UNISON response to North Lanarkshire Council job cuts announcement

Thursday 22 October 2015

John Young, UNISON North Lanarkshire Council steward said,
“This is devastating for everyone living in North Lanarkshire and once again it is the low paid and vulnerable, including children, elderly and disabled people who will be the worst affected.  North Lanarkshire Council are proposing to cut 10% of the workforce which will cause chaos in our vital public services; £26m will be cut from the local economy; and at least 600 jobs are under threat of privatisation which we will oppose.

UNISON will work with the council to fight every job loss. The Scottish Government has promised no compulsory redundancies and at very least we will expect them to stick to that, so far we have not had any guarantees.

We understand it’s a difficult time and Scottish councils are being hit by the UK Government austerity and the Scottish Government’s council tax freeze. However they can do more to mitigate the impact of these cuts like borrow at record low interest rates, refinance, use reserves, reform taxation, and make better use of pension funds. 

UNISON will campaign to end austerity and increase funding from the Scottish Government and fight for all our members who are affected. We will be consulting our members in the next week or so and taking the campaign into communities to discuss the consequences of these cuts on people living in North Lanarkshire.’

Community led public services can transform inequalities, says report

Thursday 22 October 2015

UNISON Labour Link Media Release - Launch of Commission on Health Inequalities report will take place at 22 October, 9.00am UNISON Scotland, 14 West Campbell St., Glasgow

The report of the Commission on Health Inequalities for the Scottish Labour Party calls for national leadership and community hubs to tackle health inequalities.

The Commission for Health Inequalities set up by Labour’s then shadow health minister, Neil Findlay MSP, has published its report today (22 October 2015) calling on the Labour Party to adopt radical policies to tackle Scotland’s enduring policy failure of health inequalities. The commission report calls on Labour Party to adopt a transformative agenda if it wants to change political priorities of the Scottish Parliament on this issue.

The report aims to prioritise this agenda across government. It proposes a breadth of policies to tackle health inequalities in Scotland.

Key policy recommendations include building of community hubs, with local multi disciplinary teams that join up services in real localities and which would also serve as community meeting places, where communities are free to set their own agenda. They would include various public services based under the same roof including social work, housing, health and leisure services such as community cafes. With advice shops that offer amongst other things debt, welfare and income maximisation advice. (Para 3.6 of report). These are the type of services envisaged by Christie, who recommended services designed from the bottom up with citizens at their heart, with a high degree of professional autonomy for front line teams.

It recommends the adoption of a progressive universalism approach whereby important basic universal services are targetted and tailored in proportion to community needs.

And it recommends the introduction of health inequality impact assessments for every policy devised by public bodies in Scotland. In other words anything that the Government and every other body do must always take cognisance of its impact on health inequalities. This would ensure that the Scottish Government would take a cross portfolio approach. (para 3.3 in report)

Other policy recommendations include free childcare, an end to the council tax freeze, using the Scottish Parliament new welfare powers and using procurement to end low pay and poor employment practices
Dr David Conway, Chair of the Health Inequalities Commission said, “Health inequalities are the manifestation of inequalities in income, wealth, and power. They result in upto 30 years difference in life expectancy between those born in the richest and poorest neighbourhoods.

There have been many reports on Scottish health inequalities over the years. This commission report is different because it is firmly focussed on what we can and must do in Scotland to tackle this enduring problem. It is a national shame that we have some of the worst health inequalities in the developed world.  We need to debunk the myth that there are no devolved powers available to take on this huge challenge and get on and do something about it. The commission recommendations come from a wide consultation with experts working in communities, the health service, local government, and trade unions; as well as from community engagement events.

The testimonies we heard from people working heroically in their communities painted a graphic picture of the miserable reality of poverty and inequality and the inadequate policy and resources we put into tackling health inequalities in Scotland.

If we are ever going to solve this issue we are going to have to fundamentally change our political priorities and choices taken in the Scottish Parliament”

A full list of the policy recommendations are in the report, some are repeated in the notes below.

