All the union news that's fit to blog...
Climate campaigners from around the world have hit out angrily at UN climate talks in Madrid failing to deliver for the people and the planet.
Civil society organisations representing trade unions, environment NGOs, youth, indigenous peoples, women and many other campaigners made a series of highly critical statements as the talks, known as COP 25, ended on Sunday.
Francis Stuart, STUC PolicyRead more…
It’s today!
UNISON is sending solidarity to today’s school #climatestrike strikes, marches and rallies in Scotland – and around the world.
Check out the Scottish climate strikes on the Scottish Youth Climate Strike website.
Our branches across the UK have been organising #GreenUNISON Week actions this week and in Scotland it’s Green UNISON Day today.
Branches are holding green workplaceRead more…
This week is Green UNISON Week UK wide – check out what’s happening and what you can do!
On Friday 20 Sept our members here are marking Green UNISON Day with workplace action and sending solidarity to the global school climate strikes, inspired by Greta Thunberg.
If you want to join in, find out what your branch is doing this week and on Friday and help organise #GreenUNISON activities locally.Read more…
It’s increasingly clear that a no deal Brexit will impact on all of us. That
said, the concerns of UNISON members who aren’t UK citizens are probably more
urgent than others. Here is a brief summary of what is proposed for immigration
rules in the event of No Deal:
The UK Government has announced the immigration arrangements they will apply
to EU citizens and their family members moving to theRead more…
On 20 September hundreds of thousands of young people will take
part in the latest of the climate strikes
inspired by Greta Thunberg, the
Finnish school student who decided to strike in protest at the lack of action
and urgency by governments on climate change.
Several of these school student climate strikes have taken
place this year in Scotland with protests organised
in GeorgeRead more…
Clydebank TUC and West Dunbartonshire Joint Trade Unions are holding a local summit in Clydebank on Saturday.
The event is called "No More Cuts to Public Services" and has some great speakers lined up.
It is supported by UNISON, Unite, the EIS and GMB, and takes place from 11am to 2pm at Clydebank Town Hall on 27 October.Read more…
Here are all the facts you need about the #EqualPayGlasgow strikes, from our blog published on @ScottishTUC site.
March & Rally 23 Oct 11.30 Glasgow Green to George Sq
@Unison_Glasgow @GMBGlasgowCC
MYTH: The Unions agreed to the Glasgow pay system but are now suing against their own agreement.
FACT: UNISON’s local branch and equality team vetoed the Workforce Pay and Benefits Read more…
Deputy Convener, Stephen Smellie talks in this short video about the importance of #GreenUNISON Day branch action on #climatechange & green
workplaces, saying that we can all pull together to help stop global warming.
Every day there’s more news about the urgent need for action at all levels – local, national and international – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with this warning from theRead more…
Deputy Convener, Stephen Smellie talks in this short video about the importance of #GreenUNISON Day branch action on #climatechange & green
workplaces, saying that we can all pull together to help stop global warming.
Every day there’s more news about the urgent need for action at all levels – local, national and international – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with this warning from theRead more…
Plans are stepping up for UNISON Scotland’s day of workplace action on climate change.
We’ve just sent branches a guide and ideas for activities to involve members and we look forward to hearing about plans as they develop.
Branches have been asked to complete an audit of their own practices on things like recycling and use of plastic and a survey on what their employers do on things likeRead more…
Some ‘green’ dates for
your diaries this autumn, from UNISON Scotland’s Green Network!
We are planning for
a day of green workplace action that we hope branches will take part in on
Thursday 13 September.
The idea is for
branches across Scotland to join in some co-ordinated action for
helping cut emissions at work.
A range of possible activities includes green
audits, energyRead more…
Today is #WorldEnvironmentDay The theme is to #BeatPlasticPollution and there are lots of ideas online about how to do that, globally and locally.
Check out the United Nations Environment Programme on today’s theme – and look closer to home in Scotland through the work of some of the many members of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.
UNISON is an active member of SCCS, whose AGM is in GlasgowRead more…
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 andRead more…
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 ensureRead more…
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 ensureRead more…
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 forRead more…
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 Read more…
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 openRead more…
A reminder that the Havana Glasgow Film Festival runs from today until Sunday 12 November.
The festival has a great selection of films and UNISON is associated with the screening of From Ghost Town to Havana at 7.15pm at the CCA, Glasgow, on Friday 10 November. Ghost Town to Havana is a heartbreaking, funny, and inspirational story about mentorship, life, love, murder, kids and baseball inRead more…
You may have
spotted some good news about climate action in yesterday’s Programme for
Government, including action on phasing out new fossil fuel cars, investment in
active travel, drink deposit schemes and low carbon infrastructure. (UNISON
briefing here).
We particularly
welcome news of the Just Transition Commission, although we still need to hear
the details of it and some otherRead more…