Toxic cocktail of spending cuts and violence

Toxic cocktail of spending cuts and violence

A 'toxic cocktail' of spending cuts and violence against public service workers has resulted in another increase in violent incidents across Scottish councils and NHS Scotland.

33,689 incidents were reported to public service employers last year - almost 14,000 more than when the first survey was first conducted in 2006.

In probably the only employment group protected from cuts, police officers, the number of incidents fell by around one-third (by 3074 to 6187). However, council and NHS workers, who face big staffing reductions, have seen an increase in violent incidents. Incidents in councils have increased by 730 to 14,879. NHS incidents are up by 1744 to 12618.

UNISON's Scottish Organiser Dave Watson will present the union's annual survey of violent incidents to UNISON's health and safety conference at Stirling University on Friday 26 October. He said:

"The biggest increase in violent incidents is happening in those services that have suffered staffing cuts. Workers are stretched too thinly, dealing with the public who are coping with cuts in the services they rely on. This is a toxic cocktail that is putting hard pressed workers at greater risk of violent assault."

There has been some improvement in recording, particularly in the NHS, but some councils couldn’t even produce statistics. There are also indications that a number of public bodies are preparing for further problems when the full impact of welfare reform happens.

Scott Donohoe, chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health and Safety Committee, said:
"These numbers only cover recorded incidents – the tip of the iceberg of misery for many staff. While we are pleased that employers are improving their systems, others have obviously got some way to go. If they can’t produce decent statistics they cannot be tackling the problem”.

Convictions under the Emergency Workers Act have increased again last year by 32 to 355. Due to the limited scope of the Act few violent incidents result in criminal action. Sadly, efforts to address this were blocked by the Scottish Government when they opposed Hugh Henry MSP’s, Protection of Worker’s Bill. The UK Government has also undermined protection for workers with cuts to the Criminal Injury Compensation scheme.

ENDS

Note for editors:
The UNISON Scotland Survey of Violence at Work 2012 is online here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/safety/ViolenceAtWorkSurveyOctober2013.pdf

The councils that couldn’t even collate the statistics are: Angus, Aberdeenshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire.

There is very clear guidance for councils on how to address this issue in Managing Occupational Violence in the Workplace (2010). NHS Scotland has similar PIN guidelines.

For further information please contact:
Dave Watson, UNISON Scottish Organiser, on 07958 122 409

Come and ask @scotgov to double funding for cycling and walking #wanttoseedouble

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland would like your help in asking the Scottish Government to double the active travel budget.

Join a lobby in Edinburgh on Wed 30 October at 1pm at St Andrew's House. Come on foot, or bring your bike if you can.

Full details on the SCCS website where you can also email your MSPs. Please do come on 30 October, but make sure you email MSPs also, and particularly if you can't come.

Climate change is an urgent health and safety issue for the planet. More funds to support cycling and walking is a win win policy - good for our health and good for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport accounts for a quarter of Scotland’s climate change emissions. This needs to reduce urgently and decisively if Scotland is to play its fair part in tackling global climate change.

Join us at 1pm to send a clear message to the Scottish Government that a low carbon country needs a low carbon transport system...and We Want to See Double!

On Facebook? Let SCCS know you're coming along via: www.facebook.com/events/373113696152444

Pig abscesses to be minced into sausages and pies

The European Parliament has rejected their own Health Committee recommendation and voted to change the regulation on the inspection of pigs in slaughterhouses. The changes will mean abscesses are minced into food.

BEUC the European Consumers association, the European Animal Welfare organisation and the European Veterinarian Federation all oppose the Commission proposals.

This decision removes the requirement for independent meat inspectors to cut lymph nodes in the pig’s head and states that during routine inspection the pig carcase should not be touched. Making it impossible to inspect all of the pig meat, especially if the carcase is not cut into two halves before inspection. A trial carried out earlier this year showed that the changes led to a 50% increase in undetected dangerous contamination with pig faeces.

Most meat from pig’s heads is minced into meat products, sausages, pies etc. Last year in the UK 37,000 abscesses were found in pigs heads alone. The Commission changes will lead to most of this diseased meat not being detected during meat inspection and so minced into food.

UNISON members step up strike action over ‘savage cuts’ by Stirling Council

UNISON members within Stirling Council are set to step up industrial action after talks with the council’s Chief Executive presented a ‘re-hash’ of the original proposals for savage cuts.

UNISON Stirling Council branch believes that this package of cuts proposed by the council will damage the vital services which local people rely on - and further reduce wages which have already been devalued by 13% over the last three years as a result of a pay freeze.

David O'Connor, Regional Organiser for UNISON said: “We were asked to meet the Chief Executive with a view of considering how we resolve the ongoing dispute only to be presented with a re-hash of the original proposals for savage cuts. The trade unions tabled suggestions on how we could move forward only to have these suggestions ignored.

“With what can only be described as an unwillingness on the employer’s part to enter into meaningful talks to resolve this dispute we have been left with no alternative to step up our action.”

Edinburgh World Justice Festival will be launched by Denis Goldberg on Saturday 12 October

The Edinburgh World Justice Festival, supported by UNISON Scotland, will be launched by Denis Goldberg on Saturday 12 October.