ENDS


Notes 
Commission on Health Inequalities Report  for the Labour Party in Scotland was commissioned by Neil Findlay MSP when he was shadow minister for health. It is supported by Socialist Health Association.
The document also calls for a range of policies to tackle low pay and poor working conditions including:

• Agency workers given parity with full-time employees.
• To use procurement to ensure better pay and conditions protection for workers including paying the workforce at least the living wage,  to incorporate the value of lost tax credits in peoples low pay, and to end zero hours contracts and blacklisting trade unionists.
•  Ensure the ‘Scottish Real Living Wage’ is paid in the Social Care sector.
•  Encourage collective bargaining processes.
• Ensure all Fair Work Convention recommendations are implemented.
• Establish a Scottish Health & Safety Executive.
• Raise the levels of Social Security payments to a level conducive to the minimum income for healthy living.
• Abolish the cruel sanctions regime.
• Review all employment and welfare policies devolved in the Scotland Bill and ensure that they are used to maximum potential to reduce health inequalities.

It also calls for Scottish Parliament to:

• Lift the council tax freeze. Reform the regressive Council Tax and consider options for fairer local taxation.
• Build a minimum of 10,000 new social houses each year. Transform the quality and quantity of social housing across Scotland.
• Introduce better regulation of private rented sector including effective rent controls and consider extending the Housing Quality Standards to the Private Sector.
• Provide free childcare at the point of use and extend breakfast clubs and free healthy meals to nursery schools.
• Ensure schools strive to develop social, emotional, health and wellbeing agendas as a foundation for learning.
• Reverse Cuts and boost spending at Further Education colleges.
• Tackle the Mental Health Crisis in Scotland - We strongly recommend that mental health services are prioritised and invested in as a matter of urgency
• Create national targets for reducing health inequalities.
• Create a Cross-portfolio Cabinet Secretary for Health Equity.

Scottish National Party conference

UNISON Scotland was at the SNP conference in Aberdeen this weekend, making the case for public services, fair pay and promoting the campaign against the Trade Union Bill.

There was an excellent turnout at our fringe meeting on fair work and poverty, held with our campaign partners CPAG Scotland and the Poverty Alliance. Hannah Bardell MP covered the impact of the Tories welfare cuts and tax credits in particular.

There was a lot of support from delegates for the campaign against the Trade Union Bill. The conference debate was kicked off by Chris Stephens MP, a long standing UNISON activist, followed by STUC General Secretary, Graham Smith. Roseanna Cunningham MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, confirmed that the Scottish government has made an official request for Scotland to be excluded from the UK government's bill.

Elsewhere on the conference fringe UNISON supported a packed fringe organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland calling for a low carbon Scotland by 2020.

 

UK unions must stand with their Turkish and Kurdish brothers and sisters at this time

Stephen Smellie reports on the issues behind the Turkish peace rally murders: The trade union confederations in Turkey, KESK and DISK, along with the Engineers and Architects Association and the Medical Association organised the demonstration and rally in Ankara on Saturday which was attacked by two bomb blasts which have resulted in the death of over 100 people with many hundreds more being injured. The demonstration was called under the slogan of ‘Labour for Peace.’

The progressive trade unions decided to call the demonstration in order to provide a focus point for all those in the country who are opposed to the policies of conflict promoted by the Turkish government of President Erdogan and the AKP (Peace and Development Party) and the increasing violence targeted mainly at the Kurdish community by state forces.

Scottish Green Party Conference

October is a busy month for political party conferences, starting this weekend in Glasgow with the Scottish Green Party. UNISON Scotland was there explaining the impact of austerity on public service workers and the services they deliver.

UNISON Scotland's new paper 'Combating Austerity' was popular with Scottish Green councillors struggling with the impact of austerity budgets.

We partnered with the Child Poverty Action Group and the Poverty Alliance for our Saturday fringe meeting on fair work and decent childhoods. UNISON Scotland Convenor, Lilian Macer explained the impact cuts to tax credits and changes to the minimum wage will have on working families in Scotland. She called for further action to reduce in-work poverty and fair employment.

