All the union news that's fit to blog...
#STUC16 The STUC sent out a clear message today that we should be backing democratically elected governments in South America against a ‘corporate-wealth’ right wing backlash.
Moving UNISON’s emergency motion, Sam Macartney told delegates: “Over the last couple of decades we have seen huge advances for working people in South America.
“The victory of the Lula led Workers Party in Brazil wasRead more…
Ridiculously pleased about this –
Celebration as Polish dockers’ union wins new deal “The ITF family has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them as they have fought against the belligerent and intimidatory tactics of previous management. We are hopeful that dockers there can have better…Read more…
The focus of the coverage of the labour market statistics today is on a small rise in the unemployment figures (+21K, with unemployment rate unchanged at 5.1%). Perhaps commentators are on the lookout for the negative given wider conditions in financia…Read more…
Last night’s (April 19) announcement that Monarch Airlines is due to close its maintenance hangar at Manchester airport with the loss of more than 120 engineering jobs was branded ‘a severe blow’ by…Read more…
In yet another defeat against the government’s trade union Bill, peers passed an amendment yesterday (April 19) reversing a ban on a method for paying union subscriptions in the public sector. …Read more…
Steelworkers have agreed to accept a temporary three per cent pay cut and changes to terms and conditions as part of a rescue plan by Greybull Capital, the company buying Tata’s Long Products…Read more…
As the digital revolution gathers at a rapidly increasing pace so is the growth of new forms of employment. One of these is ‘gig workers’ – a ‘one size fits all’ buzzword for anything from…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC Congress sent congratulations today to Glasgow CCTV UNISON members who have won a deal bringing up to a 24% pay rise, after twelve days of strike action over six weeks.
The 19 members of UNISON are employed by Community Safety Glasgow, an ALEO of Glasgow City Council, and were taking strike action over the employer’s failure to pay shift allowances. The dispute was aboutRead more…
Even on the proper living wage, it would take nearly 130 years for the lowest paid employees in the water industry to earn the same as the highest paid director in the sector does in 12 months,…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC will continue to oppose the “Prevent” strategy amidst concerns that it could criminalise Muslim communities and has called on the Scottish Parliament to ensure that it doesn’t divide our communities as it is implemented in Scotland.
Delegates heard that it will force workers in the health service, the prison service, local authorities, school , further and higher education andRead more…
#STUC16 The STUC will seek talks with Scottish Universities Support Palestinian Students (SUSPS) with a view to giving active support to a revised initiative and encourage unions to back the project financially and in any other ways possible.
The Edinburgh TUC motion reminded delegates that last year’s Congress in Ayr gave a generous welcome to the first recipient of a SUSPS award who is fromRead more…
7.30 pm Thursday 21 April White Horse bar, 266 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8AA with Lilian Macer, Convenor of UNISON Scottish Council reporting on her visit to the country and her meetings with trade unionists, human rights activists, politicians and the mothers of young victims of extrajudicial killings by the army. She will also report on the peace process between the Colombian government andRead more…
#STUC16 The STUC backed the TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) campaign which is committed to inclusive education which aims to tackle homophobia and create a safer learning environment for all regardless of sexual orientation, gender or identity.
UNISON Scotland has already donated £1000 such is the importance we attach to this campaign, and UNISON’s Willie Docherty spoke in support.
To theRead more…
Today we’re launching a new campaign – “Making Waves for the Living Wage” calling on all UK the water industry to sign up as accredited Living Wage employers with the Living Wage Foundation.
The…Read more…
The STUC has renewed its call for Trident replacement to be abandoned and will revisit setting up Trade Union CND, focussing on job diversification for workers employed on Trident.
In a debate…Read more…
#STUC2016 UNISON’s Pat Rowland urged delegates to get involved in the campaign against ‘dodgy trade deals’ like TTIP that could stop governments bringing privatised services back in-house.
And she called on trade unionists to join the Scotland Against TTIP coalition day of action on Saturday 23 April at the Buchanan Street steps in Glasgow.
The STUC backed a UNISON motion to campaign forRead more…
Our delegates: Amy, Melita and Ollie
Ollie presents our motion to conference
Our motion on doing more to retrain redundant journalists was carried, despite an intervention by General Secretary…Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC gave unanimous backing to an emergency motion supporting the Glasgow UNISON #Justice4Jannies campaign as they began their three-day strike for parity of conditions with other like-workers.
The jannies packed the gallery as delegates stood to applaud them. The full text of the motion is…
“That this Congress congratulates UNISON members who are janitors in Glasgow’s primary,Read more…
#STUC16 The STUC has renewed its call for Trident replacement to be abandoned and will revisit setting up Trade Union CND, focussing on job diversification for workers employed on Trident.
It rejected a GMB motion calling for Trident replacement as the ‘only game in town’ to defend jobs.
In a rousing speech, supporting a Clydebank TUC motion, UNISON’s Jane Carolan told delegates: “UNISON hasRead more…
Commenting on the news that 700 British Gas jobs are to go in the West Midlands, with the closure of the Oldbury service/call centre near Birmingham, UNISON national energy officer Matt Lay said:…Read more…