Wed 27 Jan 2016
Public services union UNISON has today (Wed 27 January 2016) urged the Scottish Government to push ahead with proposed new financial powers for Scottish councils to relax the rules for borrowing, lending and the repayment of loans.
These proposed changes to Scottish councils' financial powers should now be used for greater flexibility to deal with the funding crisis in Scottish councils. If used effectively it could save Scottish councils upwards of £50million, or save over 1000 jobs. UNISON called for these ‘long overdue’ changes in their report Combating Austerity (Sept 2015). The report called for a relaxing of the repayment of loans fund regulations, arguing that councils need greater flexibility to mitigate austerity. The Combating Austerity report explores all options and argues that making full use of flexibility in new borrowing or refinancing, and restructuring existing borrowing could potentially free up significant sums of money, at a time of severe austerity cuts. Dave Watson, head of UNISON Scotland policy and public affairs said, ‘These limited changes are very welcome we have been urging the Scottish Government to introduce them for some time. Scottish councils are in real crisis, cutting local services and shedding 1000s of jobs. Giving councils this flexibility could save upwards of £50m and over 1000 jobs. This is not going to solve the problem but is an example of how we need to start thinking to mitigate the worst of austerity and council tax freeze.' UNISON is now urging the Scottish Government to go further and include new proposals to enable councils to borrow to either make grants to third parties where these grants fund capital expenditure, or for the authority to incur expenditure directly on third party tangible assets; and a new provision for a local authority to be able to borrow to lend to any of its subsidiary bodies where the loan is to be used to finance capital expenditure of the subsidiary. Dave Watson said, ‘Further changes beyond what is now being proposed, could make a real difference and mitigate some of the worst of austerity. Councils could use new types of borrowing to support, for example buyouts of expensive Privtae Finance Intitiative (PFI) contracts or, perhaps, to finance new conventional spending, they could offer health boards an alternative to expensive hub Public Private Partnerships (PPP), PFI, or Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) schemes. We think they could be doing this now. However the Scottish Government should make it explicit in the rules for Scottish councils, so we can encourage innovation and more efficient use of public funds. And vitally, use these rules to save our public services and thousands of local jobs.
END
Notes for editors • UNISON is the biggest trade union in Scotland and the biggest union in local government. • UNISON report Combating Austerity: signposting the ways Scotland could limit some of the damage from Austerity (PDF). Combating Austerity Press release 23 September 2015 here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2015/sepoct/0923.htm • UNISON summary briefing here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/ e-briefing_RelaxingBorrowingRules4Councils_Jan2016.pdf • The new draft Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Scotland) Regulations 2016 and on Loans Fund Accounting are set to come into effect, with any changes following the consultation, from 1 April 2016 and statutory guidance can be read here:http://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2016/9780111031063 • These regulations cover changes to the statutory arrangements for local authority borrowing, lending and the statutory loans fund. They were the subject of a short consultation at the end of 2015. • UNISON Consultation response to The new draft Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Scotland) Regulations 2016 Here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ LocalAuthorityCapitalFinanceRegs_UNISONResponsetoScotGov_Jan2016.pdf |
UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Showing posts with label privatisation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label privatisation. Show all posts
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
New financial powers could save Scottish councils £50m, says UNISON
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
'Ultimate market madness', UNISON's statement on privatisation Scottish Water services
Date: Tuesday 6 October 2015
Dave Watson, head of UNISON Scotland bargaining and campaigns, said:
“UNISON is deeply disappointed that the contract for Scotland’s public sector water and wastewater services is to be awarded to a privatised utility. In fairness, the Scottish Government had few options because the system of retail water competition is the ultimate in market madness. £350m will be paid to Anglian Water in Huntingdon, only for most of that money to be repaid to Scottish Water in wholesale charges. The cost of this crazy system is picked up by the taxpayer.”
“The claimed headline savings include water efficiency measures that should be undertaken anyway and is often included to spin out the alleged benefits of retail competition."
“This procurement also highlights the importance of addressing tax dodging in procurement, an issue UNISON and other civil society organisations campaigned for during the passage of the Procurement Act. There should be pre-qualification disclosure of company taxation policies and public bodies should be able to evaluate a tender on the basis of which company pays tax or not. Assessment of bids could make use of the Fair Tax Mark."
‘We have always said that Scottish water should stay in Scotland in public hands it works, is good value for money and water customers support the corporation staying in public hands."
“UNISON is deeply disappointed that the contract for Scotland’s public sector water and wastewater services is to be awarded to a privatised utility. In fairness, the Scottish Government had few options because the system of retail water competition is the ultimate in market madness. £350m will be paid to Anglian Water in Huntingdon, only for most of that money to be repaid to Scottish Water in wholesale charges. The cost of this crazy system is picked up by the taxpayer.”