Delegates voted to support a campaign of non-compliance in response to the Trade Union Bill, deeming the proposed bill as ‘an attack on workers’ rights’. Sarah Beattie-Smith, Scottish Green candidate for South of Scotland in Holyrood 2016, said:

“The Trade Union Bill is an atrocious attack on the most basic rights of workers, and the Scottish Greens will stand with unions to make sure that this legislation will have absolutely no foothold in our country."

STUC General Secretary, Graham Smith, reinforced this message in his address to conference on Sunday.

For some reason our 'squeak out' pigs were very popular on the stall. Any connection to recent political stories is purely coincidental!

 

New Scotland in UNISON now online

Holyrood and councils can combat austerity; Show your colours for Climate, Justice and Jobs; Fight ‘draconian’ anti union bill; Refugees welcome here international special; Council staff accept pay deal; Edinburgh beats privatisation; Fire and Rescue ballot; Gas job losses; End police cuts; Libraries need more than fine words and much more in this issue. http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/siu/index.html

Join UNISON Scotland Green Network supporting #scotclimatemarch 28 Nov

*Stop Press: Members interested in booking a subsidised place on a bus to Paris for 12 Dec demonstration should seek nomination through their branch. See below for details.

It’s time next month to join the global movement marching for a better future, demanding strong action from world leaders at the United Nations climate talks in December.

UNISON members are invited to a Green Network meeting in Glasgow on Sat 14 November to build support for the coming big demonstrations in Edinburgh and Paris, and to plan green workplace campaigns in 2016.

Our branches will be at Scotland’s Climate March , organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) in Edinburgh on Saturday 28 November and in Paris on Saturday 12 December to show our colours for climate, justice and jobs.

Trade union demands for the UN talks include ensuring the final deal contains plans for a Just Transition to a low carbon future. Latest on that here

Full details about the SCCS march are online at www.stopclimatechaos.org/march including posters and flyers and a supporters’ toolkit which includes full details of timing, after gathering at The Meadows at 12 noon. If you can help steward, please email SCCS through the link on the march web page.

It is one of many marches being held in cities around the world that weekend, including other UK ones in Cardiff on 28 and London and Belfast on 29 November.

The major international demonstration in Paris on Saturday 12 December, at the end of the talks, is being held to keep up the pressure on political leaders to prevent dangerous runaway climate change. It will mark the peak of two weeks of civil society actions, including trade union actions, around the talks. Friends of the Earth Scotland is running a bus. Details here.

UNISON Scotland may have a small number of fully subsidised bus places for members nominated by branches, if a funding bid is approved at the end of October. Branches interested in booking one of these, if they become available, should email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk asap with Paris Bus in the subject line. Please make sure your young members also know about this opportunity. A small number of young members are already booked to go from London as part of a UNISON young members International delegation.

The UNISON Scotland Green Network meeting in Glasgow is on Sat 14 November from 2-4pm in UNISON’s West Campbell Street office, following the International Committee meeting earlier. There will be contributions from Stephen Smellie, vice convener of UNISON Scotland, and Dave Watson, Head of Bargaining and Campaigns.

We are hoping lots of new members interested in campaigning for climate justice policies will come to the meeting or get in touch to be part of the Network. Email f.montgomery@unison.co.uk for more information and to sign up for Green Network email updates.

The Sat 28 November Edinburgh event will see people from all over Scotland come together to demand an agreement in Paris that cuts greenhouse gas emissions and helps the poorest countries adapt to the challenges they face caused by climate change. The family-friendly march will culminate with music, entertainment and speeches at the Ross Bandstand in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens.

It unfortunately and unavoidably clashes with the STUC annual St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally, which takes place this year in Glasgow on Sat 28 November. UNISON Scotland is a strong supporter of the STUC march. This year’s theme is No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here – a theme with many links to the impact of climate change. Branches are encouraged to be represented at both events.

(SPICe, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, has produced a briefing on the UN talks.)

