Havana Glasgow Film Festival

A reminder that the Havana Glasgow Film Festival runs from today until Sunday 12 November.


The festival has a great selection of films and UNISON is associated with the screening of From Ghost Town to Havana at 7.15pm at the CCA, Glasgow, on Friday 10 November. Ghost Town to Havana is a heartbreaking, funny, and inspirational story about mentorship, life, love, murder, kids and baseball in Oakland and Havana today.


The full programme is here and on the HGFF website.


Of course, our thoughts are with Doreen Kean and the family of our friend, comrade and former UNISON Communications Officer Chris Bartter as the festival he helped promote gets under way.

This image dedicated to Chris Bartter will be displayed before the screening of From Ghost Town to Havana.

Chris said recently of the film: "I've seen the film now and it was great. It is both human and very political (without being overtly partisan). The director, unusually, is a key figure within the film - being the son of a baseball coach himself."

Letter of support for Colombian national strike

From Lilian Macer, Convener, UNISON Scotland and Clare Williams, Convener, UNISON Northern, Paula Barker, Convener, UNISON North West

President of the Republic of Colombia
Juan Manuel Santos Calderón
Casa de Nariño – Carrera 8 No.7-26
Bogotá – Colombia

Friday, 27 May 2016

Dear President Santos,

We are writing to express our support and solidarity with the Colombian peoples who have come together to express their discontent in the form of a National Strike: The Agrarian, Ethnic, Rural and Popular Minga.

Rural people, workers and local communities continue to suffer the impacts of economic policies that directly affect their livelihoods and modes of production. Such policies are a hindrance to achieving peace with social and environmental justice in the different regions of Colombia. That is why they have decided to mobilise through the country’s farmlands, roads and cities.

STUC backs progressive movements in South America

#STUC16 The STUC sent out a clear message today that we should be backing democratically elected governments in South America against a ‘corporate-wealth’ right wing backlash.

Moving UNISON’s emergency motion, Sam Macartney told delegates: “Over the last couple of decades we have seen huge advances for working people in South America.

Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland

NOTE TO PICTURE DESKS: Photocall 12.30pm Monday. Details below.


Embargo: 00:01 Monday 18 April
 
Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland

 
Trade unions are today (Monday 18 April) calling for strong action on climate change, with policies to support workers affected in the switch to a low carbon economy.

On ‘Climate Day’, ahead of a Holyrood election online debate, trade unions say there must be a ‘Just Transition’, ensuring support for workers whose jobs are phased out as Scotland goes low carbon.

Speakers from the STUC, PCS and UNISON will call at a lunchtime fringe meeting at the Scottish TUC’s Annual Congress for this fair switch to a low carbon economy. The meeting is organised by UNISON and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.

UNISON Depute Convener Stephen Smellie said: “Climate change is a key issue for trade unions as the world seeks to stop the planet heating above looming dangerous limits.

“We urgently need policies in place to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celcius, preferably 1.5 degrees, in order to halt catastrophic climate change.”  

A motion for debate at the Congress in Dundee this afternoon (Monday) notes that the deal agreed by world leaders in Paris in December did not include sufficient enforceable policy actions by governments to achieve this.

Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary, said: “Addressing climate change can deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits to Scotland.

“Planning for a just transition means we involve all parts of society, sharing these benefits and supporting those whose jobs are affected, with education, training, skills and workforce development also crucial to delivering effective action.”

Cheryl Gedling, Acting-Vice President of PCS, said: “Our union was part of the official UK trade union delegation to the Paris climate talks, lobbying for support for a just transition and we supported the massive climate, justice and jobs marches in London and Edinburgh in December.

“Through initiatives such as the one million climate jobs campaign backed by PCS, it shows we can both cut carbon emissions and create jobs by investing in renewable energy, such as building wind turbines, in retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient, and running an integrated transport network on clean fuel.”