“The claimed headline savings include water efficiency measures that should be undertaken anyway and is often included to spin out the alleged benefits of retail competition."
“This procurement also highlights the importance of addressing tax dodging in procurement, an issue UNISON and other civil society organisations campaigned for during the passage of the Procurement Act. There should be pre-qualification disclosure of company taxation policies and public bodies should be able to evaluate a tender on the basis of which company pays tax or not. Assessment of bids could make use of the Fair Tax Mark."
‘We have always said that Scottish water should stay in Scotland in public hands it works, is good value for money and water customers support the corporation staying in public hands."
ends
Notes
Corporate Watch report that Anglian paid £151 million to its private owners, but just £1 million in tax in 2012, after an operating profit of £363 million. It avoids millions in tax by routing profits through tax havens by way of taking on high-interest loans from their owners through the Channel Islands stock exchange.
Ten Asks: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/Procurement-10asks-regs+guidance_Apr2015.pdf
UNISON is the public sector union, the biggest union in Scotland. UNISON represents workers in Scottish Water and BusinessStream
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Delivering leisure is no fun, says UNISON
Tuesday 9 June 2015
Staff delivering culture and leisure services across
Scotland are coming under increasing pressure as job losses and lack of
investment make their work increasingly difficult.
This is the finding of a report from UNISON, While wework you play - staff in Scotland’s leisure trusts speak out.
A survey of culture and leisure staff by UNISON found that
over half regularly work more than their contracted hours and seventy one
percent say that morale in their workplace has gone down in recent years.
Staff say they are under increasing pressure as staff leave and are not
replaced
The survey examines Sport Scotland figures on charging for
services and discovers that prices for popular sporting activities have
been increasing over the cost of inflation.
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
Gradual drip of privatisation has reached epic proportions in Scottish Water, says UNISON
Tue 3 June
UNISON, Scotland’s largest public service union, says new figures showing the extent of privatisation in Scottish Water should be a major wake-up call to the Scottish Government.
A recent FOI by insider website ‘Utilities Scotland’ has revealed that 92.5 per cent of Scottish Water’s capital programme has been delivered by private contractors over the last four years, while just 7.5 per cent was delivered by Scottish Water staff. UNISON, who has long campaigned to keep Scotland’s water in public hands, says it is merely privatisation through the backdoor.
While Scottish Water is a public service, there has been an incremental drift towards privatisation. Firstly, through the hugely expensive PFI schemes and then by a broader PPP scheme which has seen the extensive contractorisation of Scottish Water.
Scotland’s main political parties have supported public ownership, however, the White Paper ‘Scotland’s Future’ has no mention of a public water service should Scotland vote for independence in September. UNISON is seeking clarification from the Scottish Government that this is simply an omission.
Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland’s Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said:
“Scottish Water is a public service success story, but we are only too aware that there is a powerful lobby for privatisation. Water is a service, not a commodity and we need a service that puts people before profit.
“Scottish Water is a public service success story, but we are only too aware that there is a powerful lobby for privatisation. Water is a service, not a commodity and we need a service that puts people before profit.
“These latest disclosures show the gradual drip of privatisation has reached epic proportions. The privatisation sharks are still circling Scottish Water and we need to remain vigilant - Scotland’s water is not for sale.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. For more information see our briefing at:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/
ScottishWaterCapitalInvestmentProgramme_May2014.pdf
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/
ScottishWaterCapitalInvestmentProgramme_May2014.pdf
2. You can find more information on the FOI at www.utilitiesscotland.com
3. Scottish Water is a public corporation that delivers a publicly-owned water and sewerage service to the people of Scotland, unlike the privatised service in the rest of the UK.
4. Scottish Water has delivered a massive capital programme to update our aging infrastructure. It spends just under £500m a year on infrastructure including pipes and treatment works, funded largely by the water charge payer with borrowing support from the Scottish Government.
5. The SNP, Scottish Labour and the Greens have supported public ownership of Scottish Water with only the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats making the case for privatisation.
6. Campaigning against the privatisation of Scottish Water doesn’t mean clinging to the status quo. In UNISON Scotland’s paper ‘It’s Scotland’s Water’ we highlight other public service models that demonstrate that a more democratic structure can deliver a more efficient, socially responsible and more accountable public water service. Find out more here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/
Friday, 9 May 2014
UNISON Scotland calls for Europe of full employment which cares for future generations
9 May 2014
UNISON Scotland launched its manifesto for the European elections today (Friday 9 May 2014). The trade union in Scotland is calling for policies which end austerity and protect working people.
UNISON is concerned that with the independence referendum just a few months away and all the talk about the rise of UKIP we forget that the European elections, on 22 May 2014, matter for millions of people across Europe.
