UNISON today warned that a report on health expenditure in Scotland makes crude comparisons to criticise so-called productivity in Scotland and confuses health improvement with spending on the NHS.
The public services union also pointed out that the report is produced in association with KPMG and that the report looks like a sales pitch for their services.**
Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said:
“The fact is that improving public health requires a whole range of action and involves spending from other areas including income support, housing, social work, early years etc.
“This kind of ill-informed report does not properly respond to the real health issues affecting Scotland and should not be used to justify slashing NHS spending.
“If you are looking at ‘productivity’ you can’t use crude figures, but need to look at patient outcomes in detail.
“The report’s authors admit that it isn’t possible to make like for like productivity comparisons with England and they have highlighted the major flaws in the earlier Nuffield Trust report.”
John Gallacher, Secretary to UNISON’s Health Committee, added:
“We reject the report’s recommendation for the creation of a health regulator.
“Robust financial performance measures are applied in NHS Scotland, including direct accountability of Chief Executives and Board Chairs to the Minister – via public meetings. NHS Scotland has been successful in contributing to Scottish Government efficiency targets.”
ENDS
Notes For Editors:
1. UNISON’s response to the earlier, much-criticised Nuffield Trust report ‘Comparing NHS performance in the UK’ is at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/2010/janfeb/2001.htm
2. John Gallacher, Secretary to UNISON’s Health Committee, also commented on the Nuffield report at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/healthcare/nuffieldcomment20100121.html
The CPPR Report is at www.cppr.ac.uk/media/media_151602_en.pdf
**In it, KPMG states: "KPMG is at the forefront of change in healthcare. We are market leading providers of advice and implementation skills on efficiency and performance improvement. We are well placed to help the NHS and the wider public sector meet the challenges ahead."
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UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
'Undercover Social Worker' TV programme - UNISON warns cuts to public spending will hit vulnerable
If you watched the Channel 4 Dispatches programme Undercover Social Worker, about Surrey County Council, you may be interested to see UNISON's reaction.
Helga Pile, UNISON’s National Officer for Social Care Workers, warned that public spending cuts will only make the highlighted problems of under-resourcing, excessive workloads and massive recruitment problems worse.
UNISON's full reaction is here.
For information about social work in Scotland, including our Social Work Manifesto and a negotiating resource on Supervision and Workload Management, see UNISON Scotland's website at:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/socialwork/index.html
The Dispatches website is here.
.
Helga Pile, UNISON’s National Officer for Social Care Workers, warned that public spending cuts will only make the highlighted problems of under-resourcing, excessive workloads and massive recruitment problems worse.
UNISON's full reaction is here.
For information about social work in Scotland, including our Social Work Manifesto and a negotiating resource on Supervision and Workload Management, see UNISON Scotland's website at:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/socialwork/index.html
The Dispatches website is here.
.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Prentis challenges Cameron's 'chilling attack' on public sector
Mon 7 June 2010
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, responding to David Cameron’s speech today on the economy, said: “This was a chilling attack on the public sector, public sector workers, the poor, to the sick and the vulnerable and a warning that their way of life will change. There was nothing in this speech that told the rich, the banking and financial sector or the city speculators that their privileged way of life will change.
“With breathtaking gall, David Cameron is spinning a myth about a hard-done-by private sector. The Tories and their friends in big business seem to forget the tens of billions of pounds of profit made by the private sector out of public sector contracts.
“And Cameron is trying to fool the public into believing that cutting public spending, quickly and deeply, has nothing to do with political priorities or decisions. I don’t think people will be fooled.
“It is a complete nonsense to claim that you can cut tens of billions of pounds from public spending and still protect ‘front-line’ services. And throwing public sector workers on the dole does not make sense – that will have a drastic impact on local economies. For every £1 a public sector worker earns, nearly 70p is spent in local shops, cafes, hairdressers and businesses.
“Of course we have to manage the deficit, but there are other ways of reducing it and that includes making those who caused the crisis pay a bit more, and by tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
“Cutting deeply and quickly risks plunging the country back into recession – public services are too precious to be turned into a political football.”
UNISON UK Press Release
.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, responding to David Cameron’s speech today on the economy, said: “This was a chilling attack on the public sector, public sector workers, the poor, to the sick and the vulnerable and a warning that their way of life will change. There was nothing in this speech that told the rich, the banking and financial sector or the city speculators that their privileged way of life will change. “With breathtaking gall, David Cameron is spinning a myth about a hard-done-by private sector. The Tories and their friends in big business seem to forget the tens of billions of pounds of profit made by the private sector out of public sector contracts.
“And Cameron is trying to fool the public into believing that cutting public spending, quickly and deeply, has nothing to do with political priorities or decisions. I don’t think people will be fooled.
“It is a complete nonsense to claim that you can cut tens of billions of pounds from public spending and still protect ‘front-line’ services. And throwing public sector workers on the dole does not make sense – that will have a drastic impact on local economies. For every £1 a public sector worker earns, nearly 70p is spent in local shops, cafes, hairdressers and businesses.
“Of course we have to manage the deficit, but there are other ways of reducing it and that includes making those who caused the crisis pay a bit more, and by tackling tax avoidance and evasion.
“Cutting deeply and quickly risks plunging the country back into recession – public services are too precious to be turned into a political football.”
UNISON UK Press Release
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Thursday, 3 June 2010
UNISON condemns Israeli attack on Gaza Flotilla and UK Government's "muted" response
Thu 3 June 2010
UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today unreservedly condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza Flotilla and the killing of ten civilians calling the British Government’s response “muted”.
A statement from the union’s ruling body – its National Executive Council – sent very deep condolences to the families of the dead, and a commitment to sending a formal protest to the Israeli embassy in the UK.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
“The Israel attack on this aid flotilla, which was also in international waters, is an outrage. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the ten civilians who were killed in this raid.
“The Government’s muted response to the attack is in stark contrast to those other countries who called for the immediate release of their citizens being held by the Israelis. Volunteers were held prisoner by Israel and pressured into signing statements saying that they had entered into Israel illegally. This is a disgraceful way to treat a convoy bringing much needed aid to the people of Gaza.
“On behalf of the union’s National Executive Council, I will be making a formal protest to the Israeli embassy in London as well as writing to Foreign Secretary, William Hague, about the UK government’s muted response.
“I will be urging our members to support the national demonstration in London on 5 June to show the strength of feeling.”
UNISON is calling for an immediate, unconditional end to the siege of Gaza by Israel and for humanitarian aid, including construction materials for the buildings destroyed 18 months ago, to be allowed in.
ends
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UNISON concerned over deep job cuts in NHS Scotland
Date: Thursday 3 June 2010
The boards have submitted their plans to Cabinet Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon who now intends to publish the full cuts. UNISON welcomes the publication of workforce projections and the establishment of a new partnership group with the trade unions to scrutinise the workforce plans.
Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee said:
“We are concerned at the scale of these planned job cuts. The Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure no compulsory redundancies is welcome, as is the involvement of unions in scrutiny of the health board plans. But it is clear that we face deep cuts which will impact on our vital health services.”
1250 job cuts are planned for Greater Glasgow and Clyde this year, 700 in Lothian – with another 1,300 in the pipeline for next year. Tayside plans to 500 full time equivalent jobs. Grampian has announced 600 job cuts, and Highland plans to cut 100.
NHS Scotland requires to save £270 million in the current financial year to balance the books following a tight Scottish budget settlement in February.
Meanwhile the health service faces rising inflation and increased demand.
Further pressure on funding is likely after the new coalition government at Westminster implements its emergency budget in June. The severe cuts expected in the deficit reduction plan will have inevitable knock-on effects in Scotland over the next few years.
.
UNISON, the biggest Scottish health union, has expressed concern over deep job cuts planned by health boards across Scotland.
The boards have submitted their plans to Cabinet Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon who now intends to publish the full cuts. UNISON welcomes the publication of workforce projections and the establishment of a new partnership group with the trade unions to scrutinise the workforce plans.
Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee said:
“We are concerned at the scale of these planned job cuts. The Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure no compulsory redundancies is welcome, as is the involvement of unions in scrutiny of the health board plans. But it is clear that we face deep cuts which will impact on our vital health services.”
1250 job cuts are planned for Greater Glasgow and Clyde this year, 700 in Lothian – with another 1,300 in the pipeline for next year. Tayside plans to 500 full time equivalent jobs. Grampian has announced 600 job cuts, and Highland plans to cut 100.
NHS Scotland requires to save £270 million in the current financial year to balance the books following a tight Scottish budget settlement in February.
Meanwhile the health service faces rising inflation and increased demand.
Further pressure on funding is likely after the new coalition government at Westminster implements its emergency budget in June. The severe cuts expected in the deficit reduction plan will have inevitable knock-on effects in Scotland over the next few years.
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Tuesday, 1 June 2010
UNISON and Stow students plan balloon protest over funding threats
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Staff and students from Glasgow’s Stow College will hold a mass protest outside Anniesland College on Wednesday 2 June at 9 a.m.
Representatives from the Scottish Funding Council are chairing a conference in the College on the same day.
Following the protest, 75 balloons will be released in Glasgow city centre, representing the 75 years Stow College has been serving the people of Scotland.
This double event is part of the campaign to fight the Funding Council’s decision to transfer over half of Stow’s courses into the proposed new City of Glasgow College, endangering more than 300 jobs and 4,000 student places.
Staff, students and the wider community which Stow College represents are fighting the Funding Council’s decision to transfer these courses, which could effectively render the College unviable.
The plans, which have been questioned by other Colleges and Universities, include spending £300m on a city centre development. This comes at a time when demand for College places during the recession is not being met due to a lack of funds to pay for additional courses.
UNISON believes that Stow is being victimised after refusing to become involved in the New City College project which has already cost countless millions, 19 jobs and 54 childcare places with the closure of Thistle Nursery at the Nautical College.
A UNISON spokesperson from Stow College said:
“Following our successful lobby at the Scottish Parliament, UNISON members have united with concerned students and plan to take the fight directly to the Funding Council.
“The Funding Council has arranged a conference to discuss their plan for education in the city centre without including the representatives of unions or students who will be directly affected.”
A spokesperson for Stow Students Against the Cuts said:
“As students at Stow College, we are horrified to learn of the proposed cuts that the Scottish Funding Council wants to make. The college is such a valuable resource for so many people, both in Glasgow, and from further afield.
“The opportunities it provides for adult learners and asylum seeking students, in particular, are absolutely vital, especially in this uncertain climate of employment.
“We wish to show our support to Stow College, the staff and lecturers, and the students of the future. We can't let the Scottish Funding Council run such a well respected college into the ground”.
The joint protest organised by the education union, UNISON, and Stow Students Against the Cuts will take place at Anniesland College at 9.00 a.m. and the balloon release will be in Buchanan Street at the Royal Concert Hall steps at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday the 2nd of June.
ends
Stay in touch with UNISON Scotland's latest news releases on our website
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/index.html
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Staff and students from Glasgow’s Stow College will hold a mass protest outside Anniesland College on Wednesday 2 June at 9 a.m.
Representatives from the Scottish Funding Council are chairing a conference in the College on the same day.
Following the protest, 75 balloons will be released in Glasgow city centre, representing the 75 years Stow College has been serving the people of Scotland.
This double event is part of the campaign to fight the Funding Council’s decision to transfer over half of Stow’s courses into the proposed new City of Glasgow College, endangering more than 300 jobs and 4,000 student places.
Staff, students and the wider community which Stow College represents are fighting the Funding Council’s decision to transfer these courses, which could effectively render the College unviable.
The plans, which have been questioned by other Colleges and Universities, include spending £300m on a city centre development. This comes at a time when demand for College places during the recession is not being met due to a lack of funds to pay for additional courses.
UNISON believes that Stow is being victimised after refusing to become involved in the New City College project which has already cost countless millions, 19 jobs and 54 childcare places with the closure of Thistle Nursery at the Nautical College.
A UNISON spokesperson from Stow College said:
“Following our successful lobby at the Scottish Parliament, UNISON members have united with concerned students and plan to take the fight directly to the Funding Council.
“The Funding Council has arranged a conference to discuss their plan for education in the city centre without including the representatives of unions or students who will be directly affected.”
A spokesperson for Stow Students Against the Cuts said:
“As students at Stow College, we are horrified to learn of the proposed cuts that the Scottish Funding Council wants to make. The college is such a valuable resource for so many people, both in Glasgow, and from further afield.
“The opportunities it provides for adult learners and asylum seeking students, in particular, are absolutely vital, especially in this uncertain climate of employment.
“We wish to show our support to Stow College, the staff and lecturers, and the students of the future. We can't let the Scottish Funding Council run such a well respected college into the ground”.
The joint protest organised by the education union, UNISON, and Stow Students Against the Cuts will take place at Anniesland College at 9.00 a.m. and the balloon release will be in Buchanan Street at the Royal Concert Hall steps at 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday the 2nd of June.
ends
Stay in touch with UNISON Scotland's latest news releases on our website
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/index.html
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Thursday, 27 May 2010
UNISON Fun Day on Sunday marks Welfare Fund Centenary
Date: Thursday 27 May 2010
Sunday is UNISON fun day at Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
UNISON members, their families, friends - and anyone who wants to join in - will enjoy a day of fun and celebration in Dunfermline's beautiful Pittencrieff Park on Sunday 30 May.
UNISON’s Scottish Welfare Committee is holding a sponsored walk and fun day to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of the unique Welfare Fund run by UNISON and one of its former partner unions.
Members from UNISON Scotland’s 80 branches will converge on the park with their families to take part in a sponsored 5K walk around the park and take part in the various activities that have been arranged for children and family members. The event will be opened at 12.00 noon by John Park, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, and will go on until 5pm.
Two enterprising members from our South Lanarkshire branch will be sponsored for cycling the 60 miles from Hamilton to Dunfermline. They will be leaving around 8.30 in the morning and hope to get there by 12.30-1.00pm.
