Act now! Still places on branch officer courses 22-24 April

There are still places on the courses for new branch officers being held in Glasgow from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 April.

The courses are aimed at newly elected officers or those who want to understand more about a particular role.

It may also be useful for those who have not done training for a while as most of the material has been revised and updated and they can share their experience with those who are new.

All the courses offer the opportunity to look at roles, responsibilities and best organisational practice for their appropriate post.

This is a great opportunity to get updated training but also to meet and network with UNISON activists across Scotland.

For more details see the course programmes at http://www.unison-scotland.org/learning/courses/. To apply

If you are interested in attending any of these courses please arrange for the booking form to be completed via your branch and then forward to activisteducationscotland@unison.co.uk or post to Activist Education (Scotland), UNISON, 53 Shore Street, Inverness, IV1 1NF as soon as possible:

Courses coming up in May

There is still availability in some UNISON courses coming up – ERA Refresher, Organising Stewards, Mental Health at Work and Writing and Editing Skills. If you are interested, see more here and contact your branch to apply.

ERA Refresher – Glasgow (residential) – 6 – 8 May 2016
This course is for any stewards/branch officers who have not undertaken any training in the last 5 years. It is not suitable for new and inexperienced reps. It updates participants on new developments in UNISON and relevant legal updates. Participants will reflect on their role as trade union activists and update their knowledge and skills on organising and representation.

UNISON launches childcare charter for West Dunbartonshire

Date: Monday 15 June 2015 UNISON has launched a positive 10 point Charter for Early Years services run by West Dunbartonshire Council. Staff feel the quality and value of their interaction with children is being diminished as to date there has been minimal engagement with the workforce or their union UNISON on how the expanded provision is delivered.   The Charter sets out basic principles about how the Council should work with staff to  implement the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase provision of 600 hours free nursery places for all 3 and 4 years olds, and the further expansion to some two year olds coming this August. This is time for a reset and for the council to adopt a genuine partnership approach with UNISON so that we can work together in the best interest of young children and families. Simon Macfarlane, UNISON Regional Organiser today said: "The increase in free childcare provision is a major step forward for young children and their families and UNISON believes this provision is best delivered by local authorities.

Lay tutors essential to challenge austerity myths

#uNDC14 Mandela said that education is the most important weapon that you can use to change the world, Scotland’s Stephen Smellie said, as conference set out a plan to take forward and encourage debate, discussion and education on the causes of austerity and broader political education.

Moving Scotland’s amendment, highlighting the excellent work of lay tutors’ involvement in our education programme in Scotland, Stephen said “Our most valuable resource is ourselves, our activists. We are experienced in representing members, negotiating, organising and fighting injustice daily.

STV: Protest over council's daycare for learning disabled reform plans

10 Dec 2012

From STV news:

Carers and trade unionists have joined forces to challenge Glasgow City Council's planned reform of day services for people with learning disabilities.

Councillors, who are to decide on the proposed closure of three day centres in January, attended an an emotional meeting with the parents of service users on Monday.

The carers spoke of their exhaustion and fears of how they will cope if the facilities are removed for more than 60% of those catered for.

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


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Glasgow Personalisation Network Campaign meeting 10 Dec 2012

10 Dec 2012

Carers and campaigners called for Glasgow's day care closure plan to be halted today at  the Glasgow Personalisation Network Campaign meeting held at UNISON's branch office in Bell Street.

L-R Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland; Brian Smith, Glasgow UNISON branch secretary; Tommy Gorman, carer; Grace Harrigan, carer. More pictures at UNISON Scotland Picasa gallery Glasgow Personalisation Network meeting 10 Dec 2012

The meeting was chaired by Brian Smith, branch secretary of Glasgow UNISON, and addressed by carers Tommy Gorman (pictured speaking) and Grace Harrigan, and Ian Hood of Learning Disability Alliance Scotland. Numerous press and media were in attendance.


Tommy Gorman told the meeting that his daughter attends the Summerston day care centre, one of the three which would close under the plan.

He said:
"You can have a consultation, and you can have a fair consultation but you can't have a fair consultation done by Glagow city Council.
"If you're a Glasgow MSP and you don't have a view on the day care closures then you need to ask yourself some questions
"The Scottish Parliament was put in place to make a difference. We're calling on them to step in and investigate
"If this isn't a bogus consultation, if it isn't just about budget cuts, then Glasgow City Council should have nothing to fear from it being looked into.
"The closure of three out of the seven centres leaves provision for the most vulnerable at a very low level - not just now but for decades into the future.
"We're pushing for an independent review of the closure of these day care centres."

Grace Harrigan, a carer who belongs to the East Carers group, said:
"We feel the council wants to absolve itself of its responsibility. We believe they intend to hand this (provision) over to private and thrid sector organisations whose staff are on very low pay.
"The reform is being done by money and not by the assessed needs of the learning disabled people.
"Councillor Matt Kerr (Glasgow City Council social care spokesperson) has said personalisation and self directed support does not mean that carers will be doing any more caring - when every carer is shouting from the rooftops that is does mean exactly that.

Ian Hood, Learning Disability Alliance Scotland (LDAS) called for the Care Inspectorate to investigate the Glasgow consultation and closure plan.

He said:
"The consultation which Glasgow City Council is doing is a crime - and not just in a moral sense. There is law about how to go about consultation. Councillors don't have to consult - they can just decide to do things - but if they do they have to do it properly and legally.
"Amongst other things they must give plenty of time. And people with disabilities need to be involved in a substantial way.
"An 8 week consultation with 4 weeks out over Christmas is not acceptable.
"Glasgow City Council set up the consultation from the start off to get the answer they wanted - and to justify the closure of the day centres.
"We should challenge this consultation legally - we are working with families in Dundee who face the same problem.
"But legal challenges take a long time.
"This is a job for the Care Inspectorate.
"18 months ago ago they gave Glasgow City Council a damning report in a number of aspects. What has Glasgow City Council done about it? Nothing.
"We pay billions of pounds - across the whole country - to make sure our most vulnerable citizens are cared for. The Care Inspectorate is there to ensure this happens."

Carers and user made contributions from the floor about the reality of the plans to cut day care in Glasgow.

See also:
Sam McCartney, Glasgow UNISON on council proposals to cut day care services - 13 Nov 2012
http://unison-scotland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/sam-mccartney-glasgow-unison-on-council.html

Learning Disability Alliance Scotland
www.ldascotland.org


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New Course Programme for 2011

UNISON Scotland's Learning and Organising Committee has published a new course programme from April to December. See http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/education/courses.html for details.

Campaign Skills Festival 19-21 Nov - Sign Up Now

From devolution to the poll tax, UNISON members have generations of experience to draw on as we build the campaign to defend vital public services - the fight of our lives. MOBILISE 2010 is a campaign skills festival. A celebration of years of trade union activity and a platform on which to build and organise for the challenge ahead. With access to up to five modules or workshops over the weekend and some longer course, the event will equip you for the coming campaign. For information or to register contact: Gillian Bannatyne g.bannatyne@unison.co.uk 0141 342 2829 Venue - STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow 19-21 November 2010