The EWJF press release is copied below below for your information. Please also visit www.ewjf.org.uk

Edinburgh World  Justice Festivalc/o Jubilee Scotland, 41 George IV Bridge  Edinburgh, EH1 1EL   

Press Notice
5 October 2013
Denis Goldberg, colleague of Nelson Mandela, to open Edinburgh World Justice Festival
‘World Justice and Austerity’ on Saturday 12 October kicks of unique programme of 21 events
Edinburgh World Justice Festival Committee is delighted to announce that Denis Goldberg, a comrade of Nelson Mandela during the South African struggle against apartheid, is coming to Edinburgh to launch the seventh Edinburgh World Justice Festival.  The Festival presents a window on to the world justice movement through a two week series of talks, fims, concerts, workshops, a walking tours and many other events.

Meals for school children and hospital patients must be protected from looming cuts

The quality of meals for school children and hospital patients must be protected from further public spending cuts, UNISON said today.

The public services union warned that public service catering standards are under pressure as ‘austerity’ cuts bite, with more deep cuts on the way.

A survey of UNISON members working in catering found that 93% reported cuts to their service. Half said these were severe or major and they expect further major or severe cuts in the next couple of years.

Lilian Macer, Convener of UNISON Scotland, said: “There are many excellent examples of great work on making school meals and hospital food fresh, healthy and sustainable. That is good news for learning in school, for improving health generally and for climate change targets.

Enter the UNISON Scotland Communications Awards

Don’t be too modest! Not only is this competition a good opportunity to give you and your branch some well-deserved recognition for the excellent work you do, but it will also help us build a stronger union by sharing best practice, your innovative ideas and your enthusiasm.

Enter now! Click here for an Application Form in Word format, complete it and email it with any relevant attachments to unisonscotlandcomms@gmail.com
...or print out and send to:
UNISON Scotland, UNISON House, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow, G2 6RX (Please mark envelope with Scottish Communications Awards 2013 in top right hand corner.)

Closing date: Friday 1 November 2013

Awards will be presented at Scottish Council on Saturday 7 December.
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/comms/competition/index.html

Reduce transport emissions, deliver climate justice - Email your MSPs

@scccoalition Scotland campaign.

UNISON Scotland is part of the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition which is campaigning this autumn for the Scottish Government to double its active travel budget.

 

Please use this easy link on the SCCS website here to email your MSPs.

 

You can let them know that cycling and walking is a win win policy, because it is good for our health and good for the planet.

 

Scotland joins biggest ever Manchester rally

#NHS299 Scottish branches are among the tens of thousands marching through Manchester today to save our NHS. Police estimates at the moment put the marchers at 50,000 with more still arriving. Some reports say it is the biggest demo Manchester has seen in recent times.

At one stage the UNISON Scotland banner was proudly at the front until the poles broke again. Questions are being asked as to whether banner bearer extraordinaire Stephen Low knows his own strength!

UNISON Scotland convener Lilian Macer addressed demonstrators at the start of the march which included delegations from Glasgow Clyde and CVS, Clackmannashire, Highland, and Edinburgh.

Stirling strike photos

Photos from the latest selective actions, support from Mark Thomas and the all-out day on 26 August are now in Picasa at https://plus.google.com/photos/117247006402711752943/albums/5928317506827002673
See also a short video at http://youtu.be/LSFcUqIrwBI

 

UNISON members in Inverclyde enjoy success in term-time dispute

#JoinUNISON

 

Around 400 UNISON members based in Inverclyde Schools and Nurseries will receive compensation following an agreement between UNISON and Inverclyde Council to change their pay calculator.

At a meeting of the Council’s Policy & Resources committee yesterday, Councillors agreed to the introduction of a new term-time pay calculator from 1^st January next year.

This brings to an end a long-running dispute between UNISON and the Council on the issue of term-time pay. UNISON has said that they are satisfied with the decision reached by Councillors and look forward to their members receiving a just settlement.

Unions, churches and charities urge Scot Gov to deliver on free school meals

UNISON today joined the STUC, churches and charities in urging the Scottish Government to deliver on its free school meals policy.

The call follows Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's announcement last week of free school meals for children in P1-P3 in England from September 2014.

UNISON Scotland has long campaigned for universal free school meals and is disappointed that the Scottish Government has not delivered on its commitment to provide a free healthy lunch to all pupils in P1-P3.

At a time when child poverty is predicted to increase significantly, food bank use is soaring and family budgets are hit by falling incomes and rising food and energy bills, free school meals are more important than ever.

UNISON Scotland and North West join for international seminar

Delegates from Scotland and the North West met in Glasgow yesterday for a an inspiring joint international seminar. They heard the optimism of young Cuban trade unionists, the ongoing struggle against the continuing human disaster of Bhopal, and the human cost of the sweatshops that make our clothes. But most of all they heard what to do about it.
    The attacks on us are international so the response has to be international. Exploitative companies are international. Repressive politics are international. The ‘big lie’ and austerity are international. As Walton Pantland from Union Solidarity International put it: ‘it’s a robbery not a recession’.

Mark Thomas backs Stirling strikers

Comedian and activist Mark Thomas joined Stirling UNISON pickets on Wednesday between gigs in Stirling and Aberdeen.  He was backing members in ICT on strike as part of the escalating action against cuts in pay and conditions. See also Stirling unions come together to defend services and standards.

