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.

Some free bus places for Paris climate demo for members nominated by their branch

UNISON Scotland has a small number of free bus places for the Paris climate rally on 12 December. Please spread the word to interested members.

The Paris event follows key marches in Scotland on Saturday 28 November - the Climate March in Edinburgh, for Climate, Justice and Jobs, and the STUC's annual St Andrew's Day march against racism, with its theme this year of Refugees Welcome Here.

Members  wanting to secure one of the bus places paid for by UNISON Scotland should ask their branch to nominate them and send details to apply to Fiona Montgomery f.montgomery@unison.co.uk (with Paris Bus in the subject line) as soon as possible. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The international demonstration takes place at the end of the United Nations climate talks where it is hoped that world leaders will agree a strong deal to reduce emissions. Civil society organisations want to show strong public support for action sufficient to prevent dangerous runaway climate change.

Details of the bus itinerary, incl basic accommodation and some meals, are on the Friends of the Earth Scotland website. It leaves Edinburgh at 5.30pm on Thurs 10 Dec, returning, via Glasgow, in the early hours of Monday 14 Dec.

UNISON Scotland's Green Network is meeting on Saturday 14 November at the UNISON office in Glasgow to talk about the Paris talks, building support for Scotland's Climate March on Sat 28 Nov, Green Workplace action and a Just Transition to a low carbon economy. All interested members welcome.

Stephen Smellie, depute convener of UNISON Scotland, and Dave Watson, head of bargaining and campaigns, will be speaking at the event, which is from 2pm - 4pm at 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX.

There was good news on Just Transition today, with the announcement from the International Trade Union Confederation that the UN's International Labour Organisation has formally adopted the trade union criteria for the principle of 'Just Transtion'.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: "The challenge for governments is to settle a deal in Paris that will avoid catastrophic climate change, destroying lives and livelihoods across the planet.

"The plans set out by the ILO will help increase ambition on the ground, with employers and unions negotiating and planning for the future...

"This historic and unanimous agreement between governments, unions and employers on the need to work out industrial transformation without leaving anyone behind is a reason for optimism.

"The same governments that showed ambition at the ILO need to follow this through at the Paris summit."

The ILO guidelines for a Just Transition towards environmentally sound economies and societies for all can be found here.

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Room for Refugees Scotland and UK-wide Online Refugee Hosting Scheme

@PositiveActionH From Positive Action in Housing www.roomforrefugees.com  Make a donation here  Yes we have room. Over 1,750 households across Scotland and the UK have registered with Positive Action in Housing to host refugees - and growing.

From the Outer Hebrides, to Shetland, to Edinburgh's Morningside to Glasgow's Easterhouse to Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Devon, Manchester and every part of London. If you are an individual wishing to host, please sign up to host refugees: www.roomforrefugees.com

New Scottish website to support refugees

#scotlandwelcomesrefugees A new website by Scottish Refugee Council on behalf of Scottish Government has been launched You can donate or offer time, skills and housing to support refugees coming to Scotland. http://www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot/

Supporters at Scotland v Germany game Mon 7 Sep say Refugees Welcome

PDF leaflet to download and print

Football supporters at tonghts Scotland v Germany game at Hampden Park, Glasgow, are urged to tweet Refugees Welcome images...

From Scottish Football Supporters Association:
http://scottishfsa.org/sfsa-set-to-show-support-for-refugees-before-crucial-eur0-2016-qualifier/

Scotland supporters will display a “Refugees Welcome” banner before tonight’s UEFA EURO Qualifying match against Germany at Hampden, in a proud imitation of the actions of football supporters across Germany.

The display will give Germany and Scotland fans the opportunity to express their support and solidarity for those affected by the refugee crisis.

Organised by ourselves and with the support of Unison Scotland, Unite and United Glasgow F.C., the display will begin at 6.30 pm at Queens Park Pavilion in Lesser Hampden and we are looking for all Scotland fans to get involved and show their support by carrying the banner in honour of the thousands of migrants fleeing conflicts in Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and others every day.

We will also be handing out leaflets which we implore you to take a picture with and retweet, share and post on all social media channels to show the UK Government that Scotland fully supports helping those in dire need of our help.

Make sure to use the hashtags #refugeeswelcome and #reclaimthegame and we will make sure the message is spread as far and as clear as possible.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for all updates and further information.

Text of leaflet:

REFUGEE CRISIS

We’ve all seen the pictures in the last two weeks of men, women and children drowning in the Mediterranean. The world is currently experiencing the biggest number of refugees since World War 2 and it’s time for Scotland to show our support. Scotland has a long history of immigration, from the Vikings and the Irish to Pakistanis and Poles. When you live in Scotland and love this country, you’re one of Jock Tamson’s bairns!

Scottish people, and the Tartan Army, have always stood up for what is right and we’re asking you to show your support for refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, etc.

Please take a picture with this leaflet and tweet/Facebook/Instagram with the hashtags  
#refugeeswelcome #reclaimthegame

Refugees welcome here say UNISON delegates

UNISON delegates from local government branches across Scotland took time out from their conference in Glasgow today to say "Refugees welcome here".

UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby welcomed the leadership shown by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and opposition leader Kezia Dugdale as they united in the Scottish Parliament to pledge humanitarian support.

Mike had issued a stark warning back in April about the crisis and UK government inaction. “This lack of action gives succour to traffickers seeking to exploit people in desperate situations in pursuit of profit. We cannot allow these people to exploit our Government’s inaction.”

“We must go even further than this and raise awareness of the combination of factors that cause people to turn to traffickers in the first place.”http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2015/31.html

How you can help
This Positive Action in Housing briefing gives branches an indication of some immediate actions you can take in political campaigning and in supporting emergency assistance.

Refugee Crisis in Europe - What you can do

In April 2015 we said: Migrant rescue cut 'indefensible in its inhumanity'.
“We must also seek to change the approach of the UK to immigration, creating a better more humane system that recognises our responsibilities in the world,” said Mike, adding that the UK is not doing enough to provide refuge to people who are displaced by conflict.

“In Syria, alone, close to four million refugees have fled since the beginning of the civil war in 2011. This is the largest refugee population currently under the care of the UN’s refugee agency, but to date the UK has only provided resettlement places for 143 Syrian refugees.

“This lack of action gives succour to traffickers seeking to exploit people in desperate situations in pursuit of profit. We cannot allow these people to exploit our Government’s inaction.”

“We must go even further than this and raise awareness of the combination of factors that cause people to turn to traffickers in the first place.”
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2015/31.html

This Positive Action in Housing briefing gives branches an indication of some immediate actions you can take in political campaigning and in supporting emergency assistance.

Mike J Kirby
Scottish Secretary
UNISON