Health workers will be lobbying the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday (March 27), calling on MSPs to seek a Scottish solution to the proposed changes to NHS pensions.
UNISON protesters will gather outside the parliament as the second wave of selective strike action gets underway in Lothian, Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Lanarkshire Health Boards.
The move is the latest in a round of industrial action on NHS pensions, aimed at increasing pressure on the government for a Scottish solution to all aspects of the pension changes. This includes the year one increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4 per cent – which is effectively a pensions tax on health workers.
Finance staff from across the three boards will be undertaking a full day of strike action. Lunchtime demonstrations will also be taking place on the day at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride; Wishaw General Hospital, and Kirklands Hospital, Bothwell.
Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Convener, said:
“We’re calling on MSPs to take a good look at NHS pensions and not to just blindly follow the UK Government’s proposals.
“We have a separate scheme in Scotland and therefore we need to seek a Scottish solution. Taking money out of health workers’ pockets to give to the Treasury is not the answer.
“As the Scottish Government has the responsibility to address these issues in Scotland, we’re calling upon Scottish Ministers to delay the pensions tax and engage with us to find a negotiated settlement.”
Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Health Committee, said:
“The sad reality is that many of our members will not be able to afford these increases and will be forced to opt out of the pension scheme altogether.
“Our members don’t take strike action easily and this day of action is yet further testament to the anger and distress that is being felt among health workers.
“We’ve always believed public sector workers deserve decent pensions, and our members have shown they are willing to take action to defend these.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: You are invited to send a reporter, photographer and/or crew to the following events:
· Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, 9.30am: UNISON members will be lobbying outside of the Scottish Parliament. Interviews will be available on the day with members and UNISON organising staff.
· UNISON members will be undertaking strike action at the following locations:
o Corporate Services Offices, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, from 9am
o Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan Edinburgh, from 9am
o Caledonia House, Fifty Pitches Road, Cardonald Park, from 9am
1. UNISON’s lobby of the Scottish Parliament coincides with a meeting of The Health and Sport Committee which will be considering the NHS Superannuation Scheme and Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The meeting takes place at the Scottish Parliament at 10am on Tuesday, March 27.
2. This round of selective strike action follows on from a successful two days of strike action earlier this month (13 and 14 March) by UNISON members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine.
3. The action will be supported by UNISON’s Scottish Convener, Lilian Macer, Chair of UNISON’s Scottish Health Committee, Tam Waterson, along with members of the Scottish health committee and colleagues from Health and Local Government branches of UNISON.
4. UNISON is Scotland’s largest healthcare trade union representing over 50,000 members working in NHS Scotland and related services. Our health members are nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.
UNISON. Scotland's biggest and liveliest trade union, representing members delivering public and related services.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Tories Kettled at Troon
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Budget analysis: this was Robin Hood in reverse...
From Dave Watson's blog:
Billed as the ‘Robin Hood’ budget the Chancellor not surprisingly turned out to be more of a Sheriff of Nottingham. As always with the Budget the devil is in the detail and that takes some time to digest. Missing from the budget are: action on investment, public services, young people and unemployment. But instead this is just the sort of Tory budget you would expect. Tax cuts for the rich, £40,000 each for 14,000 millionaires, paid for by everyone else. At least we didn’t get “we are all in this together”!
See Dave's full and detailed blog post on today's Budget at http://unisondave.blogspot.co.uk/
Always an excellent analysis.
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Billed as the ‘Robin Hood’ budget the Chancellor not surprisingly turned out to be more of a Sheriff of Nottingham. As always with the Budget the devil is in the detail and that takes some time to digest. Missing from the budget are: action on investment, public services, young people and unemployment. But instead this is just the sort of Tory budget you would expect. Tax cuts for the rich, £40,000 each for 14,000 millionaires, paid for by everyone else. At least we didn’t get “we are all in this together”!
See Dave's full and detailed blog post on today's Budget at http://unisondave.blogspot.co.uk/
Always an excellent analysis.
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Budget: Tax cuts for rich and mass unemployment for youth is totally unacceptable - UNISON
Wed 21 March 2012
UNISON Scotland has condemned today's budget as "tax cuts for the rich few while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics".
Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said that cutting the 50p tax rate was completely unacceptable while unemployment soars across the UK - and Scottish youth unemployment hits record levels.
Scotland's largest union, which represents 160,000 workers across public services, called instead for an alternative budget for jobs, confidence and growth.
Mike Kirby said:
"It is completely unacceptable for the government to cut tax for the rich few in society while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics.
"Freezing the miminum wage for young people is unfair and will do nothing to address poverty or joblessness.
"Over 100,000 young Scots are now jobless - that's the highest figure for a generation. And that's why the STUC has called for a demonstration at the Tory party's Scottish conference in Troon on Saturday 24 March.
"Youth unemployment in Scotland is higher than the UK average and it is increasing more rapidly. Government should be creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy and our people - especially our young people - for a better future. We need a halt to the failed austerity policies that are damaging vital public services.”
UNISON has published an alternative budget which shows that the cuts are not necessary.
The union is arguing for a number of popular options to help kick-start the economy, instead of tax cuts for the rich and spending cuts for the rest. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.
Mike Kirby said:
"There is plenty of money available to fund decent public services, it is just in the wrong hands. We need to get our people – especially our young people – back to work."
ends
Note to editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland.
2. UNISON’s alternative UK budget is available on the UNISON UK website here: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/budget2012.asp
3. The STUC has called a March and Rally against Youth Unemployment on Saturday 24 March in Troon venue for the Scottish Tory Conference.
Assemble 12 noon South Beach Esplanade (Victoria Drive)
March off: 12.30 pm
Rally 1.00 pm South Beach Esplanade (Titchfield Rd)
More details on the STUC There is a better way site
http://www.thereisabetterway.org/events/59/tory-conference-troon/
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UNISON Scotland has condemned today's budget as "tax cuts for the rich few while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics".
Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said that cutting the 50p tax rate was completely unacceptable while unemployment soars across the UK - and Scottish youth unemployment hits record levels.
Scotland's largest union, which represents 160,000 workers across public services, called instead for an alternative budget for jobs, confidence and growth.
Mike Kirby said:
"It is completely unacceptable for the government to cut tax for the rich few in society while a whole generation is consigned to mass unemployment because of crazy austerity economics.
"Freezing the miminum wage for young people is unfair and will do nothing to address poverty or joblessness.
"Over 100,000 young Scots are now jobless - that's the highest figure for a generation. And that's why the STUC has called for a demonstration at the Tory party's Scottish conference in Troon on Saturday 24 March.
"Youth unemployment in Scotland is higher than the UK average and it is increasing more rapidly. Government should be creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy and our people - especially our young people - for a better future. We need a halt to the failed austerity policies that are damaging vital public services.”
UNISON has published an alternative budget which shows that the cuts are not necessary.
The union is arguing for a number of popular options to help kick-start the economy, instead of tax cuts for the rich and spending cuts for the rest. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.
Mike Kirby said:
"There is plenty of money available to fund decent public services, it is just in the wrong hands. We need to get our people – especially our young people – back to work."
ends
Note to editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland.
2. UNISON’s alternative UK budget is available on the UNISON UK website here: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/budget2012.asp
3. The STUC has called a March and Rally against Youth Unemployment on Saturday 24 March in Troon venue for the Scottish Tory Conference.
Assemble 12 noon South Beach Esplanade (Victoria Drive)
March off: 12.30 pm
Rally 1.00 pm South Beach Esplanade (Titchfield Rd)
More details on the STUC There is a better way site
http://www.thereisabetterway.org/events/59/tory-conference-troon/
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Daily Record: Budget 2012 - Young Scots on minimum wage to have pay frozen as George Osborne gives rich a tax cut
By Torcuil Crichton
Daily Record
"The millionaire Tory Chancellor, christened Gideon, will hand a windfall to fat-cats earning more than £150,000 a year by slashing the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p in tomorrow’s (Wed 21 Mar) Budget.