Higher Education Pay Ballot Starts 18 September

UNISON members in higher education are being balloted for strike action over pay. UNISON’s higher education service group executive is urging members to vote for strike action in the autumn, seeking a significant improvement on the 1% pay offer. More details on the UK UNISON site at http://www.unison.org.uk/at-work/education-services/key-issues/higher-education-pay-ballot-2013/home/

Stirling steps up action as ICT strike

UNISON members in Stirling Council's ICT Infrastructure team embarked on the first of five days of action today as the branch stepped up action against cuts in pay and conditions. This is the first phase of selective action that follows the one day all out strike action on Monday 26 August. See also Stirling unions come together to defend services and standards.

STIRLING COUNCIL UNIONS COME TOGETHER TO DEFEND SERVICES & STANDARDS

Unions at Stirling Council have pledged to work together to defend services and working conditions.

This follows meetings involving Unite, GMB, UNISON and UCATT.

UNISON and Unite members have already taken industrial action and there will be further selective Industrial action on Monday 16/09. Recent ballots by UCATT and GMB members returned strong mandates for industrial action

Lesley Russell Secretary for the Local Authority’s Joint Trade Unions said:

“ It’s clear that all sections of the Council workforce are angry at the attempt to impose pay cuts on staff who are trying to maintain services and already suffering the effects of a three year pay freeze
UNISON and Unite members have already taken action and unless the council returns to the negotiating table there will be further action coordinated with UCATT, Unite and the GMB. Although the teaching unions are not part of this dispute, they have expressed their full support for their union colleagues.”

“We urge the council to talk to us - our members would rather be at work delivering the services the people of Stirling rely on.”

“ This isn’t just an issue about Council Staff . While In the short term we are trying to defend ourselves and our families but it is foolish to imagine that steadily making the people delivering the services poorer won’t have an impact on the quality of the services delivered.”


For further information please contact:
Lesley Russell 07717544968
Emma Phillips 07538101221

UNISON welcomes publication of Procurement Bill

UNISON, Scotland's largest public sector union has welcomed the Procurement Bill being sent to parliament. UNISON has long campaigned for public procurement to be used more effectively to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of local communities.

UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said:

“UNISON welcomes assurances from the First Minister that the Bill includes new powers to tackle companies that do not comply with their legal obligations, including blacklisting and employment law. However, the Bill will need to go much further in tackling abuses such as tax dodging and poor employment standards such as the race to the bottom in care quality. Procurement should also be used to promote the Scottish Living Wage, fair trade and help achieve Scotland’s climate change targets.”


For further information please contact:
Dave Watson: d.watson@unison.co.uk Tel. 07958 122409


Notes for editors

UNISON Scotland’s submission to the consultation on the Procurement Bill can be viewed here:
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/ProcurementReformBill_Response_Nov2012.pdf

UNISON comment on Scottish Government pay policy

Wed 11 Sep 2013

Mike Kirby, Scottish Secretary of UNISON the largest union in Scottish public services said:

"Mr Swinney says that he will address low pay in the public services, however he reproduces the 1% set by Westminster and has no powers of implementation or enforcement over large sectors  of the public services to ensure a weighting to low paid.

“Government is about  choice and John Swinney has chosen to maintain ‘the most generous system of business rates relief anywhere in the UK’ while the vast bulk of those working in our vital public services will see their wages lose value.

“Mr Swinney makes great play of supporting a Living Wage  - let’s hope he delivers on that pledge when he publishes his Bill on public sector procurement.”


ends

UNISON supporting Take One Action! Film Festival

UNISON is once again supporting the Take One Action! Film Festival which runs from 27th September until 12th October.

Take One Action – Scotland’s global change film festival - spotlights stories that connect us across the planet: from the Occupy movement to climate change, women’s global empowerment, fracking, international development and more.

The full festival programme can be found at: www.takeoneaction.org.uk/events/festival/ .

Although the festival is focused on Edinburgh and Glasgow, we are bringing screenings to Dundee and Inverness and in the spring of next year a selection of films from the festival will tour Scotland. Please circulate this information to your contacts.

Health and care integration delivered by people not robots

UNISON, Scotland's largest public sector union will today argue that if health and care integration is to succeed, it needs to focus more on the people who deliver care than simply structures.

Scottish Government plans for health and care integration are set out in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) Bill that is shortly to be considered by the Scottish Parliament. UNISON Scotland has argued that the Bill gives ministers massive powers to intervene in local democracy, but gives little consideration to staffing issues.

Speaking at the Holyrood health and care integration conference, UNISON Scottish Organiser, Dave Watson will say: "Health and care is delivered by people, not robots. The Bill and the prior consultation process only gives the staffing aspects of care integration a passing mention. Given the history of health and care integration, with its many initiatives, staff are entitled to be cynical about another shift of the managerial deckchairs without being sidelined.”

Dave Watson will argue that national and local workforce strategies are required, he will say: “International studies show that tackling people issues are the key to delivering integration. Addressing organisational culture, relationships, respecting professional identity, training and staff engagement have been shown time and time again to be what works. In Scotland, we persist in trying to reinvent the wheel while we muddle through these issues.”

UNISON has set out the key elements of a workforce strategy in its submissions on the Bill. They include practical issues such as staff transfer, pensions, workforce procedures, procurement, equality and a broader staff governance framework.

For further information please contact:
Dave Watson: d.watson@unison.co.uk Tel. 07958 122409

Notes for editors UNISON Scotland evidence to the Health Committee sets out these issues in more detail. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/PublicBodiesJointWorkingBill_evidencetoHealth+SportCttee_Aug2013.pdf Our concise briefing on the Bill at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/briefings/b037_BargainingBrief_IntegrationOfHealth+SocialCare_Jun2013.pdf
International evidence to support our argument in SPICE briefing http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/53102.aspx

Dundee Together against Racism & Fascism - Saturday 14 Sept

Message from Dundee City UNISON:

Join us in celebrating our wonderfully diverse city and all its occupants at Dundee Together against Racism & Fascism  2013, Saturday 14th September 2013, from 11am in our City Square.

