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.

Private firms asked to bid for NHS work for next 3 years

A report by Helen Puttick in The Herald today says that private firms are being invited to bid for NHS work for the next three years... "days after health secretary Alex Neil described the use of the independent sector 'as a temporary phenomenon'."

This followed news that health board spending on private healthcare went up by nearly 60% last year.

UNISON's Willie Duffy, lead organiser for health, is quoted in the Herald report, condemning the use of the private sector in this way. He said: "We should be investing in quality NHS services rather than pouring money into private healthcare.

“It is common sense that money going to pay to have these operations carried out privately would be better spent within the NHS.”

The Herald: College staff threaten to strike over pay dispute

24 May 2013

Andrew Denholm, of The Herald, reports today...

"STAFF at one of Scotland's largest colleges are threatening to strike in a long-running dispute over pay.

STAFF at one of Scotland's largest colleges are threatening to strike in a long-running dispute over pay.

      

Public-sector union Unison wants talks at the City of Glasgow College saying an unpopular pay settlement is being forced on staff.

Last week, Education Secretary Michael Russell praised the college for its successful merger and principal Paul Little wrote to staff thanking them for their "superb team effort".
      
However, Martin Clark, Unison steward at the college, said about 300 support staff had rejected a pay offer of a flat rate rise of just £250 for those earning less than £21,000 and nothing for those on more.

"If the college merger is such a success, why are our members not being offered a proper pay award?" asked Mr Clark. "We want to get back round the table and talk with them, or we will have no option but to move towards a ballot for industrial action.""

Full story at The Herald

See UNISON's news release
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Unison brands council tax freeze 'unfair on poor households'

2 May 2013

The Herald also reports on UNISON's new figures...

by Magnus Gardham

"THE country's biggest trade union has launched the most comprehensive attack to date on the Scottish Government's long-running council tax freeze, claiming the policy has been unfair on poorer households.

"Public sector union Unison said wealthy households – those in Band H homes – were saving £441 per year as a result of the freeze, compared with £147 for those in the cheapest Band A homes.

"In a report, the union flatly rejected Scottish Government claims that the policy was a "lifeline" for hard-up Scots and called for a debate on its future. Council tax bills have been frozen each year since 2007 when the SNP first took power at Holyrood.

"The freeze was originally intended as an interim measure until the Nationalists promised local income tax could be delivered, but the proposal enountered fierce opposition and has remained on hold.

"Councils have been threatened with mutlimillion-pound penalties if they refuse to keep freezing bills. Alex Salmond has claimed it is part of a "social contract" with the public to keep bills down in tough economic times...."

Read more

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Surgery equipment delays - members working round clock to keep up their end of the system

13 March 2013

From The Herald - report by Helen McArdle

PATIENTS whose operations were delayed after surgeons raised fears about dirty and damaged surgical tools could be waiting weeks before their procedures go ahead.

 

The Herald revealed yesterday that patients due to undergo treatment including hip and knee replacements at the orthopaedics unit in Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow last month had operations postponed.

The delay came after concerns were raised over the safety of surgical tools coming from the health board's centralised decontamination facility.

 

....

Matt McLaughlin, the regional organiser for Unison, which represents health workers in Glasgow, said staff at the unit were struggling with a "pressure cooker" environment.

Mr McLaughlin said: "It's a high-pressure environment made worse by the pressure on NHSGGC to get operations done quickly.

"Some of the equipment is in constant use and the pressure to turn around the equipment at very short notice is incredible.

"The vast majority of kit is provided free from contaminants and our members are working round the clock to keep up their end of the system."

....

Full report at The Herald here

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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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Herald letters: Glasgow City UNISON on Self Directed Support, personalisation and adult social care

The Herald Letters Thu 20 Dec 2012

http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/letters/we-need-more-people-with-resilience-and-courage-to-oppose-any-attack-on-services-for-the-learning-disabled.19721

ONE of the biggest factors contributing to the reduction in support to disabled people in Glasgow is the individual needs assessment and resource allocation system which is used to calculate a person's individual care budget. Members of our trade union whose job it is to undertake these assessments have repeatedly told Unison that the system is primarily geared to ensure a budget which provides only a basic level of support. Self-Directed Support (SDS) and personalisation should of course be about much more and include notions of full social participation, active citizenship and maximising employment and education opportunities.