But he has frozen the minimum wage for 16 and 17-year-olds at a paltry £3.68 an hour. And young workers aged 18 to 20 will get no rise in their £4.98 rate.
Adult workers will get a rise of just 11p an hour to £6.19. That’s a 1.8 per cent increase – half the current rate of inflation.
The rate for apprentices will rise by 5p – to £2.65 an hour.
It’s the first time since the minimum wage was introduced in 1998 that it has not risen by above inflation. Young workers have also seen a rise each year.
Some observers fear yesterday’s decisions are the thin end of the wedge, and that the Con-Dems will eventually undermine the minimum wage."
See more of this story at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics-news/2012/03/20/budget-2012-young-scots-on-minimum-wage-to-have-pay-frozen-as-george-osborne-gives-rich-a-tax-cut-86908-23795027/
See UNISON's alternative budget for UK here with Monday's news release:
http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/unison-time-to-kick-start-economy.html
Check back on this blog for UNISON Scotland comment on today's Budget.
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Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Supporting NHS workers in England
New UNISON study argues for proper service redesign instead of back office cuts through flawed 'shared service' models
Tuesday 20 March 2012
The front line starts here
The front line starts here
A new 16-page report for UNISON Scotland argues that 'efficiency savings' which are often expected from piecemeal organisational change such as flawed 'shared services' models are rarely achieved. In fact, the vast majority of front line staff - around 90% - who have faced cuts to so-called 'back office' admin jobs believe this has been at the expense of their primary tasks.
'The front line starts here' document, published today, outlines the case for full service redesign to be explored as an option when developing shared front and back office service proposals.
Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said:
"The UK National Audit Office reported this month that Whitehall departments have spent a staggering £1.4 billion over the past seven years - but saved just £159 million by ill-advised schemes for sharing 'back office' functions such as personnel and procurement.
"The UK National Audit Office reported this month that Whitehall departments have spent a staggering £1.4 billion over the past seven years - but saved just £159 million by ill-advised schemes for sharing 'back office' functions such as personnel and procurement.
"Our report highlights the importance of designing systems from the service user upwards - as opposed to piecemeal organisational change in the form of structures, which is resulting in the separation and fragmentation of services across the Scottish public sector.
"We want to end that kind of waste. Instead we want to work with public authorities to explore full service redesign as an option when developing shared front and back office service proposals."
The new report includes results from a UNISON survey of frontline public service worker in areas like social work and protective services, which shows that cutbacks in admin functions have damaging effects on vital public service, and are rarely effective or efficient.
Dave Watson said:
"The vast majority of the front line workers we surveyed - 94% - believed that it was more effective to provide administrative support in the same office than to centralise in 'shared service' type back office operations. 'The front line starts here' seeks to expose the flaws in creating artificial splits between the front and back office services when setting up shared service delivery arrangements, as back and front office services are interdependent."
"The vast majority of the front line workers we surveyed - 94% - believed that it was more effective to provide administrative support in the same office than to centralise in 'shared service' type back office operations. 'The front line starts here' seeks to expose the flaws in creating artificial splits between the front and back office services when setting up shared service delivery arrangements, as back and front office services are interdependent."
ends
Note to editors:
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland. Our members work together in the teams providing vital public services for all our communities - whether they are regarded as 'frontline' or 'back office'.
2. 'The front line starts here' was prepared for UNISON Scotland by APSE – the Association for Public Service Excellence (Scotland) - and is available for download here:
www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/ thefrontlinestartshere_mar2012.pdf
www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/ thefrontlinestartshere_mar2012.pdf
3. Results of UNISON Scotland survey 2011 included in 'The front line starts here' document:
In 2011 UNISON Scotland surveyed a sample of ‘front office’ staff on administrative support. Primarily professional staff in local government such as social work, planning, protective services etc. The key findings included:
• 87% reported that their administrative staff support had been reduced.
• 92% of those using replacement selfservice systems felt that this had added to their workload at the expense of their primary tasks.
• 84% indicated that they were being expected to perform clerical or administrative tasks that used to be performed by staff trained to perform those functions.
• Of those who were undertaking additional administrative tasks:
- 26% said up to 2 hours per week
- 24% said between 2-4 hours per week
- 37% said between 4-7 hours per week
- 13% said more than one day per week
- 24% said between 2-4 hours per week
- 37% said between 4-7 hours per week
- 13% said more than one day per week
• 94% believed that it was more effective to provide administrative support in the same office than to centralise in back office operations.
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Monday, 19 March 2012
UNISON: Time to kick-start the economy
19/03/2012
The Government needs to start creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy needs. We need a halt to policies that are damaging vital public services. Cutting homecare, closing libraries, shutting day centres for the elderly leave all the people who rely on them high and dry and the people that provide them needlessly without a job.
The government’s pay policy should be reversed and tax and benefit changes that reduce the incomes of those on low to middle incomes shelved.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
“Cameron should have strong words with the Chancellor following his visit to the US. President Obama has shown that you can build the economy by investing in jobs and infrastructure. And Vince Cable hit the nail on the head by describing the Chancellors efforts on economic growth as “piecemeal’.
“Instead of pursuing his mono-policy of cuts and even thinking of tax breaks for the rich, Osborne should look at how investment creates a virtuous circle. Creating more jobs takes people off benefits, renews consumer confidence and spending which in turn boosts small businesses and powers economic growth.
“Fairer taxation would be a good start with the money raised being re-invested in creating jobs and homes. Significant sums could be raised without affecting the incomes of the majority, if the government made sure the financial sector and the super-rich paid their fair share.”
The union is arguing that the Chancellor does have a number of popular options available to him to help kick-start the economy. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.
In addition, if the Government dropped their hugely unpopular Health and Social Care Bill they could save £1bn, which could be invested in patient care, not creating a profitable private sector market.
* The cuts aren’t working: UNISON’s alternative budget for jobs and public services - attached.
Ends
UNISON's alternative budget (PDF)
“It’s time for the Chancellor to kick-start the economy and stop kicking the public sector” said UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis today (19 March). The union is warning that the Government’s mono-policy of cuts and more cuts* is a road to nowhere and what’s needed is fresh thinking to set the country on a course towards building confidence and growth.
The Government needs to start creating jobs and investing in the infrastructure and services our economy needs. We need a halt to policies that are damaging vital public services. Cutting homecare, closing libraries, shutting day centres for the elderly leave all the people who rely on them high and dry and the people that provide them needlessly without a job.
The government’s pay policy should be reversed and tax and benefit changes that reduce the incomes of those on low to middle incomes shelved.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
“Cameron should have strong words with the Chancellor following his visit to the US. President Obama has shown that you can build the economy by investing in jobs and infrastructure. And Vince Cable hit the nail on the head by describing the Chancellors efforts on economic growth as “piecemeal’.
“Instead of pursuing his mono-policy of cuts and even thinking of tax breaks for the rich, Osborne should look at how investment creates a virtuous circle. Creating more jobs takes people off benefits, renews consumer confidence and spending which in turn boosts small businesses and powers economic growth.
“Fairer taxation would be a good start with the money raised being re-invested in creating jobs and homes. Significant sums could be raised without affecting the incomes of the majority, if the government made sure the financial sector and the super-rich paid their fair share.”
The union is arguing that the Chancellor does have a number of popular options available to him to help kick-start the economy. Between £35bn and £70bn could be raised each year by tackling tax evasion by individuals, companies and other organisations - such as the £6bn HMRC let Vodafone off paying.
In addition, if the Government dropped their hugely unpopular Health and Social Care Bill they could save £1bn, which could be invested in patient care, not creating a profitable private sector market.
* The cuts aren’t working: UNISON’s alternative budget for jobs and public services - attached.