Dundee Together against Racism & Fascism brings together faith groups,  Trades Unions,  political parties and other community organisations, in a peaceful and inclusive celebration of the diversity of Dundee on Saturday 14th September 2013 in our City Square.  Bringing local families and members of the community together to enjoy music,  food, dance, art and discussion from a wide variety of cultural influences prevalent in contemporary Dundee.

IT workers at Stirling Council to strike next week in ongoing dispute

UNISON local government workers in Stirling will start selective strike action on Monday (16 Sept) as part of the branch’s ongoing industrial action against draconian cuts to pay and conditions.

UNISON has given notice to Stirling Council of selective action involving a group of IT workers. This will start on Monday for one week.

This is the first phase of selective action that follows the one day all out strike action on Monday 26 August.

Bin the Bedroom Tax and ScrapTrident Demos at Lib Dem Conference in Glasgow

#BedroomTax #ScrapTrident
Two important rallies are taking place in Glasgow on Saturday 14 Sept to protest to Liberal Democrats, in the city for their annual conference.

The STUC-supported rally against the bedroom tax has had arrangements changed after the Bin the Bedroom Tax Coalition were denied permission for the planned march from Glasgow Green.

The main event will now be a rally and lobby, with banners and placards, outside the conference at the SECC at 1pm on Saturday. Full details of this will be on the STUC website asap.

There will also be a brief rally at Glasgow Green at 11.30am on Saturday, for those who turn up there, as well as a range of other activities, including lobbying in the protest area at the SECC on Sunday and Monday during the conference week.

CND and Scottish CND are holding a rally on Saturday at the SECC from 11.30 - 12.30pm. Assemble outside the Clyde Auditorium from 11.15am.

Full details about their Time to Scrap Trident Rally are here.

The latest information about the range of Bin the Bedroom Tax Coalition protests will be updated asap on their website and on the STUC website .

UNISON Scotland gives evidence on Children's Bill

UNISON's John Stevenson gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Culture Committee on Tuesday 3 September on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill. The session discussed the general principles of the Bill.

John stressed that UNISON Scotland supported the idea of a named person and an integrated plan for every child in Scotland but queried whether the necessary resources would be available on the ground to deliver such a comprehensive service. Health, education and social work were already bogged down with reports, forms, assessments, etc. when more practical help would be needed. He raised the different interpretations of welfare (protection) v wellbeing, by different agencies and expressed concern that children's rights had been in some way downgraded, as rights of the parents were put first, more and more. He agreed with the committee that a children's rights impact assessment would be helpful.

He also raised UNISON's concerns re confidentiality of information and the child's right to privacy.

UNISON believed there would be additional resources needed for health staff, particularly health visitors who would be the named person for all children from birth to 5; and early years staff when the number of hours allocated to 3 and 4 year olds was increased to 600 hours per annum. The increase in social work services was at present unquantifiable, as it would depend on additional referrals arising from the new procedures.

He stressed the need to simplify the number of forms required for children, but not to oversimplify the information in a child's plan, so as to make the information meaningless, which was accepted by the Committee.

UNISON's evidence to the original consultation can be found here.

UNISON hits back at Stirling council claim of "voluntary" signup for pay cuts

Sunday 8 September 2013 

UNISON Stirling branch has hit back at a claim by the local authority that employees are voluntarily signing up for its draconian package of pay cuts and increases in working hours.

Striling Council chief executive Bob Jack told BBC Scotland that: "The number of staff who have voluntarily agreed to the changes is heading towards the halfway mark and we expect the numbers to increase rapidly now that Unison is calling on its members to sign up."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-24007009

UNISON branch secretary Lorraine Thomson said:

"For the record, there is nothing voluntary about having to sign up to keep your job. Our advice to our members is to sign up 'under duress' to avoid the risk of losing their jobs.

"The campaign will go on to fight these savage cuts to our pay and conditions and we will be announcing further action very soon."

UNISON urges members to lobby their MPs over new 'gagging law'

From May 2014, draconian new rules would prevent non-politicians from speaking up on the big issues of the day. UNISON is urging its members to read more about it and get in touch with their MPs through 38 Degrees website here

Read more on UNISON UK website

New FOI rights miss out most outsourced bodies - CFoIS

#FOI
UNISON Scotland today backed criticism of the Scottish Government that new increased Freedom of Information rights don't go nearly far enough.

The union backed the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS), which condemned a limited extension as "missing most outsourced bodies" that should be included.

Tomorrow (4 Sept), the Scottish Parliament Local Government & Regeneration Committee has on its agenda the Scottish Government's draft Order which brings local government leisure and cultural trusts under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

But the CFoIS wants MSPs to grill Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, when she comes before the Committee tomorrow, on when FOI will be extended to private prisons, PFI contractors, housing associations and other bodies providing public services.

Public Works blog

Public Works is our new blog bringing news and analysis on the delivery of public services in Scotland.

Public Works is an informal blog, press releases and other formal materials will continue to be posted here on the UNISON Scotland blog and on our website. Contributions should not be taken as formal statements of UNISON Scotland policy as it will cover areas where there is no settled UNISON policy or go into more detail. We want to avoid a dull corporate blog and instead promote ideas and discussion and disseminate news that might not be covered in the mainstream media.

