Return power to local councils to act on services

#stuc15 The STUC overwhelmingly backed a range of measures to rebuild local democracy. It will press the Scottish Government to provide resources to ensure strong local democracy and to return to councils greater control over local taxes and powers to take services back in-house.

Moving the composite on behalf of UNISON and the GMB, Depute Convener, Stephen Smellie called for a return to the kind of local democracy that Scottish Councils used to enjoy.

“But it is not just about cuts, changes and job losses,” warned Stephen. “It is also about power and aspiration.”

Defending Rojova's democracy and gender equality

#stuc15 The STUC sent solidarity and support to the people of Rojava and Kobane and pledged to lobby the Government to do everything it can to ensure that humanitarian aid gets through to Rojava, to support the refugees from other parts of Syria and to ensure that Kobane can defend itself and its people.

UNISON Scotland’s Depute Convener, Stephen Smellie “was privileged to visit North Kurdistan, where he met refugees from ISIS attacks on the Yazidi and Kobane. People who are traumatised and in desperate need.”

Partnership means rights on both sides – repeal anti-union laws

#stuc15 STUC delegates slammed the attacks on equalities, employment rights and trade union freedoms and backed a UNISON led composite to continue the fight for the repeal of all anti-trade union laws.

STUC reiterated its support for the Mather Commission “Working Together” report and pledged to make sure that the fundamental principles of trade union rights, including the right to strike, are at the heart of the Fair Work Convention.