UNISON staff at Stow College call for openness, transparency - and union representation

Wed 14 Nov 2012

Commenting after the resignation of the Stow College chair, Chris Greenshields, UNISON steward at Stow College said:

"This row over the use of a recording device at a meeting to discuss matters of vital importance to students and staff at Scotland's FE colleges was unfortunate, but it highlights wider issues of openness, transparency - and union representation.

"Cuts, mergers and regionalisation are going ahead without full involvement of FE staff and their representatives in the process.

There is a lack of representation of unions at board level - despite the Minister saying that he wished the unions to be 'fully involved in the process of change' in colleges.

"As FE colleges head into mergers, we must reiterate our call for democratically elected local officials of our recognised trade unions to be given places on the new Boards.  Such representation would ensure the transparency and accountability of government ministers in their dealings with the FE colleges - including Stow College.

"Over 1300 jobs have been lost in Scotland’s colleges last year alone. The prospect of further damaging budget cuts means the sector is facing a difficult future.

"The number of jobs which have been lost in our colleges is unsustainable and damaging to the chances of our students successfully completing their course of study.

"All of our efforts should be on the disastrous implications of the current cuts to budgets, courses and jobs on our current and future students. Unions need to be able to represent college staff in the places where the decisions are being taken."

Chris Greenshields, chair of UNISON Scotland FE Committee and steward at Stow College
Wed 14 Nov 2012

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Stow College strikers rally support in pursuit of a Living Wage

Tue 11 October 2011

“Where is this Living Wage the Scottish Government talk about?” - that's the question being asked by Stow College strikers.

The UNISON members at Glasgow's Stow College are staging a rally on Wednesday 12 October in support of their campaign to win a living wage from their employers.

Lunchtime on Wednesday marks the halfway point of a three day strike which began on Tuesday morning.  The UNISON members are striking over the College’s refusal to implement a living wage despite agreeing to do so as part of last year’s pay deal. 

Some of the striking staff also face being outsourced to a private company – with no guarantee that the previously agreed minimum wage deal will be implemented.

Chris Greenshields, a UNISON steward at Stow College, said:

“Our members provide valuable services to staff and students at the college, but many are living on poverty pay.

“The SNP Government promised to protect the lowest paid workers from the worst aspects of the recession, yet Stow College refuses to introduce the Living Wage for our members – many of who are low-paid women workers – and on top of this, we are now facing a real-term pay cut.

We were delighted when the Scottish Government said they supported a Living Wage for their own staff - but why won’t they use their influence to make sure other employers depending on public funding do likewise? “


PICTURE OPPORTUNITY – Wednesday 12 October 12.30pm Stow College, Shamrock St, Cowcaddens. Public rally to support Living Wage strike.



Notes for editors
1.    UNISON has 90 members who work in Stow College in a variety of roles including: learning support workers, admin / clerical workers, caretakers, cleaners and catering workers. Many are low paid with some earning just above the national minimum wage.

2.    For more information contact Chris Greenshields on 07504 975176, Brian Smith on 0141 552 7069 or Mandy McDowall, regional organiser for UNISON, on 07903 846 427


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