We welcome contributions and comment.

http://publicworksscotland.blogspot.co.uk/

Huge support for Stirling strike against 4.5% pay cut

UNISON Stirling Branch is reporting huge support for its strike today against a 4.5% pay cut. "With council pay already falling 13% behind, means a whopping 17.5% hit on Stirling Council workers", said branch treasurer Andy Douglas reporting from the picket line earlier.

BBC Scotland: Stirling Council staff strike over pay

The council has proposed a 0.5% pay cut and an extra hour of work each week

Continue reading the main story

26 August 2013 Last updated at 09:50

 Staff at Stirling Council are staging a one-day strike in a row over pay and conditions.

The council has proposed a 0.5% pay cut across all pay grades and an additional hour of work per week.

Unison described it as a 1.5% pay cut after council staff across Scotland narrowly accepted a below-inflation 1% pay rise.

The council's chief executive Bob Jack said the union's decision to hold a strike was "regrettable".

However, Unison Stirling branch secretary James Douglas claimed the proposals were "by far the worst faced by any council in Scotland".

read more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-23840605

Morning Star: Stirling staff walk out after 'savage' attack on pay

Sunday 25 August 2013

Workers at Stirling Council are taking strike action tomorrow to protect pay and conditions from "savage cuts" by their employer.

Local government union Unison has called the one-day strike to bring council bosses back to the negotiating table - but warned of further action if necessary.

Other unions at Stirling Council including Unite, Ucatt and GMB have also voted for strike action.

Unison's Stirling branch secretary James Douglas told the Morning Star: "We hope that tomorrow's strike will send a clear message to Stirling Council and its management team that enough is enough."

He described the council's offer as "insulting," pointing out that the combination of a 1.5 per cent pay cut and the requirement to work an extra 7.5 days a year amounts to a 4.5 per cent pay cut for the majority.

This comes on top of a three-year pay freeze which has meant a real-terms pay cut of about 13 per cent, he added.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/136773 

Read the Morning Star online http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/

UNISON strike over ‘savage cuts’ by Stirling Council

Thursday 22 August 2013

Local government workers in Stirling will begin strike action on Monday (26 August) against ‘savage cuts’ being imposed by their employer.

UNISON Stirling Council branch believes that the package of cuts proposed by the council will damage the vital services which local people rely on - and further reduce wages which have already been devalued by 13% over the last three years as a result of a pay freeze.

Members of UNISON and other unions have voted to take industrial action beginning with a one day strike on Monday 26 August.

Branch secretary James Douglas said:
“We have been left with no option but to proceed with a strike due to the savage cuts proposed by our employer.

“The council’s offer is insulting - the combination of a 1.5% pay cut and the requirement to work an extra 7.5 days a year, actually amounts to a 4.5% pay cut for the majority. This comes on top of a three year pay freeze which has meant a real terms pay cut of about 13%. And the proposal to move to a 37 hour week also means a reduction in hourly rate of pay for all including the lowest paid.

“These proposals are by far the worst faced by any council in Scotland. But it was not local government workers or the people who rely on our services who caused the economic crisis - and we should not be forced to pay for it. We certainly do not appear to be ‘all in this together’.”

James Douglas said:
“We regret any disruption or inconvenience this strike may cause, but we feel we have no alternative than to take industrial action to protect our pay and conditions of service with Stirling Council. Unions did not walk away from the negotiating table – the employer did.

“We hope that a one day strike will send a clear message to both Stirling Council and its management team that enough is enough. We believe that this will force the council to think again. The changes to terms and conditions affect all of us, therefore we need to stand together and be prepared to fight for our rights.”

UNISON Stirling branch has also called on the Chief Executive and the leader of Stirling Council to withdraw letters of dismissal which have been issued, following a large number of complaints from members.

James Douglas said:
“Staff have said that they feel intimidated and bullied into signing new contracts, as they believe that the letter implies that they will lose their jobs if they don’t sign. We have referred the issue of letters of dismissal to our legal team for their view of the letter and any action that can be taken. I have asked that the letter be withdrawn and that a new letter giving the full legal position be sent out to all staff.”

Why we should worry about food safety

THIS summer our newspapers have been full of stories about healthy bread, sausages and the risk of sugary drinks, to name but a few. While healthy eating is important, UNISON Scotland's Dave Watson takes a closer look at what’s happening earlier in the food chain in this article in the Scotsman. http://www.scotsman.com/news/food-safety-must-come-ahead-of-profit-1-3048451

Unions prepare for industrial action at Stirling Council

Thursday 15 August 2013
For Immediate release
Unions prepare for industrial action at Stirling Council

UNISON Stirling Council Branch, along with the other trade unions at the local authority, are preparing for industrial action following a rejection of the Council's final proposals for "draconian" cuts in pay and conditions.

UNISON Branch secretary James Douglas said: "The Council met with us today but we are unclear why as they made it clear within a few minutes that they were not prepared to change anything." 

David O'Connor Regional Organiser for UNISON said:
"What the employer is effectively proposing is a 4.5% pay cut for the majority of employees.
"The Chief Executive's offer for staff to work the equivalent of an extra seven days to reduce the pay cut to 1.5% does not detract from the fact the proposed cuts are nothing less than draconian."

UNISON's Branch Chair Lesley Russell said:
"We are disappointed that there has been no further progress and it  would appear that the Council have no interest in resolving this matter and have paid lip service to the whole collective bargaining process."

