Auschwitz study tour: day 4

Today (Saturday) the delegation visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest death camp created by the NAZI Third Reich.

It was a very emotional experience for the delegates who visited the various blocks used for housing those held in the camp, including those used for women and children.

We also stood at the selection ramp, visited all 4 crematoria, soviet prisoners graves and other open graves, the Canada area (where the belongings of those arriving were sorted) and the Sauna Building (used for shaving the heads of those arriving, tattooing and disinfecting).

We held a memorial to Jane Haining, the only Scottish woman known to have been killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Jane's niece Deirdre led the family tribute outside Block 9 where Jane was held before her death. Jane wrote a letter two days prior to her death to a friend which read: "Even here on the way to heaven are mountains" referring to her beloved (Dunscore & Budapest).

We also marked International Workers Memorial Day with a candle-lit ceremony at Crematoria 4 led by branch health and safety officer Lorna Glover. Crematoria 4 was blown up by the Sonderkemando with gun powder smuggled in by four women who were subsequently caught and hanged in front of the camp later.

Auschwitz study tour: day 3

The delegation visited Auschwitz 1 (death camp) today (Friday) where we witnessed the recorded atrocities committed by the Nazi Third Reich. It was an emotional experience for those attending. We visited various blocks representing the various nations and categories of people selected for extermination. The group also visited crematoria one and the gas chamber before laying a wreath and individual flowers at the death wall commemorating those exterminated there for resistance, helping prisoners and other selfless acts.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we will mark international workers memorial day and commemorate Jane Haining with her niece Deirdre McDowell.

Auschwitz study tour: day 2

UNISON delegation are taking part in an Auschwitz study tour to raise awareness of the atrocities of the Holocaust and also to honour Jane Haining – the only Scottish woman known to have died in the concentration camp.


The tour – which will be undertaken by UNISON representatives from across Scotland – is part of the union’s ongoing work to educate members, and the wider community to ensure these events are never forgotten.


The delegation had a full day visiting important areas of significance in Krakow.

They started with a visit to one of the synagogues/Jewish cemeteries destroyed by Nazis and restored.

Then onto the ghetto square where the first deportations took place lasting two years followed by the pharmacy.


After visiting Schindlers Factory they walked through the remains of Plaszow Concentration Camp before a candle lit vigil the the monument for all people affected at the hands of fascism.

Today we leave you with some photographs which need no further explanation:

UNISON Auschwitz study tour

UNISON activists are embarking on a study tour to Auschwitz to raise awareness of the atrocities of the Holocaust and also to honour Jane Haining – the only Scottish woman known to have died in the concentration camp.

The tour – which will be undertaken by UNISON representatives from across Scotland – is part of the union’s ongoing work to educate members, and the wider community to ensure these events are never forgotten.

Mark Ferguson, branch secretary of UNISON Renfrewshire and a member of UNISON’s international committee, said:  "Today we begin learning about the atrocities of the holocaust visiting Schindlers Factory, Ghetto, Synagogue, Pharmacy, the square where many were gathered prior to being taken to the death camps and a candle vigil at Plaizstow Camp Memorial.

"Our guide Magda explained the very varied complicated political situation and governance of both Poland and Krakow. Krakow's architecture and arts were largely unaffected during the Nazis 3rd Reich occupation as the mainly gothic style of the city was admired by them. Other cities like Warsaw were completed destroyed."

The delegation visited market square, St Mary's Basilica, University and Wawel Castle (The Castle on the Hill).

The study group includes Jane Haining’s niece, Dierdre McDowall. During the study tour, a memorial service will be held in Birkenau, where Dierdre and her husband will take part in a wreath laying ceremony. The study tour also includes Lorraine Cameron, Renfrewshire Provost.

Those on the tour recently visited the community of Dunscore (near Dumfries, Scotland) and the newly opened heritage centre which commemorates Jane Haining and the community of Dunscore.

Mark Ferguson, branch secretary of UNISON Renfrewshire and a member of UNISON’s international committee, said: “Observing first-hand the atrocities that took place instils a responsibility on us all to ensure future generations do not repeat these murderous acts.

“We’re honoured to have representatives of Jane Haining’s family joining us and helping us to commemorate her selfless bravery. We must never forget that the Holocaust was a state programme designed to destroy particular groups and we must remember all those affected.

“This educational tour is part of UNISON’s ongoing work to educate activists and the wider community and to raise awareness of the disastrous consequences that can result from dehumanising a particular group and infringing their rights.”

Dierdre McDowell said: “I am full of awe at the prospect of visiting Auschwitz and seeing Block 9 where Jane Haining was held before her death.

“To be able to visit with a group who have connections with her work at Coats of Paisley and, who are helping keep her memory alive is amazing for us, her family.”

Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron – who is also going on the tour said: “Jane Haining worked in Paisley for over 10 years prior to her humanitarian work in Budapest. We know she was a valued employee and a valued member of the Paisley community, and it’s great to see her being remembered and celebrated.

“I am looking forward to meeting Jane’s niece, and hearing more about her and her work in the mission. It is very important that we remember, and talk about, the atrocities that took place during the Holocaust – and other world conflicts – so we can continue to engage and educate our young people and avoid horrors like this in the future.”

Jane Haining was born in Dunscore in 1897 and, after leaving Dumfries Academy, she worked for ten years at the JP Coats thread factory in Paisley. She went on to become a Church of Scotland missionary at the Scottish Mission School in Budapest during the 1930s and 1940s. When war broke out, despite advice from church officials, she repeatedly refused to return home saying the children needed her in the “days of darkness”. She was arrested by two Gestapo officers in 1944 and later died at the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp.

Local Government Pay – All you need to know.

UNISON (and other unions) submitted our pay claim in January for 2018-19.

WHAT WE ASKED FOR:

The claim was for a flat rate increase of £1500 or 6.5% - whichever was the greater ( based on a 37 hr week and applied after the Scottish Local Government t Living Wage rate has been updated), with a similar percentage increase in allowances.
We are also looking for a commitment to make up for the loss of earnings after years of below inflation rises over the next five years.
(The full details of the claim are here)

It took COSLA over two months to respond.

WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING

COSLA responded to the offer on 26th March proposing;
3% for everyone earning up to £36 500
(They propose raising Scottish Government Living Wage from £8.51per hour - £8.77 per hour. That will provide 3% for those getting that rate.)
2% for everyone earning £36 501- 80, 000
£1600 for those on £80k+
They propose increasing allowances by 3% (except First Aid which will be dealt with separately)

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING?

We 'noted' this offer. We also noted that while COSLA said this was a final offer they were writing to the Scottish government saying that if the government want to provide one lot of workers (there are four bargaining groups, ourselves, craft workers, teachers and Chief Officers) with a better settlement than anyone else. Then the government better come up with the cash to pay for it, COSLA for their part want to give everyone the same increase. (Something we’ve argued for years.)

So we decided we would write to the Scottish government too... asking them to give COSLA enough cash to give everyone a decent raise at the same rate. (The letter is here)...

WHAT NOW?

The joint unions have another meeting with COSLA on the 4th May. We’ll find out then if the Scottish Government are going to front up any more money to councils – but we’ll keep arguing for our claim.
Stay tuned.

Should having Liberal Democrats running the council mean workers suffer?

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have always been strong supporters of local government. That's why it is very disappointing that they have teamed up with the Tories in East Dunbartonshire to attack the wages, terms and conditions, and work life balance of council staff.




Doubly disappointing when they refused to even discuss the issues until threatened with a legal challenge. The Scottish Liberal Democrats can do much better than this.




Our leaflet and web site explains why this is bad for council staff and the services they deliver.