The fact that Glasgow City Council's current position is to cut 11% from the city's £90m adult social care budget through personalisation, including a 53% cut in the learning disability day service workforce, is perhaps the reason why so many people don't believe council officials when they talk about promoting independence and choice through the current proposals. Genuine SDS and personalisation costs money and should not be seen as a cheap alternative.

Those who oppose the cuts to the council's learning disability services should strongly argue that the individual needs assessment and resource allocation system is radically improved to reflect a genuine personalised approach. Our politicians should also be campaigning for more money overall for the city's vital services rather than just passing on the Coalition Government's cuts.

Secondly, the characterisation by some senior council officials of the current services as "exclusive and institutionalised" is a misrepresentation of what actually happens on the ground. Many individuals are currently supported by the council's day service workforce to access community-based leisure, social and educational opportunities.

Could this be better funded and managed? Of course. However the setting-up of "straw men" who can then be publicly knocked down is not a helpful contribution to the debate on how best to organise social work services in Glasgow.

Brian Smith, Branch secretary, Unison Glasgow City, 84 Bell Street, Glasgow.

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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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Herald: Warning - women facing workplace segregation - UNISON comment

From The Herald Mon 10 Dec 2012

A hard-hitting report from a Holyrood committee found women are subjected to "occupational segregation", clustered in certain jobs such as caring, cleaning and clerical work.

A glass ceiling still separates women from boardroom jobs, while they also receive unequal pay to men, the Equal Opportunities Committee's inquiry into the unequal participation of women in work found. It has now issued a call for experts to come forward with ways to address these issues and other problems.

...

The trade union Unison has been in the front line of campaigning for workplace equality, and organiser Dave Watson said:

"We welcome this initiative from the Equal Opportunities Committee.

"At a time when the UK Government is seeking to weaken equality measures, it is very welcome that the Scottish Parliament is looking at practical ways to strengthen equality in the workplace.

"Inequality in the workplace has many causes including job segregation, pay, training and access to childcare. The Equal Opportunities Committee is right to recognise that the problem is well understood.

"We now need to move towards action at every level."

...



Full story by Robbie Dinwoodie - Mon 10 Dec 2012 - at The Herald website:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/warning-women-facing-workplace-segregation.19636789


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UNISON responds to report on nursery education around staff qualifications

Thu 7 Nov: Carol Ball, education spokeswoman for public service union Unison, said: "Child development officers plan and provide for the curriculum and educate children in nurseries to the same level as qualified teachers and, in some cases, our qualifications are more appropriate."

From Herald article:
Wide variations in childrens' access to teachers at nursery Thu 7 November by Andrew Denholm
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/education/wide-variations-in-childrens-access-to-teachers-at-nursery.19361411


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FOI must be safeguarded - Scottish Information Commissioner

Scotland's outgoing Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion has played a vital role in establishing a strong Freedom of Information regime.

In overseeing the successful implementation of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), he has made wide-ranging and important decisions backing the public's right to know.

Just one example, among many, is a number of key decisions on PFI/PPP, where the Commissioner ruled that information was wrongly withheld and should be made public.

His Special Report to the Scottish Parliament today makes recommendations for ensuring that FOI legislation is safeguarded.

The Scottish Government has failed to act on one of the most compelling of the Commissioner's long-argued points - that information rights should follow the public pound.

His report today emphasises that extending FOI legislation to cover private companies and other bodies that deliver public services is in many cases not an extension, but SAFEGUARDING rights that are being eroded.

Mr Dunion's report says, about designating additional public bodies to be subject to FOISA:

"...designation is not necessarily about extending rights to information, but safeguarding them. This is particularly true where services which were once supplied directly by public authorities covered by FOISA are now delivered by bodies which are not, such as: trusts established to deliver services on behalf of local authorities; those private contractors which provide health, educational and penal infrastructure and services to the public sector; and housing asssociations to which housing stock has been transferred from local authorities.

"Tenants, patients, parents, service users, voluntary organisations and indeed elected members lose the right to information when such a change in service delivery takes place."