James Douglas added:
"The negotiating team were called to a meeting earlier this week to set out our concerns. However it is clear that all of these have been ignored therefore UNISON has been left with no option but to formally notify the Council of its intent to take industrial action."


Note for Editor
Scottish local government workers have faced a pay freeze for the past three years, equivalent in real terms to a 13% pay cut .

Unemployment figures - UNISON reaction

Wed 14 August 2013

“Today’s small drop in unemployment rates masks the damaging growth of under-employment plaguing the country and stifling economic recovery”, warned Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON today.

Mr Prentis went on to say: “A toxic combination of a part-time, minimum wage, zero-hours working is spreading across the country, as decently paid, full-time opportunities become increasingly rare.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is seeking keen 'green' bloggers

Would you like to try using a different form of transport for six weeks and share your experience with others?

Stop Climate Chaos is looking for a small group of volunteers from around Scotland to take part in its Travelling Tales project, starting September 2013.

This will involve using a low carbon form of transport for 6 weeks and sharing your stories and experiences of this on our new blogging website.

Call to end 'draconian' ban on cig breaks for hospital staff

The Evening Times reported yesterday on UNISON complaints over the way NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is implementing new anti-smoking policy.

UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser Matt McLaughlin, lead organiser for nursing, warned health officials against taking a heavy handed approach.

Caroline Wilson's report says:

"HEALTH chiefs in Glasgow have been urged to abandon a "draconian and heavy-handed" policy which bans staff smoking on tea breaks.

Going to @PrideGlasgow? Come and see us on the UNISON Scotland stall

#JoinUNISON

UNISON Scotland is proud to be at Pride Glasgow tomorrow, Saturday 10 August.

Come and see us on the stall and find out how we stand up for you at work.

We are also longstanding supporters of Glasgay! so see you there too. It's the 20th Anniversary 9 Oct - 9 Nov.

Find out more at www.unison-scotland.org.uk/lgbt

Have your say on the Scottish same-sex marriage bill

A message from the Equality Network: We are emailing trade unions and similar organisations in Scotland to urge you please to have your say on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill which is now in the Scottish Parliament. Please let the Parliament know your views on the bill – details on how to do that are below. The deadline is 23rd August.

UNISON welcomes protective footwear court ruling

UNISON has welcomed a court judgment with wide implications for workers at a time of government attacks on health and safety.

Regional Organiser Mandy McDowall said employers must act following the decision that Cordia was at fault for not providing protective footwear to a home care worker.

She is quoted in reports in today's Herald and Evening Times newspapers on the Court of Session ruling.

Silent epidemic of discrimination against working mothers

UNISON is calling for “a cultural shift” to end discrimination against pregnant women and mothers returning to work.  The union, which has 1m women in membership, called it a disgrace that a new survey (see BBC report) has found that more than one in four mothers feel discriminated against.

This survey shows the slow rate of progress since 2005 when the Equal Opportunities Inquiry into Pregnancy Discrimination found that each year 45% of working women
experienced pregnancy discrimination.

Karen Jennings, Assistant General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“It is a disgrace that in 2013 women should still be missing out on promotion or treated as second class workers.

“This research shows that the Equality Act is failing working mothers as thousands of women continue to suffer in silence while bosses discriminate in the shadows.

“Many women feel pressured into returning to work before they are ready, to try and protect their position in the workplace.  This is a growing problem with employers targeting women returners for redundancy selection, despite the legislation.

“Unless there is a wholesale cultural shift across workplaces this silent epidemic is only going to get worse.  The introduction of tribunal fees is making it more difficult for women to challenge discrimination by employers, coupled with rampant cuts to employment rights.”

“UNISON is continuing its case for a Judicial Review into fees for employment tribunals and has also vowed to cover the cost for its members.”

ENDS


See this news release on the UK website

See The Happy Lands at the Festival of Politics

Saturday 24 August 2013, 17.00 - 19.30: News from the Festival of Politics: "The Happy Lands is a unique film focussing on Fife’s mining communities around the time of the great strike in 1926.

"It maps the events that many say laid the foundation of Scotland’s identification with socialism and internationalism and asks the questions that many Scots feel aren’t being asked within the current Yes/No campaign.

"Join us for a screening of this groundbreaking film, followed by a discussion and debate that will explore notions of identity and community. Does legacy inform our identity and shape our communities, and how important are identity and community as we head towards the referendum?"

UNISON members' Blackpool trip - union support in good times as well as bad

#JoinUNISON

Members from UNISON Scotland's branch at the State Hospital, Carstairs, have just enjoyed a day trip to Blackpool.

Lots of members' children took part in the fun day out which they said was roller coaster fantastic.

A branch spokesperson said: "The weather was unbelievably good, with bright sunshine all day.

"Our branch gave each child a £20 gift to help with the cost and I think all the children had a great time.

"But the main thing about our day out is the fact that our union is not just about the bad times, dealing with problems at work, grievances and so on.

"It's about being united as a group of people who just want what is right, fair and equal for one another.

"This is a great union, not just in the bad times, but in the fun times too."

The branch gave a vote of thanks to Tom, who made all the arrangements.

UNISON Scotland – why we’re answering the call for our NHS

#NHS999

The Tories are attacking our NHS too ...

David Cameron and George Osborne might not run NHS Scotland, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t attacking it. We must fight to save it.