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Board Member Mike Robinson said: “Tonight’s Climate Day election online debate will see the five political parties represented in the current Scottish Parliament questioned on their climate policies and plans for the next five years.

“The Paris agreement reinforced the fact that a safe, affordable future demands a more urgent and concerted effort to make homes warmer, transport greener and heat and electricity production renewable. And we need all politicians to be more accountable for the long term impact of decisions affecting all our lives.”
 
 
ENDS

 
 
Notes to Editors and Picture Editors

 
Photocall: A number of trade union leaders, including the above speakers, will attend for a photocall at 12.30pm, meeting in Conference Room 2, City Chambers (also described as Conf Room 2, Caird Hall if any confusion), Dundee on Monday 18 April. 

 
The fringe meeting is organised by UNISON Scotland and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Details are here http://www.unison-scotland.org/2016/03/16/climate-day-trade-unions-call-for-a-low-carbon-scotland-stuc2016-fringe/ 
Climate change and trade union action: Motion 11 to be debated at STUC Congress http://www.stuc.org.uk/events/16/stuc-119th-annual-congress  on Monday afternoon. Copied below for information. 
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland will host an online election debate from 7-8.30pm on Climate Day (Monday 18th April) with the five parties currently represented at Holyrood. www.stopclimatechaos.org/online-debate-2016 http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/online-debate-2016 . The debate will be livestreamed and will be hosted by journalist David Torrance.   
 

11. Climate Change and Trade Union Action

“That this Congress notes the agreement at the COP21 summit in Paris
in December that the world must take steps to limit global warming to 2
degrees and preferably 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, in order
to halt catastrophic climate change. However, we also note the failure of
the summit to agree enforceable actions on governments to ensure this
is achieved.
 
“Congress notes the successes in Scotland in setting ambitious carbon
reduction targets, the wide consensus amongst most political parties for
action, as well as the broad based civic campaigns bringing together
environmentalist, faith, community, student and trade union groups in
support of this. However, we recognise that more needs to be done to
achieve the targets.
 
“Congress commends the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland manifesto
‘Securing a low carbon Scotland for 2020 and beyond’. In particular, we
support the demands for a Warm Homes Act and for investment in
infrastructure to be directed towards a low carbon economy.
 
“Congress calls on the Scottish Government to draw up a transition plan
that will ensure climate justice for those workers in the carbon industries
whose jobs will be phased out in a transition to a low carbon economy.”
 
Mover: South Lanarkshire & East Kilbride TUC

 
 
 

Live reports from delegation to Palestine - please support the boycott policy

Fifth and last report from a delegation to Palestine and Israel by Sam Macartney, UNISON Scotland International Chair: Day 5: Went to Hebron and was not surprised by the number of Israeli solders surrounding this city.

A few hundred Israeli settlers have live in Hebron since 1982. There have always been some issues but this has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. Ever since Israel's settler building program has taken off, there has been many Palestinians murdered since the late 90's including a young 17 year old woman shot and left to die in February this year in front of a mosque.

It took two hours to get an ambulance. Israeli soldiers pulled her body behind a wall so the public wouldn't be upset.

Life for a Palestinian in Hebron is hard an cruel. There are now 400 hundred settlers protected by 3,000 Israeli soldiers. They must feel very safe.

If you feel I'm being tough on Israel and how its ethnic policies are impacting on Palestinians please come to Hebron.

Thanks for listening to my reports and please support the boycott policy because the Palestinian people deserve to live in their own country without fear and oppression.

Live reports from delegation to Palestine - illegal settlements, demolition and displacement

Fourth report from a delegation to Palestine and Israel by Sam Macartney, UNISON Scotland International Chair: Day 4 Jerusalem: Two scheduled meetings for today and a chance to see the illegal settlements which the Israeli government are helping to build and saying their not.

Furniture tossed on the street

UN you need to see a good optician. Illegal settlements spring up in East Jerusalem at a rapid pace. But these are not settlements. These are massive housing schemes with wall to wall shopping malls, schools and facilities which cover miles of stolen territory, while the Palestinians are forced to live in slum like conditions with no facilities and without proper construction guidelines.