Scotland is at risk of falling behind the UK FOI legislation in this area. The Scottish Government should think again about extending FOI to cover these bodies and, as recommended by Mr Dunion, should establish "a rolling programme of active review..so that designation can keep pace with changes in public service delivery."

See also the report in today's Herald Commissioner leaves with call for extra powers


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Herald: Public sector staff in mass walkout

Public sector staff in mass walkout:

Last updated 30 Nov 2011 - 3:50 am

Schools, transport and hospitals in Scotland face disruption as public sector workers stage a 24-hour strike
More than 300,000 public sector workers across Scotland are taking part in the biggest day of strike action in decades.

Schools, transport, hospitals and courts will all be affected by nationwide industrial action against pension reform.

The action is in response to UK Government plans to increase the amount of money public sector workers pay into their pension, raise the age of retirement and introduce career-average pensions.

David Watson, Unison organiser for Scotland, said "just about everyone" will be affected by the day of action in the same way as on a public holiday.

More...

Glasgow branch backs vital service for women who have experienced sexual violence

The Herald 2 August 2010
Rape victim support centre to close as council cuts back
The Evening Times 2 August 2010 
Alert on threat to rape victim advice service as staff quit


UNISON's Glasgow branch today urged Glasgow City Council to keep open a vital service for women who have experienced sexual violence.


Brian Smith, branch secretary, told The Herald and the Evening Times that Breakthrough for Women provides essential advice, support and counselling, helping hundreds of women each year from across the city.


He added: “After meeting with council officers on 29 July, UNISON is of the view that the Council intend to close Breakthrough for Women.

"We would ask that this important service to women who have experienced sexual violence is retained. The demand for the service remains and is valued by the women who use it, other frontline social work staff and other agencies.

"We hope that the Council demonstrates its commitment to this group of vulnerable women by continuing to offer the current services.”

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Mike Kirby - response to pro-cuts attack on public service unions in Herald

Public sector pay and productivity easily stand comparison with private firms

Published on 28 Jul 2010 in The Herald Letters

Andrew McKie appears to argue that because some workers in public services have a vote in the Labour leadership, they should face redundancy and wage cuts (“Public sector unions need to bite the bullet and accept cuts”, The Herald, July 26 ). He is surely entitled to this bizarre opinion but it’s one I’m sure few Herald readers will share. More serious is the way he repeats distorted figures about pay and productivity in public services (courtesy of the right-wing campaign group Policy Exchange).

He tells us that public sector workers are paid 30% more per hour than those in the private sector. This raw figure is meaningless because like is not compared with like. The Office for National Statistics Labourforce Survey lists 8.6% of private employees as professionals, whereas these form 24.5% of public employees. Incidentally, including the employees of nationalised banks in the public sector earnings figures is a good way of inflating them, but not really representative.

The only meaningful comparison between public and private is to look at similar levels of qualification. This shows graduates in public services are paid 3.4% less than those in the private sector. Those with higher education qualifications short of a degree are paid 6.2% less, and those with school level qualifications are paid the same.

Andrew McKie tells us that public sector productivity has fallen. The Office of National Statistics says productivity has shown positive growth since 2006. Productivity did fall in the early years of the decade, but this was to be expected as there is an inevitable lag between upfront investment and improved output and outcomes. That rates of productivity improvement are faster in the private sector is also to be expected. The private sector includes manufacturing, where technology can replace workers. Public services are inherently labour-intensive. These are factors which are well understood by economists, but not it seems by ideologues.

Part of Andrew McKie’s justification for an attack on workers who provide public services (and it’s typical that he shows no sign of having thought about what the impact will be on those services) is that so much pain has been endured by the private sector. Really? A report by Incomes Data Services says bonus levels in FTSE-100 boardrooms have increased by an average of 22.5% over the past six months to just shy of £559,000. Salaries have risen by 7% from last year.

It’s also not just the big companies who are cashing in. According to the survey, which looked at 237 directors in 180 listed companies, bosses of FTSE 250 companies have seen their total incomes (salary and bonuses) rise by 8%, and Small Cap directors’ pay went up by 5.3%. No-one in the public services is contemplating those sorts of pay rises.