Activities will include bouncy castles and other inflatables, face painting, balloon modelling, children’s races, falconry exhibitions and a raffle will be held to raise funds for the Welfare Fund’s Centenary Appeal.
Eleanor Haggett, Chair of the Welfare Committee said: “We hope that many of our members will support the day and bring along their families to take part in the various activities available. All of our branches will have had members in the past who needed support from UNISON Welfare. We believe that the current financial climate will make this support even more vital in the future.”
Sunday is UNISON fun day at Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
UNISON members, their families, friends - and anyone who wants to join in - will enjoy a day of fun and celebration in Dunfermline's beautiful Pittencrieff Park on Sunday 30 May.
UNISON’s Scottish Welfare Committee is holding a sponsored walk and fun day to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of the unique Welfare Fund run by UNISON and one of its former partner unions.
Members from UNISON Scotland’s 80 branches will converge on the park with their families to take part in a sponsored 5K walk around the park and take part in the various activities that have been arranged for children and family members. The event will be opened at 12.00 noon by John Park, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, and will go on until 5pm.
Two enterprising members from our South Lanarkshire branch will be sponsored for cycling the 60 miles from Hamilton to Dunfermline. They will be leaving around 8.30 in the morning and hope to get there by 12.30-1.00pm.
Activities will include bouncy castles and other inflatables, face painting, balloon modelling, children’s races, falconry exhibitions and a raffle will be held to raise funds for the Welfare Fund’s Centenary Appeal.
Eleanor Haggett, Chair of the Welfare Committee said: “We hope that many of our members will support the day and bring along their families to take part in the various activities available. All of our branches will have had members in the past who needed support from UNISON Welfare. We believe that the current financial climate will make this support even more vital in the future.”
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
UNISON members to strike against pay cuts at Culture Sport Glasgow
Date: Wednesday 26 May 2010
UNISON workers in libraries, sports centres, museums and community centres across Glasgow will take strike action on Friday 28 and Monday 31 May in a dispute over wage cuts.
Unions at Culture Sport Glasgow (CSG) are fighting a 10% wage cut for 150 workers, a pay freeze for all other staff and cuts in public holidays and overtime rates.
UNISON Glasgow Branch Secretary Brian Smith said: “Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow, and we want to defend the quality services which the people of Glasgow deserve. Along with the other unions, Unite, GMB and BECTU, we have tried to persuade Culture Sport Glasgow not to carry out these attacks. Whilst we recognise the wide disruption that this strike action will cause, we have been left with no option.”
Glasgow UNISON is calling on people to support their case by sending protest emails to Bridget McConnell, CSG Chief Executive at info@csglasgow.org and to Glasgow City Councillor Liz Cameron, Chair CSG Board at liz.cameron@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk.
Messages of support to the strikers should be sent to enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk
Brian Smith said: “CSG was established at ‘arms length’ from Glasgow City Council to obtain a tax advantage, to draw in private money and grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to live up to the promise. Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.”
Brian Smith said: “Public services workers, many low paid, should not have to pay for the failures of CSG and Glasgow City Council. Working people in general should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of the bankers. It is important that all trade unionists and working people stand together at this time.”
ends
For Further Information Contact:
Brian Smith (Glasgow Branch Secretary) 07870 914 361 (m) 0141 552 7069 (o)
Sam Macartney (Glasgow Branch Service Conditions) 0780 3952 264 (m)
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UNISON workers in libraries, sports centres, museums and community centres across Glasgow will take strike action on Friday 28 and Monday 31 May in a dispute over wage cuts.
Unions at Culture Sport Glasgow (CSG) are fighting a 10% wage cut for 150 workers, a pay freeze for all other staff and cuts in public holidays and overtime rates.
UNISON Glasgow Branch Secretary Brian Smith said: “Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow, and we want to defend the quality services which the people of Glasgow deserve. Along with the other unions, Unite, GMB and BECTU, we have tried to persuade Culture Sport Glasgow not to carry out these attacks. Whilst we recognise the wide disruption that this strike action will cause, we have been left with no option.”
Glasgow UNISON is calling on people to support their case by sending protest emails to Bridget McConnell, CSG Chief Executive at info@csglasgow.org and to Glasgow City Councillor Liz Cameron, Chair CSG Board at liz.cameron@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk.
Messages of support to the strikers should be sent to enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk
Brian Smith said: “CSG was established at ‘arms length’ from Glasgow City Council to obtain a tax advantage, to draw in private money and grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to live up to the promise. Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.”
Brian Smith said: “Public services workers, many low paid, should not have to pay for the failures of CSG and Glasgow City Council. Working people in general should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of the bankers. It is important that all trade unionists and working people stand together at this time.”
ends
For Further Information Contact:
Brian Smith (Glasgow Branch Secretary) 07870 914 361 (m) 0141 552 7069 (o)
Sam Macartney (Glasgow Branch Service Conditions) 0780 3952 264 (m)
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Monday, 24 May 2010
Prentis: £6bn cuts announcement signals worse to come
Date: Mon 24 May 2010
Commenting on George Osborne’s speech today (24 May), which set out plans for £6 billion worth of public sector cuts, Dave Prentis, UNISON's General Secretary, said:
“This is the first cut of the axe, but it signals that there will be more to come from the emergency budget and the comprehensive spending review.
“The new Government is completely ignoring the human impact of these cuts.
“Despite high levels of unemployment, the Government is happy to add tens of thousands more workers to the dole queue, putting the recovery at risk.
“Public spending cuts will hit small businesses, devastate families, and the most vulnerable in our society will suffer.
“There is no logic in cutting public sector jobs and money for development, only to pile on pressure to the private sector to create jobs.”
'
“This is the first cut of the axe, but it signals that there will be more to come from the emergency budget and the comprehensive spending review.
“The new Government is completely ignoring the human impact of these cuts.
“Despite high levels of unemployment, the Government is happy to add tens of thousands more workers to the dole queue, putting the recovery at risk.
“Public spending cuts will hit small businesses, devastate families, and the most vulnerable in our society will suffer.
“There is no logic in cutting public sector jobs and money for development, only to pile on pressure to the private sector to create jobs.”
'
Thursday, 20 May 2010
UNISON wins landmark equal pay ruling in Edinburgh
Date: Thu 20 May 2010
Thousands of low paid council workers took a step closer to equal pay today thanks to a landmark decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
While many manual workers, such as cleaners, cooks and carers, have already received compensation, previous decisions of the EAT removed the right to compensation from thousands of administrators, clerical workers, learning assistants and library staff.
In the absence of a proper explanation for the pay differences between women and men, local authorities developed a technical argument that women and men only deserved equal pay if they were based at the same premises, or had the same pay and conditions - this argument has now failed.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:
“I am delighted that UNISON has opened up this route to justice for so many of our members. There is now no place for employers to run or hide.
“UNISON’s equal pay campaign has defeated every contrived defence their lawyers have hidden behind.
“This charade has gone on too long. We want full compensation for all our members and that money must be paid now.”
One of UNISON’s largest group of winners from the decision are classroom assistants, many of whom earn as little as £10,000 a year.
Elaine North, a UNISON claimant from Dumfries, said:
“I was devastated when the court said I wasn’t entitled to equal pay. My colleagues do one-to-one education work with learning-disabled kids and while we love them it is such hard work.
“No harm to refuse collectors and gardeners, but fair pay is long overdue for us. We’ve worked hard for this.”
Jackie Gilchrist, who chairs the UNISON campaign for Fair Pay, said:
“This is a magnificent decision for us. Our pay has been formally investigated by the EOC and still the employers refuse to recognise the value of our jobs.
“We have gathered so much evidence about the demands of learning support work, but the courts have refused to look at it until now. They’ve got some reading to catch up on, I can tell you.
“There’s only one conclusion to reach at the end – our wages are going up.”
UNISON estimates that this Edinburgh decision will affect up to 70,000 workers across the UK and, while claim values will vary from person to person, some will exceed £30,000
Ends
Notes to editors:
1. With over 40,000 live claims UNISON is the UK’s leading provider of legal assistance on equal pay issues.
2. In the UNISON test case of Dumfries & Galloway Council v North & Others, the EAT in Scotland accepted the employer argument that equal pay claims could only succeed if women and men shared common terms and conditions, or were working at the same premises. Given the way that the work of women and men is segregated this was a major barrier to justice for tens of thousands of women.
3. UNISON is pursuing the same issue for 1,400 women in Edinburgh and, in the Edinburgh appeal decision, Lady Smith of Scotland’s Court of Session and the EAT took the highly unusual step or revisiting and reversing her previous decision.
4. The transcript can be downloaded or read in full at
http://www.employmentappeals.gov.uk/Public/Upload/
UKEATS000209BI(Revised)EDINCCvMsWilkinsonothersFINAL.doc
.
Thousands of low paid council workers took a step closer to equal pay today thanks to a landmark decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
While many manual workers, such as cleaners, cooks and carers, have already received compensation, previous decisions of the EAT removed the right to compensation from thousands of administrators, clerical workers, learning assistants and library staff.
In the absence of a proper explanation for the pay differences between women and men, local authorities developed a technical argument that women and men only deserved equal pay if they were based at the same premises, or had the same pay and conditions - this argument has now failed.
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:
“I am delighted that UNISON has opened up this route to justice for so many of our members. There is now no place for employers to run or hide.
“UNISON’s equal pay campaign has defeated every contrived defence their lawyers have hidden behind.
“This charade has gone on too long. We want full compensation for all our members and that money must be paid now.”
One of UNISON’s largest group of winners from the decision are classroom assistants, many of whom earn as little as £10,000 a year.
Elaine North, a UNISON claimant from Dumfries, said:
“I was devastated when the court said I wasn’t entitled to equal pay. My colleagues do one-to-one education work with learning-disabled kids and while we love them it is such hard work.
“No harm to refuse collectors and gardeners, but fair pay is long overdue for us. We’ve worked hard for this.”
Jackie Gilchrist, who chairs the UNISON campaign for Fair Pay, said:
“This is a magnificent decision for us. Our pay has been formally investigated by the EOC and still the employers refuse to recognise the value of our jobs.
“We have gathered so much evidence about the demands of learning support work, but the courts have refused to look at it until now. They’ve got some reading to catch up on, I can tell you.
“There’s only one conclusion to reach at the end – our wages are going up.”
UNISON estimates that this Edinburgh decision will affect up to 70,000 workers across the UK and, while claim values will vary from person to person, some will exceed £30,000
Ends
Notes to editors:
1. With over 40,000 live claims UNISON is the UK’s leading provider of legal assistance on equal pay issues.
2. In the UNISON test case of Dumfries & Galloway Council v North & Others, the EAT in Scotland accepted the employer argument that equal pay claims could only succeed if women and men shared common terms and conditions, or were working at the same premises. Given the way that the work of women and men is segregated this was a major barrier to justice for tens of thousands of women.
3. UNISON is pursuing the same issue for 1,400 women in Edinburgh and, in the Edinburgh appeal decision, Lady Smith of Scotland’s Court of Session and the EAT took the highly unusual step or revisiting and reversing her previous decision.
4. The transcript can be downloaded or read in full at
http://www.employmentappeals.gov.uk/Public/Upload/
UKEATS000209BI(Revised)EDINCCvMsWilkinsonothersFINAL.doc
.
Tory-LibDem coalition agreement: full programme for government
20 May 2010
The UK government has today published its full programme for government. This expands on the original publication on 12 May although it is still full of vague commitments, reviews and commissions. There are a few opt-outs for Lib-Dem MPs, but the parliamentary arithmetic means that the Tory plans on these issues should go through.
Much in this agreement applies only to England, but here are some of the headlines that will impact on UNISON members in Scotland:
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Monday, 17 May 2010
Your vote is your voice - UNISON General Secretary ballot
17 May 2010: The ballot is now open for the election of the union’s General Secretary. The General Secretary leads the union and speaks up for you. That’s why it is so important that you have your say in choosing the person who leads your union. The Scottish region agreed to nominate Dave Prentis.Please use your vote.
Find out more - link to www.unison.org.uk/elections/gselections.asp
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Friday, 14 May 2010
Glasgow culture and leisure staff step up action
Date: Fri 14 May 2010
Two further days of strike action are planned this month at Culture and Sport Glasgow as staff step up their pay dispute.
Staff will also begin an overtime ban from the 21st of May.
Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) The arms length company set up by Glasgow City Council intend to cut the pay of some staff and institute a pay freeze for the rest. There are also cuts planned in Public holidays and overtime rates.
In a message to CSG UNISON members Glasgow City Branch Secretary Brian Smith said:
“All the trade unions in CSG are united in their opposition to these attacks on their members pay and conditions. We have tried to negotiate with CSG, but we have been left with no option other than to use strike action in an effort to defend ourselves.
Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow and we take no pleasure in the wide disruption that strike action will cause.
CSG was established at “arms length” from Glasgow City Council to obtain a tax advantage, to draw in private money and grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to live up to the promise.
Staff at Culture and Sport Glasgow, many of them low paid, should not have to pay for the failures of CSG and Glasgow City Council. And working people in general should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of bankers. It is important that all trade unionists and working people stand together at this time.
Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.”
.
Two further days of strike action are planned this month at Culture and Sport Glasgow as staff step up their pay dispute.
Staff will also begin an overtime ban from the 21st of May.
Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) The arms length company set up by Glasgow City Council intend to cut the pay of some staff and institute a pay freeze for the rest. There are also cuts planned in Public holidays and overtime rates.
In a message to CSG UNISON members Glasgow City Branch Secretary Brian Smith said:
“All the trade unions in CSG are united in their opposition to these attacks on their members pay and conditions. We have tried to negotiate with CSG, but we have been left with no option other than to use strike action in an effort to defend ourselves.
Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow and we take no pleasure in the wide disruption that strike action will cause.
