Return power to local councils to act on services

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 The STUC overwhelmingly backed a range of measures to rebuild local democracy. It will press the Scottish Government to provide resources to ensure strong local democracy and to return to councils greater control over local taxes and powers to take services back in-house.

Moving the composite on behalf of UNISON and the GMB, Depute Convener, Stephen Smellie called for a return to theRead more…

Apr 22, 2015

Call to improve access to GPs

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 The STUC will lobby for GPs to be more available to patients to reduce pressure on emergency and other front-line, diagnostic services.

UNISON Health’s Catriona Beveridge told delegates that it is not appropriate for GP facilities only to be available during the traditional hours they work whilst the rest of the NHS has extended access.

“It is time for GPs to help to provide additionalRead more…

Apr 22, 2015

Pay success needs unions to work together

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 The reason the Tories can justify five years of pay cuts for public service workers is simple according to UNISON’s Gordon McKay. “They don’t like you!”

“In fact it’s far deeper than that”, he said. “They despise you. Every public sector worker whether it is in the NHS, education, or local government who delivers world class public services to the ill, the young or the vulnerable is aRead more…

Apr 22, 2015

Let’s show the Palestinian people why Scotland supports them

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 The STUC was uncompromising in its backing for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel until it ends its violations of international law and Palestinian human rights.

Delegates condemned the terrible Israeli assaults on Gaza over the Summer of 2014 which left thousands of Palestinian civilians dead and many more injured and homeless, many of them children.

Sam McCartney, Chair of UNISONRead more…

Apr 22, 2015

STUC drive to improve equality

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 “Ensuring that an organisation reflects the community which it serves is clear proof of its commitment to equality and inclusion,” UNISON’s Priscilla Maramba told delegates, as they backed a CWU motion calling for a review of trade union activists and officials and action to ensure they are reflective of proportionality.

Priscilla added that the greater the equality of representation,Read more…

Apr 22, 2015

Defending Rojova’s democracy and gender equality

Apr 22, 2015By

#stuc15 The STUC sent solidarity and support to the people of Rojava and Kobane and pledged to lobby the Government to do everything it can to ensure that humanitarian aid gets through to Rojava, to support the refugees from other parts of Syria and to ensure that Kobane can defend itself and its people.

UNISON Scotland’s Depute Convener, Stephen Smellie “was privileged to visit North Kurdistan,Read more…

Apr 22, 2015

Only hope for BME workers lies in their unions

Apr 21, 2015By

#stuc15 First time delegate and speaker, UNISON’s Priscilla Maramba, told Congress that ConDem austerity has worsened the plight of BME workers, and the rise of UKIP and media bias have added insult to injury.

“Equality for BME workers is slowly slipping down the slope and the only hope for BME workers lies in support from their unions.”

Her comments came as delegates backed a campaign toRead more…

Apr 21, 2015