I was in Westminster this week at the launch of a paper on defence procurement I wrote for the Prospect trade union. The launch included interesting contributions from the Shadow Minster for Defence Procurement, Chris Evans MP, Andrew Kinniburgh (…Read more…
UNISON supports legal challenge over UK’s use of PPE suppliers
‘UK public procurement has continued to be stained by forced labour and union busting’
The article UNISON supports legal challenge over UK’s use of PPE suppliers first appeared on the UNISON…Read more…
Omicron: Extending our solidarity to PPE supply chain workers
At UNISON, the paradox that our members are saving lives using products made by workers whose rights are violated is very uncomfortable
The article Omicron: Extending our solidarity to PPE supply…Read more…
Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on global labour rights
A new report from UNISON reveals that the pandemic has had a negative affect on ethical procurement
The article Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on global labour rights first appeared on the UNISON…Read more…
Procurement failures
The UK Government is mired in a series of procurement scandals that go way beyond poor practice. While not on the nearly on the same scale, all is not well in Scotland either. In recent months I have…Read more…
Air Traffic Control in the Highlands and Islands.
The public procurement of cutting edge technology is risky at the best of times. For a small public sector airport company to embark on such a programme during a pandemic, which is devastating the…Read more…
Saving the lives of the workers who are saving our lives
UNISON is committed to making sure that workers’ rights are at the centre of procurement – looking after the workers who make the equipment that helps keep our members safe – and is running training…Read more…
Local authorities must work to eradicate exploitation in global supply chains, says UNISON
Local authorities are not doing enough to protect workers’ rights globally, according to research published today (Monday) by UNISON. According to the report Ethical Procurement in UK Local…Read more…
Does your employer have an ethical procurement policy?
Does your employer have an ethical procurement policy? Are the goods it buys as part of delivering key public services – whether that’s staff clothing or food, electronics, paper, or furnishings –…Read more…
Finding a way through Brexit
As the UK wonders what happens next in a post-Brexit world, UNISON is acting now
The article Finding a way through Brexit first appeared on the UNISON National site.Read more…
Procurement at the heart of strong manufacturing sector
#STUC16 UNISON’s Carol Ball threw the spotlight on procurement as Congress set out an ambitious plan to end the stagnation of manufacturing in Scotland through a long-term industrial strategy.
Joining the criticisms of the Scottish Government’s ‘A Manufacturing Future for Scotland’ plan, Carol told delegates that this really is a missed opportunity for a much needed comprehensive manufacturingRead more…
Our Services Our Say – and UNISON members at the sharp end
UNISON has always argued that public services must stay public unless there is an evidenced ‘public interest case’ to prove otherwise. So we welcome the Our Services Our Say campaign which puts the…Read more…
Using procurement to tackle the tax dodgers
The tax dodging activities of companies has come under a lot of scrutiny, but we could do more to tackle this abuse in Scotland with existing powers. Companies who want to bid for taxpayer funded…Read more…
Civil society groups demand ethical public procurement
UNISON Scotland is involved in launching the new #10Asks on procurement today. Here’s the press release:<!–[endif]–>
Civil society groups demand ethical public procurement
New public procurement rules in Scotland should help tackle
tax dodging, blacklisting and climate change, according to a coalition of civil
society coalitions.
International development charities,Read more…
Public contracts should demand fair treatment for workers
#stuc15 The STUC demanded an end to exploitative procurement contracts that leave workers at the mercy of low wages, poor employment practices, scams that mask employment status and zero hours contracts.
Supporting the motion UNISON Scotland’s Brenda Aitchison reminded Congress how dependent business is on the state, including the £1.4 billion funding for apprenticeships and the benefitsRead more…
Public Contracts Regulations: Government getting it badly wrong on public procurement
With around £230bn spent by the government on goods and services and with outsourcing increasing across the public sector, getting the commissioning and procurement framework right is of vital importance in shaping the future of our public services. So it is concerning to see the way the government…Read more…
Using public procurement for a fairer Scotland
More than £10bn of Scottish taxpayers cash goes on buying goods and services in the private sector. This procurement activity could do much more to deliver the Scottish Government and other public…Read more…