STV: Unison protest calls for Glasgow City Council to scrap disability cuts

23 Jan 2013 STV: Video

Unison protest calls for Glasgow City Council to scrap disability cuts

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/211109-unison-protest-calls-for-council-disability-cuts-to-be-scrapped/

By Rachael Fulton 23 January 2013 18:49 GMT

Carers, disability rights campaigners and unionists rallied outside Glasgow City Chambers on Wednesday to protest against proposed council cuts.

Hoisting their Unison placards emblazoned with demands to scrap learning disability service cuts, the assembled crowd of service users, carers and their supporters braved the Glasgow cold to make their voices heard.

Speakers such as carer Grace Harrigan and Ian Hood of Learning Disability Alliance Scotland gave emotive speeches at the steps of the City Chambers, calling for Glasgow City Council to protect its vulnerable and scrap plans to cut funding.

Author, artist and long-standing supporter of the anti-disability cuts campaign Alasdair Gray also took to the podium to lend his voice to the rally, his impassioned words met with uproarious applause from the audience.

Full story and video at STV site

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/magazine/211109-unison-protest-calls-for-council-disability-cuts-to-be-scrapped/ 

.

 

Pictures from UNISON Glasgow Rally to defend learning disability services

Jan 23 2013 
Pictures of UNISON Glasgow Rally to defend learning disability services and adult day care centres
on UNISON Scotland Picasa gallery

From Glasgow Personalisation Rally 23 Jan 2013

https://picasaweb.google.com/117247006402711752943/GlasgowPersonalisationRally23Jan2013#


.

UNISON wins pay deal of up to 4% at South Lanarkshire College

Wed 23 Jan 2013

UNISON members at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride have won a landmark pay deal which will see a rise of more than 4% for the lowest paid staff.

The negotiated pay increase of 2.95% or £550 (whichever is greater) plus a consolidated £15 on all scale points will be backdated from 1 August 2012.

Graeme Forrester, UNISON’s lead negotiator at South Lanarkshire College, said:

"We welcome this pay award, which will see our lowest paid members receive an increase in excess of 4% in real terms.

“And the offer also increases the minimum annual leave entitlement from 22 to 25 days - which is a victory in UNISON’s ongoing fight for equality for all workers."

The final deal includes an additional three unconsolidated annual leave days offered and a consolidated salary uplift of £15 (pro-rata) in addition to the previously tabled 2.95%. That means most staff will benefit from a consolidated salary increase of more than 3%.

Regional Organiser Robert Rae said:

“This is an excellent deal at a time when public sector workers face a pay freeze, rising prices and cuts to vital services – especially in further education.

“Securing a decent advance in pay and holidays  in the current climate shows once again that workers are stronger together in UNISON.”

ends

Note for editors

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in all of Scotland’s local authorities. UNISON represents staff in all of Scotland’s further education college.

.

UNISON welcomes South Ayrshire equal pay settlement

Wed 23 Jan 2013

Local government union UNISON is today celebrating a historic equal pay settlement for hundreds of council staff in South Ayrshire. The deal finalised this week will be worth thousands of pounds for some of the lowest paid staff, mainly women, in manual, admin, clerical and support jobs.

Renee Gillan, UNISON South Ayrshire Branch Secretary, said:
 “We are absolutely delighted with this fantastic news for hundreds of workers who have faced pay discrimination for many years and who will now receive substantial compensation. This win will make a massive difference to everyone who has been involved in this campaign.” 

The South Ayrshire deal settles more than 500 claims which were lodged in 2006. These had been subject to legal challenge by the Council on a technicality which ultimately failed at the Court of Session. A planned appeal by the Council to the Supreme Court is being put on hold as part of the settlement deal.

Joe Lynch, Regional Organiser, said:
“UNISON is proud to stand up for the principle of ‘equal pay for work of equal value’. We have had to fight this through the courts - which has taken a long time - but today’s settlement means we have won on that principle.

“This victory shows once again that workers are stronger together in UNISON.”

ends

Notes for editors

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in all of Scotland’s local authorities. 