Live reports from delegation to Palestine - UN and Kavla Oved

Second report from a delegation to Palestine and Israel by Sam Macartney, UNISON Scotland International Chair:  Day 3: Met with the UN representative this morning, (Rodger Dalton) also at the meeting was Lord Warner Labour peer, and two forgettable Tory MPs. They were getting to travel to Gaza while groups with a real interest an agenda are barerd.

Meeting with Kavla Oved workers' rights group

The meeting again confirmed the lack of interest by the majority of the UN nations, still no building material aloud to enter Gaza. The Israeli government have stated that building material can be used for terrorism. Meanwhile people live in tents. Some tents where supplied by UN countries who have no intention to ask for compensation from Israel for destroying them.

Live reports from UNISON delegation to Palestine

Sam Macartney, UNISON Scotland International Chair, reports from a delegation to Palestine and Israel: Day one arrived Tel Aviv. As expected I was pulled in by Israeli security, thankfully only questioned for 20 minutes then released. It seems my reputation precedes me!

Another Israeli checkpoint, Jerusalem

On the drive to Jerusalem Noel our driver pointed out the security the Palestine workers and people must face day in day out. Horrendous can't explain what this is like. The harassment and humiliation these people face is beyond words!

There are now walls around all Palestinian settlements with signs stating Jews must be aware that this area is dangerous. For them! So much for shared futures and villages, these truly are divisive structures.

Climate film reminder, 8 April, Glasgow - & @sccscot job opportunity

UNISON and Global Justice Now are holding a free community screening this Friday of the climate film This Changes Everything. 

Join us from 5.30pm for the 6pm prompt screening on Friday 8 April at UNISON Scotland, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. All welcome. Hosted by our International Committee and Green Network, working with Global Justice Now.

Inspired by the Naomi Klein bestselling book of the same name, the film This Changes Everything asks: "What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world?”

There will be a short discussion afterwards, finishing at 8pm. Soft drinks and popcorn too!

Meanwhile, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is advertising for a Campaign Manager (Maternity Cover). Full details on their website 

UNISON is a member of SCCS and supports their Climate Day #AskClimateQ Holyrood election online evening debate on 18 April. We are also holding a joint fringe at the STUC Congress in Dundee that lunchtime.

The next meeting of the Green Network is on Saturday 21 May at 11am in the UNISON Scotland office in Glasgow. All members welcome. Full details nearer the time here

Climate inspiration - film and @SCCScot online debate, as UK CCC calls for strong action

UNISON and Global Justice Now are holding a free community screening of the climate film This Changes Everything next month.

And the union is supporting Stop Climate Chaos Scotland’s Climate Day #AskClimateQ Holyrood election online evening debate on 18 April, as well as holding a joint fringe with SCCS at the STUC Congress in Dundee that lunchtime.

Yesterday the UK Committee on Climate Change said that climate change action in Scotland needs to be stepped up.

As a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), we welcome the Committee’s call for strong action and new policies to meet the country’s tough greenhouse emissions reduction targets.

As SCCS said, there is a massive opportunity to not only cut emissions but also to deliver new jobs in sectors like home insulation and renewable energy across Scotland, to improve public health, create investment in new industry and help tackle fuel poverty.

Increasing evidence from around the world shows the growing extent of climate change, with the Guardian reporting yesterday, using a dramatic graphic, that 'record-breaking temperatures have robbed the Arctic of its winter'.

Inspired by the Naomi Klein bestselling book of the same name, the film This Changes Everything asks: "What if confronting the climate crisis is the best chance we’ll ever get to build a better world?”

Join us from 5.30pm for the 6pm prompt screening on Friday 8 April at UNISON Scotland, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. All welcome. Hosted by our International Committee and Green Network, working with Global Justice Now.

