UNISON launches childcare charter for West Dunbartonshire

Date: Monday 15 June 2015 UNISON has launched a positive 10 point Charter for Early Years services run by West Dunbartonshire Council. Staff feel the quality and value of their interaction with children is being diminished as to date there has been minimal engagement with the workforce or their union UNISON on how the expanded provision is delivered.   The Charter sets out basic principles about how the Council should work with staff to  implement the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase provision of 600 hours free nursery places for all 3 and 4 years olds, and the further expansion to some two year olds coming this August. This is time for a reset and for the council to adopt a genuine partnership approach with UNISON so that we can work together in the best interest of young children and families. Simon Macfarlane, UNISON Regional Organiser today said: "The increase in free childcare provision is a major step forward for young children and their families and UNISON believes this provision is best delivered by local authorities.

Scottish children cannot wait another 15 years for high quality childcare, says UNISON

Monday 1 June 2015

Responding to another Independent Review of the Scottish Early Learning and Childcare Workforce, UNISON has called time on the Scottish Government, demanding they now act to deliver improved childcare and early years education in Scotland.

The report, which has been published today (1 June 2015), was commissioned by the Scottish Government.  

Carol Ball, chair of UNISON Scotland education issues group, said:

 "It’s time for action on childcare and early years. This is the second major review of the early years and childcare workforce in less than ten years and the Commission for Childcare reform has also published its interim findings.

"The recommendations in this report are similar to those in previous reports.

"When a similar childcare and early learning  workforce review was published 2006 UNISON accepted we had to allow time for the private and voluntary sectors to catch up, for example,  to work towards a better qualified workforce.

UNISON Scotland launches Childcare Charter

Monday 16 March 2015

UNISON Scotland today (16 March) launched a Childcare Charter. The charter calls for an expansion of paid parental leave and flexible working for parents; and fair pay, training and career paths for childcare workers. UNISON has also called for childcare to be delivered free in the public rather than private sector.

Carol Ball, chair of UNISON’s education issues group said ‘The research is abundantly clear. High quality childcare is hugely beneficial for children, it supports parents and grows the economy. It helps close the gender pay gap, supports women in work and reduces child poverty.

I am calling on all political parties to make childcare a central policy platform for the coming elections and say how they will make the real change that families and childcare workers are calling out for. We need to change work for parents and improve terms and conditions for the childcare workforce, as this will improve the lives of children in Scotland.’

UNISON Scotland Childcare Charter calls for

·         High quality childcare

·         Free childcare provided in the public sector

·         Extension of paid parental leave

·         Improved flexible working

·         More research into what parents want

·         Fair pay for nursery staff

·         Training for nursery staff

·         Preparation time and study leave for nursery staff

·         Career paths for nursery staff

In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."In reality they are abandoning people with mental health issues in the city," she said. "They want GAMH to provide a citywide service, but that will not be possible with the budget suggested. Given the report which says the charity is currently saving the city £11.1m, this raises questions about the council's fiscal competence."Notes to Editor

·         UNISON is the largest public services trade union in Europe. We are the largest  trade union in Scotland.

·         You can read UNISON Scotland childcare charter here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/educationissues/UNISONScotlandChildcareCharter_Mar2015.pdf

10th anniversary of nursery nurse victory

It is 10 years since nursery nurses in Scotland returned to work after a year- long dispute culminating in up to 13 weeks of all out strike. It was the longest strike in Scotland since the miners’ strike.

It may not be surprising for a women dominated profession that nursery nurse pay had not been reviewed for 15 years and they had been waiting 18 months for a response on their claim.

They had mounted demonstrations, submitted a 20,000 signature petition to the Scottish Parliament and lobbied parents, councillors and MSPs. With no progress their patience ran out and they balloted for action.

In a 64% return over 90% voted to take strike action and action short of strike action.

Strikes began on 20 May 2003 in Glasgow and the West and were then co-ordinated across Scotland in a rolling programme to seek a national settlement that would address the pitifully low pay and low value councils afforded these workers.