CSG was established at “arms length” from Glasgow City Council to obtain a tax advantage, to draw in private money and grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to live up to the promise.
Staff at Culture and Sport Glasgow, many of them low paid, should not have to pay for the failures of CSG and Glasgow City Council. And working people in general should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of bankers. It is important that all trade unionists and working people stand together at this time.
Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.”
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Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Tory-LibDem coalition agreement: impact on Scotland
12 May 2010
The new UK Government formed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats has published its coalition agreement this afternoon. This is a brief summary of the impact it will have on Scotland. A more detailed P&I Briefing will follow.
Direct impact on Scotland
Broader UK proposals that apply to Scotland
Full text is available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm
- Emergency budget – further £6bn of cuts. Barnett consequentials not clear although NHS funding (in England) to increase in ‘real’ terms.
- Establishing an independent commission to review the long term affordability of public sector pensions, while protecting accrued rights.
- Annual limit on non-EU economic migrants. Ending detention of children for immigration purposes.
- Commission to consider the ‘West Lothian’ question.
- Implementation of the Calman commission proposals.
- Working to limit the application of the Working Time Directive
- A partial fudge on nuclear power stations. The Liberal Democrats will abstain on Tory plans to build them, so the parliamentary arithmetic means they will proceed. Still need planning consent in Scotland.
Broader UK proposals that apply to Scotland
- Vague phrase on arrangements to protect those on low incomes from the effect of public sector pay constraint, but no definition of what that constraint will be.
- Trident will be renewed.
- Unspecified increase in the personal allowance from April 2011 with a long term policy objective of increasing the allowance to £10k.
- Tax allowances for married couples. The Lib-Dems will abstain but that simply means they go ahead.
- Vague commitment to tackle tax avoidance.
- 5 year fixed parliament and a referendum on the Alternative Vote. Establishing a committee to reform of the Lords based on wholly or mainly elected by PR.
- State pension age to rise to 66, not sooner than 2016 for men and 2020 for women.
- A range of civil liberties legislation including scrapping ID cards.
- Programme of measures to promote a low carbon economy including smart metering and feed-in tariffs. Air flight duty and no new runways at London airports.
Full text is available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm
See also Dave Watson's comment at his blog: http://unisondave.blogspot.com/2010/05/coalition-agreement.html
Prentis: We face our biggest challenge ever
Statement by UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis in response to the Tory/LibDem coalition government:
"We now face our biggest challenge ever. Without a strong union, no public service will be safe from privatisation and cuts. Without a strong union, no public service worker’s pay and pension will be secure.
The LibDems have already ditched their promise to oppose the Tories' plans for £6bn cuts this year. This will put the recovery at risk, and cost thousands of jobs. Plans for more cuts will follow, hitting communities hard.
We will fight tooth and nail to protect our members and the vital jobs they do.
We will seek to build strong alliances, particularly with local communities and service users, to campaign against cuts and privatisation.
I call on every member and activist – however you voted at the general election – to join us in the fight of our lives to defend our vital public services."
UNISON | The public service trade union
UNISON Scotland website
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Friday, 7 May 2010
Election: No public support for savage cuts in public services
UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, is today (7 May) warning politicians that the election results show there is no public support for savage cuts in public services. http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1852
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Attacks on staff pay and conditions spark strike action in Culture and Sport Glasgow
Thu 29 April 2010
Glasgow’s major cultural and leisure trust, set up to attract extra private sector finance and provide increased service to the public, faces major disruption tomorrow (Friday) due to the first of a series of strikes by four separate unions that represent the Trust’s around 1600 staff. Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) runs libraries, museums and sports and leisure centres across Glasgow, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, and is proposing a series of attacks on staff conditions and pay since it was set up in 2008.
The staff are members of UNISON, Unite, the GMB and BECTU, all of whom have returned positive ballots for industrial action after the trust – cut 10% from the wages of almost 200 workers; declared a unilateral pay freeze for all other workers and cut public holidays and overtime rates.
Brian Smith, Branch Secretary for UNISON’s Glasgow City Branch – which has the largest single number of members in CSG said:
“All the trade unions in CSG are united in their opposition to the attacks on their members pay and conditions. The trade unions have attempted to negotiate to persuade CSG not carry out these attacks. However workers have been left with no option other than to use strike action in an effort to defend their pay and conditions. Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow and recognise the wide disruption that strike action will cause.”
CSG was established as an “arms-length” Trust by Glasgow City Council as a tax scam; to draw in private money and to get grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to deliver on most of these. Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres, museums and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.
The strikers are asking for public support by asking people to send protests to Bridget McConnell, CSG Chief Executive, and to Councillor Liz Cameron, Chair of the CSG Board. Messages of support to the strikers should be sent to enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk or to the UNISON Branch, 18 Albion Street, G1 1LH
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Glasgow’s major cultural and leisure trust, set up to attract extra private sector finance and provide increased service to the public, faces major disruption tomorrow (Friday) due to the first of a series of strikes by four separate unions that represent the Trust’s around 1600 staff. Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) runs libraries, museums and sports and leisure centres across Glasgow, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, and is proposing a series of attacks on staff conditions and pay since it was set up in 2008.
The staff are members of UNISON, Unite, the GMB and BECTU, all of whom have returned positive ballots for industrial action after the trust – cut 10% from the wages of almost 200 workers; declared a unilateral pay freeze for all other workers and cut public holidays and overtime rates.
Brian Smith, Branch Secretary for UNISON’s Glasgow City Branch – which has the largest single number of members in CSG said:
“All the trade unions in CSG are united in their opposition to the attacks on their members pay and conditions. The trade unions have attempted to negotiate to persuade CSG not carry out these attacks. However workers have been left with no option other than to use strike action in an effort to defend their pay and conditions. Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow and recognise the wide disruption that strike action will cause.”
CSG was established as an “arms-length” Trust by Glasgow City Council as a tax scam; to draw in private money and to get grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to deliver on most of these. Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres, museums and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.
The strikers are asking for public support by asking people to send protests to Bridget McConnell, CSG Chief Executive, and to Councillor Liz Cameron, Chair of the CSG Board. Messages of support to the strikers should be sent to enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk or to the UNISON Branch, 18 Albion Street, G1 1LH
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Tuesday, 27 April 2010
UNISON calls for action to end work-related deaths and injuries
Tue 27 April 2010
Further action must be taken to combat "unacceptable levels" of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses. That’s the message from UNISON on International Workers Memorial Day.
In a move welcomed by UNISON, International Workers Memorial Day, held annually on 28 April, is being officially recognised by the UK Government for the first time.
UNISON Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith will attend the main Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Glasgow's George Square, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of UNISON Scotland's 170,000 members in memory of all workers who have died as a result of their work.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony he said;
"70% of workplace accidents are due to poor management on health and safety. This means deaths at work are avoidable. But the alarming cuts in public spending which all the main parties have been proposing can only result in more danger for people at work.
"We welcome the official recognition of International Workers Memorial Day by the UK Government. Formal recognition reinforces the significance of the Day and raises awareness of the number of people who are killed, disabled, injured or made unwell through their work.
"We know, however, that recognition of International Workers Memorial Day will only be of value if it results in greater awareness of the unacceptable levels of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses - and in practical action to combat these."
Scott Donohoe, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health & Safety Committee said:
“At a time when business and other vested interests are campaigning for proper health and safety laws to be replaced by deregulation, with companies being allowed to carry out their own health & safety audits, trade unions need to ensure that these hard-fought for rights are not eroded when employers campaign against red tape. Health & safety rules and regulations are an essential protection from employers who would put profit above the safety of their staff and the public.”
UNISON branches across Scotland will take part in ceremonies organised by local Trade Union Councils, and some will participate in activity organised jointly with local authorities.
UNISON Staff and members will hold a minute's silence at UNISON offices across Scotland.
Notes for editors
Full details of these events can be found at www.stuc.org.uk, the website of the Scottish TUC which is co-ordinating International Workers Memorial Day in Scotland.
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Further action must be taken to combat "unacceptable levels" of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses. That’s the message from UNISON on International Workers Memorial Day.
In a move welcomed by UNISON, International Workers Memorial Day, held annually on 28 April, is being officially recognised by the UK Government for the first time.
UNISON Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith will attend the main Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Glasgow's George Square, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of UNISON Scotland's 170,000 members in memory of all workers who have died as a result of their work.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony he said;
"70% of workplace accidents are due to poor management on health and safety. This means deaths at work are avoidable. But the alarming cuts in public spending which all the main parties have been proposing can only result in more danger for people at work.
"We welcome the official recognition of International Workers Memorial Day by the UK Government. Formal recognition reinforces the significance of the Day and raises awareness of the number of people who are killed, disabled, injured or made unwell through their work.
"We know, however, that recognition of International Workers Memorial Day will only be of value if it results in greater awareness of the unacceptable levels of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses - and in practical action to combat these."
Scott Donohoe, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health & Safety Committee said:
“At a time when business and other vested interests are campaigning for proper health and safety laws to be replaced by deregulation, with companies being allowed to carry out their own health & safety audits, trade unions need to ensure that these hard-fought for rights are not eroded when employers campaign against red tape. Health & safety rules and regulations are an essential protection from employers who would put profit above the safety of their staff and the public.”
UNISON branches across Scotland will take part in ceremonies organised by local Trade Union Councils, and some will participate in activity organised jointly with local authorities.
UNISON Staff and members will hold a minute's silence at UNISON offices across Scotland.
Notes for editors
Full details of these events can be found at www.stuc.org.uk, the website of the Scottish TUC which is co-ordinating International Workers Memorial Day in Scotland.
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Tuesday, 20 April 2010
STUC: Sharks are circling again for Scottish Water
UNISON's Dave Watson warned that 'the sharks are circling again' as the CBI and right wing think tanks campaign for Water privatisation. UNISON's Dave Watson warned that 'the sharks are circling again' as the CBI and right wing think tanks campaign for Water privatisation. Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/9.html
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STUC: Rebuilding collective prosperity - a charter for public services
STUC: UNISON's Matt Smith lays out a strategy for public services. "saying to the people of Scotland that we will not stand idly by while attempts are made to make the many pay for the greed and folly of a wealthy few". Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/8.html
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STUC: Alliance to challenge local government cuts: 'Service users pay three times as Edinburgh Council prepares for sell-off Proposals', says UNISON
UNISON's John Stevenson pledges that, standing up for jobs and services, the union would make sure that the public knew exactly what is happening. "Edinburgh is Not for Sale", he said. Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/7.html
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Monday, 19 April 2010
STUC: Re-visit bus deregulation to address failures of Thatcher
Fractured and inconsistent bus services with not enough new build means bus services cannot be left exclusively to the private market, said the STUC backing a motion from Unite. "There is no bigger barrier for disabled people than the design of, and access to public transport. Although Charlie's bill was a small step for disabled people, it was nevertheless, an important one", says UNISON's John Nisbet.
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STUC: Children must have a right to music in schools
Seconding a Musicians' Union motion, UNISON's John Stevenson said that the chance to learn a musical instrument is crucial to encouraging creativity.
See more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/5.html
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See more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/5.html
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STUC: Councils must deliver on additional support needs for children
The STUC urged all local authorities to make sure that children with additional support needs continue to get thre services they are entitled to in law to support them to achieve their potential.
Supporting a motion from the Educational Institute of Scotland, UNISON's Sam McCartney stressed the key role of UNISON members like classroom assistants andsupport for learning auxiliaries in providing support to ensure children can access all parts of the school curriculum.
"Sadly these can be the very posts most vulnerable to cutbacks with the resulting impact on the education of our most vulnerable children. This must not be allowed to happen.", said Sam.
More STUC news at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/index.html
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Supporting a motion from the Educational Institute of Scotland, UNISON's Sam McCartney stressed the key role of UNISON members like classroom assistants andsupport for learning auxiliaries in providing support to ensure children can access all parts of the school curriculum.
"Sadly these can be the very posts most vulnerable to cutbacks with the resulting impact on the education of our most vulnerable children. This must not be allowed to happen.", said Sam.
More STUC news at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/index.html
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STUC: Building a sustainable economy: Invest in training and jobs and restore trade union rights
The 113th Scottish Trade Union Congress kicked off today by slamming the 'unjust and inefficient' banking model that led to the financial crisis.
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/2.html
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http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/2.html
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Pensions – private sector cutbacks threaten burden on the state
The action of private sector bosses in cutting staff’s pensions is likely to threaten the UK’s economy, UNISON's Mike Kirby told the STUC today. Mike, UNISON Scotland Convener, pointed to the closure of large numbers of decent private sector pension schemes, and raise the spectre of a huge increase in benefits demands by their shortchanged staff.He said, “Far from the tired old myth peddled by the CBI and the Tax Dodgers Alliance - that public sector pensions are unsustainable, and a huge drain on the taxpayer - the real demand on the taxpayer is likely to come from employees of their own members who have had fair pensions cut, while their bosses protect their own large pensions. The private sector wants the public purse to bail out their employees pensions shortfall, just as it bailed out the busted banks and caused this recession.”
The STUC called on government to maintain fair and decent public sector pensions, and not to heed misleading calls by the private sector and the media condemning public service workers to reliance on means-tested benefits.
Mike said, “The real time-bomb for the taxpayer is the means-tested benefits bill, and increased take up of social care and health services to support people who have been shut out of saving for their retirement. We already face such demands thanks to the irresponsible actions of the banking fat cats like those at Goldman Sachs, and the selfish actions of private firms cutting their own staff pensions. Closing public sector schemes would see the bill to the taxpayer rocket by billions.”
The STUC unanimously backed a call for decent pensions for all workers, public and private sector, and go on to call for an increased state pension, linked to earnings.
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Monday, 12 April 2010
Rally in sunshine to Stop the Cuts - video
UNISON Scotland public service workers marched in Glasgow on Saturday 10 April with comrades and friends to demonstrate against cuts in public funding. Here's the 4 minute video of the march around Glasgow's west end in glorious sunshine.