Ends
UNISON's alternative budget (PDF) Thursday, 15 March 2012
Just Banking: conference at Edinburgh Uni on 19-20 April supported by UNISON Scotland
15 March 2012
You will not need any reminding of the banking crisis that caused the deficit, recession and most of our current woes.
Ensuring that the next generation of UNISON members doesn’t have to go through the same pain is therefore important to us all. For that reason UNISON is sponsoring a conference at the University of Edinburgh ‘JUST BANKING: building a banking sector that serves society’ on 19/20 April 2012.
More details on the attached flyer and at the website www.justbanking.org.uk.
We hope you will be able to support this event.
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Ensuring that the next generation of UNISON members doesn’t have to go through the same pain is therefore important to us all. For that reason UNISON is sponsoring a conference at the University of Edinburgh ‘JUST BANKING: building a banking sector that serves society’ on 19/20 April 2012.
More details on the attached flyer and at the website www.justbanking.org.uk.
We hope you will be able to support this event.
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Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Treasury confirms VAT bill for single fire and police services
Date: Wednesday 14 March 2012
UNISON Scotland has received confirmation from the Treasury that if the single fire and police services are established as proposed by the Scottish Government they will lose the current VAT exemption (known as s33 status). This means Scottish taxpayers will have to foot an additional bill of around £26m for the police and between £4m and £10m for the fire and rescue service.
The consequences for the police alone will result in a further 800 police staff posts being lost with major consequences for policing in Scotland. This is on top of the 2000 posts to be lost in ACPOS estimates.
The Financial Memorandum to the Police and Fire Reform Bill states that “the Scottish Government is currently liaising with HMRC regarding whether the service could be given s33 status” and ministers have indicated that they continue to lobby the Treasury on this point.
However, Treasury Minister David Gauke MP in a letter to UNISON states “The eligibility criteria for Section 33 are set out in HMRC’s published guidance and the Scottish Government was aware of them when formulating the current reforms”.
UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said:
“The Scottish Government has held out the prospect of resolving the VAT exemption throughout the Bill process. It turns out that they knew at the outset that this would not be the case.
“UNISON has argued that you could have a single police force established as local government joint board, funded through a precept and retain s33 status. Of course that would mean less direct ministerial influence over the police, but it would strengthen local democratic accountability.”
ENDS
Note to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 162,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland, and represents police staffs in Scotland.
2. Other documents giving analysis of the Police reform process and the campaign for a balanced modern police force – rather than cutting thousands of police staff jobs – are available on the UNISON Scotland website: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/index.html
· UNISON Scotland Evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees on the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill published in Feb 2012 is available on our website
- Evidence to Justice Committee:
- Evidence to Local Government Committee:http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_LocalGovtCtte_Feb2012.pdf
- Evidence to Finance Committee:http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_SPFinanceCtteEvidence_Feb2012.pdf
· UNISON Scotland’s document ‘Future of Policing in Scotland - Response to Scottish Government consultation’ published in May 2011:http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Response_%20FutureofPolicinginScotland_May2011.pdf
· UNISON Scotland commissioned Stewart Research to examine the benefits of police staff – the report ‘Civilianisation of Police in Scotland’ published in May 2009: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/CivilianisationofPoliceFinalReport.pdf
Aberdeen UNISON calls on city council to do the right thing and keep services in house
Date: Wednesday 14 March 2012
Aberdeen City UNISON has called on councillors to keep vital public services in house and abandon flawed privatisation plans . The city’s powerful Finance and Resources committee meets tomorrow (Thursday 15 March) to decide on a report which recommends abandoning the Alternative Delivery Model – in other words outsourcing to privateers – and keeping the services in house instead.
UNISON Branch Secretary Karen Davidson told councillors:
“The ADM project is at a critical stage – you must now decide whether to plough on with it or back staff and management proposals to make efficiencies in-house.
“If services are retained in-house there will be no management time wasted on managing relationships and contracts with multi-national companies. There will instead be continued direct, democratic control of services. And you will be able to keep savings achieved for re-investment in public services, rather than providing private sector profits for multi-national companies that are not based in Aberdeen.
“UNISON is urging you to do the sensible thing and back the in-house option. Please now dump ADM, and show trust and confidence in us – your Council staff.”
ENDS
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Union-News Video: UNISON NHS strikers “show government we’re serious” about pensions fight
14th March 2012, 11.50 GMT
Union-News: UNISON pension strike continues at NHS Scotland
From Union-News: 14th March 2012, 8.04 GMT
STUC Budget Submission 2012 proves there is still a better way
Budget Day is Wed 21 March - and ahead of that the Scottish TUC has published its latest Budget Submission which makes the case against austerity and provides credible alternatives to the disastrous ConDem cuts.
General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "The STUC has consistently argued that the mistakes of recessions past are being repeated. The big danger now is that a significant proportion of currently high unemployment becomes structural. This would leave a terrible human, social and economic legacy for Scotland to deal with. The Government has to act now to prevent it happening.”
You can see the fuller STUC release here - and click here to download a copy of STUC economist Stephen Boyd's authoritative analysis and credible alternatives. It's not light reading - but it's highly illuminating!
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General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "The STUC has consistently argued that the mistakes of recessions past are being repeated. The big danger now is that a significant proportion of currently high unemployment becomes structural. This would leave a terrible human, social and economic legacy for Scotland to deal with. The Government has to act now to prevent it happening.”
You can see the fuller STUC release here - and click here to download a copy of STUC economist Stephen Boyd's authoritative analysis and credible alternatives. It's not light reading - but it's highly illuminating!
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Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Union-News: 13 March - UNISON strike campaign begins against NHS pension cuts in Scotland
From Union-News: 13th March 2012, 6.59 GMT
A series of selective strikes are planned across the health service north of the border, designed to increase pressure on the government for Scottish negotiations on all aspects of the government’s pensions changes.
UNISON says the proposed ‘Year 1′ increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4% – which are due to take effect from 1st April – are effectively a pensions tax on health workers.
See more here: http://union-news.co.uk/2012/03/9522/
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CDU staff were 'superb' in new round of NHS pensions action
UNISON health members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital Irvine are taking industrial action on the issue of pensions on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 March 2012. A picket line will be in force each day from 9am until 12 noon.
Ewing Hope UNISON Ayrshire and Arran Branch Secretary, said,
“The staff within the CDU were superb in their support to take action in defending the Pensions of all our members in the NHS and are grateful for the support shown by other UNISON branches. The support of the Regional Secretary, Scottish Head of Health, Chair of the Scottish Health Committee and colleagues from Renfrewshire LA Branch, NHS Glasgow and Clyde Branch was greatly appreciated”.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Justice Secretary meets UNISON as campaign for balanced modern police force launched
Mon 12 March 2012
UNISON has called on the Justice Secretary to start planning a modern, balanced police team – with the right people doing the right jobs – rather than cutting thousands of vital police staff posts to meet police officer targets and budget savings.
The union’s police staff representatives will meet Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill at the UNISON annual police seminar in Stirling - directly after launching a new campaign to win a balanced modern police for a better, safer Scotland.
UNISON Police Committee chair George McIrvine said:
“Cutting police staff makes no economic or policing sense. It simply means that important support and expert jobs are increasingly done by police officers.
“We know this because it’s already happening. We’ve lost a thousand police staff jobs in the last year or so. And now in the run up to the new single force, thousands more police staff jobs are under threat because of targets for cost savings and for police officer numbers. The result could be to take more than a thousand officers off the streets.
“This would just take us back in time to the bad old days of policing with cops backfilling jobs they are not trained for nor skilled in.
“We need a modern, balanced police team – with the right people doing the right jobs – for a better, safer Scotland.”
ENDS
Note to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 162,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland, and represents police staffs in Scotland.
