All the union news that's fit to blog...
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…
The government’s strategy to curb vehicle emissions lacks clarity and could damage the UK’s motor industry, Unite has said. The ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, announced yesterday (July 9), proposes…Read more…
If you have a pension or insurance policy you may in law have duties and responsibilities for the companies your scheme owns and invests in. If you own it then you can’t just moan about it with doing something about it…
“This is Michael wri…Read more…
Any plan to tackle climate change has to have Just Transition and an industrial strategy at its core.
Those of us who take a close interest in climate change tend to leap into the detailed aspects of…Read more…
I chaired a packed 10th UNISON annual Local Government Pension Fund seminar yesterday.
The “Divest Campaign” is potentially one of the most significant things we can do as a union, not only to save our planet but also to save our pensions future.
Wil…Read more…
Unite delegate and construction worker Andy Jones yesterday (September 12) addressed TUC conference on climate change. “Conference, there is an old saying that you may not be interested in…Read 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…
UNISON members are being urged
to help make Scotland’s new Climate Change Act as strong as possible.
With other members of Stop
Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), we are disappointed that the Scottish
Government’s proposals for the new Bill are not ambitious enough.
The SCCS Act for our Future
campaign has an easy online E Action. You can click here to email First Minister Nicola SturgeonRead more…
My Conference day started with a short jog up and down the famous Brighton beach. The weather was hot even at 7.30am.
At 8.30am we had our first UNISON NEC meeting to discuss and (hopefully) agree on any outstanding matters or policy positions.
Confe…Read more…
Last month I went to a well attended public meeting on this topic in Forest Gate Coffee7 and a Chatham House rules seminar in the City. This article today in Professional Pensions reflects what I think and said at those meetings.
John Gray says it’s b…Read more…
Theresa May says ‘Brexit means Brexit’, yet no one knows what Brexit will look like. The lack of a plan has caused unprecedented levels of political and economic uncertainty. It has also cast doubt of the future of the UK’s – indeed the EU’s – environmental and climate change policy. In…Read more…
The trade union movement asserted its commitment to developing an active energy and climate change strategy, but Congress agreed that this must not happen at the expense of jobs nor can any strategy…Read more…
I’ve written a report for rs21 which covers the highlights of Thursday’s business. It was a packed day, which included the momentous decision to back mandatory reselection for Labour MPs – something that would not have been supported a few weeks ago.
UNISON Scotland is supporting the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland mass lobby of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament on 29 September. Full details from SCCS are below, including how to register for the limited number of places, and how to send support if you can’t attend.
And if you’re a member interested in action on climate change, do join our Green Network. At our September meeting, we will beRead more…
#WED2016 It is World Environment Day on Sunday 5 June. A good day for the Scottish Government to cancel plans to cut Air Passenger Duty.
UNISON Scotland today urged the Scottish Government to prioritise protecting public services by axing its plans to first cut APD by 50%, then eventually abolish the tax.
In our response to the Scottish Government consultation on APD, closing today, weRead more…
Calling all UNISON members interested in climate change!Come to our next Green Network meeting in Glasgow – this Saturday, 21 May.We have a guest speaker – Jim Densham from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Come and find out the latest on tackling global warming and campaigning for a low carbon Scotland.
Tell us what you think we should be doing and/or what you are doing where you are.And join inRead more…
#stuc16 Trade unionists line up for a ‘just transition’ on Climate Day at the UNISON Scotland and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Fringe Meeting at the STUC Congress in Dundee today. See also the SCCS Holyrood Election Online Debate, 7-8.30pm tonight. It will see the five political parties represented in the current Scottish Parliament questioned on their climate policies and plans for the nextRead more…
NOTE TO PICTURE DESKS: Photocall 12.30pm Monday. Details below.Embargo: 00:01 Monday 18 April Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland Trade unions are today (Monday 18 April) calling for strong action on climate change, with policies to support workers affected in the switch to a low carbon economy.
On ‘Climate Day’, ahead of a Holyrood election online debate, trade unions say there must beRead more…
Tackling Scotland’s “disgraceful” fuel poverty scandal must be a top priority and will help fight climate change, UNISON said today.
New figures from the Existing Homes Alliance show that 62% of Scottish homes are “unhealthily cold”. The public services union works with the EHA, Energy Action Scotland, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and others in calling for a Warm Homes Act.
UNISON’s 2016Read more…
UNISON and Global Justice Now are holding a free community screening this Friday of the climate film This Changes Everything.
Join us from 5.30pm for the 6pm prompt screening on Friday 8 April at UNISON Scotland, 14 West Campbell Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. All welcome. Hosted by our International Committee and Green Network, working with Global Justice Now.
Inspired by the Naomi Klein bestsellingRead more…