And this is Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary, explaining what the demo is all about in just a minute.
More videos at our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland
And don't forget to check the UNISON Scotland website: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk for more on our Public Works and Stop the Cuts campaigns.
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And this is Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary, explaining what the demo is all about in just a minute.
More videos at our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland
And don't forget to check the UNISON Scotland website: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk for more on our Public Works and Stop the Cuts campaigns.
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Saturday, 10 April 2010
BBC News: UNISON protest over public sector cuts
BBC News - Protest over public sector cuts:
Thousands of union members have joined a demonstration in Glasgow against public service cuts.
Unison, the public services union, has held a march and rally in the city's west end to urge Scots to defend their services as the general election looms.
Unison said about 2,500 people took part in the event.
Unison's Scottish convenor said the cuts were threatening various services, from classroom assistants' hours to mobile libraries and meals on wheels.
Convenor Mike Kirby said: "Unison members, who deliver services across Scotland, are reporting that cuts are already threatening services for Scots from the cradle to the grave.
"And this is just the start of a sustained period of attacks on the public sector.
"As politicians vie with one another to out trump each other's cuts to pay for the bail out of the banks, we urge our members and community campaigns to join Unison's Public Works campaign.
"We will urge them to tell politicians at all levels - in Westminster, in Holyrood and locally, that you will not accept cuts in our vital public services to bail out the fat cats."
Unison's UK president, Gerry Gallagher, STUC general secretary, Grahame Smith, and the Scottish president of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Janice Godrich, also spoke at the rally.
'Own story'
A similar demonstration was held in London's Trafalgar Square at the same time.
Mr Gallagher said: "In Glasgow and in London today our key message is that public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout.
"Our members didn't cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in communities across Scotland.
"You all have your own story to tell. And tell them you should.
"Because it is the combined voice of public service workers and service users that need to be heard in corridors of power."
The marchers set off from Kelvin Way, walked through the west end before holding a rally in Kelvingrove Park.
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Thousands of union members have joined a demonstration in Glasgow against public service cuts.
Unison, the public services union, has held a march and rally in the city's west end to urge Scots to defend their services as the general election looms.
Unison said about 2,500 people took part in the event.
Unison's Scottish convenor said the cuts were threatening various services, from classroom assistants' hours to mobile libraries and meals on wheels.
Convenor Mike Kirby said: "Unison members, who deliver services across Scotland, are reporting that cuts are already threatening services for Scots from the cradle to the grave.
"And this is just the start of a sustained period of attacks on the public sector.
 |  Our members didn't cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in communities across Scotland  Gerry Gallagher Unison UK president |
"As politicians vie with one another to out trump each other's cuts to pay for the bail out of the banks, we urge our members and community campaigns to join Unison's Public Works campaign.
"We will urge them to tell politicians at all levels - in Westminster, in Holyrood and locally, that you will not accept cuts in our vital public services to bail out the fat cats."
Unison's UK president, Gerry Gallagher, STUC general secretary, Grahame Smith, and the Scottish president of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Janice Godrich, also spoke at the rally.
'Own story'
A similar demonstration was held in London's Trafalgar Square at the same time.
Mr Gallagher said: "In Glasgow and in London today our key message is that public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout.
"Our members didn't cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in communities across Scotland.
"You all have your own story to tell. And tell them you should.
"Because it is the combined voice of public service workers and service users that need to be heard in corridors of power."
The marchers set off from Kelvin Way, walked through the west end before holding a rally in Kelvingrove Park.
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UNISON demo urges - stop to 'cradle to grave' cuts
Sat 10 April 2010
UNISON – Scotland’s largest public service union, is holding a major march and rally in Glasgow’s West End today (Saturday) where speakers representing thousands of UNISON members from different public services across Scotland will urge Scots to defend their services. The union will also be supported by its UK President, Gerry Gallagher, STUC General Secretary, Grahame Smith, and PCS Scottish President, Janice Godrich.
UNISON’s Scottish Convenor, Mike Kirby said:
“UNISON members, who deliver services across Scotland are reporting that cuts are already threatening services for Scots from the cradle to the grave. Fewer full time places will be available for under fives in Edinburgh. Play groups or under fives groups might have funding withdrawn in East Ayrshire, classroom assistants hours are being cut in Falkirk, Dumfries & Galloway, Highland, Inverclyde, and others.
“Many communities will see their mobile library service withdrawn, eg in Falkirk, Clackmannan and Moray. If you find yourself out of work due to the recession, better get yourself up to speed on how the benefit system works as Welfare Rights Units employed by councils to make sure you get your due entitlement are cut back or closed in Aberdeen, Glasgow, and East Lothian.
“The annual spring clean that some elderly people receive is being abolished in Fife. The cost of meals on wheels for the elderly and vulnerable is going up in the Borders or switching from fresh to frozen food in Midlothian. And the cuts don’t stop when you die as the cost of being buried or cremated is increased to more closely reflect charges at private crematoria in Fife. No-one is exempt.
“And this is just the start of a sustained period of attacks on the public sector. As politicians vie with one another to out trump each other’s cuts to pay for the bail out of the banks, we urge our members and community campaigns to join UNISON’s Public Works campaign and tell politicians at all levels – in Westminster, in Holyrood and locally, that you will not accept cuts in our vital public services to bail out the fat cats.”
UNISON UK President, Gerry Gallagher will bring greetings to the marchers from a similar rally in London.
He will say:
“In Glasgow and in London today our key message is that public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout. Our members didn’t cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in communities across Scotland.
“Cuts will damage recovery from recession; Cuts will hit public services we all depend on; Cuts will threaten the wellbeing of our members and their families. You all have your own story to tell. And tell them you should. Because it is the combined voice of public service workers and service users that need to be heard in corridors of power.”
UNISONScotland’s Public Works campaign will now target the election, with hustings at Scottish and local level, and by questioning political parties and individual candidates.
ENDS
March and Rally - Map and details
View Stop the Cuts - UNISON March & Rally - Glasgow 10 April 2010 in a larger map
Assemble (green marker) from 9.30am in Kelvin Way for march off at about 10am.
March Route (in blue) via Gibson Street, Woodlands Road, Great Western Road, Byres Road and University Avenue back to Kelvin Way
End of march - Kelvin Way - enter park (purple marker)
11am Rally in Kelvingrove Park.
Rally plus fun stuff for kids will be held on grassy slope below Park Circus (pink marker)
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UNISON’s Scottish Convenor, Mike Kirby said:
“UNISON members, who deliver services across Scotland are reporting that cuts are already threatening services for Scots from the cradle to the grave. Fewer full time places will be available for under fives in Edinburgh. Play groups or under fives groups might have funding withdrawn in East Ayrshire, classroom assistants hours are being cut in Falkirk, Dumfries & Galloway, Highland, Inverclyde, and others.
“Many communities will see their mobile library service withdrawn, eg in Falkirk, Clackmannan and Moray. If you find yourself out of work due to the recession, better get yourself up to speed on how the benefit system works as Welfare Rights Units employed by councils to make sure you get your due entitlement are cut back or closed in Aberdeen, Glasgow, and East Lothian.
“The annual spring clean that some elderly people receive is being abolished in Fife. The cost of meals on wheels for the elderly and vulnerable is going up in the Borders or switching from fresh to frozen food in Midlothian. And the cuts don’t stop when you die as the cost of being buried or cremated is increased to more closely reflect charges at private crematoria in Fife. No-one is exempt.
“And this is just the start of a sustained period of attacks on the public sector. As politicians vie with one another to out trump each other’s cuts to pay for the bail out of the banks, we urge our members and community campaigns to join UNISON’s Public Works campaign and tell politicians at all levels – in Westminster, in Holyrood and locally, that you will not accept cuts in our vital public services to bail out the fat cats.”
UNISON UK President, Gerry Gallagher will bring greetings to the marchers from a similar rally in London.
He will say:
“In Glasgow and in London today our key message is that public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout. Our members didn’t cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in communities across Scotland.
“Cuts will damage recovery from recession; Cuts will hit public services we all depend on; Cuts will threaten the wellbeing of our members and their families. You all have your own story to tell. And tell them you should. Because it is the combined voice of public service workers and service users that need to be heard in corridors of power.”
UNISONScotland’s Public Works campaign will now target the election, with hustings at Scottish and local level, and by questioning political parties and individual candidates.
ENDS
March and Rally - Map and details
View Stop the Cuts - UNISON March & Rally - Glasgow 10 April 2010 in a larger map
Assemble (green marker) from 9.30am in Kelvin Way for march off at about 10am.
March Route (in blue) via Gibson Street, Woodlands Road, Great Western Road, Byres Road and University Avenue back to Kelvin Way
End of march - Kelvin Way - enter park (purple marker)
11am Rally in Kelvingrove Park.
Rally plus fun stuff for kids will be held on grassy slope below Park Circus (pink marker)
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Friday, 9 April 2010
Stop the Cuts - join the UNISON Scotland Rally to defend public services - Glasgow, Saturday 10 April
The weather forecast is for sunshine in Glasgow on Saturday. And you couldn’t do much better than to spend some of it with friends and colleagues from UNISON demonstrating your support for the services that our members provide.
Join us at Kelvin Way in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park from 9.30am on Saturday 10 April. Bring your family and friends, there’s plenty for children to do too – bouncy castle, face painting, story telling, balloons, beat the goalie – and of course everything that Kelvingrove Park has to offer.
Why you should demonstrate on Saturday
Public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout. Our members didn't cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in our communities.
Public services should not suffer because of the bank bailout. Our members didn't cause the crash, and neither did the people we serve every day in our communities.
Cuts will damage recovery from recession; cuts will hit public services we all depend on; cuts will threaten our members and their families.
March and Rally - Map and details
View Stop the Cuts - UNISON March & Rally - Glasgow 10 April 2010 in a larger map
Assemble (green marker) from 9.30am in Kelvin Way for march off at about 10am.
March Route (in blue) via Gibson Street, Woodlands Road, Great Western Road, Byres Road and University Avenue back to Kelvin Way
End of march - Kelvin Way - enter park (purple marker)
11am Rally in Kelvingrove Park.
Rally plus fun stuff for kids will be held on grassy slope below Park Circus (pink marker)
See you on Saturday!
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Main healthcare union to quiz candidates and Cabinet Secretary
UNISON - Scotland's largest healthcare union, will hold its annual health conference today (Friday) in Glasgow, and will hear from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, who will give the keynote speech.
In addition the group conference, involving representatives of the 50,000+ UNISON members working in Scotland's Healthcare, will hold an election hustings, where candidates from the four main parties in Scotland will put forward their policies on healthcare, and other issues.
Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Group, Tom Waterson said "We are taking the opportunity of this election, to promote our Public Works campaign, and quiz candidates on their party's policies to defend our public services and those who provide them, in the teeth of the business campaign to cut them.
"We know that our Health Service is vital, that its spending actually boosts our economy, and that we can afford to provide decent care."
Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the conference on the current issues facing Scotland's NHS, she will answer questions from the delegates UNISON is Scotland's largest Healthcare union and has continued to increase its membership for the third year running.
In addition the group conference, involving representatives of the 50,000+ UNISON members working in Scotland's Healthcare, will hold an election hustings, where candidates from the four main parties in Scotland will put forward their policies on healthcare, and other issues.
Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Group, Tom Waterson said "We are taking the opportunity of this election, to promote our Public Works campaign, and quiz candidates on their party's policies to defend our public services and those who provide them, in the teeth of the business campaign to cut them.
"We know that our Health Service is vital, that its spending actually boosts our economy, and that we can afford to provide decent care."
Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the conference on the current issues facing Scotland's NHS, she will answer questions from the delegates UNISON is Scotland's largest Healthcare union and has continued to increase its membership for the third year running.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
UNISON slams water sell-off report as ideological dogma
Date: 8 April 2010
UNISON Scotland today condemned the conclusions of the report published by the Centre for Public Policy and Regions (CPPR), calling for private sector take over of Scottish Water, as bizarre, saying that Scotland’s water is a national asset - not a pool for multinationals to drain profits from.
UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said;
“This report is simply another attempt by consultants to exploit the financial crisis to advocate privatisation. The CPPR report correctly says that Scottish Water is a ‘notable success’, but then, bizarrely, goes on to recommend failed private sector models like PPP/ PFI or even privatisation. Given the ‘success’ of private sector banks recently this sounds like the recipe for disaster, poorer service and higher water charges.
“The report says that the Scottish Government can no longer afford the small borrowing line it provides to Scottish Water, and it should be spent elsewhere on ‘front line’ services. Since when is providing quality water supplies and removing sewage not a front line service? All their ‘alternatives’ are failed privatising schemes.
“Scottish Water gave up on PFI some 12 years ago for good reasons - because it costs a fortune. Even the pro-privatisation Water Industry Commission has stated that the schemes are not cost effective.
“Privatisation or mutualisation would mean selling off public assets built up over many years, at taxpayers expense, at a knock down price. Add to that dividends, profits, fat cat salaries and consultancy fees - all to be funded by the water charge payer. Ask any fan of Manchester Utd if they think bringing in a new debt laden owner is a good business model!.
“There appears to be no logical rationale behind this rehashed report. The real reason for it is that the usual suspects just hate a successful public sector model. It goes against their dogma - it doesn't fit the ideology.
“People want Scotland’s water to remain a public service – not a pool that multi nationals drain for profit."
ENDS
Note for Editors:
1) The unions have produced a discussion paper It’s Scotland’s Water outlining ways to greater accountability for Scottish Water. It is available on the UNISON website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/scotland's_water.pdf
For Further Information Please Contact:
Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 07958 122 409 (m)
Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729 (m)
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UNISON Scotland today condemned the conclusions of the report published by the Centre for Public Policy and Regions (CPPR), calling for private sector take over of Scottish Water, as bizarre, saying that Scotland’s water is a national asset - not a pool for multinationals to drain profits from.
UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said;
“This report is simply another attempt by consultants to exploit the financial crisis to advocate privatisation. The CPPR report correctly says that Scottish Water is a ‘notable success’, but then, bizarrely, goes on to recommend failed private sector models like PPP/ PFI or even privatisation. Given the ‘success’ of private sector banks recently this sounds like the recipe for disaster, poorer service and higher water charges.
“The report says that the Scottish Government can no longer afford the small borrowing line it provides to Scottish Water, and it should be spent elsewhere on ‘front line’ services. Since when is providing quality water supplies and removing sewage not a front line service? All their ‘alternatives’ are failed privatising schemes.
“Scottish Water gave up on PFI some 12 years ago for good reasons - because it costs a fortune. Even the pro-privatisation Water Industry Commission has stated that the schemes are not cost effective.
“Privatisation or mutualisation would mean selling off public assets built up over many years, at taxpayers expense, at a knock down price. Add to that dividends, profits, fat cat salaries and consultancy fees - all to be funded by the water charge payer. Ask any fan of Manchester Utd if they think bringing in a new debt laden owner is a good business model!.
“There appears to be no logical rationale behind this rehashed report. The real reason for it is that the usual suspects just hate a successful public sector model. It goes against their dogma - it doesn't fit the ideology.
“People want Scotland’s water to remain a public service – not a pool that multi nationals drain for profit."
ENDS
Note for Editors:
1) The unions have produced a discussion paper It’s Scotland’s Water outlining ways to greater accountability for Scottish Water. It is available on the UNISON website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/scotland's_water.pdf
For Further Information Please Contact:
Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 07958 122 409 (m)
Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729 (m)
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Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Stop the Cuts: UNISON march & rally in Glasgow, Sat 10 April
Stop the Cuts: Public Works! The fightback starts here... UNISON March & Rally against cuts on 10 April in Glasgow. Assemble from 9.30am at Kelvin Way for march off around 10am. See route in Google map below.
Click here to view a larger map of the route for Stop the Cuts - UNISON March & Rally - Glasgow 10 April 2010 - opens in new window
See UNISON Scotland website for more info on the demo.
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Click here to view a larger map of the route for Stop the Cuts - UNISON March & Rally - Glasgow 10 April 2010 - opens in new window
See UNISON Scotland website for more info on the demo.
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Thursday, 1 April 2010
New Glasgow Clyde Health branch video
We've favourited this new video by NHS Greater Glasgow, Clyde & CVS Branch.
"This film was made to represent the work of UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde & CVS branch in 2009. In was shown at our branch Annual General Meeting."
More videos at our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland
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"This film was made to represent the work of UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde & CVS branch in 2009. In was shown at our branch Annual General Meeting."
More videos at our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland
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Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Chris Bartter's response to the Ryanair model and the "three wise men"
On Tuesday Douglas Fraser, the BBC’s Business and Economy editor raised a number of issues about public services, charging and the ‘three wise men’ in his blog BBC - Douglas Fraser's Ledger: Priority Boarding for Public Services. Fraser raised the prospect of a Ryanair business model for public services as promoted by PricewaterhouseCoopers consultants and quoted Crawford Beveridge as saying that "nothing was off limits". UNISON Scotland's Chris Bartter was minded to comment on Faser's blog – here’s what Chris had to say:
"I suspect these three wise men do not, in fact, have an 'open remit'. All Mr Beveridge has said so far indicates that they are assuming that we need to cut public services. This is simply a big business driven assumption.
In fact, a) UK debt is not significantly larger than other comparable European countries, b) the deficit is not as large proportionally as after the War, when we were able to create the NHS.
What has happened is that a very large amount of public cash has been given to failing, private businesses (mainly banks) to stop them going bust. Now they and other private companies (including PriceWaterhouseCoopers – what is their responsibility for auditing these failed banks one wonders?) say we have to cut other public sector spending to pay for this.
I think the people of Scotland (and the UK) would rather like to consider other alternatives. For example:
We could make the sector that caused the imbalance in public sector spending, (if imbalance it is) contribute rather more than they currently are doing to pay off the money they owe. (Either by increased taxes, or by paying back loans etc). Indeed Ryanair themselves might consider a realistic payment to compensate for the climate damage they do.
We could look at the whole public spending package and see if there are genuine items of waste - UNISON has recently suggested cutting the use of private consultants by the public sector, not replacing Trident, or introducing ID cards, abolishing the Scottish Futures Trust and other forms of PFI. Are the three going to consider these options?
It may well be that (boosted by the continuing investment by the public sector) return to growth is faster than predicted. There are some signs of increased growth already. If taxation is fair, that is one method of cutting the deficit.
However the likely truth is that it will require some of all of this. What it does NOT need is for damaging cuts to be speedily implemented on our increasingly in-demand public services. That way lies increased poverty and suffering, more demand on public finances (via increased demand for benefits etc) and a real risk of a return to recession.
Are these items on the three's agenda? If not, they should be."
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"I suspect these three wise men do not, in fact, have an 'open remit'. All Mr Beveridge has said so far indicates that they are assuming that we need to cut public services. This is simply a big business driven assumption.
In fact, a) UK debt is not significantly larger than other comparable European countries, b) the deficit is not as large proportionally as after the War, when we were able to create the NHS.
What has happened is that a very large amount of public cash has been given to failing, private businesses (mainly banks) to stop them going bust. Now they and other private companies (including PriceWaterhouseCoopers – what is their responsibility for auditing these failed banks one wonders?) say we have to cut other public sector spending to pay for this.
I think the people of Scotland (and the UK) would rather like to consider other alternatives. For example:
We could make the sector that caused the imbalance in public sector spending, (if imbalance it is) contribute rather more than they currently are doing to pay off the money they owe. (Either by increased taxes, or by paying back loans etc). Indeed Ryanair themselves might consider a realistic payment to compensate for the climate damage they do.
We could look at the whole public spending package and see if there are genuine items of waste - UNISON has recently suggested cutting the use of private consultants by the public sector, not replacing Trident, or introducing ID cards, abolishing the Scottish Futures Trust and other forms of PFI. Are the three going to consider these options?
It may well be that (boosted by the continuing investment by the public sector) return to growth is faster than predicted. There are some signs of increased growth already. If taxation is fair, that is one method of cutting the deficit.
However the likely truth is that it will require some of all of this. What it does NOT need is for damaging cuts to be speedily implemented on our increasingly in-demand public services. That way lies increased poverty and suffering, more demand on public finances (via increased demand for benefits etc) and a real risk of a return to recession.
Are these items on the three's agenda? If not, they should be."
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UNISON’s green workplace project wins Climate Challenge funding
Date: 31 March 2010
Public service workers in Lanarkshire today won more than £60,000 for a trade union climate change project.
UNISON Scotland congratulated branch members in South Lanarkshire on their successful Climate Challenge Fund bid. The ideas they come up with for greening the workplace could lead the way for similar union work across the public sector.
UNISON South Lanarkshire Branch Secretary Stephen Smellie said:
“We are very pleased to have been awarded funding for our Green Workers project which will help contribute to Scottish climate change targets.
“The aim is to raise awareness of the carbon footprints of our members, give advice on how to reduce emissions and empower members to raise ideas on how to make a difference not only at home but in their workplace.”
The project will work with UNISON members across South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire College, South Lanarkshire Leisure, Lanarkshire Joint Valuation Board and a number of voluntary and private sector employers.
It will focus on encouraging reduced emissions through energy efficiency and greener travel options. Members will be able to borrow energy monitors to check their energy use at home, and develop alternative public transport plans for each workplace. The UNISON branch will also audit its own activity to reduce carbon use – eg in communicating with activists and members.
UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said:
“This project will demonstrate the contribution trade unions can make to tackling climate change in the workplace by engaging with our members on the issue.
“By doing so members will not only start to reduce their own emissions but will be more likely to demand action in the workplace.
“More than two thirds of carbon emissions are work related and UNISON is encouraging similar action across Scotland.
“Most workplace projects on cutting carbon are led by employers. A bottom up project, promoted by the trade union, stands a much better chance of winning workforce support and making the real changes needed.
“As part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, UNISON campaigned for the Climate Change Act 2009 to be as strong as possible with a clear duty on the public sector, ensuring it leads by example.
“All public bodies need to comply with that duty from January next year. We are calling for negotiated green workplace agreements to help them do that.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
1) The Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund awarded £60,728 to this project, part of a £5.5m announcement. Details are at www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/31101337
2) UNISON has a Greening the Workplace toolkit for branches at www.unison.org.uk/green/pages_view.asp?did=7384
3) The STUC Scottish Government joint Communique on Climate Change is at www.stuc.org.uk/news/643/stuc-and-scottish-government-issue-joint-communique-on-climate-change
It promises partnership working to develop policies to green the workplace and states that: “The greening of the workplace has a central role to play in delivering emissions cuts and promoting environmental action throughout society. Worker involvement is the key to culture change in the workplace. Good practice developed in the workplace will also have a positive influence in the home and community.”
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Public service workers in Lanarkshire today won more than £60,000 for a trade union climate change project.
UNISON Scotland congratulated branch members in South Lanarkshire on their successful Climate Challenge Fund bid. The ideas they come up with for greening the workplace could lead the way for similar union work across the public sector.
UNISON South Lanarkshire Branch Secretary Stephen Smellie said:“We are very pleased to have been awarded funding for our Green Workers project which will help contribute to Scottish climate change targets.
“The aim is to raise awareness of the carbon footprints of our members, give advice on how to reduce emissions and empower members to raise ideas on how to make a difference not only at home but in their workplace.”
The project will work with UNISON members across South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire College, South Lanarkshire Leisure, Lanarkshire Joint Valuation Board and a number of voluntary and private sector employers.
It will focus on encouraging reduced emissions through energy efficiency and greener travel options. Members will be able to borrow energy monitors to check their energy use at home, and develop alternative public transport plans for each workplace. The UNISON branch will also audit its own activity to reduce carbon use – eg in communicating with activists and members.
UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said:
“This project will demonstrate the contribution trade unions can make to tackling climate change in the workplace by engaging with our members on the issue.
“By doing so members will not only start to reduce their own emissions but will be more likely to demand action in the workplace.
“More than two thirds of carbon emissions are work related and UNISON is encouraging similar action across Scotland.
“Most workplace projects on cutting carbon are led by employers. A bottom up project, promoted by the trade union, stands a much better chance of winning workforce support and making the real changes needed.
“As part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, UNISON campaigned for the Climate Change Act 2009 to be as strong as possible with a clear duty on the public sector, ensuring it leads by example.
“All public bodies need to comply with that duty from January next year. We are calling for negotiated green workplace agreements to help them do that.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
1) The Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund awarded £60,728 to this project, part of a £5.5m announcement. Details are at www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/31101337
2) UNISON has a Greening the Workplace toolkit for branches at www.unison.org.uk/green/pages_view.asp?did=7384
3) The STUC Scottish Government joint Communique on Climate Change is at www.stuc.org.uk/news/643/stuc-and-scottish-government-issue-joint-communique-on-climate-change
It promises partnership working to develop policies to green the workplace and states that: “The greening of the workplace has a central role to play in delivering emissions cuts and promoting environmental action throughout society. Worker involvement is the key to culture change in the workplace. Good practice developed in the workplace will also have a positive influence in the home and community.”
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Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Sharks circling Scottish Water - UNISON
Date: 30 March 2010
The largest union in Scottish Water, UNISON, today accused government agencies of being part of a concerted campaign to use the financial crisis as cover for the privatisation of Scotland’s water.
In launching its policy briefing Defend Scotland’s Water, the union pointed to previous statements in favour of privatisation by the Water Industry Commission Chair, Sir Ian Byatt; the recent announcement by The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) that it is looking at privatisation; and the comments of one of the Scottish Government’s ‘Independent’ Budget Review panel members – Crawford Beveridge - on BBC Newsnight Scotland last night, suggesting this issue should be examined again.
Speaking at a meeting of UNISON water representatives, Dave Watson UNISON Scottish Organiser said:
“The sharks are circling again around Scotland’s greatest asset – our water. The regulatory regime has been preparing Scottish Water for privatisation for some time, driven by the ideological zeal of the Water Industry Commission Chair, Sir Ian Byatt. He has been joined by the SFT led by another privatisation advocate and banker, Sir Angus Grossart. Given this concerted campaign supported by the private sector who are keen to get their hands on our water at a knock down price, we need to make it crystal clear, that water is both, an essential public service, and, given the global water crisis, one of Scotland’s greatest economic assets.”
The UNISON briefing outlines the huge costs of privatisation to the water charge payer, including higher borrowing costs, billing systems, and dividends It also points to the beneficiaries of privatisation being the corporate financiers, consultants and company directors – particularly of the big overseas water multinationals who would target the privatised company.
UNISION also points to the continued ‘marking down’ of the value of Scottish Water’s assets, from £15bn when the corporation was created, down to current discussions of around £1bn, This is in order to make the package an attractive price for the private sector, particularly given the massive programme of investments the taxpayer has funded. Despite this investment and the additional costs of delivering this service in Scotland charges are lower than the UK average.
UNISON also rejects the supposed ‘alternative’ of mutualisation. Dave Watson said:
“In a capital intensive industry like water, mutualisation is not a co-operative solution. All services would be delivered by private water companies with all the costs of privatisation. It sounds cuddly and safe, but in reality it is a Trojan horse for privatisation. “UNISON, along with the STUC and the other unions involved in the water industry have been engaged in the debate about the future of Scottish Water, and we all believe that we should join with the worldwide movement in favour of democratisation of this essential service*.”
ENDS
Note for Editors:
1) The UNISON briefing is available on the UNISONScotland website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/defendscotlandswater_mar2010.pdf
2) *The unions have produced a discussion paper It’s Scotland’s Water outlining ways to greater accountability for Scottish Water. It is available on the UNISON website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/scotland's_water.pdf
.