2. The new UNISON campaign for a balanced modern police force is launched at the union's annual police staff seminar in Stirling on Tuesday 13 March with a leaflet and poster on the theme ‘Don’t take policing back to the 1970s’ and a new ‘Police Matters’ bulletin for police staff members. The Cabinet Secretary will speak to the union's police staff representatives directly after the launch of the campaign.
The campaign materials will be available along with recent press releases on the UNISON Scotland website police staff page at: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/index.html
3. Other documents giving analysis of the Police reform process and the campaign for police staff jobs are available on the UNISON Scotland website:
UNISON Scotland Evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees on the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill published in Feb 2012 is available on our website
Evidence to Justice Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_SPJusticeCtteEvidence_Feb2012.pdf
Evidence to Local Government Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_LocalGovtCtte_Feb2012.pdf
Evidence to Finance Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_SPFinanceCtteEvidence_Feb2012.pdf
UNISON Scotland’s document ‘Future of Policing in Scotland - Response to Scottish Government consultation’ published in May 2011:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Response_%20FutureofPolicinginScotland_May2011.pdf
UNISON Scotland commissioned Stewart Research to examine the benefits of police staff – the report ‘Civilianisation of Police in Scotland’ published in May 2009:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/CivilianisationofPoliceFinalReport.pdf
.
UNISON has called on the Justice Secretary to start planning a modern, balanced police team – with the right people doing the right jobs – rather than cutting thousands of vital police staff posts to meet police officer targets and budget savings.
The union’s police staff representatives will meet Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill at the UNISON annual police seminar in Stirling - directly after launching a new campaign to win a balanced modern police for a better, safer Scotland.
UNISON Police Committee chair George McIrvine said:
“Cutting police staff makes no economic or policing sense. It simply means that important support and expert jobs are increasingly done by police officers.
“We know this because it’s already happening. We’ve lost a thousand police staff jobs in the last year or so. And now in the run up to the new single force, thousands more police staff jobs are under threat because of targets for cost savings and for police officer numbers. The result could be to take more than a thousand officers off the streets.
“This would just take us back in time to the bad old days of policing with cops backfilling jobs they are not trained for nor skilled in.
“We need a modern, balanced police team – with the right people doing the right jobs – for a better, safer Scotland.”
ENDS
Note to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing over 162,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland, and represents police staffs in Scotland.
2. The new UNISON campaign for a balanced modern police force is launched at the union's annual police staff seminar in Stirling on Tuesday 13 March with a leaflet and poster on the theme ‘Don’t take policing back to the 1970s’ and a new ‘Police Matters’ bulletin for police staff members. The Cabinet Secretary will speak to the union's police staff representatives directly after the launch of the campaign.
The campaign materials will be available along with recent press releases on the UNISON Scotland website police staff page at: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/index.html
3. Other documents giving analysis of the Police reform process and the campaign for police staff jobs are available on the UNISON Scotland website:
UNISON Scotland Evidence to Scottish Parliament Committees on the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill published in Feb 2012 is available on our website
Evidence to Justice Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_SPJusticeCtteEvidence_Feb2012.pdf
Evidence to Local Government Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_LocalGovtCtte_Feb2012.pdf
Evidence to Finance Committee:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Police&FireReform_SPFinanceCtteEvidence_Feb2012.pdf
UNISON Scotland’s document ‘Future of Policing in Scotland - Response to Scottish Government consultation’ published in May 2011:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Response_%20FutureofPolicinginScotland_May2011.pdf
UNISON Scotland commissioned Stewart Research to examine the benefits of police staff – the report ‘Civilianisation of Police in Scotland’ published in May 2009:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/police/CivilianisationofPoliceFinalReport.pdf
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March and Rally against youth unemployment outside Tory Conference in Troon Sat 24 March
March and Rally against youth unemployment outside Tory Conference in Troon
Sat 24 March 2012
Assemble 12 noon
South Beach Esplanade
(Victoria Drive)
March off: 12.30 pm
Rally 1.00 pm
South Beach Esplanade
(Titchfield Rd)
Click here to download flyer (pdf)
More info on STUC's There is a Better Way site
.
Independence Referendum
UNISON Scotland has published its submission to the UK and Scottish Government consultations on the proposed independence referendum.
We support an simple, neutral question on independence in the referendum such as “Should Scotland become an independent country?”. We also believe that the referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future is too important to be rushed and therefore support autumn 2014. However, that time should be used effectively by Civic Scotland to develop a credible proposal for extended devolution that may be able to form the basis for a second question. The Scottish Government should also publish its proposals on independence without further delay and by early 2013 at the latest.
We believe the franchise should be as for Scottish Parliament elections with the exception of UNISON's long standing support for extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds. The referendum should be supervised by an independent commission and the Electoral Commission is the obvious body to achieve that.
UNISON Scotland understands the need for this early emphasis on fair procedures and independent oversight. However, we believe the debate should move on to consider a vision for the sort of Scotland we would want to live in, against which we can judge constitutional proposals. We intend to fully engage our members in that process.
UNISON Scotland response to government consultations on Scotland’s constitutional future
March 2012
UNISON Scotland has published its response to the consultations of the UK and Scottish governments on the procedures for a constitutional referendum.
The full response is online here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ReferendumConsultationResponseMarch2012.pdf
UNISON Scotland believes that the referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future is too important to be rushed. However, that time should be used effectively by civic Scotland to develop a credible proposal for extended devolution and the Scottish Government to publish its proposals on independence without further delay.
UNISON Scotland understands the need for this early emphasis on fair procedures and independent oversight. However, we believe the debate should move on to consider a vision for the sort of Scotland we would want to live in, against which we can judge constitutional proposals. We intend to fully engage our members in that process.
.
UNISON Scotland has published its response to the consultations of the UK and Scottish governments on the procedures for a constitutional referendum.
The full response is online here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ReferendumConsultationResponseMarch2012.pdf
UNISON Scotland believes that the referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future is too important to be rushed. However, that time should be used effectively by civic Scotland to develop a credible proposal for extended devolution and the Scottish Government to publish its proposals on independence without further delay.
UNISON Scotland understands the need for this early emphasis on fair procedures and independent oversight. However, we believe the debate should move on to consider a vision for the sort of Scotland we would want to live in, against which we can judge constitutional proposals. We intend to fully engage our members in that process.
.
Films of the UCS Work-in Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow 21-23 March 2012
Films of the UCS Work-inMitchell Theatre, Glasgow 21-23 March 2012Tickets from www.glasgowconcerthalls.com
See flyer here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/ucs/UCSfilmflyerMarch2012.pdf
Wednesday 21 March, 1.00pm
Films: UCS 1 and UCS: 40th Anniversary
Panel: Ann Guedes, Susan Morrison, Dr Chik Collins. Tickets £5
http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/119346-UCS-Screenings-UCS1-and-UCS-40th-Anniversary
Thursday 22 March 7.30pm
Films: UCS 1 and UCS: 40th Anniversary
Panel: Ann Guedes, Mike Kirby (STUC President), Pat Rafferty (UNITE). Tickets £6
http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/119347-UCS-Screenings-UCS1-and-UCS-40th-Anniversary
Friday 23 March 7.30pm
Film: Class Struggle: Film from the Clyde
Panel: Ann Guedes, David Hayman. Tickets £7.50
http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/119348-UCS-Screenings-Class-Struggle:-Film-from-the-Clyde
After each showing the films will be followed by a Q&A with special guest, film-maker, Ann
Guedes, plus an invited panel.
Ann GuedesIndependent cinema in Britain is unthinkable without the achievements of the innovative film collective
Cinema Action, which was set up in the late 1960s and crystallised around a core of three cultural dynamos: Ann Guedes, Gustav Lamche and Eduardo Guedes.
Ann has made 15 documentary films, many with International Film Festival Awards, Berlin, London, Madrid, Portugal, Leipzig and the jury prize at Moscow Film Festival. Her 90-minute feature documentary So That You Can Live was selected for the opening day of Channel 4.