There will be a short discussion afterwards, finishing at 8pm. Soft drinks and popcorn too!

And don't forget Earth Hour on Saturday! Sat 19 March. 8.30pm Switch off for your planet!

.

Interested in a fairer food system? Bring your NGO 07/03 #PLENTY #ScotFoodCoalition

There's a new coalition in Scotland working for a just transition to a new food system.

UNISON is hosting a workshop on Monday, 7 March, at which the Scottish Food Coalition will launch a new report, 'PLENTY'. A few places remain for interested NGOs and networks across all sectors.

PLENTY: Food, Farming and Health in a New Scotland describes a food system that is environmentally sustainable, socially just, and delivers high levels of wellbeing. It sets out the vision, makes the case for change, and some steps for getting there. 

The Scottish FoodCoalition has come together in recognition that the problems in our current food system are interconnected and cannot be changed by focusing on a single issue.

UNISON Scotland's next Green Network meeting is this Saturday, Glasgow

Reminder for all UNISON members interested in climate change!

Come to our next Green Network meeting in Glasgow - this Saturday, 27 February.

Guest speaker Ric Lander, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, will be speaking mainly on pensions disinvestment campaigns, but will be referring also to fracking and other important policy areas.

We will be discussing what is needed now following the UN Paris climate deal, and looking at green workplace action as part of our Combating Austerity campaigning.

The meeting is from 1.30-3.30pm in the UNISON Scotland office. (slightly earlier than previously advertised) Email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk for more information and to sign up for Green Network email updates.

Our Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/greennetworkunisonscotland

Simple Minds called to campaign for world cup workers in Qatar

Date: Friday 18 December 2015 UNISON, Scotland’s biggest trade union, has written to the Scottish band Simple Minds asking they speak out for migrant workers rights in Qatar. UNISON supports the TUC Fair Play for Qatar campaign which is highlighting the poor working conditions of migrant workers who are building football stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup. Simple Minds are booked to play a gig in Qatar on 29 January Simon Macfarlane, UNISON international committee spokesperson, said “Workers are being drafted in mainly from India, Nepal and Bangladesh and forced to live in squalid conditions, paid as little as 45 pence an hour and work in a very dangerous environment. Almost 1000 workers have died in Qatar building infrastructure for the world cup and if nothing changes the death toll could be as much as 4000 by the time the World Cup starts in 2022. Simple Minds have an excellent record in supporting Human Rights across the world. They were leading campaigners against South African apartheid. And songs like Belfast Child and Mandela Day are loved for their message as much as anything else. It would be great if they highlighted the plight of migrant workers in Qatar”  END Notes TUC Fair Play Qatar campaign https://www.tuc.org.uk/international-issues/countries/qatar Letter from UNISON Scotland international committee to Simple Minds is online here:http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/international/

UNISON calls for Robert Gordon University to remove Donald Trump's honorary degree

Date: Wednesday 9 December 2015

UNISON members working at Robert Gordon University have written to the Principal, Professor Prondzynski, calling on him to remove Donald Trump's honorary degree because he is reported to have called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States"  

UNISON believes this to be unacceptable.  

Colin Jones, Robert Gordon UNISON steward said: 

“Robert Gordon University has a strong international reputation and UNISON believes that our University's association with Donald Trump can only undermine all the hard work we have put into building this worldwide reputation.  

"We believe that the University must distance itself from such views and make it as clear as possible that such statements are both unacceptable and irresponsible. They are divisive and put Muslim friends, family and colleagues in danger of discrimination and reprisals, and will make international relations worse not better.  

END  

Notes:
UNISON is the largest trade union in Scotland. It is the public services union and it is the recognised union for professional and support staff at Robert Gordon University.

The Principal of Robert Gordon University is Professor Ferdinand Von Prondzynski. Robert Gordon University awarded Donald Trump his honorary degree in 2010.