The largest union in Scottish Water, UNISON, today accused government agencies of being part of a concerted campaign to use the financial crisis as cover for the privatisation of Scotland’s water.
Speaking at a meeting of UNISON water representatives, Dave Watson UNISON Scottish Organiser said:
“The sharks are circling again around Scotland’s greatest asset – our water. The regulatory regime has been preparing Scottish Water for privatisation for some time, driven by the ideological zeal of the Water Industry Commission Chair, Sir Ian Byatt. He has been joined by the SFT led by another privatisation advocate and banker, Sir Angus Grossart. Given this concerted campaign supported by the private sector who are keen to get their hands on our water at a knock down price, we need to make it crystal clear, that water is both, an essential public service, and, given the global water crisis, one of Scotland’s greatest economic assets.”
The UNISON briefing outlines the huge costs of privatisation to the water charge payer, including higher borrowing costs, billing systems, and dividends It also points to the beneficiaries of privatisation being the corporate financiers, consultants and company directors – particularly of the big overseas water multinationals who would target the privatised company.
UNISION also points to the continued ‘marking down’ of the value of Scottish Water’s assets, from £15bn when the corporation was created, down to current discussions of around £1bn, This is in order to make the package an attractive price for the private sector, particularly given the massive programme of investments the taxpayer has funded. Despite this investment and the additional costs of delivering this service in Scotland charges are lower than the UK average.
UNISON also rejects the supposed ‘alternative’ of mutualisation. Dave Watson said:
“In a capital intensive industry like water, mutualisation is not a co-operative solution. All services would be delivered by private water companies with all the costs of privatisation. It sounds cuddly and safe, but in reality it is a Trojan horse for privatisation. “UNISON, along with the STUC and the other unions involved in the water industry have been engaged in the debate about the future of Scottish Water, and we all believe that we should join with the worldwide movement in favour of democratisation of this essential service*.”
ENDS
Note for Editors:
1) The UNISON briefing is available on the UNISONScotland website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/defendscotlandswater_mar2010.pdf
2) *The unions have produced a discussion paper It’s Scotland’s Water outlining ways to greater accountability for Scottish Water. It is available on the UNISON website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/water/scotland's_water.pdf
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Friday, 26 March 2010
Save Britain's waterways by creating the first truly national park says UNISON
Fri 26 March
UNISON, the UK's leading public sector union, has today (26 March)
written to the Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
the Scottish Government, and British Waterways, calling on them to
secure the future of Britain's network of canals and waterways, by
agreeing to establish them as a cross-border national park.
DEFRA and British Waterways* are currently consulting on plans to turn
Britain's waterways into a charity, but the union fears that the tight
squeeze on third sector funding could see the nation's waterways fall
into disrepair, or locked up from public use entirely.
Inland waterways and national parks are both devolved functions in
Scotland, and funding for waterways in Scotland has had a positive
relationship in the public sector that many would be reluctant to lose.
A Canals National Park would deliver increased potential for
regeneration, and could provide a positive model for joint working to
regenerate areas of special interest. UNISON members in British
Waterways are well experienced and successful at this kind of
partnership working.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
"Turning Britain's waterways into a National Park would breathe new life
into our network of canals, safeguarding them for future generations. It
would be a gift to Britain, on a par with the formation of national
parks last century.
"As a truly national park, linking England, Scotland and Wales,
Britain's waterways could still reap all the benefits of charitable
status, applying for lottery funding, and working with volunteer groups,
but the future would be more secure - for the people using the rivers
and canals, and for those working on them.
"Generations of children and families have enjoyed Britain's network of
canals and waterways - they are part of our cultural heritage. No longer
in use for transporting freight around the country, they provide
much-needed leisure spaces in cities, and are vital habitats for
wildlife and conservation.
"But they are stuck in a legal grey area, classed as transport
facilities, making it tough to attract significant funding, throwing
their future into jeopardy. The funding crisis in the third sector,
means that any plans to switch to charitable status would only fuel this
insecurity.
"Severe lack of funding for charities could see the locks and paths
along Britain's waterways fall into disrepair. Canals could fill with
debris and rubbish, threatening conservation efforts. Whilst boaters and
anglers already pay to use waterways, additional entrance fees may be
introduced to raise funds, taking away the public's right to use and
enjoy Britain's Waterways free of charge."
UNISON represents white collar workers in British Waterways.
*DEFRA consultation: 'Waterways for everyone' and British Waterways
consultation: 'Setting a New Course'.
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UNISON, the UK's leading public sector union, has today (26 March)
written to the Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA),
the Scottish Government, and British Waterways, calling on them to
secure the future of Britain's network of canals and waterways, by
agreeing to establish them as a cross-border national park.
DEFRA and British Waterways* are currently consulting on plans to turn
Britain's waterways into a charity, but the union fears that the tight
squeeze on third sector funding could see the nation's waterways fall
into disrepair, or locked up from public use entirely.
Inland waterways and national parks are both devolved functions in
Scotland, and funding for waterways in Scotland has had a positive
relationship in the public sector that many would be reluctant to lose.
A Canals National Park would deliver increased potential for
regeneration, and could provide a positive model for joint working to
regenerate areas of special interest. UNISON members in British
Waterways are well experienced and successful at this kind of
partnership working.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
"Turning Britain's waterways into a National Park would breathe new life
into our network of canals, safeguarding them for future generations. It
would be a gift to Britain, on a par with the formation of national
parks last century.
"As a truly national park, linking England, Scotland and Wales,
Britain's waterways could still reap all the benefits of charitable
status, applying for lottery funding, and working with volunteer groups,
but the future would be more secure - for the people using the rivers
and canals, and for those working on them.
"Generations of children and families have enjoyed Britain's network of
canals and waterways - they are part of our cultural heritage. No longer
in use for transporting freight around the country, they provide
much-needed leisure spaces in cities, and are vital habitats for
wildlife and conservation.
"But they are stuck in a legal grey area, classed as transport
facilities, making it tough to attract significant funding, throwing
their future into jeopardy. The funding crisis in the third sector,
means that any plans to switch to charitable status would only fuel this
insecurity.
"Severe lack of funding for charities could see the locks and paths
along Britain's waterways fall into disrepair. Canals could fill with
debris and rubbish, threatening conservation efforts. Whilst boaters and
anglers already pay to use waterways, additional entrance fees may be
introduced to raise funds, taking away the public's right to use and
enjoy Britain's Waterways free of charge."
UNISON represents white collar workers in British Waterways.
*DEFRA consultation: 'Waterways for everyone' and British Waterways
consultation: 'Setting a New Course'.
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Thursday, 25 March 2010
Streamlined pay bargaining should be added to Public Service Reform Bill
Scotland's largest public service union - UNISON - is urging MSPs to support a series of amendments to the Public Service Reform Bill in today's debate in the Scottish Parliament.
The union is supporting a series of amendments to the Bill (nos 217 -222) that provide for one bargaining committee, covering all Non Departmental Public Bodies, and Public Corporations. This would streamline the large range of different pay negotiating bodies in the sector and recognise the reality of the decision-making process on public service pay.
Dave Watson, UNISON's Scottish organiser, said "Currently, the number of processes any pay discussions have to go through, mean that the bureaucracy constrains negotiations at local level, takes too long, and has lead to many recent damaging disputes. We think that, if the government is serious about streamlining and simplifying the exercise of public functions, this is a clear and definite step they could take."
ENDS
Note for Editors:- UNISON is Scotland's largest public service union, representing well over 160,000 workers working in Scotland's public services. A briefing on the UNISON supported amendments is available on the website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/MSPBriefing_PSR_Bill_Amendment_March2010.pdf
The union is supporting a series of amendments to the Bill (nos 217 -222) that provide for one bargaining committee, covering all Non Departmental Public Bodies, and Public Corporations. This would streamline the large range of different pay negotiating bodies in the sector and recognise the reality of the decision-making process on public service pay.
Dave Watson, UNISON's Scottish organiser, said "Currently, the number of processes any pay discussions have to go through, mean that the bureaucracy constrains negotiations at local level, takes too long, and has lead to many recent damaging disputes. We think that, if the government is serious about streamlining and simplifying the exercise of public functions, this is a clear and definite step they could take."
ENDS
Note for Editors:- UNISON is Scotland's largest public service union, representing well over 160,000 workers working in Scotland's public services. A briefing on the UNISON supported amendments is available on the website at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/MSPBriefing_PSR_Bill_Amendment_March2010.pdf
Threatened Edinburgh Staff Win UK Award
Staff at the City of Edinburgh Council, who face wholesale privatisation, have just received a UK award for delivering efficiencies that are unrivalled across the UK. The Government Business Awards cover a variety of categories and Edinburgh is the outright winner of the Financial Performance Award.
The City Council recently announced the intention to bring the private sector in to run a whole range of council services in the hope of delivering efficiencies and savings.
Reports to council expressed concern at the ability of existing managers to deliver budget savings and highlighted English examples of privatisation as an alternative way forward for Edinburgh. However, the Government Business Award for Financial Performance places a serious massive question mark against the benefit to be gained from breaking up a winning team.
Commenting on the award Kevin Duguid said: “We share the council’s aspiration to be the best and to provide efficient services to the tax payers of Edinburgh. What this award shows is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. UNISON has always had faith in the work of our members and we’re delighted that this dedication and efficiency has been recognised and rewarded at the highest level. And the people of Edinburgh share this view – 89% voted against privatisation in a recent poll. Its just a pity that the council sits alone in failing to see that when it comes to council services in Edinburgh – “Public Works”. Our message to the leader of the administration is simple “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
More details and 10 points from UNISON's damning analysis of the council plans is at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/citynotforsale
The City Council recently announced the intention to bring the private sector in to run a whole range of council services in the hope of delivering efficiencies and savings.
Reports to council expressed concern at the ability of existing managers to deliver budget savings and highlighted English examples of privatisation as an alternative way forward for Edinburgh. However, the Government Business Award for Financial Performance places a serious massive question mark against the benefit to be gained from breaking up a winning team.
Commenting on the award Kevin Duguid said: “We share the council’s aspiration to be the best and to provide efficient services to the tax payers of Edinburgh. What this award shows is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. UNISON has always had faith in the work of our members and we’re delighted that this dedication and efficiency has been recognised and rewarded at the highest level. And the people of Edinburgh share this view – 89% voted against privatisation in a recent poll. Its just a pity that the council sits alone in failing to see that when it comes to council services in Edinburgh – “Public Works”. Our message to the leader of the administration is simple “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
More details and 10 points from UNISON's damning analysis of the council plans is at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/citynotforsale
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Campaign against sell-off starts in Edinburgh
UNISON has launched a campaign against 'reckless' council plans to sell-off services and over 3,000 jobs.
The "Our City's Not For Sale" campaign will work with other unions, community groups and the public to expose the dangers of the council's 'alternative business models'.
"Services like front line customer contact, revenue and benefits, catering, cleaning, security, cleansing and vehicle and grounds maintenance, along with HR are all up for grabs with cultural services, transport and legal services also being primed for outsourcing through multi-million pound 'strategic partnerships' or 'joint ventures' - privatisation, to you and me", said Agnes Petkevicius, UNISON Edinburgh Branch Secretary.
"UNISON's own studies have revealed that, at best, council claims about savings are wishful thinking. No credible evidence exists to support them. Worse still, the evidence that does exist points to failures, worse services, increased costs and huge bills to bring failed services back in-house.
"To go ahead with this, in an exercise likely to top £1million wasted on consultants, without learning the lessons of the social care tendering fiasco is nothing short of reckless".
"If services are delivered in-house with no need to make a profit, how can they be delivered more cheaply while making a profit on top? Something has to give and that is usually the quality of the service or indeed the whole service - along with any decency in the pay and conditions of those delivering the service", added Branch President John Stevenson.
"You still pay your taxes but instead of the money going on the service and those who deliver it, it goes to company profits. Like the banks, or even perhaps the trams contract, these companies will become 'too big to fail' and will have the council over a barrel. It is time for the council to abandon these plans and concentrate on efficient and quality services in-house".
UNISON lead negotiator Kevin Duguid said, "The union has stressed that it is always ready to fully engage with the council on better and more efficient ways of delivering quality services. "However, the refusal to seriously look at in-house options means there is no real attempt to look at improving services, just a headlong drive to privatise".
"Nowhere is this more evident than the council leaving key issues out of the tendering advert like bidders having to comply with legal requirements such as the equalities duty, Climate Change Act etc, in case it deters them from applying".
"Staff are demoralised at how they are being treated with their jobs being sold from under them to the lowest bidder who will cut their terms and conditions to deliver profits for their shareholders first, with service delivery coming second."
More details and 10 points from UNISON's damning analysis of the council plans is at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/citynotforsale/10points.html
The "Our City's Not For Sale" campaign will work with other unions, community groups and the public to expose the dangers of the council's 'alternative business models'.
"Services like front line customer contact, revenue and benefits, catering, cleaning, security, cleansing and vehicle and grounds maintenance, along with HR are all up for grabs with cultural services, transport and legal services also being primed for outsourcing through multi-million pound 'strategic partnerships' or 'joint ventures' - privatisation, to you and me", said Agnes Petkevicius, UNISON Edinburgh Branch Secretary.
"UNISON's own studies have revealed that, at best, council claims about savings are wishful thinking. No credible evidence exists to support them. Worse still, the evidence that does exist points to failures, worse services, increased costs and huge bills to bring failed services back in-house.
"To go ahead with this, in an exercise likely to top £1million wasted on consultants, without learning the lessons of the social care tendering fiasco is nothing short of reckless".
"If services are delivered in-house with no need to make a profit, how can they be delivered more cheaply while making a profit on top? Something has to give and that is usually the quality of the service or indeed the whole service - along with any decency in the pay and conditions of those delivering the service", added Branch President John Stevenson.