2. The equal pay claims were brought mainly by female staff who were claiming that their work was of equal value to male manual workers who received a bonus. The Council argued that the female employees had not complied with necessary procedural steps so the claims were invalid. The UNISON claimants won the point at the Employment Tribunal and the Court of Session. The Council had appealed to the Supreme Court, but that appeal will now be put on hold pending the settlement of the individual claims.

.

UNISON on unemployment figures: government still failing to stimulate economy

Wed 23 Jan 2013

Commenting on the small drop in unemployment, UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“Any fall must be welcome but progress is still painfully slow for the 2.49m people still desperately looking for a job. The number of high street names going into liquidation shows there is no room for complacency. And only yesterday the Government announced more than 5,000 cuts to army personnel.

“We know that many thousands of public sector workers jobs are under threat as council budget cuts mean that elderly care centres, nurseries, swimming pools and other valued services face the axe.

“The Government is failing to stimulate the economy which is a vital ingredient to creating significant, long-tem, full-time jobs."

ends

UNISON UK news release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2940

Carers, celebrities & campaigners rally for learning disability services and day care centres

22 January 2013

Carers and service users will unite with trade unionists, campaigners and celebrities including author(s) Alasdair Gray (and James Kelman) at a rally in George Square tomorrow – Wednesday 23 January from 12.30pm - to call for an immediate halt to cuts and an independent review into Glasgow’s learning disability services.

Sam Macartney, of Glasgow UNISON branch, welcomed the postponement of the council’s decision on cuts to learning disability services, closure of three vital day care centres and job losses.

Sam Macartney, Convener of Daycare Services, said:

“Glasgow City Council has put off the vote planned for Thursday (24 January) on the proposed cuts in learning disability day centres and services. This is of course entirely down to the pressure exerted on the council by those who use the services and their families, their supporters in the various campaigning groups including the Defend Glasgow Services Campaign and the trade unions.

“However, there are still no changes to the proposals and we must keep up the pressure on the council.

“We are calling for:

An independent review to be carried out into learning disability services and day care centres in Glasgow – as called for by Glasgow City Council’s own Carers Champion, Chris Mason

A halt to all changes and cuts – including cuts to services, jobs or closures of centres – while the review is carried out

Glasgow City Council Social Work Services to hold an open all-Glasgow meeting for all carers

And vitally - an increase – not a cut - in the money available to the total learning disability services pot, to make individual personalised budgets higher, because the cuts to personalised budgets are at the root of most of the problem.

“The protest planned for Wednesday 23 January at 12.30pm outside the City Chambers goes ahead. Let’s step up our efforts to defeat these proposals to cut vital services to the most vulnerable in our community.”

Rally details

Wednesday 23 January 2013

12.30pm in George Square, Glasgow

Speakers include those who use the services and their families, elected representatives including councillors and MSPs, prominent authors and academics, trade unionists and disability rights campaigners.

Confirmed speakers:

• Tommy Gorman, carer
• Grace Harrigan, carer
• Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland
• Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary, STUC 
• Alasdair Gray, author and artist – who also brings a message of support from writer James Kelman

Other speakers to be confirmed

  

Note for editors

Glasgow City Council’s controversial plans for personalisation of care services includes a proposal to close three day centres that accommodate about 130 people each on weekdays. Around 136 jobs are also under threat.

Direct and highly emotional personal evidence of why this is not a good plan was provided at a well-attended conference at UNISON’s Glasgow City branch office on 10 December 2012 called by the Defend Glasgow Services Personalisation Network – a network of carers, service users, campaigners and trade unions planning to defend these key services.

See our blog post on the 12 December event here:

http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/glasgow-personalisation-network.html

and a useful STV news report here:

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/205250-protest-over-councils-daycare-for-learning-disabled-reform-plans/

Water a human right - not for sale

Water a human right – not for sale – support a European Citizens Initiative

The European Citizens Initiative (ECI)  to collect 1 million signatures calling for the EU to recognise the Human Right to Water, has close to 300.000 people supporting it already. It calls for recognizing the human right to water rather than continuing to explore plans for liberalization of water services.  A German broadcast exposed the European Commission’s plan to privatise water and how it is influenced by the multinational companies. www.wdr.de/tv/monitor/sendungen/2012/1213/wasser.php5  English transcript available at: http://www.right2water.eu/fr/news/monitor-commission-plans-water-privatisation) This would also effect Scottish Water.  The Commission promotes further competition, seeks to introduce smart meters, and trading of water rights in its Blueprint for water (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52012DC0673:EN:NOT ).