Ann’s feature films include:
Rocinante (1986), starring John Hurt and Ian Dury, which won 6 international
film awards;
Bearskin (1989), starring Tom Waits and Ian Dury; and
Talk of Angels (1998).
The films
UCS 1In 1971 Cinema Action was the only film crew given permission by the Joint Shop Stewards Committee to film the early part of the Work-in. UCS1 contains interviews with UCS workers explaining the rationale behind the Work-in and the strategy deployed by the shop stewards to secure the future of the yards. The film is a unique depiction of how the workers gained support from the wider community and took their fight, quite literally, to the doorstep of the Heath government.
Running time 23mins.
UCS 40th AnniversaryA short film produced for the 40th anniversary celebrations by the STUC’s Kevin Buchanan. First shown at the UCS Gala concert on 1 October 2011, the film charts the story of the Work-in using archive footage and images. With a script by John Foster and voice over by David Hayman.
Running time 12mins.
Class Struggle: Film from the ClydeHalfway through this documentary study of the work-in at Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in 1971, one of the workers says, ‘This is a group of workers who are not going to grovel, tugging their forelocks, to the labour exchange’. Such clarity of expression and considered determination to participate in the political process powerfully highlights the fight of workers ‘to keep what is in the long term keepable’. The uniqueness of Class Struggle is about more than Cinema Action being the only group allowed to film inside the yards. The mainstream media news crews seem interested in the yards only as backdrops for interviewing ‘key players’. Cinema Action emphasised the action of workers and shop stewards who found running the yards, in one’s opinion, “easier than working the double bottom of a ship”.
Running time 83mins.
.
UNISON increases pressure on Scottish government with new industrial action on NHS pensions from Tuesday
Date: 12 March 2012
UNISON Scotland will on Tuesday 13 March kick off a new round of industrial action on NHS pensions. A number of selective strikes are planned to increase pressure on the government for a Scottish solution to all aspects of pensions changes. This includes the year 1 increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4% - which are effectively a pensions tax on health workers.
UNISON health members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital Irvine will be taking industrial action on the issue of pensions on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 March 2012. A picket line will be in force each day from 9am until 12 noon.
Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Committee, said:
“Our members are very distressed and angry that the Scottish Government, at the behest of the UK government, is asking them to pay much more in pension contributions.
“The reality is that many of our members will simply not be able to afford to make the proposed contribution increases due to start in April, and will be forced to opt out of their scheme to the future detriment of themselves, their families and communities - and the public purse."
Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary, said:
“We do not accept that the Scottish Government has no option other than to follow the UK Government’s proposals. There is a separate scheme in Scotland and there are other options to fund the cost. These should be pursued in partnership.
"We call on the Scottish Government to seek a Scottish solution, delay the pensions tax, and engage with us to find a negotiated settlement.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. UNISON members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital Irvine will be taking industrial action on the issue of pensions on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 March 2012. A picket line will be in force each day from 9am until 12 noon.
(The unit was opened by Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon on Monday 5 March, at which she was lobbied by members of UNISON.)
Location: Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, KA12 8SS
The action will be supported by UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Committee Tam Waterson along with the Secretary and other members of the Scottish Health Committee, and colleagues from Health and Local Government Branches of UNISON.
2. UNISON is Scotland’s largest healthcare trade union representing over 50,000 members working in NHS Scotland and related services. Our health members are nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.
.
UNISON Scotland will on Tuesday 13 March kick off a new round of industrial action on NHS pensions. A number of selective strikes are planned to increase pressure on the government for a Scottish solution to all aspects of pensions changes. This includes the year 1 increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4% - which are effectively a pensions tax on health workers.
UNISON health members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital Irvine will be taking industrial action on the issue of pensions on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 March 2012. A picket line will be in force each day from 9am until 12 noon.
Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Committee, said:
“Our members are very distressed and angry that the Scottish Government, at the behest of the UK government, is asking them to pay much more in pension contributions.
“The reality is that many of our members will simply not be able to afford to make the proposed contribution increases due to start in April, and will be forced to opt out of their scheme to the future detriment of themselves, their families and communities - and the public purse."
Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary, said:
“We do not accept that the Scottish Government has no option other than to follow the UK Government’s proposals. There is a separate scheme in Scotland and there are other options to fund the cost. These should be pursued in partnership.
"We call on the Scottish Government to seek a Scottish solution, delay the pensions tax, and engage with us to find a negotiated settlement.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. UNISON members in the Central De-Contamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital Irvine will be taking industrial action on the issue of pensions on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 March 2012. A picket line will be in force each day from 9am until 12 noon.
(The unit was opened by Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon on Monday 5 March, at which she was lobbied by members of UNISON.)
Location: Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, KA12 8SS
The action will be supported by UNISON Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Health Committee Tam Waterson along with the Secretary and other members of the Scottish Health Committee, and colleagues from Health and Local Government Branches of UNISON.
2. UNISON is Scotland’s largest healthcare trade union representing over 50,000 members working in NHS Scotland and related services. Our health members are nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.
.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Police staff secure victory in fight over pay cuts of up to 35%
Date: Friday 9 March 2012
UNISON’s police staff members have won a victory in their
campaign against massive cuts in terms and conditions in the run-up to a single
Scottish police service over the next year. Police staff had been facing wage
cuts of up to 35%. These have now been withdrawn.
At a meeting of the Police Staff Council (Scotland) today,
the police authority employers withdrew what had been described as a "final
offer" of a reduction in the terms and conditions of police staff members in
Scotland.
Peter Veldon, UNISON’s lead negotiator for the staff side
said:
“This is not only a great victory for police staff in
Scotland, who have campaigned hard against the massive cuts which were proposed
by the employers, but for common sense as well.”
“We are just over a year away from the New Police Service of
Scotland being created, yet police staff members were being asked to contemplate
wage cuts of up to 35%. Set this against a background of a wage freeze for the
past two years for staff, and mounting concern and anger over proposals for huge
job losses when the new force comes into existence in April 2013, this decision
provides a small degree of comfort for our members. It is at least one less
thing to worry about.”
“UNISON's police and justice staff will be entering into
negotiations to harmonise terms and conditions with the Police Service of
Scotland once that body has been set up.”
ends
.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
‘Is personalisation just cover for cuts?’ UNISON asks at carers conference
Date: 08 March 2012
People are concerned and angry about Glasgow Council using personalisation of care services as cover for budget cuts - rather than empowering users and carers, according to Scotland’s main public services union.
UNISON Scotland along with the Social Work Action Network and Defend Glasgow Services, is running a community conference on Saturday 10 March in Glasgow to debate and expose the problems and issues vulnerable people are facing with personalisation. The union argues the Glasgow model could undermine the whole concept if left unchallenged.
Cheryl McCormick, a care worker and UNISON steward, said:
"We were told personalisation was meant to be about giving service users more choice and control over their support. However of almost everyone involved so far it has been about cuts and loss of support and choice. Those who have been through the personalisation process thus far have lost much of the support they used to receive. They are now having to share their support with others - not out of choice but because otherwise they wouldn't have any support for the hours that they need it.
"Some have been left to attend under-resourced day centres where there aren't enough staff for them to go out during the day. So they are left indoors all day either watching TV or left to draw pictures. This is not about providing any quality of life for people or integrating them in the community - but providing support by the cheapest possible means.
Mandy McDowall, UNISON Regional Organiser, said:
“Personalisation of services is a vital issue happening right now in our communities and there is lots of concern and anger about the effects on people. Glasgow really needs to get things right with personalisation before it rolls it out further.
"UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
"This is incompatible with maintaining the quality of care provision. If we let the Glasgow model go forward unchallenged then it will set a precedent to other authorities. This will undermine the whole concept of personalisation.