"You still pay your taxes but instead of the money going on the service and those who deliver it, it goes to company profits. Like the banks, or even perhaps the trams contract, these companies will become 'too big to fail' and will have the council over a barrel. It is time for the council to abandon these plans and concentrate on efficient and quality services in-house".
UNISON lead negotiator Kevin Duguid said, "The union has stressed that it is always ready to fully engage with the council on better and more efficient ways of delivering quality services. "However, the refusal to seriously look at in-house options means there is no real attempt to look at improving services, just a headlong drive to privatise".
"Nowhere is this more evident than the council leaving key issues out of the tendering advert like bidders having to comply with legal requirements such as the equalities duty, Climate Change Act etc, in case it deters them from applying".
"Staff are demoralised at how they are being treated with their jobs being sold from under them to the lowest bidder who will cut their terms and conditions to deliver profits for their shareholders first, with service delivery coming second."
More details and 10 points from UNISON's damning analysis of the council plans is at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/citynotforsale/10points.html
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Private consultants cost Scots councils £42m in a year
Date: 23 March 2010
UNISON – the union representing staff delivering local services – today said that savings of over £40m could be made from local council costs, by cutting back on the amount of use they make of private consultancy firms.
Using the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOI), the union asked all councils what they spent on consultants last year, and the figures that have so far been received - from 28 of 32 councils – show that last year councils poured over £42m of public money into the pockets of these private firms. Earlier figures obtained by the union show that nearly £6m of this went to one firm – KPMG, who are busy advising Scotland’s councils where they can save money by cutting services, staff and conditions.
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, said:
“Rather than concentrating on cutting services, politicians and the media might profitably look more closely at cutting the use of private consultants in local councils if there is a need to save money. UNISON has published an alternative budget at UK level that highlights much waste that could be saved including by ending central government use of consultants*, and this waste could also be cut in Scotland.”
The union also points to the huge increase in the Scottish Governments public service reform budget as a contributory factor in the high use of consultants.
Dave Watson said:
“It is clear that the use of consultants is hugely increased by the demand for reorganisations, shared services and investigating outsourcing services. Given the Scottish Government’s drive towards these, it is ironic that our earlier FOI question on the national use of consultants was refused by the government, and by the Improvement Service – who advise councils on this topic. We suspect that this information would drive up the amount of money wasted on private consultants.”
The council spending the most on consultants last year is City of Edinburgh, where the council is involved in a number of initiatives aimed at investigating outsourcing a huge raft of public services. They spent £6.4m last year on consultants. One consultant was adviser to Lehmann Brothers, Ernst & Young.
Dave Watson said:
“It is scandalous that it is same firm that endorsed Lehman Brothers’ methods of business-leading to the major world recession-that is now advising massive privatisation to Edinburgh City as their solution to the financial crisis, earning a nice fee for them as consultants. Our information is that Edinburgh plans to increase its spending on consultants as a part of this wasteful and damaging exercise.”
ENDS
Note for editors: *UNISON’s alternative budget is at - http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/18887.pdf
.
UNISON – the union representing staff delivering local services – today said that savings of over £40m could be made from local council costs, by cutting back on the amount of use they make of private consultancy firms.
Using the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOI), the union asked all councils what they spent on consultants last year, and the figures that have so far been received - from 28 of 32 councils – show that last year councils poured over £42m of public money into the pockets of these private firms. Earlier figures obtained by the union show that nearly £6m of this went to one firm – KPMG, who are busy advising Scotland’s councils where they can save money by cutting services, staff and conditions.
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, said:
“Rather than concentrating on cutting services, politicians and the media might profitably look more closely at cutting the use of private consultants in local councils if there is a need to save money. UNISON has published an alternative budget at UK level that highlights much waste that could be saved including by ending central government use of consultants*, and this waste could also be cut in Scotland.”
The union also points to the huge increase in the Scottish Governments public service reform budget as a contributory factor in the high use of consultants.
Dave Watson said:
“It is clear that the use of consultants is hugely increased by the demand for reorganisations, shared services and investigating outsourcing services. Given the Scottish Government’s drive towards these, it is ironic that our earlier FOI question on the national use of consultants was refused by the government, and by the Improvement Service – who advise councils on this topic. We suspect that this information would drive up the amount of money wasted on private consultants.”
The council spending the most on consultants last year is City of Edinburgh, where the council is involved in a number of initiatives aimed at investigating outsourcing a huge raft of public services. They spent £6.4m last year on consultants. One consultant was adviser to Lehmann Brothers, Ernst & Young.
Dave Watson said:
“It is scandalous that it is same firm that endorsed Lehman Brothers’ methods of business-leading to the major world recession-that is now advising massive privatisation to Edinburgh City as their solution to the financial crisis, earning a nice fee for them as consultants. Our information is that Edinburgh plans to increase its spending on consultants as a part of this wasteful and damaging exercise.”
ENDS
Note for editors: *UNISON’s alternative budget is at - http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/18887.pdf
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Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Big business group rattled by UNISON video
Well it is clear who the Tax Dodgers Alliance see as their main opponent in their campaign to attack services for the people of the UK – they have been burning the midnight oil over at their plush offices in the right-wing enclave in Tufton Street (provided free by Avanta, and their Chief Executive David Alberto) to cut and paste their lists of so-called ‘non-jobs’ onto UNISON’s video attacking public spending cuts - which has been posted on the union's Million Voices campaign page http://www.unison.org.uk/million/ .
Utilising the Telegraph blog of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan they have put a response video out in the media to claim (as they always do) that there are loads of non-jobs in the public sector.
Hannan, in case you don't immediately recognise him, is the man who recently rubbished the NHS as a ’60-year mistake’ in America (on Fox news - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiSPRkq28iU - it's worth a look too.)
The so-called Taxpayers' lists of so-called non-jobs are also instructive. Many of them (for all the fancy names) are about dealing with the media. Are they suggesting that the public sector doesn’t have to deal with the misinformation that they and others pump out on a daily basis? Indeed, I notice they themselves have just appointed a ‘New Media Co-ordinator’. I assume that is someone to co-ordinate, ‘new media’ rather than a ‘new’ co-ordinator of all media. So, assuming that someone deals with the ‘old’ media, that means that they have at least two. Well what is sauce for the goose …!
Dramatherapists? – I think most clinicians know the value of therapy in healthcare – obviously the TPA neither knows nor cares. Green jobs – doesn’t surprise me. What are the TPA’s policies on climate change? Do they accept that carbon emissions are increasing global warming or not? Do they think that the polluters are going to reform themselves without regulation? Most people actually think that the public sector should lead the way in reducing carbon emissions and carry out the function of protecting the environment – who do they think should do it? Exxon?
But the one I am most surprised to notice is the ‘Street Football Co-ordinator’. Maybe they think people have forgotten their most widely dropped clanger – but we haven’t. This post was created by Moray Council in 2006 and – two years later - the TPA whipped up its usual froth of righteous indignation about it. However Moray Council’s press office (yes that non-job) had other ideas and put the true story out.
The job was in fact part-time, and therefore the cost was half what the TPA – who had only noticed the top-line salary – claimed. It was only part-funded by the council, the rest being paid by the police, by other agencies and by the private sector – the TPA’s chums – who were delighted that the work was taking kids away from vandalism and other anti social behaviour. So much so in fact that the council has been able to secure funding until later this year –from all the original partners.
So now we know – if you want increased vandalism, environmental damage, poorer healthcare and authorities who are unable to put their views into the media – lets thank the TPA!
Chris Bartter
UNISON Scotland Communications Officer
.
Utilising the Telegraph blog of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan they have put a response video out in the media to claim (as they always do) that there are loads of non-jobs in the public sector.
Hannan, in case you don't immediately recognise him, is the man who recently rubbished the NHS as a ’60-year mistake’ in America (on Fox news - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiSPRkq28iU - it's worth a look too.)
The so-called Taxpayers' lists of so-called non-jobs are also instructive. Many of them (for all the fancy names) are about dealing with the media. Are they suggesting that the public sector doesn’t have to deal with the misinformation that they and others pump out on a daily basis? Indeed, I notice they themselves have just appointed a ‘New Media Co-ordinator’. I assume that is someone to co-ordinate, ‘new media’ rather than a ‘new’ co-ordinator of all media. So, assuming that someone deals with the ‘old’ media, that means that they have at least two. Well what is sauce for the goose …!
Dramatherapists? – I think most clinicians know the value of therapy in healthcare – obviously the TPA neither knows nor cares. Green jobs – doesn’t surprise me. What are the TPA’s policies on climate change? Do they accept that carbon emissions are increasing global warming or not? Do they think that the polluters are going to reform themselves without regulation? Most people actually think that the public sector should lead the way in reducing carbon emissions and carry out the function of protecting the environment – who do they think should do it? Exxon?
But the one I am most surprised to notice is the ‘Street Football Co-ordinator’. Maybe they think people have forgotten their most widely dropped clanger – but we haven’t. This post was created by Moray Council in 2006 and – two years later - the TPA whipped up its usual froth of righteous indignation about it. However Moray Council’s press office (yes that non-job) had other ideas and put the true story out.
The job was in fact part-time, and therefore the cost was half what the TPA – who had only noticed the top-line salary – claimed. It was only part-funded by the council, the rest being paid by the police, by other agencies and by the private sector – the TPA’s chums – who were delighted that the work was taking kids away from vandalism and other anti social behaviour. So much so in fact that the council has been able to secure funding until later this year –from all the original partners.
So now we know – if you want increased vandalism, environmental damage, poorer healthcare and authorities who are unable to put their views into the media – lets thank the TPA!
Chris Bartter
UNISON Scotland Communications Officer
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Public Service Cuts Hurt: video
The latest Million Voices campaign video from UNISON.
See the Million Voices campaign page here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/million/ and sign up to support us in defending public services.
More UNISON videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONTV
and at the UNISON Scotland YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/UNISONScotland
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Monday, 15 March 2010
MSPs urged to ‘love their libraries’
Date: 15 March 2010
In the teeth of threatened public spending cuts, reduced opening hours, closures and reduced staff numbers, public service union – UNISON – has joined forces with Highland MSP Peter Peacock to promote the great service public libraries provide, and to urge the Scottish Government and local councils to maintain public support for them.
The union, which represents library staff in public, education and special libraries, has launched a UK-wide ‘Love your Libraries’ campaign, and in Scotland, has produced a special briefing for its branches urging them to scrutinise cuts proposals put forward by councils to identify attacks on library services, and to lobby their MSPs to get them to support the motion submitted by Peter Peacock MSP to the Scottish Parliament (Motion number S3M-05898).
Dave Watson – UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, said:
“Currently around 1 million Scots borrow books from Scotland’s 541 libraries and 82 mobile libraries, and many more use the much wider services that libraries provide via learning centres, and digital access. But there is evidence that authorities are cutting back on libraries, opening hours and qualified staff as a response to the unprecedented financial cutbacks.”
In a UK UNISON library members survey, more than 40% reported cuts in service, and two thirds reported inadequate staffing levels. In Scotland a number of UNISON branches are reporting proposed closures of libraries as the public spending squeeze begins to bite. The union is currently running a ‘Public Works’ campaign to defend public services from funding cuts.
Gray Allan, a UNISON Branch Secretary and library worker in Falkirk said:
“Libraries in Scotland are increasingly busy since the recession, and we need more resources to deliver the service that people want and need. More people in Scotland go to libraries than go to football matches. Our members deliver an essential service and people appreciate that, that is why I, many other branch members, and community service users will be marching in Glasgow on 10 April to Stop the Cuts.”
The union is also scathing about the attempt by Glasgow City Council to hive off its libraries to a trust, and suggests it has failed to deliver any of the planned extra funding.
Dave Watson said:
“Culture & Sport Glasgow, was promoted in 2007 in order to attract private finance. In fact the only money it has attracted is by tax avoidance, and the Trust is now facing a £1.7m cut this year, wants to freeze staff pay and close libraries. It has already drastically reduced book-buying in the final months of this financial year.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: UNISON’s briefing is available on our website – http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/225libraries.pdf
The Public Works campaign details can be found on http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/index.html
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In the teeth of threatened public spending cuts, reduced opening hours, closures and reduced staff numbers, public service union – UNISON – has joined forces with Highland MSP Peter Peacock to promote the great service public libraries provide, and to urge the Scottish Government and local councils to maintain public support for them.
The union, which represents library staff in public, education and special libraries, has launched a UK-wide ‘Love your Libraries’ campaign, and in Scotland, has produced a special briefing for its branches urging them to scrutinise cuts proposals put forward by councils to identify attacks on library services, and to lobby their MSPs to get them to support the motion submitted by Peter Peacock MSP to the Scottish Parliament (Motion number S3M-05898).
Dave Watson – UNISON’s Scottish Organiser, said:
“Currently around 1 million Scots borrow books from Scotland’s 541 libraries and 82 mobile libraries, and many more use the much wider services that libraries provide via learning centres, and digital access. But there is evidence that authorities are cutting back on libraries, opening hours and qualified staff as a response to the unprecedented financial cutbacks.”
In a UK UNISON library members survey, more than 40% reported cuts in service, and two thirds reported inadequate staffing levels. In Scotland a number of UNISON branches are reporting proposed closures of libraries as the public spending squeeze begins to bite. The union is currently running a ‘Public Works’ campaign to defend public services from funding cuts.
Gray Allan, a UNISON Branch Secretary and library worker in Falkirk said:
“Libraries in Scotland are increasingly busy since the recession, and we need more resources to deliver the service that people want and need. More people in Scotland go to libraries than go to football matches. Our members deliver an essential service and people appreciate that, that is why I, many other branch members, and community service users will be marching in Glasgow on 10 April to Stop the Cuts.”
The union is also scathing about the attempt by Glasgow City Council to hive off its libraries to a trust, and suggests it has failed to deliver any of the planned extra funding.