Andrew McKie in his bid to paint the Labour Party as a wholly-owned subsidiary of unions representing workers in public services wildly overstates our influence. To take just one example – were ours the decisive influence, Labour would have long since abandoned the wasteful folly of PFI. Contrary to Andrew McKie’s “whip hand” fantasies, our priorities remain, as always, the protection of public services and those who work in them.

Mike Kirby,

Convener, Unison Scotland,

14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow.

‘If we don’t take care of our elderly then we are not a civilised society’

‘If we don’t take care of our elderly then we are not a civilised society’ - Herald Scotland:
17 Oct 2009

"The Herald’s campaign to highlight the plight of the elderly in Scotland this week has too often exposed a society that appears past caring. Our exclusive reports have revealed that complaints of abuse against the elderly are on the rise and that councils are increasingly being forced to place elderly people on at-risk registers."


Key public figures giving their views on The Herald’s campaign include Stephen Smellie, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s social work issues group.


Stephen Smellie's full statement to The Herald:

“The care of Scotland’s older people is one indicator of how civilized our society is. The problems highlighted by the Herald are an indication that something is significantly wrong with the way that care is delivered.

“Pressures for outsourcing and privatisation all too often mean that services are pushed out to tender and contracts granted – not on the basis of the quality of the service - but purely on its cheapness. This is not the best value for care for our older people but risks the kind of treatment highlighted.

“Even when the service is kept in house, cost pressures often mean cuts in time and resources to visit and look after clients. When services are provided under contract, voluntary providers are often told to provide services on less than the in-house service would receive. When you then factor in the private sector’s need for a profit, the kind of problems that have been highlighted are put into context.

“Now we face even greater pressure, and real fears of cuts in public funding in coming years. This will only lead to the problems becoming worse rather than better. At a time of increasing demand, levels of service should be better resourced – not cut. Properly trained, and resourced staff with the time to deal with our older people in a civilized way – whether employed directly by the authority, or in our voluntary organisations - are the only way to deliver the service they deserve. We owe it to them to deliver no less.”



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The Herald: MPs back target to reduce emissions by 42%

MPs back target to reduce emissions by 42%

Robbie Dinwoodie, Chief Scottish Political Correspondent
Date: 25 June 2009

Scotland yesterday made itself a world leader in the battle against global warming, as MSPs gave unanimous backing to a bill enshrining a 42% cut in carbon emissions by the year 2020.

It means that abroadScotland will be lauded as the most forward-looking nation in the world in the run-up to the Copenhagen environmental summit later this year. But behind the rhetoric at Holyrood it was accepted that there were many caveats to the commitment.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said the climate change legislation was a good thing, and a victory for campaign groups. "Without this overwhelming pressure from outside parliament, we would not have made the progress that we've made, as we've seen this bill develop in the last few months," he said.

But He conceded that a degree of "posturing" had taken place across political parties and added: He added: "My message on where we go from here is primarily to the campaigners, to the activists, because its their work that will continue to be vital if we're going to make the commitments we've made a reality."...

The Herald: SNP bows to green lobby and amends carbon emissions cut

SNP bows to green lobby and amends carbon emissions cut
Robbie Dinwoodie, Chief Scottish Political Correspondent
Date: 23 June 2009

The Scottish Government last night bowed to pressure from political opponents and the Green lobby and increased their target to cut carbon emissions by 42% by 2020.
But ministers made clear that the new target, which will be enshrined in tomorrow's Climate Change Bill, will have conditions set on it regarding EU and UK measures which could impinge on Scotland's ability to lead the way in terms of climate change.
Ministers last night introduced a manuscript amendment, to raise the ante on a Labour amendment specifying 40% as a target.
The effect will be that a 34% cut with the option to boost that to 42% under certain conditions will be reversed - to a 42% target on the face of the bill subject to expert advice that external factors make that possible.
Labour had backed the 34% target in committee but then in recent days had switched to calling for a 40% figure, with the backing of the Greens, LibDems and climate change campaigners.
This made a defeat for the government a real prospect…

The Herald: Climate Bill Not Good Enough Warns Green Coalition

Climate Bill Not Good Enough Warns Green Coalition
Martin Williams
The Herald
Date: Monday 25 May 2009

A coalition of 60 charities, unions and churches has told Alex Salmond that a bill to tackle climate change does not go far enough, and accuses him of reneging on manifesto commitments on the environment.