"It doesn’t have to be like this. Personalisation can and should be introduced with adequate funding and safeguards for staff. "
Cheryl McCormick said:
“For those of us who work in the sector we now face constant job insecurity, reductions in hours, terms and conditions and in many cases pay too. Many support staff now have increased workload as they are to support more people with less time. On top of this the budget that many individuals are now getting are not just insufficient just for providing the support that they need, but also for providing the training that they need their staff to have.
“When we have raised concerns about health and safety issues that this may present we have been told just to get on with it! Many of us feel that this is just an accident waiting to happen.”
The conference on Saturday will allow service users, their families, carers and support workers to come together and discuss what personalisation should mean for the future of those who need support within the community.
Note to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union with over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland, and represents staff in caring and support services across the local government, community, voluntary and health sectors.
2. The Glasgow Personalisation Conference will take place on Saturday 10 March 2012 from 10.00am - 2.00pm at UNISON Glasgow City Branch, 84 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LQ
It is organised by UNISON Scotland, Social Work Action Network and Defend Glasgow Services. See flyer here on our website – http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/volsec/GlasgowPersonalisationConf10March2012_A4Flyer.pdf
3. The Personalisation conference is bringing together the Glasgow community to discuss what personalisation has meant for them and UNISON will be seeking:
A better assessment process for those with complex needs;
better engagement with service users and their families;
support to give people real control over their budget for those who wish it;
ensure all support staff paid the living wage (= £7.20 per hour) as a minimum;
support for new employers (service users) to fulfil their role fully and lawfully;
ensure all employment rights are met.
The conference aims to set a vision for what the Glasgow community wants from personalisation ensuring that those who wish to remain with local authority services do so - and that those who choose elsewhere are funded and supported fully.
3. UNISON Scotland has supported this broad alliance of service users, families and workers in publication of a document 'Personalisation - The facts' - also available to download on our website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/socialwork/Personalisation_01_2012.pdf
.
People are concerned and angry about Glasgow Council using personalisation of care services as cover for budget cuts - rather than empowering users and carers, according to Scotland’s main public services union.
UNISON Scotland along with the Social Work Action Network and Defend Glasgow Services, is running a community conference on Saturday 10 March in Glasgow to debate and expose the problems and issues vulnerable people are facing with personalisation. The union argues the Glasgow model could undermine the whole concept if left unchallenged.
Cheryl McCormick, a care worker and UNISON steward, said:
"We were told personalisation was meant to be about giving service users more choice and control over their support. However of almost everyone involved so far it has been about cuts and loss of support and choice. Those who have been through the personalisation process thus far have lost much of the support they used to receive. They are now having to share their support with others - not out of choice but because otherwise they wouldn't have any support for the hours that they need it.
"Some have been left to attend under-resourced day centres where there aren't enough staff for them to go out during the day. So they are left indoors all day either watching TV or left to draw pictures. This is not about providing any quality of life for people or integrating them in the community - but providing support by the cheapest possible means.
Mandy McDowall, UNISON Regional Organiser, said:
“Personalisation of services is a vital issue happening right now in our communities and there is lots of concern and anger about the effects on people. Glasgow really needs to get things right with personalisation before it rolls it out further.
"UNISON believes that the personalisation and transformation of social care has been introduced without adequate funding, with the focus being on reducing the cost of supporting individuals and reducing the proportion of provision in the public sector and potentially the voluntary sector.
"This is incompatible with maintaining the quality of care provision. If we let the Glasgow model go forward unchallenged then it will set a precedent to other authorities. This will undermine the whole concept of personalisation.
"It doesn’t have to be like this. Personalisation can and should be introduced with adequate funding and safeguards for staff. "
Cheryl McCormick said:
“For those of us who work in the sector we now face constant job insecurity, reductions in hours, terms and conditions and in many cases pay too. Many support staff now have increased workload as they are to support more people with less time. On top of this the budget that many individuals are now getting are not just insufficient just for providing the support that they need, but also for providing the training that they need their staff to have.
“When we have raised concerns about health and safety issues that this may present we have been told just to get on with it! Many of us feel that this is just an accident waiting to happen.”
The conference on Saturday will allow service users, their families, carers and support workers to come together and discuss what personalisation should mean for the future of those who need support within the community.
Note to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union with over 160,000 members working in the public sector in Scotland, and represents staff in caring and support services across the local government, community, voluntary and health sectors.
2. The Glasgow Personalisation Conference will take place on Saturday 10 March 2012 from 10.00am - 2.00pm at UNISON Glasgow City Branch, 84 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LQ
It is organised by UNISON Scotland, Social Work Action Network and Defend Glasgow Services. See flyer here on our website – http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/volsec/GlasgowPersonalisationConf10March2012_A4Flyer.pdf
3. The Personalisation conference is bringing together the Glasgow community to discuss what personalisation has meant for them and UNISON will be seeking:
A better assessment process for those with complex needs;
better engagement with service users and their families;
support to give people real control over their budget for those who wish it;
ensure all support staff paid the living wage (= £7.20 per hour) as a minimum;
support for new employers (service users) to fulfil their role fully and lawfully;
ensure all employment rights are met.
The conference aims to set a vision for what the Glasgow community wants from personalisation ensuring that those who wish to remain with local authority services do so - and that those who choose elsewhere are funded and supported fully.
3. UNISON Scotland has supported this broad alliance of service users, families and workers in publication of a document 'Personalisation - The facts' - also available to download on our website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/socialwork/Personalisation_01_2012.pdf
.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
I want to live, not just exist - UK campaign for Living Wage in FE and HE
Emma Phillips
UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser - FE
.
Monday, 5 March 2012
UNISON defends Council Living Wage from attack by MSP
Monday 5 March 2012
News release from UNISON South Lanarkshire:
Margaret Mitchell Conservative MSP for Central Scotland has been criticised by union leaders and Councillor Jackie Burns, Deputy Leader of South Lanarkshire Council.
Mitchell has criticised South Lanarkshire Council for the implementation of a Living Wage of £7.20 from 1st April, claiming the cost will lead to cuts in services and jobs.
However, Stephen Smellie, Secretary of UNISON's South Lanarkshire Branch said:
"Margaret Mitchell fails to note the hugely poitive impact which the living wage has on the families who will gain from its introduction. It is primarily low paid women who make up the workforce who have benefitted from the Living Wage. They will now be better able to buy a spare pair of shoes or a winter coat for their kids.
"Studies have shown that introducing the Living Wage leads to a better motivated staff and an improvement in service delivery. This is why it is supported by, amongst many others, Tory Boris Johnson in London. Therefore Margaret Mitchell is wrong to raise the spectre of cuts in services. The Council have planned for and budgeted for the Living Wage. The trade unions are engaged fully with them in seeking to protect services, despite the cuts which flow from the economic policies of the Tory led Coalition government.
"She also fails to note the impact that the Living Wage has as a boost for the local economy. Any increase in pay to low paid women is spent, mainly, in local shops. I would have thought she would have welcomed this boost to the local economy."
Stephen Smellie said:
"I am aware of workers in the community and voluntary sector as well as the private sector who do not earn the Living Wage and I would hope Margaret Mitchell would support UNISON’s campaign for the Living Wage to be extended to those sectors.
"The Living Wage is a good news story for everyone."
Note for editors:
The statement from Margaret Mitchell is copied below for your information.
News
02 MAR 2012
Forcing businesses to pay living wage would be counterproductive
In today's Local Government and Regeneration Committee debate, Scottish Conservatives urged caution on the introduction of a living wage. There are concerns that the higher wage could lead to a reduction in local services or job opportunities.
Scottish Conservative Local Government Spokesperson, Margaret Mitchell urged for the payment of the living wage to be voluntary.
Margaret Mitchell MSP said:
"All things being equal, the living wage is an admirable aspiration and one which we would want to achieve.
"In the region which I represent, South Lanarkshire Council spent £3.5 million in 2011/12 introducing the living wage. From April 2012 a further £2 million will be spent increasing the rate of pay to £7.20. In total this council will have spent a staggering £5.5 million on the living wage.