Dave Watson said:
“Culture & Sport Glasgow, was promoted in 2007 in order to attract private finance. In fact the only money it has attracted is by tax avoidance, and the Trust is now facing a £1.7m cut this year, wants to freeze staff pay and close libraries. It has already drastically reduced book-buying in the final months of this financial year.”
ENDS
Notes for editors: UNISON’s briefing is available on our website – http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/225libraries.pdf
The Public Works campaign details can be found on http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/index.html
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Thursday, 11 March 2010
Public service cuts threaten safety and care standards - UNISON
Reports from public service workers throughout Scotland indicate that vacancy freezes and lack of absence cover are threatening safety, and reducing the levels of care to vulnerable said the public service union UNISON today.
An email survey of members, undertaken over the last few weeks, for the union's Public Works campaign is showing that this is the main impact of funding cuts over the last two years.
Dave Watson - UNISON's Scottish Organiser, said "It is too early to provide a comprehensive picture of cuts through this survey, but over 50% of respondents identified a vacancy freeze operating in their workplace. As this survey only covers the last two years of cuts, it means that the horrendous future cuts threatened can only directly threaten the safety of both staff and service users.
"Members are highlighting to us the dangers to people in their care, the risk of reduced safety cover, and how backroom staff cuts force staff off the frontline. That is why we are calling a march and rally in Glasgow on April 10 to bring together communities and service deliverers to call on politicians to stop the cuts and to adopt UNISON's alternative budget "
UNISON's email survey of members is still being analysed but key findings have already come to light. Many members have taken the opportunity to identify concerns about how these cuts impact in their workplace.
A number of quotes from anonymous responders follow.
'The weekly food budget for residents of this care home has been reduced from £72 per resident to less than £17' - cook, residential care home
'In this small section, no cover has been provided for one maternity leave and two long term sickness absences...' - member, Environmental Health Section.
'vulnerable adults now get less care hours, and staff no longer have the time to spend on each individuals needs. They are left alone for a greater period of time, hence increasing the risk.' - member, care service
'Admin takes up an inordinate amount of my time. Time better used doing face-to-face work with young people.' - youth worker
Dave Watson said "Politicians shouting for public spending cuts should listen to the voices from the frontline. Services are already stretched to breaking point, the further cuts that some propose will bring service levels far below acceptable levels - either of care, or even of safety."
ENDS
Notes for editors: The survey was taken from a random sample by email through UNISON's membership system and is currently being analysed fully, but of 269 responses, 144 identified a vacancy freeze and 28, no absence cover or overtime. Quotes have been provided under cover of anonymity.
.
An email survey of members, undertaken over the last few weeks, for the union's Public Works campaign is showing that this is the main impact of funding cuts over the last two years.
Dave Watson - UNISON's Scottish Organiser, said "It is too early to provide a comprehensive picture of cuts through this survey, but over 50% of respondents identified a vacancy freeze operating in their workplace. As this survey only covers the last two years of cuts, it means that the horrendous future cuts threatened can only directly threaten the safety of both staff and service users.
"Members are highlighting to us the dangers to people in their care, the risk of reduced safety cover, and how backroom staff cuts force staff off the frontline. That is why we are calling a march and rally in Glasgow on April 10 to bring together communities and service deliverers to call on politicians to stop the cuts and to adopt UNISON's alternative budget "
UNISON's email survey of members is still being analysed but key findings have already come to light. Many members have taken the opportunity to identify concerns about how these cuts impact in their workplace.
A number of quotes from anonymous responders follow.
'The weekly food budget for residents of this care home has been reduced from £72 per resident to less than £17' - cook, residential care home
'In this small section, no cover has been provided for one maternity leave and two long term sickness absences...' - member, Environmental Health Section.
'vulnerable adults now get less care hours, and staff no longer have the time to spend on each individuals needs. They are left alone for a greater period of time, hence increasing the risk.' - member, care service
'Admin takes up an inordinate amount of my time. Time better used doing face-to-face work with young people.' - youth worker
Dave Watson said "Politicians shouting for public spending cuts should listen to the voices from the frontline. Services are already stretched to breaking point, the further cuts that some propose will bring service levels far below acceptable levels - either of care, or even of safety."
ENDS
Notes for editors: The survey was taken from a random sample by email through UNISON's membership system and is currently being analysed fully, but of 269 responses, 144 identified a vacancy freeze and 28, no absence cover or overtime. Quotes have been provided under cover of anonymity.
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Monday, 8 March 2010
Executives and CoSLA have undermined bargaining machinery - UNISON
Monday 8 March
UNISON, the union representing around 100,000 Scottish Council staff, today responded to the news that 32 high paid local council officials had agreed to waive their agreed pay rise.
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser, and Lead Negotiator said:
“It is unfortunate that the chief executives did not see fit to raise this first through the negotiating machinery, which delivers their pay. Neither should the employers have engaged in deals with one group which undermine the agreed procedures that affect a much larger number. Cosy deals with their most senior employees would seem to be more important than delivering for the low-paid workers, who are at the sharp end of service delivery.”
.
UNISON, the union representing around 100,000 Scottish Council staff, today responded to the news that 32 high paid local council officials had agreed to waive their agreed pay rise.
Dougie Black, UNISON Regional Organiser, and Lead Negotiator said:
“It is unfortunate that the chief executives did not see fit to raise this first through the negotiating machinery, which delivers their pay. Neither should the employers have engaged in deals with one group which undermine the agreed procedures that affect a much larger number. Cosy deals with their most senior employees would seem to be more important than delivering for the low-paid workers, who are at the sharp end of service delivery.”
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Thursday, 4 March 2010
Taxpayers' Alliance gets its sums wrong on local government pensions, again
UNISON has accused the Taxpayers' Alliance of deliberately manipulating figures to suit their claims that local government pensions face a black hole*.
The TA, a tax-cutting pressure group, in comparing liabilities to assets, is deliberately making a ridiculous assumption that everyone will retire at once, tomorrow.
The local government pension scheme is affordable and sustainable and its income exceeded expenditure by almost £6 billion in the last year.
Dave Watson (UNISON Scottish organiser), said: "The so-called Taxpayers' Alliance deliberately distorts the true picture to suit their claims and their tax cutting aims. Their claims are based on the nonsensical supposition that everyone is going to retire at once, tomorrow. Neither do these pensions cost £1 of every £5 of council tax, because council tax makes up only a small percentage of funding.
"Local government pensions are affordable and sustainable. A new scheme has recently been agreed that increases staff contributions. They are funded by employers, employees and by investment income. The LGPS generates one-third of its own income, and contributions from employers in Scotland are going down.
"Remember, too, that we are not talking about gold-plated pensions, here. Local government workers like classroom assistants, home carers, social workers, refuse collectors, and dinner ladies, contribute all their working lives to gain a pension that averages just £3,800 pa, yet the Taxpayer's Alliance, would apparently prefer them to have that pension cut and force them to rely on state benefits. What we need is some perspective here and a move away from a race to the bottom on pensions.
"The real pensions scandal in this country is that the majority of company directors can retire at 60, with a final salary pension 25 times higher than the national average which they accrue twice as fast as both their workforce and the public sector workforce. They then campaign for low paid public service workers to take a pension cut.
"The so-called 'Taxpayers Alliance' would be better employed directing their firepower at the real gold-plated pensioners. Big business bosses who award themselves generous pensions while closing decent schemes for their staff. But they won't of course, because this would be biting the hand that feeds them".
* Council pensions report by the Taxpayers' Alliance
Note for editors:
THE FACTS ABOUT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME:
1. It is funded by employer contributions, employee contributions and investment income.
2. It is cash positive - member benefits paid out in 2008-2009 were £5.6 billion against gross income of £10.2 billion.
3. The total value of combined assets in England, Wales, Scotland and NI was £143 billion (in 2008).
4. That's 5 times greater than the largest single pension fund in the UK.
5. Total assets of the 89 LGPS funds are equivalent to 10% of GDP.
6. 60% of the fund is invested in equities or shares - in UK and global stock markets.
7. By 2008, more than £1 billion was invested in each of the top four FTSE companies and it owned 1.3% of seven of the top nine companies in the UK.
8. £4.7 billion invested in the big four banks - Barclays, HBOS, HSBC, RBS and
9. £2.3 billion in the 49 largest companies delivering UK public services in local government, the NHS and the utilities.
.
The TA, a tax-cutting pressure group, in comparing liabilities to assets, is deliberately making a ridiculous assumption that everyone will retire at once, tomorrow.
The local government pension scheme is affordable and sustainable and its income exceeded expenditure by almost £6 billion in the last year.
Dave Watson (UNISON Scottish organiser), said: "The so-called Taxpayers' Alliance deliberately distorts the true picture to suit their claims and their tax cutting aims. Their claims are based on the nonsensical supposition that everyone is going to retire at once, tomorrow. Neither do these pensions cost £1 of every £5 of council tax, because council tax makes up only a small percentage of funding.
"Local government pensions are affordable and sustainable. A new scheme has recently been agreed that increases staff contributions. They are funded by employers, employees and by investment income. The LGPS generates one-third of its own income, and contributions from employers in Scotland are going down.
"Remember, too, that we are not talking about gold-plated pensions, here. Local government workers like classroom assistants, home carers, social workers, refuse collectors, and dinner ladies, contribute all their working lives to gain a pension that averages just £3,800 pa, yet the Taxpayer's Alliance, would apparently prefer them to have that pension cut and force them to rely on state benefits. What we need is some perspective here and a move away from a race to the bottom on pensions.
"The real pensions scandal in this country is that the majority of company directors can retire at 60, with a final salary pension 25 times higher than the national average which they accrue twice as fast as both their workforce and the public sector workforce. They then campaign for low paid public service workers to take a pension cut.
"The so-called 'Taxpayers Alliance' would be better employed directing their firepower at the real gold-plated pensioners. Big business bosses who award themselves generous pensions while closing decent schemes for their staff. But they won't of course, because this would be biting the hand that feeds them".
* Council pensions report by the Taxpayers' Alliance
Note for editors:
THE FACTS ABOUT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME:
1. It is funded by employer contributions, employee contributions and investment income.
2. It is cash positive - member benefits paid out in 2008-2009 were £5.6 billion against gross income of £10.2 billion.
3. The total value of combined assets in England, Wales, Scotland and NI was £143 billion (in 2008).
4. That's 5 times greater than the largest single pension fund in the UK.
5. Total assets of the 89 LGPS funds are equivalent to 10% of GDP.
6. 60% of the fund is invested in equities or shares - in UK and global stock markets.
7. By 2008, more than £1 billion was invested in each of the top four FTSE companies and it owned 1.3% of seven of the top nine companies in the UK.
8. £4.7 billion invested in the big four banks - Barclays, HBOS, HSBC, RBS and
9. £2.3 billion in the 49 largest companies delivering UK public services in local government, the NHS and the utilities.
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Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Troubled city college merger faces further challenge
One of the Colleges making up the new proposed 'super college' in Glasgow is being referred to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission over their closure of a staff and student nursery, the education union, UNISON said today.
A complaint is being made to the EHRC by the union, and they have asked for an enforcement order to be served against the college to ensure the nursery remains open.
The College of Nautical Studies has been in a wrangle with its staff unions over the closure of the Thistle Nursery with the loss of 23 full time jobs, since July 2009.
Despite a successful industrial action ballot, a campaign to save the nursery, and a commitment to examine the union's case, the college subsequently reconfirmed its decision to shut the nursery from July this year.
Assistant UNISON branch secretary Scott Donohoe said: "Despite admitting the closure of the nursery would impact unfairly on female staff, the Equalities Impact Assessment provided by the college is totally inadequate, and was only done after the decision hade been taken, when UNISON asked to see it. The college seems to be simply ticking boxes, and even then only after they are pushed by UNISON."
UNISON maintains that the closure of the nursery is connected with the merger, where, despite the large amount of public money invested, no nursery provision is planned. News of the complaint comes just a day after teaching unions warned the new City of Glasgow College about concerns regarding compulsory redundancies and terms and conditions. UNISON argues that the new college should have a nursery on campus.
Scott Donohoe said "Many parents, students and staff use the nursery. Closing the facility will threaten the chances of many women to take life changing opportunities. In particular, forcing low paid women out to the expensive private sector could mean having to choose between study and the dole."
ENDS
Notes for Editors: The Equality Act 2006 amended the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and introduced an Equality Duty on public authorities when carrying out their functions to ensure services, practices and policies are developed with the different needs of men and women in mind.
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A complaint is being made to the EHRC by the union, and they have asked for an enforcement order to be served against the college to ensure the nursery remains open.
The College of Nautical Studies has been in a wrangle with its staff unions over the closure of the Thistle Nursery with the loss of 23 full time jobs, since July 2009.
Despite a successful industrial action ballot, a campaign to save the nursery, and a commitment to examine the union's case, the college subsequently reconfirmed its decision to shut the nursery from July this year.
Assistant UNISON branch secretary Scott Donohoe said: "Despite admitting the closure of the nursery would impact unfairly on female staff, the Equalities Impact Assessment provided by the college is totally inadequate, and was only done after the decision hade been taken, when UNISON asked to see it. The college seems to be simply ticking boxes, and even then only after they are pushed by UNISON."
UNISON maintains that the closure of the nursery is connected with the merger, where, despite the large amount of public money invested, no nursery provision is planned. News of the complaint comes just a day after teaching unions warned the new City of Glasgow College about concerns regarding compulsory redundancies and terms and conditions. UNISON argues that the new college should have a nursery on campus.
Scott Donohoe said "Many parents, students and staff use the nursery. Closing the facility will threaten the chances of many women to take life changing opportunities. In particular, forcing low paid women out to the expensive private sector could mean having to choose between study and the dole."
ENDS
Notes for Editors: The Equality Act 2006 amended the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and introduced an Equality Duty on public authorities when carrying out their functions to ensure services, practices and policies are developed with the different needs of men and women in mind.
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