'Ultimate market madness', UNISON's statement on privatisation Scottish Water services

Date: Tuesday 6 October 2015

Dave Watson, head of UNISON Scotland bargaining and campaigns, said: 
“UNISON is deeply disappointed that the contract for Scotland’s public sector water and wastewater services is to be awarded to a privatised utility.  In fairness, the Scottish Government had few options because the system of retail water competition is the ultimate in market madness. £350m will be paid to Anglian Water in Huntingdon, only for most of that money to be repaid to Scottish Water in wholesale charges. The cost of this crazy system is picked up by the taxpayer.”

“The claimed headline savings include water efficiency measures that should be undertaken anyway and is often included to spin out the alleged benefits of retail competition." 

“This procurement also highlights the importance of addressing tax dodging in procurement, an issue UNISON and other civil society organisations campaigned for during the passage of the Procurement Act. There should be pre-qualification disclosure of company taxation policies and public bodies should be able to evaluate a tender on the basis of which company pays tax or not. Assessment of bids could make use of the Fair Tax Mark."

‘We have always said that Scottish water should stay in Scotland in public hands it works, is good value for money and water customers support the corporation staying in public hands." 

ends

Notes

Corporate Watch report that Anglian paid £151 million to its private owners, but just £1 million in tax in 2012, after an operating profit of £363 million. It avoids millions in tax by routing profits through tax havens by way of taking on high-interest loans from their owners through the Channel Islands stock exchange.

Ten Asks: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/Procurement-10asks-regs+guidance_Apr2015.pdf

UNISON is the public sector union, the biggest union in Scotland. UNISON represents workers in Scottish Water and BusinessStream

Photos from Manchester demo online

Some photos of Scotland branches at the huge Manchester demo against austerity and the TU Bill on 4 October are now online. at https://picasaweb.google.com/
117247006402711752943/
ManchesterOctober42015?noredirect=1 More to follow.

TU Bill: CoSLA's pledge to defy and UNISON Scotland video

As we gear up to the Manchester Rally, UNISON Scotland has welcomed the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) announcement on 28 September: “Scotland’s Councils have come out in force today to stand shoulder to shoulder with their trade union colleagues against the UK Government’s Trade Union Bill.” Earlier Glasgow, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire councils voted not to co-operate with attacks on facility time or check-off (which enables union dues to be paid direct from wages). If your employer has made a similar statement let us know webmanager@unison-edinburgh.org.uk See UNISON Scotland's video explaining the dangers of the bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mty0Kz_42aM

Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland Opinion Survey - UNISON Statement

The release today (2 October) of the long awaited Staff Survey is a golden opportunity for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to genuinely engage with police support staff and for both organisations to genuinely commit to responding and acting on the findings of this staff survey.

The findings of the survey are not a surprise‎ to UNISON and the UNISON members who work in the service. The fact that over 50% of staff responded demonstrates the massive interest employees have in getting their opinions and voices heard.

George McIrvine, UNISON Police Staff Branch Secretary said: "UNISON has said for a long time that there are major issues that need addressing. The fact that only 9% of staff believe that genuine engagement will result from the survey is deeply concerning. ‎33% of staff indicating that they intended leaving the organisation is indicative of a workforce who feel neglected, undervalued and under stress. Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland must act on these outcomes."

Local govt members vote to accept two year pay offer

Over 88% of Scottish local government members voting in their pay ballot have accepted a two year offer with a new Living Wage deal. Staff will now get a 1.5% rise from 1 April 2015 and 1% from April 2016.

Importantly, the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.85 per hour will be put in place before the 1.5% rise, making it £7.97 an hour.

And in April 2016, the Living Wage will be increased to the recommended figure of the Living Wage Foundation, again before the 1% rise. There will also be talks on removing the pay points below the Living Wage level.

Negotiators succeeded in getting the initial offer of two years at 1.25% front-loaded to 1.5% in 2015 which is above inflation and slightly increases the value of the 1% in 2016. In August inflation was 0.0% on the Consumer Prices Index and 1.1% on the Retail Prices Index.

A full briefing will go out to UNISON branches tomorrow.