Lillian Macer, UNISON Scotland convener said,
‘UNISON is gravely concerned about severe austerity measures which have been imposed on EU countries. These measures have brought widening inequality and mass unemployment resulting in terrible social impact on thousands of working people across Europe. The decisions taken by the European Parliament have never been more important. Today we launch our European manifesto for a Europe of full employment for future generations’
UNISON Scotland launched its manifesto for the European elections today (Friday 9 May 2014). The trade union in Scotland is calling for policies which end austerity and protect working people.
UNISON is concerned that with the independence referendum just a few months away and all the talk about the rise of UKIP we forget that the European elections, on 22 May 2014, matter for millions of people across Europe.
Lillian Macer, UNISON Scotland convener said,
‘UNISON is gravely concerned about severe austerity measures which have been imposed on EU countries. These measures have brought widening inequality and mass unemployment resulting in terrible social impact on thousands of working people across Europe. The decisions taken by the European Parliament have never been more important. Today we launch our European manifesto for a Europe of full employment for future generations’
Thursday, 1 August 2013
UNISON Scotland – why we’re answering the call for our NHS
#NHS999
The Tories are attacking our NHS too ...
David Cameron and George Osborne might not run NHS Scotland, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t attacking it. We must fight to save it.
Devolution means they can’t run down and privatise our NHS directly, the way they are doing in England. But what they can do is starve it of resources. They are cutting back on the money provided to the Scottish Government and this puts the health budget under pressure.
David Cameron and George Osborne might not run NHS Scotland, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t attacking it. We must fight to save it.
Devolution means they can’t run down and privatise our NHS directly, the way they are doing in England. But what they can do is starve it of resources. They are cutting back on the money provided to the Scottish Government and this puts the health budget under pressure.
Friday, 21 June 2013
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.”
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
UNISON warns social work standards are at risk from austerity cuts
12 June 2013
Social workers meeting in Glasgow today (Wed) warned that managers and the Scottish Government must do more protect services to the most vulnerable in the face of austerity cuts.
Stephen Smellie, Vice Convener of UNISON Scotland, told a seminar on ethical social work that cutbacks are placing unprecedented pressures on services and on staff working to ensure professional standards are upheld.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Involve staff in health and social care integration or watch reform fail
#stuc13 17 April 2013
UNISON today warned that changes to services for the most vulnerable people must do more to involve staff or watch reform fail.
These include: staff transfer, pensions, secondment, training and development, equality duties, governance and procurement – covering the protections that should prevent setting up a two tier workforce when services are contracted out.
Notes to Editors
UNISON is Scotland's largest trade union representing 160,000 members working in the public sector.
UNISON’s submission to the Scottish Government consultation on the integration of adult health and social care in Scotland is atwww.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/IntegrationofAdultHealthandSocialCare_response_Sep2012.pdf
UNISON’s Bargaining Briefing on integration is at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/b032_BargainingBrief_IntegrationofAdultHealth+SocialCare_Mar2013.pdf
.
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
European Advocate General sets legal precedent: privatised workers should retain ongoing parity of pay and conditions
Tue 19 Feb 2013
The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, today backed UNISON’s claim that privatised workers should continue to benefit from increased pay and conditions negotiated at their previous workplace, setting an important legal precedent.
Over the past seven years, UNISON has argued that 24 members transferred from the London Borough of Lewisham to Parkwood Leisure, were entitled, under their contracts of employment, to continue to benefit from nationally agreed pay and terms negotiated by the local government pay body.
The Alemo-Herron & Ors v Parkwood Leisure Ltd case, which has been waged through the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and now the Court of Justice of the European Union, sets important legal principles both in the UK and through EU member states.
The union will now await the final decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which will be followed by a decision in the Supreme Court. If both courts back this ruling, TUPE (Transfer of Undertaking Protection of Employment) will again provide ongoing protection for employees, rather than a one-off protection at the time that they are transferred.
The UK government is already consulting over limiting the law in this area, as a part of its continued attack on employment rights, which the union is campaigning against.
Bronwyn McKenna, UNISON Assistant General Secretary, said:
“We are delighted that fairness has won out in this important case. UNISON supported our members to the hilt, taking our fight to the highest possible court. We knew that our members should have a right to the same pay and terms of employment which they signed up to when they took their jobs.
“This ruling will be a huge relief for the many thousands of people who have been transferred out from their original employer, including those who have been, or are now at risk of being privatised.
“We are now calling on Parkwood Leisure to pay our members what they are owed, and for other employers to honour any contractual pay increases owed to transferred staff, or run the risk of finding themselves in court.
“UNISON will continue its fight to protect employment rights, in light of the government’s plans to limit the law following this decision.”
UNISON UK News release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2968
.