"If the costs of introduction and payment of the living wage are so high and this then is seen to result in a corresponding reduction or cut in local services and job losses, this could understandably lead to resentment.
"This is particularly true given that public sector workers' wages are higher than many in the private, voluntary or third sectors, because taxpayers' money has been used to make this a priority over service delivery.
"Furthermore, payment of the living wage must be voluntary. In the current economic climate the priority must be to maximise employment opportunities and any attempt to force businesses to pay the living wage would be counterproductive."
End of statement by Margaret Mitchell MSP Scottish Tory Local Government spokesperson
UNISON's better way for local government includes a Living Wage for all - find out more in our local government manifesto here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/UNISONScotlandLocalGovermentSummaryManifesto2012.pdf
.
News release from UNISON South Lanarkshire:
Margaret Mitchell Conservative MSP for Central Scotland has been criticised by union leaders and Councillor Jackie Burns, Deputy Leader of South Lanarkshire Council.
Mitchell has criticised South Lanarkshire Council for the implementation of a Living Wage of £7.20 from 1st April, claiming the cost will lead to cuts in services and jobs.
However, Stephen Smellie, Secretary of UNISON's South Lanarkshire Branch said:
"Margaret Mitchell fails to note the hugely poitive impact which the living wage has on the families who will gain from its introduction. It is primarily low paid women who make up the workforce who have benefitted from the Living Wage. They will now be better able to buy a spare pair of shoes or a winter coat for their kids.
"Studies have shown that introducing the Living Wage leads to a better motivated staff and an improvement in service delivery. This is why it is supported by, amongst many others, Tory Boris Johnson in London. Therefore Margaret Mitchell is wrong to raise the spectre of cuts in services. The Council have planned for and budgeted for the Living Wage. The trade unions are engaged fully with them in seeking to protect services, despite the cuts which flow from the economic policies of the Tory led Coalition government.
"She also fails to note the impact that the Living Wage has as a boost for the local economy. Any increase in pay to low paid women is spent, mainly, in local shops. I would have thought she would have welcomed this boost to the local economy."
Stephen Smellie said:
"I am aware of workers in the community and voluntary sector as well as the private sector who do not earn the Living Wage and I would hope Margaret Mitchell would support UNISON’s campaign for the Living Wage to be extended to those sectors.
"The Living Wage is a good news story for everyone."
Note for editors:
The statement from Margaret Mitchell is copied below for your information.
News
02 MAR 2012
Forcing businesses to pay living wage would be counterproductive
In today's Local Government and Regeneration Committee debate, Scottish Conservatives urged caution on the introduction of a living wage. There are concerns that the higher wage could lead to a reduction in local services or job opportunities.
Scottish Conservative Local Government Spokesperson, Margaret Mitchell urged for the payment of the living wage to be voluntary.
Margaret Mitchell MSP said:
"All things being equal, the living wage is an admirable aspiration and one which we would want to achieve.
"In the region which I represent, South Lanarkshire Council spent £3.5 million in 2011/12 introducing the living wage. From April 2012 a further £2 million will be spent increasing the rate of pay to £7.20. In total this council will have spent a staggering £5.5 million on the living wage.
"If the costs of introduction and payment of the living wage are so high and this then is seen to result in a corresponding reduction or cut in local services and job losses, this could understandably lead to resentment.
"This is particularly true given that public sector workers' wages are higher than many in the private, voluntary or third sectors, because taxpayers' money has been used to make this a priority over service delivery.
"Furthermore, payment of the living wage must be voluntary. In the current economic climate the priority must be to maximise employment opportunities and any attempt to force businesses to pay the living wage would be counterproductive."
End of statement by Margaret Mitchell MSP Scottish Tory Local Government spokesperson
UNISON's better way for local government includes a Living Wage for all - find out more in our local government manifesto here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/UNISONScotlandLocalGovermentSummaryManifesto2012.pdf
.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
'Inexcusable that public sector workers should take more pay freezes and pay cuts' UNISON tells Scottish Labour
Sunday 4 March 2012
Speech to Scottish Labour Party Conference by UNISON delegate Gordon McKay, moving resolution condemning public sector pay freezes and pay cuts:
There are times when the people of Scotland just don't realise how much the Tories and their multimillionaire friends are suffering. Sir Fred Goodwin and he will always be Sir Fred to me - you can take his knighthood but you can't take his bonus - Sir Fred is now reduced to scraping by on his last year bonus from RBS of £2.6 million, his £2.8 million lump sum pension and his yearly pension of £342,000.
And how can we humiliate Stephen Hester the current CEO of RBS by offering only £963,000? One of his banker colleagues summed it up when he said: "Why on earth would someone do this job if that is all the bonus that you give them?"
So with all this hardship that the Tories business friends are suffering, what have public service workers got to complain about?
24,000 public sector jobs in Scotland wiped out by the Tories and the SNP in 12 months. The jobs of those who care for our children, our elderly our vulnerable.
A two year pay freeze and more to follow for those who have given a lifetime of service to their communities. A 9% pay cut in real terms in two years.
Ed Miliband was spot on on Friday when he reminded us that public sector wages are today at the level they were ten years ago. That just makes it all the more inexcusable when both he and Ed Balls said that public sector workers should take more pay freezes and indeed pay cuts.
Public sector workers are struggling to hold society together and trying to keep their own families together. And when they needed the UK Labour Party and asked for Labour to protect them people who had worked and voted for Labour all their lives Ed Miliband and Ed Balls walked away from them.
A consensus with the Tories on austerity, on attacking public sector workers will not work.
It didn't in the 1930s and it won't today. We heard yesterday from one delegate how we lost in 2011 because we hadn't listened to the business community. We still hear it from some who should know better "we need to cut but just not as far and not as fast." Comrades, that way will sleepwalk us to separation and a review of the party entitled 'Where did it all go wrong?"
Scottish Labour needs to come out with a vision of fairness and social justice. We will not blame public sector workers for the greed of bankers. Scottish Labour must work with the trade unions on fair pay and that not mean a pay freeze.
And on pensions we were grateful for the support on Nov 30 but UNISON members will be on strike as from March 13 in the NHS defending our pensions. We expect the same support from the Labour leadership today as we had then. We are sure that the fact there is now no leadership election will not affect that support in any way.
And a word for Nicola Sturgeon. It's decision time Nicola. Are you on the side of the Tories and their business friends, on low paid NHS workers? If you are willing to sit down with us and talk meaningfully about a Scottish solution to these unfair contribution rises to pensions, then UNISON will call off its industrial action. If not - be assured that our members will know what an independent Scotland would look like.
Conference, we don't need to say "shame on the Tories" because everyone knows they hate public services, despise public service workers and treat those who rely on public services with contempt. That is why no-one votes for them.
We do say that Scotland deserves better than the SNP. They implement budget cuts proposed by the Tories, pay freezes proposed by the Tories, pension cuts proposed by the Tories and job cuts proposed by the Tories.
Their sole rejoinder: "It's nothing to do with us".
Frankly it is pitiful. You are the government of Scotland. Start taking some reponsibility, rather than crying "a big boy did it and ran away".
If you implement a cut you are responsible for the cut.
We have elections in two months time and a separation referendum coming. We need to get our policies, right.
Scottish Labour - proud to be Scottish, on the side of families and communities, on the side of fairness and decency. Not a bad slogan.
.
Speech to Scottish Labour Party Conference by UNISON delegate Gordon McKay, moving resolution condemning public sector pay freezes and pay cuts:
There are times when the people of Scotland just don't realise how much the Tories and their multimillionaire friends are suffering. Sir Fred Goodwin and he will always be Sir Fred to me - you can take his knighthood but you can't take his bonus - Sir Fred is now reduced to scraping by on his last year bonus from RBS of £2.6 million, his £2.8 million lump sum pension and his yearly pension of £342,000.