Staff morale at rock bottom in Scotland’s colleges, says UNISON

A UNISON report from a survey of staff in Scottish colleges, shows real problems caused by funding cuts, the college mergers programme and unaccountable college senior managers - and real concern amongst staff that education services for students are declining. The report Learning the Hard Way is published today (25 September 2015)

Its findings include: over 6 in 10 staff (64%) think college services have declined; 7 in 10 (69%) blame the Scottish Government’s merger policy; the vast majority of staff (77%) are extremely doubtful that services will improve within the next year; most staff (72%) are dissatisfied with opportunities for their own advancement; 9 in 10 (90%) staff believe Scottish colleges are underfunded.

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

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

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

Scottish public bodies must mitigate austerity, says UNISON

Date: Wednesday 23 September 2015

UNISON Scotland is launching a campaign today (23 September 2015) calling on the Scottish Government, local authorities and public bodies to do all they can to mitigate UK government austerity.

The public services trade union is calling for a range of financial and industrial policies to create investment in Scottish infrastructure, green energy production and jobs.

With interest rates at an all time low, it is cheaper to buy out or refinance PPP / PFI contracts saving up to £12bn; pension funds could be a source of badly needed investment for infrastructure, we need a political consensus on reform of local taxation; and councils should collaborate in using bonds as a means of financing borrowing rather than routinely using the Public Works Loan Board.

Dave Watson, head of UNISON Scotland bargaining and campaigns, said ‘We are expecting a further £2bn of cuts to local public services across Scotland. We could save £2bn by refinancing PFI / PPP projects. Every sensible measure that government and public authorities take will reduce damage to vital public services and protects jobs. And some councils are already using pension funds to invest in affordable housing, but we need to do this on a national scale.'

Dave Watson continued: 
‘Scottish local government has already seen over 40,000 job losses and many more jobs have been lost in the NHS, police, community and voluntary sector. Of course UNISON is joining with the STUC and others to campaign against austerity, however we are ready to work with Scottish Government and public authorities to do all we can to mitigate against the worst effects of these cuts’

The report is launched today

END

Notes

• UNISON is Scotland’s public services union, and it is the biggest trade union in Scotland
• The full report can be read here:http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/CombatingAusterity_Sep2015.pdf

Free tickets to @TakeOneAction Film Festival for UNISON members

The excellent Take One Action Film Festival starts today. And there are free tickets for 50 UNISON members.

As part of its continued support for Take One Action, the UK's premier global justice film festival, UNISON is this year offering free tickets to selected screenings - but HURRY: this offer is limited to the first 50 members. Bookings must be made by Friday 18 September.

Take One Action celebrates the people and the movies that are changing the world - go see the change you want to be!

​Food Chains

A portrait of courage and determination, documenting the migrant farm labourers fight for a fair wage in South Florida.
Glasgow - GFT - Sat 19 Sept - 15:15

Edinburgh Filmhouse - Tues 22 Sept - 18:00​Life Is Sacred

Insightful look at Colombian politics and the youth movements that emerged in the post-2010 presidential elections.

Edinburgh Filmhouse - Tues 22 Sept - 18:00

Glasgow CCA - Mon 21 Sept - 19:30
​Stories of Our Lives

Moving fiction portraits of real-life experiences of LGBT individuals in Kenya, brought to the screen by an intrepid artists' collective.

Glasgow screening only - CCA - Sun 20 Sept - 18:00

Full Festival programme available via takeoneaction.org.uk/event/take-one-action-film-festival

HOW TO BOOK:

email info@takeoneaction.org.uk by 12:00noon on Friday 18 September stating

• your name
• your membership number
• the title and date of the screening you wish to attend
• whether you require 1 or 2 tickets

Terms & Conditions

Offer available to UNISON members only - not transferable.
Tickets are limited to 2 per member, per screening.
Tickets must be booked by email (tickets@takeonaction.org.uk) by 12noon Fri 18 Sept.
Tickets will be available for collection from the venue's box office 30min before the start of a screening and must be collected minimum 15min before the screening starts. Any tickets not collected within this time frame may be reallocated.

Please note there are NO ADVERTS for any of the screenings and events will start at the advertised time.

Colleagues, friends and family can join UNISON by visiting joinunison.org or calling 0800 0 857 857.

Enjoy the movie!

.