The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, today backed UNISON’s claim that privatised workers should continue to benefit from increased pay and conditions negotiated at their previous workplace, setting an important legal precedent.
Over the past seven years, UNISON has argued that 24 members transferred from the London Borough of Lewisham to Parkwood Leisure, were entitled, under their contracts of employment, to continue to benefit from nationally agreed pay and terms negotiated by the local government pay body.
The Alemo-Herron & Ors v Parkwood Leisure Ltd case, which has been waged through the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and now the Court of Justice of the European Union, sets important legal principles both in the UK and through EU member states.
The union will now await the final decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which will be followed by a decision in the Supreme Court. If both courts back this ruling, TUPE (Transfer of Undertaking Protection of Employment) will again provide ongoing protection for employees, rather than a one-off protection at the time that they are transferred.
The UK government is already consulting over limiting the law in this area, as a part of its continued attack on employment rights, which the union is campaigning against.
Bronwyn McKenna, UNISON Assistant General Secretary, said:
“We are delighted that fairness has won out in this important case. UNISON supported our members to the hilt, taking our fight to the highest possible court. We knew that our members should have a right to the same pay and terms of employment which they signed up to when they took their jobs.
“This ruling will be a huge relief for the many thousands of people who have been transferred out from their original employer, including those who have been, or are now at risk of being privatised.
“We are now calling on Parkwood Leisure to pay our members what they are owed, and for other employers to honour any contractual pay increases owed to transferred staff, or run the risk of finding themselves in court.
“UNISON will continue its fight to protect employment rights, in light of the government’s plans to limit the law following this decision.”
UNISON UK News release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2968
.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Save our colleges, UNISON FE members tell MSPs
Tue 5 Feb 2013
Scotland’s college support staff union UNISON will today (Tuesday 5 February) give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill
Chris Greenshields, chair of UNISON’s Further Education Committee, will today (Tuesday 5 February) tell MSPs that college cuts and mergers will have a catastrophic effect on key services to students.
In evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill, Chris will tell MSPs:
“We have already lost more than 1,300 jobs in Scotland Colleges in 18 months alone - before Education Secretary Mike Russell announced that he wanted a further £50 million of savings as a result of mergers.
“We think this that will have a catastrophic effect on the key services our members provide to our students. We cannot continue to cut while the sector deals with the biggest changes in over 20 years.
“We believe this is gambling with our students' future.”
The cuts have also seen vocational courses like aeronautical and aircraft engineering, computer animation, digital gaming, green-keeping, and horticulture disappearing alongside opportunities for part time students.
Chris Greenshields said:
“Thousands of people were unable to find a college place this year. We believe that regionalisation could make a difficult situation worse. We believe college regionalisation is about budget cuts not improvement.”
UNISON’s college staff in Scotland are planning to step up their campaign to save further education.
Regional Organiser Emma Phillips said:
“Members working in FE have been facing a double whammy of deep funding cuts and a series of difficult mergers with minimal consultation.
“Our FE committee has been campaigning along with the National Union of Students and other community activists and trade unions.
“Around 1300 UNISON postcards signed by members and supporters calling for an end to short-term cuts and long-term damage will be delivered as a petition to the Scottish Parliament. That is one for every job lost in FE colleges in the last couple of years.
“We are calling on Education Secretary Mike Russell to guarantee: decent funding for colleges; no compulsory redundancies; no more privatisation in colleges; an end to so-called ‘back office’ cuts - and a Living Wage for all staff whether directly employed or working for contractors.
“We plan to build our campaign with a lobby of MSPs and local campaign initiatives in colleges across Scotland through 2013.”
ends
Notes for editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents a range of staff delivering important services in further and higher education.
2. UNISON Scotland's written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill can be found on our website here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/
Post16Education_EvidencetoSPEducation+CultureCttee_Jan2013.pdf
.
Scotland’s college support staff union UNISON will today (Tuesday 5 February) give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill
Chris Greenshields, chair of UNISON’s Further Education Committee, will today (Tuesday 5 February) tell MSPs that college cuts and mergers will have a catastrophic effect on key services to students.
In evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill, Chris will tell MSPs:
“We have already lost more than 1,300 jobs in Scotland Colleges in 18 months alone - before Education Secretary Mike Russell announced that he wanted a further £50 million of savings as a result of mergers.
“We think this that will have a catastrophic effect on the key services our members provide to our students. We cannot continue to cut while the sector deals with the biggest changes in over 20 years.
“We believe this is gambling with our students' future.”
The cuts have also seen vocational courses like aeronautical and aircraft engineering, computer animation, digital gaming, green-keeping, and horticulture disappearing alongside opportunities for part time students.
Chris Greenshields said:
“Thousands of people were unable to find a college place this year. We believe that regionalisation could make a difficult situation worse. We believe college regionalisation is about budget cuts not improvement.”