And how can we humiliate Stephen Hester the current CEO of RBS by offering only £963,000? One of his banker colleagues summed it up when he said: "Why on earth would someone do this job if that is all the bonus that you give them?"
So with all this hardship that the Tories business friends are suffering, what have public service workers got to complain about?
24,000 public sector jobs in Scotland wiped out by the Tories and the SNP in 12 months. The jobs of those who care for our children, our elderly our vulnerable.
A two year pay freeze and more to follow for those who have given a lifetime of service to their communities. A 9% pay cut in real terms in two years.
Ed Miliband was spot on on Friday when he reminded us that public sector wages are today at the level they were ten years ago. That just makes it all the more inexcusable when both he and Ed Balls said that public sector workers should take more pay freezes and indeed pay cuts.
Public sector workers are struggling to hold society together and trying to keep their own families together. And when they needed the UK Labour Party and asked for Labour to protect them people who had worked and voted for Labour all their lives Ed Miliband and Ed Balls walked away from them.
A consensus with the Tories on austerity, on attacking public sector workers will not work.
It didn't in the 1930s and it won't today. We heard yesterday from one delegate how we lost in 2011 because we hadn't listened to the business community. We still hear it from some who should know better "we need to cut but just not as far and not as fast." Comrades, that way will sleepwalk us to separation and a review of the party entitled 'Where did it all go wrong?"
Scottish Labour needs to come out with a vision of fairness and social justice. We will not blame public sector workers for the greed of bankers. Scottish Labour must work with the trade unions on fair pay and that not mean a pay freeze.
And on pensions we were grateful for the support on Nov 30 but UNISON members will be on strike as from March 13 in the NHS defending our pensions. We expect the same support from the Labour leadership today as we had then. We are sure that the fact there is now no leadership election will not affect that support in any way.
And a word for Nicola Sturgeon. It's decision time Nicola. Are you on the side of the Tories and their business friends, on low paid NHS workers? If you are willing to sit down with us and talk meaningfully about a Scottish solution to these unfair contribution rises to pensions, then UNISON will call off its industrial action. If not - be assured that our members will know what an independent Scotland would look like.
Conference, we don't need to say "shame on the Tories" because everyone knows they hate public services, despise public service workers and treat those who rely on public services with contempt. That is why no-one votes for them.
We do say that Scotland deserves better than the SNP. They implement budget cuts proposed by the Tories, pay freezes proposed by the Tories, pension cuts proposed by the Tories and job cuts proposed by the Tories.
Their sole rejoinder: "It's nothing to do with us".
Frankly it is pitiful. You are the government of Scotland. Start taking some reponsibility, rather than crying "a big boy did it and ran away".
If you implement a cut you are responsible for the cut.
We have elections in two months time and a separation referendum coming. We need to get our policies, right.
Scottish Labour - proud to be Scottish, on the side of families and communities, on the side of fairness and decency. Not a bad slogan.
.
Friday, 2 March 2012
UNISON protesters lobby Health Minister as Scotland launches further industrial action on pensions
UNISON Scotland will on Monday 5 March launch a further round of industrial action on changed proposed to NHS pensions.
Ayrshire & Arran Health Board will be the first of several Boards in Scotland to receive notice for strike to take place in the week of 12th March. This will involve staff working in the Central Decontamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital.
That facility is on Monday 5 March being officially opened by Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon. Protesters will make it known that UNISON’s 50,000 members in health expect a Scottish solution to all aspects of pensions changes including the year 1 increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4%.
Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of UNISON, said:“Health workers in Scotland will be the major group to face the brunt of contributions increases which even the Scottish Government says are unwanted and unnecessary.
"Scottish Ministers should delay these changes to allow negotiations in NHS Scotland to find alternatives which don’t involve taking money out of Scottish health workers' pockets to give to the Treasury as a windfall tax.”
Tom Waterson, chair of UNISON Scotland's Health Committee said:“We had hoped to bring the Scottish Government to the table to negotiate on the pension tax due to start in April 2012.
"It is not too late for further industrial action to be avoided, and for the pension tax increases to be delayed to allow a negotiated settlement.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1.UNISON will lobby Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon on Monday 5 March as she offically opens the Central Decontamination Unit and Ayrshire Central Hospital (Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, KA12 8SS)on Monday 5 March at 9.00am.)
2. Selective industrial action involving groups of UNISON members will take place in Ayrshire & Arran, Greater Glasgow and Lothian Health Boards during March 2012. This will include Sterile Services Staff, Procurement and Finance staff, and other groups.
Ayrshire & Arran Health Board will be the first of several Boards in Scotland to receive notice for strike to take place in the week of 12th March. This will involve staff working in the Central Decontamination Unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital.
That facility is on Monday 5 March being officially opened by Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon. Protesters will make it known that UNISON’s 50,000 members in health expect a Scottish solution to all aspects of pensions changes including the year 1 increases to employee contributions of up to 2.4%.
Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of UNISON, said:“Health workers in Scotland will be the major group to face the brunt of contributions increases which even the Scottish Government says are unwanted and unnecessary.
"Scottish Ministers should delay these changes to allow negotiations in NHS Scotland to find alternatives which don’t involve taking money out of Scottish health workers' pockets to give to the Treasury as a windfall tax.”
Tom Waterson, chair of UNISON Scotland's Health Committee said:“We had hoped to bring the Scottish Government to the table to negotiate on the pension tax due to start in April 2012.
"It is not too late for further industrial action to be avoided, and for the pension tax increases to be delayed to allow a negotiated settlement.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1.UNISON will lobby Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon on Monday 5 March as she offically opens the Central Decontamination Unit and Ayrshire Central Hospital (Ayrshire Central Hospital, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, KA12 8SS)on Monday 5 March at 9.00am.)
2. Selective industrial action involving groups of UNISON members will take place in Ayrshire & Arran, Greater Glasgow and Lothian Health Boards during March 2012. This will include Sterile Services Staff, Procurement and Finance staff, and other groups.
UNISON urges Nick Clegg to safeguard vulnerable in Universal Credit claim arrangements
 |
| Nick Clegg and Ann Wardlaw at the UNISON stand |
The public services union used a ‘policy pitch’ session with senior MPs and MSPs at the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ conference in Inverness to warn that the planned online claims system should not axe the option for local face to face support.
Ann Wardlaw, vice chair of UNISON Scotland’s Disabled Members Committee, said: "Benefit cuts in the Welfare Reform Bill have horrified those of us who want a more equal society.
"On top of such devastating cuts though, is the worry that many people will not be assisted to claim support that they are entitled to because of the switch to a largely online system.
"We asked Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander to ensure that there is an option still under the new system for local face to face support for a range of aspects of the claim service, including verifying and scanning documents such as tenancy agreements, and help with queries."
Housing benefit is one of the range of benefits being brought together into the new Universal Credit. UNISON represents members who currently work in local authorities administering housing benefit services. The union says that the expertise of these staff should be used in retaining local access to claiming Universal Credit.
Dave Watson, UNISON’s Head of Bargaining and Campaigns, said: "The Liberal Democrats have an opportunity to realise that even if the IT for this proposed new online computerised system works, against the evidence of similar past projects, it is vital to help people claim all they are entitled to.
"Yet half the 9.5 million people in social housing have never used the internet. Attempting to deliver 80% of Universal Credit claims online and most of the rest in distant call centres simply won’t work.
"We believe it is vital to keep a local delivery mechanism , including using the experienced staff in local authority housing benefit services. The Government seems unaware of the high level of face to face interaction these staff have with claimants.
"There is a real risk that without access to proper support, people who could be getting help will lose out, leading to severe financial problems, major stress and potentially homelessness."
ENDS
.
Notes to editors
1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing more than 160,000 members.
2. UNISON’s briefing on housing benefit reforms is on our website at
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