New Scottish website to support refugees

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

Corbyn has strong mandate to opppose cuts says UNISON Scotland convener

#TUC15 Speaking at the TUC congress in Brighton, Lilian Macer, Convener of UNISON Scotland, said: "We are delighted that Labour Party has elected a leader who is strongly opposed to austerity. UK Government cuts are hitting people and their public services hard in Scotland, just as they are right across the UK.

"UNISON members can see the damage that austerity is doing first hand. With job losses, pay freezes and cuts to services. Jeremy Corbyn has been given a strong mandate to oppose the UK government cuts and set out a real positive alternative."

End the cuts and rethink Scottish policing, says UNISON

Date: Thursday 10 September 2015 UNISON Scotland police staff will call for the suspension 'all cuts and reforms while we re-think Scottish policing' at a public meeting in Dundee tonight (Thursday, 10 Sept 2015, 7pm).  Shadow justice spokesperson Graeme Pearson MSP is travelling the country speaking to rank and file officers, civilian staff, community groups, victim support staff and others as part of Scottish Labour's wde-ranging Review of Policing which is being held over the next four weeks. Speaking ahead of the meeting, George McIrvine, branch secretary of UNISON police branch said: ‘Scottish Government is cutting Police Scotland too deep and too fast. They are cutting £1.1 billion from police budgets by 2026 while protecting police officers numbers. It’s police civilian staff like control room operators, crime analysts, and criminal justice staff who are losing their jobs.

Fine words and ideals no substitute for investment: UNISON inquiry into Scotland’s libraries

Tuesday 8 September 2015

UNISON, the trade union for Scotland’s library staff, has published a report 'Read It and Weep', which outlines the experience of those working in Scotland’s libraries. It raises the concerns and difficulties of staff who are simultaneously being expected to expand services while being in the front line of cuts. 

The report is based on qualitative research from UNISON members working across Scotland’s libraries. The frustration on the part of staff is clear. They are well aware that the services they provide are not as good as they could be and they highlight the impacts that cuts are making. Library services have been undergoing massive change in recent years yet staff numbers have been going down, buildings are closing and opening hours reduced 

Gray Allan, UNISON Falkirk council branch spokesperson (and a librarian), said “There is no shortage of people willing to say libraries are a good thing. But what our libraries need isn’t just fine words and ideals but proper financing and investment. The Scottish Government has endorsed a national strategy for public libraries that talks of libraries being part of a shared civic ambition.

"There isn’t much point in giving every child in Scotland a library card if their local library is being closed or its hours have reduced so much it isn’t accessible. 

" Staff are keen to see their service move forward but that isn’t happening.”

END

UNISON Contact • Danny Phillips, communications officer 0141 342 2877 / 077944 664 110

NotesUNISON Scotland is the public services trade union. We represent library staff across Scotland. UNISON is the biggest trade union in Scotland.
The full report can be read here: 
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/
ReadItandWeep_LibrariesStaffSurvey_Sep2015.pdf

Refugees welcome photos online

UNISON Scotland local government committee refugee welcome photos are now online. They can be downloaded through  www.unison-scotland.org.uk and clicking onto our Picasa site.


Kate Ramsden, UNISON member, shows her support

The power of these pictures is that these are the local government workers who will plan, organise, manage and deliver the services that refugees so badly need. The clear message is 'refugees are welcome and we stand ready to do our best'.

UNISON members are encouraged to use these photos for communications and campaigns work



UNISON members showing solidarity with refugees



UNISON Scotland Local Government Committee



UNISON Scotland local government members #refugeeswelcome

.

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

PDF leaflet to download and print

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Text of leaflet:

REFUGEE CRISIS

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

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

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

Refugees welcome here say UNISON delegates

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

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

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

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

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

Refugee Crisis in Europe - What you can do

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

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

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

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

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

Mike J Kirby
Scottish Secretary
UNISON

UNISON Statement on HMICS Independent Assurance Review Police Scotland - Call Handling Interim Report

Thu 3 September 2015

UNISON welcomes the findings of the HMICS Independent Assurance Review Police Scotland - Call Handling Interim Report. 