UN climate talks and cancellation of demonstrations in Paris - Support #ScotClimateMarch #COP21

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis today urged the highest possible turnout for marches in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and Belfast next weekend, in solidarity with climate campaigners in Paris and around the world.

The International Trade Union Confederation  made the same call. Both were responding to the decision by the French authorities, following the terrorist attacks in Paris, to cancel demonstrations there on 29 November and 12 December at the start and end of the important UN climate talks.

Dave Prentis said: “While we show our respect for the Paris tragedy, it is also important that we show that, even without the Paris demonstrations, politicians will not be left of the hook when making the most serious climate change commitments for the next generation.

“By marching on 28 and 29 November, our voices will be stronger than ever in calling for a climate deal that must protect people and the planet.”

Demonstrations in the four UK capitals are going ahead on 28 and 29 November. Scotland’s climate march in Edinburgh is on Saturday 28 November. www.scotlandsclimatemarch.org 

Trade unionists are marching for a Just Transition to a low carbon economy to be part of the final global climate deal.

Scotland welcomes refugees - message from International chair and secretary

As a plane of Syrian refugees is about to land in Glasgow today Sam Macartney, Chair of the International Committee and I wanted to tell you about what members of the International Committee heard from Robina Qureshi, Director of Positive Action in Housing on Saturday.

Robina advised us of the links her organisation had made with the Kempson family who live on the island of Lesvos in Greece where a huge proportion of the refuges trying to reach mainland Europe arrive first. The Kempson family have found themselves on the fronyt line of helping thjousands of refugees and PAIH are supporting them in challenging the large aid agencies over the inadequacy of their action so far on Lesvos. Robina was able to tell us on Saturday this action is beginning to have some impact on the NGOs. The plight of refugees is stark and we were reminded how many perish in the attempt to reach safety.

PAIH have set up schemes whereby individuals can register to house refugees; volunteer to assist and donate money that is guaranteed to get to the front line.

Join UNISON Scotland Green Network supporting #scotclimatemarch 28 Nov

*Stop Press: Members interested in booking a subsidised place on a bus to Paris for 12 Dec demonstration should seek nomination through their branch. See below for details.

It’s time next month to join the global movement marching for a better future, demanding strong action from world leaders at the United Nations climate talks in December.

UNISON members are invited to a Green Network meeting in Glasgow on Sat 14 November to build support for the coming big demonstrations in Edinburgh and Paris, and to plan green workplace campaigns in 2016.

Our branches will be at Scotland’s Climate March , organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) in Edinburgh on Saturday 28 November and in Paris on Saturday 12 December to show our colours for climate, justice and jobs.

Trade union demands for the UN talks include ensuring the final deal contains plans for a Just Transition to a low carbon future. Latest on that here

Full details about the SCCS march are online at www.stopclimatechaos.org/march including posters and flyers and a supporters’ toolkit which includes full details of timing, after gathering at The Meadows at 12 noon. If you can help steward, please email SCCS through the link on the march web page.

It is one of many marches being held in cities around the world that weekend, including other UK ones in Cardiff on 28 and London and Belfast on 29 November.

The major international demonstration in Paris on Saturday 12 December, at the end of the talks, is being held to keep up the pressure on political leaders to prevent dangerous runaway climate change. It will mark the peak of two weeks of civil society actions, including trade union actions, around the talks. Friends of the Earth Scotland is running a bus. Details here.

UNISON Scotland may have a small number of fully subsidised bus places for members nominated by branches, if a funding bid is approved at the end of October. Branches interested in booking one of these, if they become available, should email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk asap with Paris Bus in the subject line. Please make sure your young members also know about this opportunity. A small number of young members are already booked to go from London as part of a UNISON young members International delegation.

The UNISON Scotland Green Network meeting in Glasgow is on Sat 14 November from 2-4pm in UNISON’s West Campbell Street office, following the International Committee meeting earlier. There will be contributions from Stephen Smellie, vice convener of UNISON Scotland, and Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns.

