanarkshire Trades Council.
Three 'grim reapers' were also in attendance and local community campaign groups also supported the demonstration. STV reported today:
'Grim reapers' in protest at £73m cuts by North Lanarkshire Council
More than 100 protesters have gathered in North Lanarkshire to protest at planned council cuts.
Trade union members from Unison and Unite were joined by other supporters outside North Lanarkshire
Council’s headquarters in Motherwell to show their anger at planned cuts of at least £73m.
Some members of Unison dressed as the grim reaper to highlight their cause.
Protesters gathered at lunch time and heard a number of speeches from union officials, including one from Mike Kirby, the Scottish Secretary of Unison.
After the protest, he said: “I think, in such appalling weather, this was an illustration of the determination of trade union members in North Lanarkshire Council, and supporters from the local community who understand what a devastating impact of these cuts could make.
“Hopefully, we can work with you (the council) but if you move towards compulsory redundancy then we will look at balloting for industrial action.
“This determination we have seen today has been reflected at communities across Scotland. As the councils focus on budgets for next year, people are saying we have had enough.”
One of the groups who offered support to the union was the Save Abronhill High School group, who are fighting to save the Cumbernauld school made famous by the movie Gregory’s Girl.
The proposed closure of the school, with pupils joining those at Cumbernauld High ahead of a new school being built, is one cut being considered by councillors in an effort to save more than £1m a year.
Read the full STV report here
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Great speeches today at the rally in Motherwell against £73m worth of cuts being proposed by North Lanarkshire Council.
You can watch speeches here by UNISON's North Lanarkshire Branch Secretary John Mooney, UNISON's Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby, Marie Quigley, Chair of North Lanarkshire UNISON, and John Milligan, Secretary of North Lanarkshire Trades Council.
Three 'grim reapers' were also in attendance and local community campaign groups also supported the demonstration. STV reported today:
'Grim reapers' in protest at £73m cuts by North Lanarkshire Council
More than 100 protesters have gathered in North Lanarkshire to protest at planned council cuts.
Trade union members from Unison and Unite were joined by other supporters outside North Lanarkshire
Council’s headquarters in Motherwell to show their anger at planned cuts of at least £73m.
Some members of Unison dressed as the grim reaper to highlight their cause.
Protesters gathered at lunch time and heard a number of speeches from union officials, including one from Mike Kirby, the Scottish Secretary of Unison.
After the protest, he said: “I think, in such appalling weather, this was an illustration of the determination of trade union members in North Lanarkshire Council, and supporters from the local community who understand what a devastating impact of these cuts could make.
“Hopefully, we can work with you (the council) but if you move towards compulsory redundancy then we will look at balloting for industrial action.
“This determination we have seen today has been reflected at communities across Scotland. As the councils focus on budgets for next year, people are saying we have had enough.”
One of the groups who offered support to the union was the Save Abronhill High School group, who are fighting to save the Cumbernauld school made famous by the movie Gregory’s Girl.
The proposed closure of the school, with pupils joining those at Cumbernauld High ahead of a new school being built, is one cut being considered by councillors in an effort to save more than £1m a year.
Read the full STV report here
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Friday, 30 November 2012
STV- Union warns of council strike action over compulsory redundancies
30 Nov 2012
STV reported last night about the campaign against £73m worth of cuts by North Lanarkshire council, and the rally planned for Thursday, December 6.
The report said:
The Scottish Secretary of Unison has warned his union will consider industrial action at councils across Scotland if any compulsory redundancies are made in planned cuts.
Mike Kirby made the comments as his union and Unite plan to protest on December 6 outside North Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters in Motherwell Civic Centre. Members of the GMB union have also been invited to take part in the action.
Unison has confirmed some of its members will dress up as the grim reaper to highlight their opposition to planned cuts of £73m at the local authority.
Mr Kirby said: “North Lanarkshire Council has announced their proposals for cutting £73.3m from their budget and it is clear from the areas that they are looking at that their plans could have a major effect on our members, their jobs and importantly the services provided to vulnerable sections of the community.