UNISON has fully engaged in this review and has encouraged police staff to participate as fully as they can. The review found that staff at all levels in the division are ‘strongly committed in often challenging circumstances to providing a good service to the public’. It states that they are ‘committed to doing a good job and demonstrating considerable flexibility in their working practices whilst endeavouring to meet call demand’.

UNISON welcome the strong recommendation that Police Scotland should 'consolidate and stabilise their staffing, systems, procedures and processes prior' to the final reforms of control centres taking place. This makes common sense and we hope Police Scotland, The Scottish Police Authority and The Cabinet Secretary for Justice will adopt. 

We also welcome the recommendation that should it be necessary to retain specific staff beyond 31 March 2016 any voluntary redundancy / early retirement offers should be honoured. 

UNISON repeatedly voiced our concerns about the speed of reform of police control rooms and service centres. Staff who work in this environment fear that the specific deadlines / timescales of the reforms being pushed through would be detrimental to the service they can provide to the public. At very least these reforms cannot continue without taking on the valid concerns of the staff

The proposed efficiency savings of £1.1 billion by 2026 are unachievable, the creation of Police Scotland and how it is structured will not provide 'best value' and the outdated manifesto pledge of maintaining 1000 extra police officers must be reviewed as it is damaging Scottish policing. 

George McIrvine, UNISON police branch secretary said, ‘after 3 years of continued savage cuts to Scottish policing, we have a real worry for the police force over the next 11 years if these cuts continue. We urge the Scottish Government to look at their political targets to artificially maintain 1000 extra police officers and they continue to force through £1.1bn of cuts to policing.

George McIrvine also said ‘we welcome the recommendation that service centres in Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness should be maintained and staffed appropriately, while the final part of the reform to Police Control Rooms and Service Centres are consolidated. We doubt that its possible to close so many of Scotland control centres in the timescales set out without detriment to the service police scotland provide. We call on the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government to adopt all measures in this interim review which go some way to safeguard and preserve the role of Police Staff within Police Scotland’

END 

NOTES
• UNISON represents police staff. We are the biggest trade union in Scotland
• Full copy of the HMICS Independent Assurance Review Police Scotland - Call Handling Interim Report can be read herehttp://www.hmics.org/sites/default/files/publications/
HMICS%20Independent%20Assurance%20Review%2C%20
Police%20Scotland%20Call%20Handling%20-%20
Interim%20Report.pdf

UNISON welcomes end of employment tribunal fees in Scotland

Wed 2 Sep 2015

UNISON has welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that it intends to abolish fees for employment tribunals in Scotland.

This announcement comes the week after UNISON vowed to go to the UK Supreme Court in its ongoing fight to appeal against the UK government's decision to introduce employment tribunal fees across the UK – after the Court of Appeal rejected UNISON’s case.

Mike Kirby, UNISON Scottish Secretary said: "The announcement to end tribunal fees in Scotland is hugely welcome. There is clear evidence that people at work are being priced out of justice, with women, disabled people  and the low-paid being disproportionately punished. This decision will ensure that people at work in Scotland will get a fair opportunity to have their case heard. This announcement goes a long way towards building more sensible industrial relations in Scotland and we welcome it."

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary said: "We urge the UK government to look at what is happening in Scotland to see that there is a better way. Workers across the UK who have been treated badly at work are being denied access to justice day after day, simply because they don't have the money to take a case. Now it seems that workers in Scotland are at least going to get a better deal. Our fight for fairness at work and access to justice for every person at work in the UK will continue until these unfair and punitive fees are scrapped right across the land."

ends

 

Notes to editors

Employment tribunal fees were introduced on 29 July 2013 by the UK government. UNISON has been fighting to have the fees abolished across UK.

Fees start at around £160 to issue a Type A claim (eg unlawful deduction of wages, breach of contract) and £250 for a Type B claim (eg unfair dismissal, discrimination claims), with a further hearing fee of £230 for Type A claims and £950 for Type B claims.

The Scottish government announced In 'A Stronger Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2015-16', that it intends to abolish employment tribunal fees once it gets the new powers it is promised. On page 3 of the document (p6 of the pdf file), the government states"...we will abolish fees for employment tribunals – ensuring that employees have a fair opportunity to have their case heard."