Politicians have already voted to support the general principles of the Scottish Climate Change Bill that has set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and by 34% by 2020.

The Scottish Government also wants to ensure the target rises to at least 42% when the EU agrees to reduce emissions by 30% by 2020.

Now, in a stinging letter to Alex Salmond, the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition - made up of organisations including Oxfam Scotland, the Church of Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, RSPB Scotland and Christian Aid Scotland - has insisted that the targets should be raised....

The Herald Editorial: A Climate for Change

UNISON Scotland is a signatory to this SCCS coalition letter. The full letter is at:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2009/mayjune/2205a.htm

The Herald: Care workers stage mock funeral in protest at wage cuts

Care workers stage mock funeral in protest at wage cuts
STEWART PATERSON
The Herald March 18 2009

Care workers in the voluntary sector staged a protest outside the Scottish Parliament against cuts in wages yesterday.




Around 50 demonstrators staged a mock funeral for the "death of the voluntary sector", calling for equality of wages and conditions with council and health board staff.

The protesters from unions Unite and Unison paraded a coffin in a glass carriage, pulled by horses, before handing over a petition to Frank McAveety, petitions committee convener.
advertisementThe unions claim staff are receiving pay cuts as local authorities seek to drive down the cost of contracts for care services to achieve budget savings.

A union survey of staff in the voluntary, or third, sector found almost nine out of 10 said their organisation was under increased financial pressure compared to previous years, and almost three-quarters said they had suffered negative effects on wages and conditions as a result of funding cuts.

Roz Foyer, senior regional organiser with Unite said: "This is clearly unacceptable. We want the Scottish Parliament to deliver a framework for public procurement of voluntary sector services. We also need them to scrap competitive tendering.There is now a massive gulf between the voluntary sector and those delivering the same services in the public sector."

Mr McAveety said: "We will take up the issue directly with the Scottish Government and local authorities."

The group was also met by Labour leader Iain Gray, finance spokesman Andy Kerr and other Labour MSPs.

The SNP said the Scottish Government had made more money available to the voluntary sector and urged the campaigners to lobby Westminster as well.

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The Herald: Scottish Water workers begin strike

Herald Video: Scottish Water workers begin strike

Hundreds of workers from Scottish Water walked out today in a dispute over pay which could hit services across the country.

Unions leaders expect up to 2,000 staff to take part in the action across Scotland.

Workers started the 24-hour strike at midday in protest at a pay rise they claim is unfair.

But Scottish Water said it was "deeply disappointed" with the decision to strike. The company added contingency plans were in place to ensure normal services were maintained during the strike.

Dougie Black, a negotiator with Unison, said the strike action was going ahead because of the pay award and the manner in which it was imposed.

He said: "The employers imposed a pay award on our members this year and undermined the whole of the industrial relations machinery in Scottish Water.

"I hope the strike sends a really strong message to Scottish Water that our members are serious about winning a fair pay award this year.

"We want the employers to come back to the negotiating table and speak to us about how they can improve upon this offer."

Scottish Water staff from the Unison, Unite and GMB unions are involved in the action. They are angry about a pay rise from Scottish Water of 3% over 15 months.

Mr Black predicted the strike could cause disruption for customers.

"For the 24 hours the strike is taking place, Scottish Water services are going to be affected," he said.

"There won't be responses to individual incidents such as burst pipes."

He added if there was a "significant public health risk", union members would be asked to respond.

He added: "I hope Scottish Water customers understand clearly why we need to take this action."

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's customer service delivery director, said: "We have a committed team in place, determined to maintain a normal service for our customers.

"I am confident we can continue to deliver this."

Director of communications Chris Wallace added: "We are deeply disappointed; this decision is not the right action for Scottish Water.

"We have been in continuous dialogue with unions for a considerable time regarding this year's pay award.

"We are aware of the demands on everyone's pay in today's tough economic climate, but we believe we have given the best possible deal under the circumstances."

He added it was the only pay deal Scottish Water could give "under public sector guidelines".