UNISON’s college staff in Scotland are planning to step up their campaign to save further education.
Regional Organiser Emma Phillips said:
“Members working in FE have been facing a double whammy of deep funding cuts and a series of difficult mergers with minimal consultation.
“Our FE committee has been campaigning along with the National Union of Students and other community activists and trade unions.
“Around 1300 UNISON postcards signed by members and supporters calling for an end to short-term cuts and long-term damage will be delivered as a petition to the Scottish Parliament. That is one for every job lost in FE colleges in the last couple of years.
“We are calling on Education Secretary Mike Russell to guarantee: decent funding for colleges; no compulsory redundancies; no more privatisation in colleges; an end to so-called ‘back office’ cuts - and a Living Wage for all staff whether directly employed or working for contractors.
“We plan to build our campaign with a lobby of MSPs and local campaign initiatives in colleges across Scotland through 2013.”
ends
Notes for editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents a range of staff delivering important services in further and higher education.
2. UNISON Scotland's written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee on the Post-16 Education Bill can be found on our website here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/
Post16Education_EvidencetoSPEducation+CultureCttee_Jan2013.pdf
.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Public sector pay premium: nailing the myth - UNISON
Thu 22 Nov 2012
UNISON, the UK’s largest union said that the latest figures from the ONS on the public / private sector pay divide were in danger of being used out of context to peddle a myth that public sector workers are overpaid for the same work as those in the private sector.
Across the public sector, workers such as hospital cleaners, cooks and porters or home care and residential care workers have been contracted out of the public sector, but still work in it. These lowest paid privatised jobs are counted as private sector workers - skewing the pay figures.
Where public sector workers do get paid more, it is a reflection of the professional training necessary to carry out their jobs such as teachers and social workers or reflect high paid jobs such as army generals, judges and senior civil servants.
UNISON assistant general secretary Karen Jennings said:
“It is time that we nailed the myth of public sector workers enjoying a pay premium once and for all. The opposite is true as they have been hit hard by the Government’s pay freeze and many are fighting an uphill battle just to make ends meet.
“The great divide that the government would like us all to believe exists is a fallacy; their disastrous economic policies are the reason workers and their families across the UK are struggling. It is the old trick of divide and conquer to justify yet more swingeing cuts to the public sector and it must be challenged and exposed at every opportunity.”
A new factsheet from the union on this very issue highlights the key points that it said were frequently missing from the analysis of public / private sector pay, including:
The impact of outsourcing:A high proportion of the lowest-paid public sector workers have been outsourced. A catering assistant in an NHS hospital for example, will be counted as a private sector worker
The number of professional staff:Many public sector roles, including those relating to healthcare delivery, education and the emergency services require workers to have specific professional training. Average pay in the public sector reflects the specialism needed for many of these roles.
The cost of bonuses:Neither the Labour Force Survey (LFS) nor the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data covers the main bonus period in the private sector, which can exaggerate the ‘pay premium’ of the public sector.
ENDS
UNISON UK press release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2891
.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union said that the latest figures from the ONS on the public / private sector pay divide were in danger of being used out of context to peddle a myth that public sector workers are overpaid for the same work as those in the private sector.
Across the public sector, workers such as hospital cleaners, cooks and porters or home care and residential care workers have been contracted out of the public sector, but still work in it. These lowest paid privatised jobs are counted as private sector workers - skewing the pay figures.
Where public sector workers do get paid more, it is a reflection of the professional training necessary to carry out their jobs such as teachers and social workers or reflect high paid jobs such as army generals, judges and senior civil servants.
UNISON assistant general secretary Karen Jennings said:
“It is time that we nailed the myth of public sector workers enjoying a pay premium once and for all. The opposite is true as they have been hit hard by the Government’s pay freeze and many are fighting an uphill battle just to make ends meet.
“The great divide that the government would like us all to believe exists is a fallacy; their disastrous economic policies are the reason workers and their families across the UK are struggling. It is the old trick of divide and conquer to justify yet more swingeing cuts to the public sector and it must be challenged and exposed at every opportunity.”
A new factsheet from the union on this very issue highlights the key points that it said were frequently missing from the analysis of public / private sector pay, including:
The impact of outsourcing:A high proportion of the lowest-paid public sector workers have been outsourced. A catering assistant in an NHS hospital for example, will be counted as a private sector worker
The number of professional staff:Many public sector roles, including those relating to healthcare delivery, education and the emergency services require workers to have specific professional training. Average pay in the public sector reflects the specialism needed for many of these roles.
The cost of bonuses:Neither the Labour Force Survey (LFS) nor the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data covers the main bonus period in the private sector, which can exaggerate the ‘pay premium’ of the public sector.