“Local authorities continue to see their budgets squeezed, while demand for services is steadily rising. As part of these challenges, finances and welfare reform are two big issues facing all local authorities.
“The cuts we are facing, in Lanarkshire and across the UK, are not about austerity measures to meet an economic problem, but about politics. A politics that hates public services and loves to profit from privatisation.
“The Scottish Government does have a choice - it may be a difficult choice, it may be a very expensive choice, but is their choice nonetheless, and it could remove the council tax freeze.
“If the council moves to any form of compulsory redundancies, Unison will consult on industrial action.”
Full report at http://news.stv.tv/scotland/203273-union-chief-warns-of-strikes-if-compulsory-redundancies-are-made-at-council/
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STV reported last night about the campaign against £73m worth of cuts by North Lanarkshire council, and the rally planned for Thursday, December 6.
The report said:
The Scottish Secretary of Unison has warned his union will consider industrial action at councils across Scotland if any compulsory redundancies are made in planned cuts.
Mike Kirby made the comments as his union and Unite plan to protest on December 6 outside North Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters in Motherwell Civic Centre. Members of the GMB union have also been invited to take part in the action.
Unison has confirmed some of its members will dress up as the grim reaper to highlight their opposition to planned cuts of £73m at the local authority.
Mr Kirby said: “North Lanarkshire Council has announced their proposals for cutting £73.3m from their budget and it is clear from the areas that they are looking at that their plans could have a major effect on our members, their jobs and importantly the services provided to vulnerable sections of the community.
“Local authorities continue to see their budgets squeezed, while demand for services is steadily rising. As part of these challenges, finances and welfare reform are two big issues facing all local authorities.
“The cuts we are facing, in Lanarkshire and across the UK, are not about austerity measures to meet an economic problem, but about politics. A politics that hates public services and loves to profit from privatisation.
“The Scottish Government does have a choice - it may be a difficult choice, it may be a very expensive choice, but is their choice nonetheless, and it could remove the council tax freeze.
“If the council moves to any form of compulsory redundancies, Unison will consult on industrial action.”
Full report at http://news.stv.tv/scotland/203273-union-chief-warns-of-strikes-if-compulsory-redundancies-are-made-at-council/
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Wednesday, 30 November 2011
STV: Public sector workers strike across Scotland
Video includes Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Secretary
Full report here
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Saturday, 23 October 2010
STV: 20,000 take part in Edinburgh cuts protest
23 October 2010 12:39 GMT
More than 20,000 people took to the streets of Edinburgh in a demonstration against cuts to public services.
The march and rally took in unions, political groups and concerned members of the public in a show of unity against the UK Government's spending review.
Organised by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, it aimed to highlight fears about the impact of Chancellor George Osborne's savings package.
Huge cuts amounting to about £81billion across the UK were unveiled on Wednesday - and Scotland is expected to lose about £3 billion over the next four years.
The colourful procession gathered outside City of Edinburgh Council headquarters and stretched at its peak along the entire route to Princes Street Gardens, exceeding organisers' expectations.
Full story at STV website
More UNISON pics and story to follow here on this blog and on UNISON Scotland website.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Thanks for making CVS lobby of Parliament a success
From: Macfarlane, SimonSent: 19 March 2009 12:20
Subject: CVS Lobby of Scottish Parliament and presentation to Petitions Committee - 17th March 2009
Hello
Thanks to all who took part in our activities on Tuesday at the Scottish Parliament and to all who signed the petition and helped with our campaign. The day was a huge success with us getting our message over to many MSPs, we were given the longest slot in front of the Petitions Committee under the current Convenor and we attracted widespread publicity for the issues around fair funding for the voluntary sector and the attacks on our members jobs and conditions.
I attach a number of links below, a couple of which have video clips of our mock funeral, including a link to watch the whole presentation to the Committee should you so wish.