Devolution means they can’t run down and privatise our NHS directly, the way they are doing in England. But what they can do is starve it of resources. They are cutting back on the money provided to the Scottish Government and this puts the health budget under pressure.

Scots councils urged to ditch ‘care on the cheap’ 15 minute home visits

UNISON Scotland today hit out at Scottish councils over commissioning 15 minute home care visits to elderly and vulnerable people.

A Freedom of Information request shows that 28 Scottish councils commission such short visits.

UNISON wants the UK and Scottish governments to ban 15 minute care slots and is urging councils to sign up to the union’s Ethical  Home Care Charter.

Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said: “Austerity cuts are piling pressure onto an overstretched system but it is entirely wrong that in a supposedly civilised society councils are commissioning 15 minute home care appointments.

“Any member of the public can understand that 15 minutes is not enough to provide even the most basic care, let alone to very frail clients. People with dementia also find the rush of such short visits particularly distressing.

UNISON challenges supermarkets to support safe meat hygiene inspection

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, today called on the country’s biggest supermarkets to back its campaign to guarantee that the meat they sell is safe to eat and their products labelled correctly.  

The union is contacting Britain’s biggest supermarkets urging them to oppose plans by the EU to drastically cut the meat inspection regime.  

Meat hygiene inspectors are employed in abattoirs up and down the country and inspect every carcass for signs of TB, dog and human parasites, foot and mouth and other diseases as well as faecal contamination. They are also responsible for ensuring that any contaminated meat does not get into the food chain via burgers or sausages.

A recent survey published by Mintel showed that less than half (49%) of consumers trusted the safety of their food and 37% disagreed that supermarkets were aware of the origin of their food. In addition independent research conducted for Labelling Matters shows that 83% of consumers in the UK want to know which farm system has been used to produce their meat and dairy products, and 79% said farm animal welfare was important when deciding which food products to buy.

Paul Bell, UNISON National Officer for Meat Hygiene Inspectors, said: “The reputation of some of the biggest supermarkets in the country has taken a real knocking because of the latest horse meat scandal.  It is in their own interests to reassure customers that they are doing all they can to make sure that the meat they sell is safe to eat..." 

Read more on the UNISON UK website.

STV & BBC reports on union opposition to new employment tribunal fees

#JoinUNISON
STV News at Six reported last night on union opposition to the introduction of employment tribunal fees.

Bernard Ponsonby's report  included interviews with UNISON Scotland Legal Officer Suzanne Craig and Jim McCourt of Inverclyde Advice & Employment Rights Centre.

Suzanne explained how the punitive fees will put people off taking claims to employment tribunals.

Watch the clip on STV Player (9mins 50s into the programme).

And the BBC reported on UNISON winning the right to challenge the fees. The judicial review will take place in October.

UNISON members won't have to pay, as we said here.

UNISON WINS JUDICIAL REVIEW HEARING INTO TRIBUNAL FEES

#JoinUNISON (remember union members won't have to pay)

UNISON UK news release...

“The timing could not be more critical, but today we are one step closer to justice for workers” said UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis. The comments come in the wake of a ruling by the Royal Courts of Justice that the union has permission for a Judicial Review hearing, over the introduction of fees for claims in Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunals, is to go ahead in October.

Dave Prentis went on to say:

“I am pleased that UNISON has been successful in getting permission for a Judicial Review hearing.  The introduction of punitive fees for taking a claim to an employment tribunal, would give the green light to unscrupulous employers to ride roughshod over already basic workers’ rights.

“The Government should not put a price on justice.  It is disappointing that in the interim fees will still be paid, but we will be making a strong case for a Judicial Review in October because we believe that these fees are unfair and should be dropped.”

Dispute over pay at Citizens Advice Direct goes to ACAS

#JoinUNISON

UNISON is tomorrow (Wednesday) taking a dispute over pay cuts of up to 6% at the Citizens Advice telephone service to ACAS.

The Scottish telephone and web based advice service Citizens Advice Direct (CAD) wants to withdraw its current contribution based pay scheme under which staff who achieve targets can earn a pay rise of up to 6% annually.

In a consultative ballot, 100% of UNISON members rejected the latest changes to staff terms and conditions. They are angry that eligible staff would lose out significantly this year and in the future.

Deborah Dyer, Regional Organiser, said in advance of tomorrow’s talks at ACAS in Glasgow: “Our members have worked very hard but are being told they won’t be paid the rise they are due, which would be added to their salary for future years too.

Access All Areas in Scotland - UNISON Scotland's Disabled Members Newsletter

Read the first issue of Access All Areas in Scotland. This issue covers National Delegate Conference, report on meeting with Independent Living in Scotland's Pam Duncan, upcoming conferences and events, Mobilise13 and progress on developing new website. Click here for a pdf on the Disabled Members' website.
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/disabled/index.html

UNISON Personal Assistants Project launched in South Lanarkshire

#JoinUNISON
Union project offers personal assistants (PAs) and support workers training and employment rights advice

The public services union UNISON's new PAs project has launched in South Lanarkshire.

It offers networking, advice and support to personal assistants (PAs) and Support Workers who work for disabled and elderly clients.

PAs are being invited to a series of meetings in July and August around South Lanarkshire to find out more.

Nelson Mandela International Day 18 July - ACTSA Scotland Book Appeal

The United Nations has designated Nelson Mandela’s birthday every 18th July as Nelson Mandela International Day, when people throughout the world are encouraged to give 67 minutes of voluntary service to the community in whatever way they choose, to help change the world for the better.
 