Timeline

29 July 2013: Introduction of employment tribunal fees for workers wishing to lodge a claim against an employer. Workers must also pay a further fee when the case is heard. Appeals at the employment appeal tribunal also attract a lodging (£400) and hearing fee.

29 July 2013: UNISON seeks permission in the High Court to bring Judicial Review proceedings.

October/November 2013: UNISON’s first claim is heard in the High Court.

December 2013: Following the introduction of fees, Ministry of Justice statistics for July-September 2013 show a 56 per cent drop in ET claims compared to the same period in the previous year https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

February 2014: UNISON’s challenge is unsuccessful. The High Court states that the claim brought by UNISON was premature and that new proceedings should be lodged if and when further evidence was available.

March 14: Ministry of Justice figures for October 2013-December 2013 show a 79 per cent drop in claims compared to the same period in the previous year https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

May 14: UNISON is granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

June 2014: Ministry of Justice figures for January to March 2014 show a 81 per cent drop in claims compared to the same period in the previous year 9https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics).

September 2014: Ministry of Justice figures for April to June 2014 show an 81 per cent drop in claims compared to the same period in the previous year (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics).

September 2014: Court of Appeal claim is stayed to allow a second High Court challenge.

October 2014: UNISON brings its second judicial review challenge against the Lord Chancellor over ET fees.

December 14: UNISON’s second challenge is unsuccessful despite 'the striking and very dramatic reduction in claims'.

April 2015: The Court of Appeal hears UNISON’s appeals in relation to both High Court claims.

26 August 2015: UNSION is unsuccessful at the Court of Appeal and an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court has been made.

Climate, Justice and Jobs – Sat 28 Nov Scotland’s Climate March

UNISON Scotland is showing our colours by supporting the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Climate March on Saturday 28 November.

On that weekend around the world, millions will be marching to put pressure on world leaders for an ambitious deal at the UN climate negotiations in Paris in December.

Scotland’s Climate March is in Edinburgh, with other marches taking place in Wales on 28 November and in London on Sunday 29 November.

SCCS member organisations are calling for Scotland to show its colours in Paris and beyond, with strong action on climate change.

The Edinburgh march theme is “show your colours for climate, justice and jobs.”  SCCS will announce further details soon. Watch this space.

There will be a mass demonstration in Paris at the end of the talks on Saturday 12 December.

UNISON Scotland is also a strong supporter of the STUC annual St Andrew’s Day Anti-Racism March and Rally, which takes place this year in Glasgow on Sat 28 November. Branches are encouraged to be represented at both events.

UNISON was one of a large group of organisations supporting a WWF Scotland initiative this week that saw Scotland’s party leaders sign up to a cross-party climate change agreement.

Industrial relations in Scotland and the Trade Union Bill

In today's Scotsman, UNISON's Dave Watson contrasts the industrial relations culture in Scotland with the latest Tory attack on trade unions in the Trade Union Bill.

He gives a short history of how this different culture has developed since devolution, particularly in the public sector - the main target of the Bill. He also makes the case for the type of workplace democracy the Tories want to undermine, he said:

"Good workplace democracy keeps inequality in check ensuring better pay equality between top and bottom and a better balance between shareholders and wage earners. It increases investment in training, skills development and research and development. And if trade unions reps and managers carry out joint health and safety checks it improves compliance, reduces accidents and improves the sustainability of an industry – with less need for government intervention.

Academic research backs this up. It shows the value of a constructive approach to industrial relations and in particular the role of union representatives. When focusing on NHS workplaces in particular, recent research showed that labour turnover was almost three times higher and the employment tribunal rate 14 times higher in NHS workplaces without union representatives compared with workplaces where representatives were present. Managers in NHS workplaces with union representatives present were more likely to report higher productivity, greater quality of services and "better" financial performance."

Importantly, this approach has had cross party support. Even Scottish Conservatives have a more constructive approach. He concluded:

"Successive Scottish Governments have been developing a positive industrial relations and fair work culture. This UK government wants to take us back a generation."