The ECI is a new form of European action created by the Lisbon treaty,  which provides an opportunity to get the European Commission to listen to citizen views rather than just lobbyists in Brussels. UNISON and the other UK public service unions are member of one of the supporting organisations – the European Federation of Public Services Unions, and the whole union movement supports it through ETUC. 

Supporting the initiative is simple: go to  http://www.right2water.eu/  , read the statement of the ECI objectives, and sign up. All over the EU almost 300.000 have done so. Let’s join them.  And please encourage others to do so by circulating this message. 

Evening Times: MSPs hit out over plan to close Glasgow day care centres

18 Jan 2013

Evening Times Political Correspondent Stewart Paterson reported today:

 

THE closure of day centres for adults with disabilities in Glasgow was debated by MSPs at Holyrood.

 

Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, led the debate over Glasgow City Council's proposals which could see three centres closed.

He said the closures were a cut to services and was concerned the consultation process has not sufficiently considered the views of users and their families.

 

Several city MSPs debated the issue with Labour MSPs stating that it was not a cut as any savings were to be spent on new social care services. They said if the council was given a fairer settlement from the Scottish Government it would have more cash to spend.

 

See the full report on the Evening Times website.

The transcript of the debate is on the Scottish Parliament website at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=7685&mode=pdf 

.

Neil Findlay MSP: Call for a review of convictions against Scottish Miners and other arrested during the 1984/85 strike

From Neil Findlay MSP - please use this link
http://www.neilfindlaymsp.com/the-conviction-of-miners-and-others-during-the-198485-miners-strike/ 
to email Justice Secretary asking for indendent review of Scottish convictionss during miners' strike 1984/85

Dear Friend, you may have seen recent press coverage of the campaign being run by David Hamilton, MP for MidLothian and I calling for a review of the convictions of Miners and others arrested during the 1984/85 Miner’s strike. Since making this call the response has been remarkable with over 650 people emailing the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny McAskill and the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police supporting our call for a review of these cases. Press coverage has been extensive with the main TV news and all of the major newspapers covering the story. We have since been contacted by a significant number of people who were involved at the time and who say their convictions were either bogus or based on the exaggerated claims of the arresting officers.  These cases need investigates to ensure that the injustices of Hillsborough and Orgreave were not been repeated in Scotland.

I am therefore asking two things:-

1)    If you, members of your family or friends and relatives haven’t yet signed up to the campaign then please do so today by clicking on the following link and taking 1 minute to complete the email template. This will send an email to Kenny McAskill and the Chief Constable calling for a review of the cases.

http://www.neilfindlaymsp.com/the-conviction-of-miners-and-others-during-the-198485-miners-strike/

2)    If you have an email list please send it out to your contacts asking them to sign up to the campaign

I want to thank everyone for their support to date –

Neil Findlay MSP

January 2013

www.neilfindlaymsp.com


.

Glasgow Evening Times: Unions hit out at city budget proposals

Thu 17 Jan 2013

Union leaders have warned planned cuts in Glasgow's spending will hit frontline services and schools

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/union-hit-out-at-city-budget-proposals-112837n.19939703

The city council has had to find £70million of savings in its £2.3billion annual budget over the next two years because of a reduction in Scottish Government funding.

As the Evening Times revealed yesterday, the cuts include shedding 600 jobs, increasing the cost of school meals and fitness classes and higher parking charges.

Brian Smith, Glasgow branch secretary of Unison, said: "We are disappointed another 600 jobs are going to go on top of the 3000 taken out over the last couple of years.

"To say that is not going to have an impact on frontline services is a joke, because it clearly is.

"As well as cuts to jobs and services, there has been a bit of a step change in terms of charging, with increases in school, leisure and parking charges against a background of people not getting wage rises.