ENDS
UNISON UK press release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2891
.
Monday, 5 November 2012
A Living Wage must be guaranteed on public sector contracts - UNISON
Date: Monday 5 November 2012
UNISON Scotland today urged the Scottish government to use its new procurement law to ensure that public money is only spent with contractors who pay a Living Wage.
Scotland’s largest public services union – along with the Scottish Living Wage Campaign and the Scottish TUC – has made the call as part of Living Wage Week which kicks off today.
Stephen Smellie, Vice Convener of UNISON Scotland said:
“We have made good progress in achieving the Scottish Living Wage so far. Almost all the public sector in Scotland is now committed to paying the Scottish Living Wage - currently at £7.20 per hour, although the new rate will be £7.45. That is good for workers, employers and the wider community.
“But it is a scandal that nearly one in four Scots are still earning below the current Living Wage level. This includes many UNISON members in the community and private sectors.”
“The next step is for the Scottish government to take action to ensure that public money is only spent with contractors who pay a Living Wage.”
Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland’s Head of Bargaining and Campaigns said:
“We believe there are four ways in which the Scottish government can make a real difference on extending the Living Wage to those not yet covered. They can use their new procurement law to require firms bidding for public sector contracts to pay the Living Wage. They can use their influence with the European Commission to remove barriers to the Living Wage. They can establish a Living Wage Unit to promote and oversee the policy. And they can produce a Code of Practice on promoting the living wage in procurement.
UNISON is also supporting the One Fair Wage campaign by the Scottish Youth Parliament, and a private members’ bill proposed by Scottish Labour MSP John Park which is currently out for consultation and which also seeks to achieve these objectives.
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. The Scottish Living Wage – UNISON Scotland Briefing 29
Please see the latest UNISON Scotland briefing on The Scottish Living Wage (released today 5 November 2012) at our website here
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/b029_BargainingBrief_ScottishLivingWage_Nov2012.pdf
The Scottish Living Wage - currently at £7.20 per hour, although the new rate will be £7.45 - is good news for workers as they get higher wages that also improves health and job motivation. It’s good for employers because it reduces turnover, improves productivity and attracts better staff through reputational gain. The wider community benefits through lower benefit cost, less stress on the NHS and cash into the local economy.
The Institute of Fiscal studies has calculated sub-living wage employers cost the taxpayer £6bn a year in in-work benefits alone. The indirect cost on poverty is around £25bn a year.
In contrast the cost to employers is minimal at around 1% of wage bill. Even in the retail sector it is only 5%. As a recent study of the London Living Wage shows, even that can be recouped through decreased turnover and better productivity. Even Boris Johnson, the Tory Mayor of London said, “I believe that paying decent wages reduces staff turnover and produces a more motivated and productive workforce”.
2. Four key actions the Scottish government can take to promote the Scottish Living Wage:
The Scottish Parliament Local Government Committee has produced a detailed report on the Scottish Living Wage that covers many of the key issues and broadly supported its introduction.
UNISON believes that payment of the living wage can be included as a contract performance clause that sets out how the contract is to be performed and must be accepted by the successful tenderer. The Local Government Committee report (Para 98) covers this in more detail and includes a positive Counsel opinion that branches can refer to. The legal risk is largely theoretical as there have been no successful challenges to the policy in the UK.
The EU is also reviewing the Directives that are perceived to be a barrier to procurement clauses. UNISON is working closely with Scottish MEPs to ensure there are no European procurement barriers.
3. Useful links
UNISON response to Procurement Bill consultation
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ProcurementReformBill_Response_Nov2012.pdf
John Park MSP’s Bill
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/53618.aspx
London Living wage evaluation report
http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/livingwage/
Scottish Youth Parliament – Fair Wage Campaign
http://www.syp.org.uk/one-fair-wage-W21page-345-
Dave Prentis and David Miliband on the living wage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/03/miliband-prentis-living-wage
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UNISON Scotland today urged the Scottish government to use its new procurement law to ensure that public money is only spent with contractors who pay a Living Wage.
Scotland’s largest public services union – along with the Scottish Living Wage Campaign and the Scottish TUC – has made the call as part of Living Wage Week which kicks off today.
Stephen Smellie, Vice Convener of UNISON Scotland said:
“We have made good progress in achieving the Scottish Living Wage so far. Almost all the public sector in Scotland is now committed to paying the Scottish Living Wage - currently at £7.20 per hour, although the new rate will be £7.45. That is good for workers, employers and the wider community.
“But it is a scandal that nearly one in four Scots are still earning below the current Living Wage level. This includes many UNISON members in the community and private sectors.”
“The next step is for the Scottish government to take action to ensure that public money is only spent with contractors who pay a Living Wage.”
Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland’s Head of Bargaining and Campaigns said:
“We believe there are four ways in which the Scottish government can make a real difference on extending the Living Wage to those not yet covered. They can use their new procurement law to require firms bidding for public sector contracts to pay the Living Wage. They can use their influence with the European Commission to remove barriers to the Living Wage. They can establish a Living Wage Unit to promote and oversee the policy. And they can produce a Code of Practice on promoting the living wage in procurement.
UNISON is also supporting the One Fair Wage campaign by the Scottish Youth Parliament, and a private members’ bill proposed by Scottish Labour MSP John Park which is currently out for consultation and which also seeks to achieve these objectives.
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. The Scottish Living Wage – UNISON Scotland Briefing 29
Please see the latest UNISON Scotland briefing on The Scottish Living Wage (released today 5 November 2012) at our website here
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/b029_BargainingBrief_ScottishLivingWage_Nov2012.pdf
The Scottish Living Wage - currently at £7.20 per hour, although the new rate will be £7.45 - is good news for workers as they get higher wages that also improves health and job motivation. It’s good for employers because it reduces turnover, improves productivity and attracts better staff through reputational gain. The wider community benefits through lower benefit cost, less stress on the NHS and cash into the local economy.
The Institute of Fiscal studies has calculated sub-living wage employers cost the taxpayer £6bn a year in in-work benefits alone. The indirect cost on poverty is around £25bn a year.
In contrast the cost to employers is minimal at around 1% of wage bill. Even in the retail sector it is only 5%. As a recent study of the London Living Wage shows, even that can be recouped through decreased turnover and better productivity. Even Boris Johnson, the Tory Mayor of London said, “I believe that paying decent wages reduces staff turnover and produces a more motivated and productive workforce”.
2. Four key actions the Scottish government can take to promote the Scottish Living Wage:
- Use the Procurement Reform Bill to amend the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to require that the living wage is a part of any contracting authorities bid for a public sector contract.
- Seek to influence the European Commission to remove any perceived barriers in EU Directives that prevent the inclusion of the living wage in procurement.
- Establish a Living Wage Unit to advise on, promote and oversee the living wage in the public sector and in procurement.
- In partnership with stakeholders, develop and produce a Code of Practice on promoting the living wage in procurement.
The Scottish Parliament Local Government Committee has produced a detailed report on the Scottish Living Wage that covers many of the key issues and broadly supported its introduction.
UNISON believes that payment of the living wage can be included as a contract performance clause that sets out how the contract is to be performed and must be accepted by the successful tenderer. The Local Government Committee report (Para 98) covers this in more detail and includes a positive Counsel opinion that branches can refer to. The legal risk is largely theoretical as there have been no successful challenges to the policy in the UK.
The EU is also reviewing the Directives that are perceived to be a barrier to procurement clauses. UNISON is working closely with Scottish MEPs to ensure there are no European procurement barriers.
3. Useful links
UNISON response to Procurement Bill consultation
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ProcurementReformBill_Response_Nov2012.pdf
John Park MSP’s Bill
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/53618.aspx
London Living wage evaluation report
http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/livingwage/
Scottish Youth Parliament – Fair Wage Campaign
http://www.syp.org.uk/one-fair-wage-W21page-345-
Dave Prentis and David Miliband on the living wage
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/03/miliband-prentis-living-wage
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Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Water is a human right - video
A video to promote the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) for the right to water and sanitation has been launched.
In the first month 30,000 people signed the ECI. But more are needed.
This ECI has become even more topical following a Commission letter that openly includes privatisation of water as a condition for bailout. It shows that market interests continue to prevail over essential human rights. It also shows that the Commission is going beyond the remit of Treaty which regards privatisation as a matter of national sovereignty.
This ECI campaign is a means of getting a EU-wide commitment to the human right to water and sanitation. It is a tool to change the mind-set in the European Commission from the market to people’s rights. Sign the ECI at www.right2water.eu !
In the first month 30,000 people signed the ECI. But more are needed.
This ECI has become even more topical following a Commission letter that openly includes privatisation of water as a condition for bailout. It shows that market interests continue to prevail over essential human rights. It also shows that the Commission is going beyond the remit of Treaty which regards privatisation as a matter of national sovereignty.
This ECI campaign is a means of getting a EU-wide commitment to the human right to water and sanitation. It is a tool to change the mind-set in the European Commission from the market to people’s rights. Sign the ECI at www.right2water.eu !
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Water is a Human Right
UNISON Scotland supports the Water is a Human Right campaign.
The campaign is urging the European Commission to:
·guarantee water and sanitation services for all inhabitants;
· keep water services out of internal market rules; and
·increase efforts to achieve global access to water and sanitation for all.
This campaign has a particular relevance to Scotland as we are campaigning to keep our public service out of the hands of the privatisers.
