Scottish Parliament Trade Union Bill lobby

UNISON Scotland joined with the STUC at today's lobby of the Scottish Parliament. There was a rally outside Parliament with speakers from the main political parties. Activists then watched MSPs debate the Bill in the main chamber debate of the day, passing a strong motion opposing the Bill. Ther is more detail in Dave Watson's blog post.

Thanks to the UNISON Scotland branches who supported the lobby with their MSPs.

 

Trade Union Bill lobby at Westminster

Despite the weather that disrupted travel into London this morning, UNISON Scotland was well represented at today's lobby of Westminster against the Trade Union Bill.

Trade Union Bill is a ferocious attack on almost every aspect of trade unionism. It shifts the balance of power in workplaces further to the advantage of employers and away from workers, whether they are in a union or not. It is fundamentally an attack on core trade union activity: facility time, check off, and the ability of unions to underpin collective bargaining with a credible right to strike. It subjects unions to unprecedented levels of civil and criminal penalties, red tape, and monitoring by the Certification Officer. It proposes to curtail unions’ abilities to fund political activities and campaigns.

The lobby started with a rally at Central Hall, Westminster. So full that hundreds were left outside.

Moving inside the Palace of Westminster, trade union members appeared to take over the building talking to their MPs.

Discussions with Scottish MPs focused on those aspects of the Bill that undermine the devolution settlement. Under the Bill, Ministers for English departments will be able to direct health boards, councils and NDPBs across Scotland. This would be the most serious breach of the devolution settlement since the Scottish Parliament began.

Here, UNISON Scotland's Dave Watson is with SNP group leader Angus Robertson MP (left). A particular thanks to Chris Stephens MP (right) for his assistance with the lobby.

We thought the Aberdeenshire branch delegation got lost, but they found an MP to lobby!

There was a good turnout of Scottish MPs and trade union members pictured here. All were very supportive of our campaign.

Thanks to all those activists who made the often difficult journey today. And a special thanks to the Scottish MPs who turned up to listen to our concerns.

 

TU Bill: CoSLA's pledge to defy and UNISON Scotland video

As we gear up to the Manchester Rally, UNISON Scotland has welcomed the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) announcement on 28 September: “Scotland’s Councils have come out in force today to stand shoulder to shoulder with their trade union colleagues against the UK Government’s Trade Union Bill.” Earlier Glasgow, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire councils voted not to co-operate with attacks on facility time or check-off (which enables union dues to be paid direct from wages). If your employer has made a similar statement let us know webmanager@unison-edinburgh.org.uk See UNISON Scotland's video explaining the dangers of the bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mty0Kz_42aM

Industrial relations in Scotland and the Trade Union Bill

In today's Scotsman, UNISON's Dave Watson contrasts the industrial relations culture in Scotland with the latest Tory attack on trade unions in the Trade Union Bill.

He gives a short history of how this different culture has developed since devolution, particularly in the public sector - the main target of the Bill. He also makes the case for the type of workplace democracy the Tories want to undermine, he said:

"Good workplace democracy keeps inequality in check ensuring better pay equality between top and bottom and a better balance between shareholders and wage earners. It increases investment in training, skills development and research and development. And if trade unions reps and managers carry out joint health and safety checks it improves compliance, reduces accidents and improves the sustainability of an industry – with less need for government intervention.

Academic research backs this up. It shows the value of a constructive approach to industrial relations and in particular the role of union representatives. When focusing on NHS workplaces in particular, recent research showed that labour turnover was almost three times higher and the employment tribunal rate 14 times higher in NHS workplaces without union representatives compared with workplaces where representatives were present. Managers in NHS workplaces with union representatives present were more likely to report higher productivity, greater quality of services and "better" financial performance."

Importantly, this approach has had cross party support. Even Scottish Conservatives have a more constructive approach. He concluded:

"Successive Scottish Governments have been developing a positive industrial relations and fair work culture. This UK government wants to take us back a generation."