"If you have a couple of children, drive your car into the city and go to the gym it will have an impact on you."

...

See full story on Evening Times website:

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/union-hit-out-at-city-budget-proposals-112837n.19939703

.

Horsemeat scandal should have been picked up in UK

16 Jan 2013

Proper government investment in trading standards and meat hygiene services could have meant the horsemeat burger scandal was picked up in the UK rather than relying on the Irish authorities UNISON said today.

The UK’s largest union said that swingeing cuts to these vital services are severely limiting the ability of hard-working officers to protect the public, and warned against watering down EU meat inspections.

Food labelling is one of the many issues overseen by trading standards officers, yet services across the UK have shrunk as their budgets have dwindled.

There have been dramatic falls in levels of activity across the board including: a 29% drop in new prosecutions a 26% fall in the total number of scheduled inspections a 24% fall in the total number of visits for enforcement purposes

In the UK meat inspectors in abattoirs physically inspect all meat leaving the premises –which is vital to safeguard consumers. Despite this, within the EU there are plans to water down these proposals, or allow the industry to self-regulate, which UNISON has strongly warned against. UNISON assistant general secretary Karen Jennings said: “While horsemeat isn't a threat to health, it does pose the question ‘do we know what's in our burgers?’ “The public deserve to have confidence in the products they buy; this confidence comes from trading standards services having the resources available to check the labelling products and pick up offences early, and from the work of meat inspectors and vets in abattoirs.

“Trading standards officers work hard to ensure that products pose no risk to consumers, but as their budgets are slashed, their ability to identify problems, inspect premises and prosecute wrongdoers has become severely limited.

“The real danger in this case is the quality and wholesomeness of meat in abattoirs. We need to avoid disease and contamination, and things like excrement making it into our food. This danger is avoided in the UK by the work of meat inspectors and vets in abattoirs.

“The issue with horsemeat in burgers is yet another example of why the industry isn't fit to regulate itself. It is vital that we continue the independent physical inspection of meat in the UK and the rest of the EU."

(From UNISON UK website )
.

£16,000 compensation for UNISON member who fell down lift shaft at work

16 Jan 2013

Trade union solicitors Thompsons has secured damages totalling £16,000 for a UNISON member who suffered a serious trauma at work. Irene Turnbull was left with physical and psychological damage after falling down a lift shaft which she believed to be a cupboard.

In July 2009 Mrs Turnbull was tasked with showing a maintenance man around the Mitchell Library where she worked as a venue officer. Her employers Culture and Sport Glasgow had supplied her with a building map which indicated where she was to take the maintenance man and included what was clearly marked as a cupboard.

Mrs Turnbull opened what she believed to be the cupboard door, and as she reached forward to turn on the light she fell down what was actually a lift shaft.

Mrs Turnbull sustained a radial fracture and injuries to her lower back and right hip. As well as this there was significant psychological suffering due to the nature of the accident including anxiety and adjustment disorder.

As a Unison member Mrs Turnbull was entitled to the legal services of Thompsons at no cost and they raised the claim on the member’s behalf.

Mrs Turnbull said: “I was very happy with the service I received from Thompsons and was pleased with the outcome. This is the first time I’ve had an accident at work and the whole experience was very traumatic. Having someone who could help make this easier was a huge relief.”

In this case liability was not disputed but the insurers made a pre litigation offer of only £6,000. Thompsons were able to negotiate a further £10,000 on top of this. Anne Marie Harbison, who represented Mrs Turnbull said: “This was a horrible experience for the client which will have a lasting affect on her, long after the physical injuries heal. This has been reflected in the damages awarded and I’m pleased we were able to argue successfully for this on behalf on Mrs Turnbull.” 

.

Barnardo's staff shocked by pension scheme closure - UNISON

Wed 16 Jan 2013
Staff at Barnardo’s are shocked and angry at reports that the charity is to close its career average staff pension and replace it with a vastly inferior scheme.  UNISON, the union representing workers at the charity, called the decision  “premature and a bitter disappointment to staff who are only now being consulted after the event”
Simon Watson, UNISON National Officer for the Third Sector, went on to say:

“Staff working for Barnardo’s are fully committed to helping children throughout the UK and do a fantastic job.  They do not get big pay packets or bonuses, so their pension and saving for security in their retirement, means a lot to them and taking that away is a real betrayal.