On that date this year ACTSA Scotland (Action for Southern Africa) is asking people to use their 67 minutes to sort out and bring us children’s books to be sent to school libraries in Nelson Mandela’s home Province of Eastern Cape, with which Scotland has a particular link.

 

What are needed are children’s books of all kinds, in English, to encourage reading for fun. This helps to develop fluency in reading English which is vital for all parts of the children’s education. (Their mother tongue is mainly Xhosa, but education is mostly in English).

UNEMPLOYMENT – UNISON & STUC RESPONSES

Commenting on the unemployment figures, which show that long-term unemployment has reached a 17-year high, Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:

“Every job lost is a personal tragedy and the government has to do more to tackle the persistent jobs crisis.

"Stopping the slew of job losses from the public sector and giving Britain a pay rise to get people spending is what our economy needs to recover.”

ENDS
 

Regional unemployment between March and May

Local Government Pay Ballot Helpline Number

#YestoFairPay

 

PAY BALLOT HELPLINE NUMBER  -   UNISON Direct 0845 355 0845.

The UNISON Direct number above can deal with enquiries regarding members who have not received/need replacement ballot papers.

This number will be available between 10 July and 12 noon on 7 August. No ballot papers will be sent out after this period. We have been advised that it will take up to 3 working days for replacement/other ballot papers to reach members.

(Details of the Yes to Fair Pay campaign are online at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/localgovt/pay2013/index.html )

Inflation up – Scotland’s local government workers deserve fair pay

#YestoFairPay

 

UNISON Scotland said today that inflation rising to 2.9% is grim news for hard pressed workers struggling to make ends meet.

The public services union is currently balloting members in local government on strike action to win an improvement on COSLA’s pay offer of just 1%.

Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said:

“Sustained high inflation, coupled with a prolonged pay freeze, then squeeze for millions of public sector workers across the UK, has hit families hard.

“Parents are cutting back on food, clothes, even on things for their children – they are being priced out of basic living. Meanwhile, it is still boom time for British bankers who are dominating the EU bankers’ rich list.

Social housing is key says UNISON - as Audit Scotland finds ‘failure to meet need’ for homes

Thu 11 July 2013

Housing services union UNISON has called for a massive investment in social housing to meet the shortfall of homes identified in a hard-hitting report out today.

The Audit Scotland report ‘Housing in Scotland’ finds that the “supply of housing is not meeting current levels of need”, and argues that welfare reform – otherwise known as benefit cuts - “will further increase pressure on the sector”. The report concludes that more funding sources are needed for new social housing to meet the massive shortfall in homes being built.

The Labour party and trade union link

Dave Prentis blogs: UNISON has always given its members the choice of opting in to its affiliated political fund, that gives them a say in the democratic processes of the Labour Party, or of opting in to the General Political Fund, independent of any political party. Our processes are democratic and transparent. UNISON has never operated the arrangement whereby we pay Labour Party membership fees for new members.

Scotland in UNISON July issue now online

Reports on Local Govt pay, Conference and Mobilise 2013

Click here for a PDF version on the UNISON Scotland Website

Chill winds blow on Further Education

The impact of cuts in Scotland's FE sector is highlighted by Dave Watson in the latest edition of Scottish Policy Now.

Dave argues that budget cuts and centralisation are the wrong approach for Scotland’s Further Education sector. A strong economy needs a skilled workforce and colleges are just as important as universities in delivering a fairer, more prosperous Scotland.

He also points to the recommendations of the Christie Commission that the Scottish Government claims to be implementing. That report called for bottom up design of public services - not centralisation.

For more on UNISON Scotland's concerns over the direction of FE policy visit our cuts campaign page.

Building homes for the future

Dave Watson has an opinion piece in the Scotsman today on UNISON Scotland's new housing policy.

He sets out the case for building and renovating homes for the 180,000 people on our housing waiting lists and the 60,000 in overcrowded homes. Yes, thats overcrowding, not something we hear much about since the introduction of the 'Bedroom Tax'.

What's different about the UNISON approach is that we set out how we might finance a new programme of house building using pension funds. Better than investing in tobacco companies.

A fairer and more prosperous Scotland needs better housing. Here is how to do it.

UNISON calls on councillors to back Fair Pay as strike ballot opens

Tue 2 July 2013

Local government union UNISON today (Tuesday) emailed Scotland’s councillors asking them to support Fair Pay for council workers.

UNISON is balloting members in local government on strike action to win an improvement on COSLA’s pay offer of 1%. The ballot opens tomorrow (Wednesday 3 July) and runs till 13 August.

Scottish Secretary Mike Kirby said: “We have asked every councillor in Scotland whether they think it is fair that their employees have been offered a miserly 1%, when the value of staff pay has fallen by more than 10% in the last three years.”

The email to councillors points out that there is money available to improve the offer. Indeed the Labour group in COSLA had proposed an offer of 2.5%. Although this was not carried, it shows they believe the money can be found.

Mike Kirby added: “The employers’ offer is the first in three years and in that period housing costs, domestic fuel and travel to work costs have risen considerably. Our members work hard delivering quality public services day in and day out. We believe they deserve fair pay and a commitment to annual rises in the Living Wage. That is why we are balloting on strike action to win a better pay offer than the miserly 1% which was offered and rejected.”

“We believe a better pay offer is affordable - and it would in fact benefit local economies in a big way as council workers spend more than half their wages locally.”