Calls from campaigners that the UK’s 101 local government pension funds should stop investing in fossil fuels are admirable, but over-simplify the huge task that disinvestment would mean, says UNISON…Read more…
Government cuts make a mockery of new NICE homecare guidelines, says UNISON
New guidance from government advisors the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) could see a real improvement in the standard of homecare delivered across the UK, but longer visits…Read more…
UNISON fair funding lobby of Welsh Assembly
UNISON members to present petition to Assembly members at Senedd building
The article UNISON fair funding lobby of Welsh Assembly first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Campaign against TTIP gains momentum
Councils sign up to support campaign against transatlantic trade deal that threatens democracy
The article Campaign against TTIP gains momentum first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Fine words and ideals no substitute for investment: UNISON inquiry into Scotland’s libraries
Tuesday 8 September 2015
UNISON, the trade union for Scotland’s library staff, has published a report ‘Read It and Weep’, which outlines the experience of those working in Scotland’s libraries. It raises the concerns and difficulties of staff who are simultaneously being expected to expand services while being in the front line of cuts. The report is based on qualitative research from UNISONRead more…
Pay – doing nothing is not an option
On Thursday a national pay summit was held at UNISON head office with representatives in attendance from all regions and service groups. Co-chaired by President Wendy Nichols and NEC Policy Chair…Read more…
Stars in our schools
Join UNISON’s search for the unsung heroes of our schools
The article Stars in our schools first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Local government pay offer made – ballot from 2 September
UNISON and the other SJC trade unions have been in negotiations with the Scottish Employers for a number of months on the issue of pay. We submitted a claim in November last year, the headline of which was an increase of £1 per hour. Unfortunately we were unable to convince the employers to make a flat rate increase in this pay round. It was also the case that the employers were prepared to offerRead more…
Property Versus People
TOGETHER against evictions. Unite union flags on tenants’ demonstration. Which side is Labour on?
HOUSING campaigners and other friends are going to Lambeth County Court on Friday…Read more…
Council cuts could mean more children in need let down
Billions of pounds of cuts mean that few councils can cope with demands from young people
The article Council cuts could mean more children in need let down first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Dossier reveals cost of Rhondda Cynon Taff mileage rate cut
Rhondda Cynon Taff Council’s decision to slash mileage rates for staff will cost the public purse more. A dossier produced by UNISON Cymru/Wales proves that forcing council workers to use…Read more…
Local government SGE election result
Jon Woods has been elected unopposed to the local government service group executive South East general seat in a by-election and will take office immediately
The article Local government SGE…Read more…
Dangers for lone wardens
To some the term city wardens might conjure up images of eager ‘jobsworths’ doling out as many parking tickets as they can. But for wardens in Aberdeen it’s about so much more than just parking….Read more…
Prentis: redundancy cap will hit hundreds of thousands
“Proposed public-sector redundancy cap will affect hundreds of thousands of workers providing vital public services”, warns UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis
The article Prentis: redundancy cap…Read more…
UNISON joins social work campaign
Campaigners unite to condemn impact of austerity and welfare cuts on the most vulnerable in our society
The article UNISON joins social work campaign first appeared on the UNISON site.Read more…
Hame to Scotland’s Hot Summer
NO EASY BERTH for privateers
SCOTLAND’S First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was on bright and sparkling form when she visited the USA earlier this month. Appearing on the satirical news programme…Read more…
National bargaining essential for members pay, terms and conditions
#uLDC15 Delegates backed a call from Northern Region for a range of supports to enable branches to campaign for in-house services and to keep the National Joint Council as the negotiating body for local government members’ pay, terms and conditions.
#uLGC15 Although Scottish delegates were not able to vote, East Dumbartonshire’s Tommy Robertson supported the motion but asked delegates “not toRead more…
Facility time is vital for unions but also for employers
#ulgc15 Delegates slammed attacks on the trade union facility time and called on the union to support our members with training, finance and other resources to fight these attacks but also to organise to increase our activist base.
Moving the motion for the Service Group Executive, Western Isles Alison MacCorquodale delivered an excellent maiden speech and told delegates that securing andRead more…
Zero tolerance, training and involving staff are key to dealing with violence in schools
#ulgc15 Local Government Conference heard the problems of challenging behaviour in schools from the front line as two Scotland delegates brought their experience to the debate.
Glasgow City’s Sylvia Haughney, a support for learning instructor for 34 years, told delegates: “Staff in mainstream school may find it hard to understand that when an ASN colleague has been slapped six times during theRead more…
Arbitrary freeze on teacher numbers – bad for our members, bad for our children
#uLGC15 North Lanarkshire’s John Mooney brought a Scottish perspective to the debate on organising in schools as Local Government delegates backed a range of measures to support recruitment in schools and campaigning of school issues.
John slammed the Scottish Government’s insistence on an arbitrary freeze on teacher numbers. He warned, “This ill thought out, non scientific, arbitrary freeze onRead more…