“Barnardo’s should have consulted fully with UNISON and at least provided more detailed financial information.  The financial information that UNISON has obtained simply does not point to an urgent financial need for this drastic decision.   Management need to think again about their mission which must include caring for its staff in their retirement.”

Barnardo’s are obliged to undertake a formal consultation by the pension regulator. UNISON will use this period to seek alternatives to closing the scheme.


Ends


UNISON UK News Release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2934

.

STUC Backs Freedom of Information Bid in Scottish Parliament

15 Jan 2013

STUC news release 

The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) has added the voice of Scotland’s trade union movement to those calling  on the Scottish Parliament to back a series of amendments to the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information Amendment (Scotland) Bill.

This Bill is to have its Stage 3 debate in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday and a series of amendments are proposed to ensure FOI rights extend to public services provided by private, voluntary and arms-length bodies. 

STUC Deputy General Secretary, Dave Moxham, speaking prior to the parliamentary debate (Wednesday 16 January) said

“We support the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS) in arguing that FoI rights must be maintained and extended not curtailed and reduced.

“With the estimated number of arms-length bodies in Scotland delivering public services now exceeding 130 the need to know how public money is being spent is critical for transparency and accountability.

ENDS

Stage 3 Briefing for MSPs is at www.cfoi.org.uk/scotland.html  

.

UNISON challenges North Lanarkshire Council over damaging cuts

Tue 15 Jan 2013

Local government union UNISON today challenged councillors in North Lanarkshire to get round the table for talks about their damaging cuts proposals.

The council has been trailing a £73 million package of cuts to vital services – with up to 1400 jobs under threat – but postponed a decision in December following a well attended rally called by UNISON in opposition to the plans. UNISON today described the council’s recent consultation exercise on the cuts as “a sham”.

Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said:

“I joined up with our local branch in North Lanarkshire at the rally in December to demand that the council open up a dialogue with us – because we realise just how damaging that £73 million cuts package they have been planning will be to our communities, our services and the local economy.

“In the continued absence of any meaningful consultation from the council and amid the increasing concerns of the workforce we are asking why the jobs and services should go if the need still exists?”

With just over a month until North Lanarkshire Council must set a budget, John Mooney, UNISON’s local Branch Secretary is calling on the council’s Chief Executive to provide information on the final package of cuts.

John Mooney said:

“Our members are calling our office on a daily basis asking their union for more information on the cuts. With just over a month before the council’s budget day, it’s imperative that we know the details – and that we have the opportunity to discuss alternatives with the council.

“Most importantly, we want to know if there are any other cuts being planned following the sham of a consultation process which took place.”

Mike Kirby reinforced the pledge made in December that if North Lanarkshire Council or any other local authority uses compulsory redundancies to achieve cuts to vital jobs and services, UNISON would ballot for industrial action.

Mike Kirby said:

“The cuts we are facing here and across the UK are not about money but about politics. A politics that hates public services and loves to profit from privatisation. We are calling on our public representatives to engage in a different and better course of action to protect the public services on which we all rely.”

ENDS

.

More pain to come for families - UNISON on RPI

Tue 15 Jan 2013
 UNISON said that families were facing winter fuel misery as the government announced an increase in the Retail Prices Index.

For families struggling to heat their homes in the face of massive price hikes and freezing weather, there was more pain to come, the union warned.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:“It’s time for the government to get a grip; the reality is that families are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.

“There is yet more misery to come, as the freezing weather starts to bite, fuel bills continue to rise, and wages remain stagnant.

“It’s time for the government to act; unscrupulous pay-day loan companies are filling the gap that has been created by high unemployment, the public sector pay freeze, and soaring fuel costs.

“Inflation still remains well above the government’s 2% target, placing enormous pressure on the finances of low and middle income households. Austerity isn’t working, and a plan of real growth is needed to help families bridge the gap between their incomes and the soaring cost of living.”

ENDS

UNISON UK News Release:
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=8295


.