The campaign seeks to reach out to all citizens in Europe. Ask your friends, family and colleagues to sign and promote this campaign further. Our demands will only be taken into consideration if we achieve over one million valid signatures. On the signing page of the website www.right2water.eu
This campaign is a means of getting a commitment to the human right to water and sanitation. It is a tool to change the mind-set in the European Commission from a market-based approach with the focus on competition to a rights-based approach with the focus on public service. It aims to achieve universal (global) access to water and sanitation and to safeguard the limited public water resources for future generations.
Water and sanitation are a human right!
Water is a public good, not a commodity!
The campaign is urging the European Commission to:
·guarantee water and sanitation services for all inhabitants;
· keep water services out of internal market rules; and
·increase efforts to achieve global access to water and sanitation for all.
This campaign has a particular relevance to Scotland as we are campaigning to keep our public service out of the hands of the privatisers.
The campaign seeks to reach out to all citizens in Europe. Ask your friends, family and colleagues to sign and promote this campaign further. Our demands will only be taken into consideration if we achieve over one million valid signatures. On the signing page of the website www.right2water.eu
This campaign is a means of getting a commitment to the human right to water and sanitation. It is a tool to change the mind-set in the European Commission from a market-based approach with the focus on competition to a rights-based approach with the focus on public service. It aims to achieve universal (global) access to water and sanitation and to safeguard the limited public water resources for future generations.
Water and sanitation are a human right!
Water is a public good, not a commodity!
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Capital cities join to back public services during festival
‘A Tale of Two Barnets’ film comes to Edinburgh. Edinburgh and London UNISON members are bringing an acclaimed film to the city during the festival on 20 August to highlight the dangers of wholesale privatisation of council services.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
A Tale of Two Barnets 20 August
UNISON, Douglas House, Edinburgh
5pm: Drinks reception and introductions
6pm: Film 'A Tale of Two Barnets'
Followed by informal discussion.
7.30 Event closes.
Tickets at www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/barnet
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Congress celebrates Edinburgh victory against privatisation
#STUC12 Congress applauded the victory by trade unions and community groups in Edinburgh in seeing off the threat of the privatisation of a huge tranche of council services and pledged support to unions and communities to fight privatisation in the future.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Aberdeen wins battle against privatisation
Aberdeen City UNISON branch is celebrating after its campaigning to stop the privitisation of of 'corporate governance' services proved sucessful.
The council had been looking at a so-call "alternative delivery method - ie slling off - for services such as finance, human resources, customer care, ICT, benefits and regulations. But last night it voted to keep the services in-house.
Branch secretary Karen Davidson said: "These services will now remain in house, where committed and dedicated council staff can provide the best service for the citizens of Aberdeen.
"The branch have campaigned hard for 18 months for this outcome," she added. "We are sure that the councilors who voted in favour of in-house staff recognise the excellent service our members provide."
Aberdeen is the second major Scottish council to reject privatisation plans for major services after a UNISON campaign, following an earlier decision by Edinburgh.
Edinburgh halts privatisation plan (19/01/12)
Aberdeen City UNISON
The council had been looking at a so-call "alternative delivery method - ie slling off - for services such as finance, human resources, customer care, ICT, benefits and regulations. But last night it voted to keep the services in-house.
Branch secretary Karen Davidson said: "These services will now remain in house, where committed and dedicated council staff can provide the best service for the citizens of Aberdeen.
"The branch have campaigned hard for 18 months for this outcome," she added. "We are sure that the councilors who voted in favour of in-house staff recognise the excellent service our members provide."
Aberdeen is the second major Scottish council to reject privatisation plans for major services after a UNISON campaign, following an earlier decision by Edinburgh.
Edinburgh halts privatisation plan (19/01/12)
Aberdeen City UNISON
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Aberdeen UNISON calls on city council to do the right thing and keep services in house
Date: Wednesday 14 March 2012
Aberdeen City UNISON has called on councillors to keep vital public services in house and abandon flawed privatisation plans . The city’s powerful Finance and Resources committee meets tomorrow (Thursday 15 March) to decide on a report which recommends abandoning the Alternative Delivery Model – in other words outsourcing to privateers – and keeping the services in house instead.
UNISON Branch Secretary Karen Davidson told councillors:
“The ADM project is at a critical stage – you must now decide whether to plough on with it or back staff and management proposals to make efficiencies in-house.
“If services are retained in-house there will be no management time wasted on managing relationships and contracts with multi-national companies. There will instead be continued direct, democratic control of services. And you will be able to keep savings achieved for re-investment in public services, rather than providing private sector profits for multi-national companies that are not based in Aberdeen.
“UNISON is urging you to do the sensible thing and back the in-house option. Please now dump ADM, and show trust and confidence in us – your Council staff.”
ENDS
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