We are hoping lots of new members interested in campaigning for climate justice policies will come to the meeting or get in touch to be part of the Network. Email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk for more information and to sign up for Green Network email updates.

The Sat 28 November Edinburgh event will see people from all over Scotland come together to demand an agreement in Paris that cuts greenhouse gas emissions and helps the poorest countries adapt to the challenges they face caused by climate change. The family-friendly march will culminate with music, entertainment and speeches at the Ross Bandstand in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.

It unfortunately and unavoidably clashes with the STUC annual St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally, which takes place this year in Glasgow on Sat 28 November. UNISON Scotland is a strong supporter of the STUC march. This year’s theme is No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here – a theme with many links to the impact of climate change. Branches are encouraged to be represented at both events.

(SPICe, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, has produced a briefing on the UN talks.)

Scotland v Qatar game - SFA must challenge Qatar on workers rights

Thu 4 June 2015

 From Simon McFarlane, secretary UNISON Scotland International Committee:

As you will have seen the FIFA story is continuing to grow and run. We need to ensure everything possible is done to keep focus on labour rights in Qatar. There is a lot of activity around the Scotland v Qatar game tomorrow (Friday 5 June) in Edinburgh. The SFA have so far done little to challenge Qatar on workers’ rights (over 1,400 deaths and the Kafala system – all power lies with employer including whether you can leave).

If you can get to Edinburgh tomorrow and join the campaigning activities, please do so, details below. If you can’t please support the campaign in other ways. One simple thing you can do is print off an A4 message from the Playfair Qatar site and post a selfie of yourself holding it up (ideally with a football top on) , see: http://playfairqatar.org.uk/#section-fans-photos and http://playfairqatar.org.uk/scotland-v-qatar-june-5-2015/ .   

There’s a Facebook page for tomorrow at https://www.facebook.com/events/1639123382985614/ 

SCCS Rally for the Climate - 27 May at the Scottish Parliament

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is holding a Rally for the Climate on Wednesday May 27 at the Scottish Parliament as part of its 'For the Love of' campaign.

UNISON members are urged to take part, even if you can't attend on the day, by telling First Minister Nicola Sturgeon what you love that is at risk from climate change, and that the Scottish Government needs to do more to cut emissions.

The Scottish Government has already missed the first three targets set under the Scottish Climate Change Act. 

Scotland is rightly proud of this world-leading legislation but, as the Committee on Climate Change highlighted in March, the Scottish Government must do more to deliver what is set out in the Act. 

This is also crucial to retain our credibility in urging other countries of the need for, and benefits of, the switch to a low carbon economy. Scotland should be making a strong call to action as part of the build up to the meeting of world leaders in Paris in December to thrash out a new international agreement on climate change.

As Lord Stern, and others, warned earlier this month, pledges made to date in advance of the United Nations talks will not be enough to keep global warming rises below the 2 degrees Celsius threshold.

Please support the rally and send your message to Nicola Sturgeon calling for action here, and for Scotland to be proactive in working for an ambitious deal in Paris. SCCS says that 'it's time to show the love.' 

SCCS partner The Climate Coalition is also holding a lobby of MPs and a rally at the House of Commons on Wednesday 17 June. It's a chance to put climate change at the top of the political agenda following the general election. Thousands are expected from across the UK. More details of how to take part are here. 

#Showthelove... Ask First Minister to act on climate change

Love is in the air this week...love for everything that climate change threatens.

And Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) is asking us all to tell First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that we believe a new global climate deal must be agreed at United Nations talks in Paris in December this year.

In the new Show the Love campaign, members and supporters of SCCS members across Scotland, including UNISON, are contacting the First Minister with a simple message:

Please ensure we deliver on Scotland's world-leading climate commitments and make sure Scotland plays a proactive role in striving for an ambitious global deal in Paris in December.

You can take part by email from the SCCS website , remembering to write into the email some of the things you love that are under threat if we don't make the switch to a low carbon economy.