Pension reform: £144 still well below poverty line - UNISON

Mon 14 Jan 2013
UNISON warned today that many workers will still face poverty in retirement, despite the government’s claims that its proposed overhaul of the state pension system will improve pensions.

Millions of workers will also be clobbered with higher national insurance payments under the plans.

As the government today issues its long-awaited white paper on state pension reform, UNISON said that radical action was needed to halt the decline in pension provision in the UK, which stands to leave many people in financial misery in retirement.

Many employers that sponsor defined benefit pension schemes are facing an increase in national insurance contributions – which from April 2017 could be as high as 3.4%. The union said it feared this would have a knock-on effect that passed cuts onto employees, including the low paid.

Commenting on the paper, Karen Jennings, UNISON assistant general secretary said:
“These changes are being lauded as a good deal for pensioners, but it is worth remembering that £144 is still well below the poverty line, and more will need to be done to prevent workers finding themselves desperately poor in retirement.

“Who will be worse or better off following these changes will depend on salary growth, which remains stagnant for many workers, including millions in the public sector, and inflation, which continues to eat at the income of low earners.

“What is clear is that the real winner is likely to be the Treasury, who will receive a national insurance boost from pension scheme members and employers. This windfall must go back to employers otherwise there is a real risk that many will look to dumb down their current pension offerings even further.

“The government must not hide behind this as a ‘good news story’: It is their duty to guarantee that workers – and in particular the lowest paid – are not left worse off as a result of these proposals either now, or in their retirement.”
 
While the union welcomed the intention to simplify the confusing existing pensions system, it said it would be looking at the implications of the proposals in the white paper in detail, and would respond to the consultation in full.

The new flat-rate is designed to combine the basic state pension with the second state pension. The union pointed out that this will not affect those who already receive, or will begin receiving their state pension before the next Parliament.

ENDS
    


.

CFoIS: Crunch week for Freedom of Information as MSPs debate coverage

14 Jan 2013 CFoIS news release

The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS) today urged the Scottish Parliament to back a series of amendments to the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

This Bill is to have its Stage 3 debate in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 16 Jan and a series of amendments are proposed to ensure FOI rights extend to public services provided by private, voluntary and arms-length bodies.

The CFoIS wants the Scottish Government to heed the concerns expressed by the Finance Committee’s Stage One report. The Campaign is taking part in a briefing meeting for MSPs on Tuesday 15 Jan, the day before the Parliamentary debate, and will be circulating a written briefing outlining the need to amend this bill to reinstate eroded rights to information.

The meeting will be chaired by Paul Martin MSP, and addressed by Carole Ewart of the CFoIS.

Carole Ewart, Co-Convener of the CFoIS, said

                “A number of MSPs, including members of the Finance Committee, have submitted amendments to this Bill, as the Scottish Government appears unable or unwilling to accept our arguments in favour of protecting our information rights.”

The major reason why the Bill should be strengthened is to retrieve peoples’s information rights lost as increasing outsourcing of our public services removes services from coverage.  Neither the Scottish Government nor previous Scottish Executive Administrations have ever used their powers to add named bodies and categories of bodies to the list of organisations covered.

Amending the Bill is also necessary to meet the Scottish Government’s own FoI principles, 1 and 2: that “the public’s right to know remains an essential part of an open, democratic government and responsive public services” and FoISA “will be adjusted where it is necessary and sensible to do so.”

Carole Ewart said  “At a time when Audit Scotland estimates over 130 arms-length bodies are involved in delivering public services, and when the Scottish Government is proposing bills like the Procurement, and Community Empowerment Bills that will bring more bodies into public service delivery, it is very concerning that they seem oblivious to the threats these pose to everyone’s right to know about how our cash is spent.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Briefing will be held in Committee Room 1 from 1.15pm on Tuesday 15 January. Please send a representative, or come along yourself.  
• A copy of the briefing sent to MSPs in advance of the debate will be available  from Monday on the CFoI website at www.cfoi.org.uk   
• There is also an email message available on the UNISONScotland website, that allows Campaign supporters to lobby their MSPs
  
  .