The Convenor said 10 years in to devolution "the next big project, one of them, has to be what we do about this constant anomaly of the voluntary sector". The Committee has agreed to write to a number of bodies including the Scottish Government and will decide in May how to progress it further.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7947039.stm
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/display.var.2496164.0.Care_workers_stage_mock_funeral_in_protest_at_wage_cuts.php video clip
http://deadlinescotland.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/trade-unions-stage-dramatic-mock-funeral-outside-scottish-parliament-738/ video clip
http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Protest-mourns-loss-of-jobs.5081361.jp
http://news.stv.tv/home/82806-unions-stage-mock-funeral-outside-scottish-parliament/
http://www.teletext.co.uk/regionalnews/centscotborders/730fdd4429ebad701b6d4d582b324745/Workers+stage+mock+funeral.aspx
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/britain/activists_mourn_job_losses_in_mock_funeral_procession
Finally you can watch the whole presentation to the Committee via this website:
http://www.holyrood.tv/library.asp?iPid=3§ion=43&title=Public+Petitions
Many thanks again and I look forward to working with you to continue to take forward our campaign.
Simon
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Tuesday, 3 March 2009
STV coverage of social worker role was excellent
Colleagues may have already seen tonights STV news where SWIG colleagues were interviewed following the Brandon Muir murder trial.
You can find the news piece here and follow other links to interviews
http://news.stv.tv/home/80041-man-found-guilty-of-culpable-homicide-of-dundee-toddler/
A further interview was done by ITN and will be broadcast on tonights 10pm news, we are advised.
http://www.itv.com/News/Ten/default.html
The STV coverage was excellent and we are hopeful that ITN will be as balanced in terms of the role of the social worker.
Regards,
Mandy McDowall
Regional Organiser, UNISON
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You can find the news piece here and follow other links to interviews
http://news.stv.tv/home/80041-man-found-guilty-of-culpable-homicide-of-dundee-toddler/
A further interview was done by ITN and will be broadcast on tonights 10pm news, we are advised.
http://www.itv.com/News/Ten/default.html
The STV coverage was excellent and we are hopeful that ITN will be as balanced in terms of the role of the social worker.
Regards,
Mandy McDowall
Regional Organiser, UNISON
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Thursday, 27 November 2008
STV video: Scottish Water workers in pay row walkout
 |
| The organisation says plans are in place to cope with the strike |
Several hundred workers with Scottish Water are taking part in a 24-hour walk-out in a dispute over pay.
Union leaders say the industrial action, which started at noon on Thursday, will affect Scottish Water operations across the country.
Employees are protesting a pay increase which they claim is unfair.
Dougie Black, a negotiator with Unison, said: "Clearly it is an issue which our members feel very strongly about.
"I would invite Scottish Water and the Scottish Government, even at this late stage, to come back to the negotiating table.
"We are always ready to talk about a way to settle this dispute."
Aberdeen: Scottish Water picketed from noon
UNISON Scotland Local Organiser Jane Fielding reports that the Aberdeen picket line at Kingshill House was on from 12 noon - 2pm. The pickets included Scottish Water Branch Chair Dave Wilkinson and Regional Organiser Sarah Duncan.
The vast majority of UNISON members in Scottish Water Aberdeen left work at 12 noon to join the strike. STV Aberdeen did an interview with Dave Wilkinson (which will hopefully be shown tonight) and the TV cameras were also going to the Shipping Water Office which is being covered by the GMB.
The Scottish Water unions in the North East are working together in the fight for fair pay.
The picket line will be back on again tomorrow (Friday 28 November) from 9am.
The vast majority of UNISON members in Scottish Water Aberdeen left work at 12 noon to join the strike. STV Aberdeen did an interview with Dave Wilkinson (which will hopefully be shown tonight) and the TV cameras were also going to the Shipping Water Office which is being covered by the GMB.
The Scottish Water unions in the North East are working together in the fight for fair pay.
The picket line will be back on again tomorrow (Friday 28 November) from 9am.
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