Aberdeenshire UNISON welcomes Living Wage backdating boost

UNISON welcomes boost for low paid as council agrees to backdate the living wage

Aberdeenshire UNISON has welcomed the council’s agreement in principle to adopt the living wage at the rate of £7.20 and to backdate this to April 2012 for around 1800 of its low paid workers.

In November the council had pledged to introduce the living wage but since then the unions have had further talks on the details.

Inez Teece, Branch Secretary and lead negotiator said, “UNISON along with the other unions have been pressing for the council to keep to their commitment to backdate the living wage to April 2012 and we are delighted that they have heeded our call. 

This is great news for our low paid members who will see a boost to their wages early in the New Year.

“This is not just welcome news for our lowest paid, living as they do in one of the most expensive parts of Scotland, but it is also good news for the local economy as these workers will have a bit more cash to spend in local shops and businesses.”

The council has also improved their offer on terms and conditions. 

Inez added, “Although our members voted to accept the deal, as a union we have kept our promise to negotiate for further improvements and we are pleased that the council has listened to us and has made an improved offer.”

ENDS

Email MSPs to protect Freedom of Information rights

11 Jan 2013

Contact your MSPs - ask them to protect Freedom of Information rights

Stage 3 Debate on Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
Wed 16 Jan 2013, 2pm Scottish Parliament

The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS) and UNISON Scotland are campaigning to amend the Freedom of Information (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, aiming to protect the public’s right to know.

The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FoISA) must be reformed to ensure a robust framework, so the public enjoy an enforceable right to know.

We think it is essential that the public has full rights to information on PPP/PFI contracts, leisure trusts, Arms Length External Organisations (ALEOS), housing associations and other bodies currently not covered by FOISA. There is strong and widespread support for information rights to ‘follow the public pound’.

A major reason for the weakening of FoISA is that promises to add named bodies and categories of bodies have not been honoured, leading to information rights being lost. The Scottish Government and previous Scottish Executive Administrations have never used their powers to do so, through an order under section 5 of FOISA.

We are asking you to email MSPs letting them know which amendments we would like them to support or oppose in the debate on Wednesday 16 January.

Amending the Bill is also necessary to meet the Scottish Government’s own FoI principles, 1 and 2: that “the public’s right to know remains an essential part of an open, democratic government and responsive public services” and FoISA “will be adjusted where it is necessary and sensible to do so”.

Consistently the Scottish Government has assured people of its good intentions, its willingness to act and to listen. For example, Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, said during the 5 December Stage 2 Debate "Even though I am asking the committee to reject amendments this morning—including amendment 8— for specific reasons, I will continue to consider the scope for introducing amendments at stage 3 that try to encapsulate the views of the campaign and the committee where that is possible." Clearly the Scottish Government has decided it is not possible for them to accept the detailed arguments made by CFoIS and UNISON.

We urge MSPs to:

• Support amendments: 1 – 9, 12 and 14
• Oppose amendments: 10 and 11
• No view: amendment 13 which appears to be of a technical nature.

Links:

UNISON's MSP briefing at Stage 2

CFoIS briefing at Stage 2

Uncovered: CFoIS briefing Nov 2012

Detailed briefing:A detailed briefing setting out our views on each amendment will be provided here and sent to MSPs before the debate.

.

UNISON warns Borders Council against breaking from national pay framework

Wed 9 Jan 2013

Local government union UNISON today called on Borders Council to step back from imposing an unpopular pay and conditions deal on its workforce. The move would introduce a two-tier workforce – leaving new staff significantly worse off - at a time when a Scottish Government and STUC protocol aims to eradicate these.

UNISON - along with the other staff unions Unite and GMB - wants the local authority to return to talks based around the respected national pay framework.

Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of UNISON, said:

“Borders Council has decided to unilaterally impose a separate set of terms and conditions on new staff which amount to pay cuts over and above the wage freeze our members have had to face for years now. None of the unions were involved in any discussion about this with CoSLA, the local government employers’ body. The Scottish Government, CoSLA and the unions support the aim of a Living Wage for all workers providing public services – what Borders Council is now doing runs directly counter to that aim.

“This move by Borders Council is unacceptable – there is already a national pay framework which is respected by all the unions and all other councils. We will be raising the issue with CoSLA at the first opportunity. In the meantime we call on Borders Council to step back from imposing this and return to talk to the three unions about an agreed way forward within the national framework.”

UNISON’s Borders local government branch has joined with Unite and GMB to plan a joint campaign against the unpopular move by the council.

Branch secretary Edith Moody said:

“We are angry that our employers the Borders Councillors have seen fit to impose this on us against national agreements and without any proper consultation.

“It is absolutely unfair for new staff to join on different and worse terms and conditions. They will be on spot pay at the bottom of the grade. This flies in the face of the job evaluation scheme outcomes and, in our view, could potentially leave the council open to equal pay claims

“Borders Council is one of the main employers in this area where work is increasingly hard to find. They are doing this because they believe they can get away with it. But the impact on the community of this seems totally missed by the council.

“The pay freeze has already led to a long term decrease of money within the area, and we fear that more young people will potentially leave the area to find better paid work which will further damage the local economy.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working mainly in the public sector in Scotland and represents staff in all of Scotland’s local authorities.

Evening Times - Glasgow: Carers' champion warns over bid to close centres

CLOSING three learning disability day centres in Glasgow could lead to a surge in the number of people being taken into emergency care, says the city's new council carers' champion.
Christopher Mason, who was appointed to the post after last year's elections, has investigated plans to shut Summerston, Berryknowes (Cardonald) and Hinshaw Street (Maryhill) resource centres. His warning comes in a new report.
If the plan gets the go-ahead, the remaining four council centres would be used by people with severe learning disabilities and places would be found in the community for the remainder.

Evening Times 8 January 2013

Vivienne Nicoll

Local government correspondent

 

see the rest of the story here:

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/carers-champion-warns-over-bid-to-close-centres-111819n.19852603

Students being turned away by colleges highlights need for support services

Wed 2 Jan 2013

UNISON today called on Scottish Education Secretary Mike Russell to guarantee proper staffing for support services in colleges, after figures showed thousands of suitably qualified students are being turned away.

Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show colleges across Scotland don’t have places for thousands of applicants, with many put onto waiting lists.

UNISON, the union representing college support staff, is deeply concerned about the impact of massive cuts to college budgets and warned that students rely heavily on support services, including for choosing the correct course after guidance.

Chris Greenshields, chair of UNISON’s Further Education Committee, said: “This proves there is a greater need for more support services to quickly deal with the increase in applications we have seen for college courses over the last few years, not fewer, as suggested by current proposals.

“Applicants require a quick response to avoid languishing on waiting lists for months. If the planned £50 million savings result in slashing of support staff jobs then this will make the position more difficult for applicants to get quick and clear responses from colleges in relation to their applications and their future.

“We have lost 1300 jobs in the sector in the last year alone. If further cuts in support staff numbers take place, there won't be enough support staff left in our colleges to answer the phones, never mind provide the proper pre-entry support and guidance which our college applicants require.

“We need guarantees from Mr Russell that support services in our colleges will be properly staffed. UNISON is seeking urgent discussions with the Scottish Government to ensure that staff numbers won't fall further after the mergers. Also, as we have said frequently, there is no evidence that mergers will result in the huge savings predicted through shared services.”

ENDS

Notes for editors
The FOI responses were released by the Scottish Liberal Democrats: http://scotlibdems.org.uk/news/2013/01/figures-reveal-thousands-are-being-turned-away-college  

Scottish UNISON Scotland publications on current aspects of Further Education:

College regionalisation response

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Response%20to%20college%20regionalisation%20proposals%20december%20201%85.pdf 

Examples of problems with mergers

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/MergerofEdinburghColleges_June2012.pdf

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/MergerofScottishAgriculturalCollegeandLandbasedColleges_May2012.pdf

FE governance response

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Evidence%20to%20review%20of%20FE%20governance%20%20October%202011.pdf 

Post 16 education response

http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/Response%20to%20Putting%20learners%20at%20the%20centre%20post%2016%20educati%85.pdf  

(Newspaper reports today on thousands of students turned away: Daily Record, Evening Times )

.