This COP has failed people & planet. People power, Climate Justice!

Climate campaigners from around the world have hit out angrily at UN climate talks in Madrid failing to deliver for the people and the planet.

Civil society organisations representing trade unions, environment NGOs, youth, indigenous peoples, women and many other campaigners made a series of highly critical statements as the talks, known as COP 25, ended on Sunday.

Francis Stuart, STUC PolicyRead more…

Three things UNISON members can do about climate change today/this weekend! #ScotPfG

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…

Trade unions call for a low carbon Scotland

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…

UN climate talks and cancellation of demonstrations in Paris – Support #ScotClimateMarch #COP21

UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis today urged the highest possible turnout for marches in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff and Belfast next weekend, in solidarity with climate campaigners in Paris and around the world.
The International Trade Union Confederation  made the same call. Both were responding to the decision by the French authorities, following the terrorist attacks in Paris, to cancelRead more…

Climate, Justice and Jobs – Sat 28 Nov Scotland’s Climate March

UNISON Scotland is showing our colours by supporting
the Stop
Climate Chaos Scotland Climate March on Saturday 28 November.

On that weekend around the world, millions will be
marching to put pressure on world leaders for an ambitious deal at the UN
climate negotiations in Paris in December.

Scotland’s Climate March is in Edinburgh, with
other marches taking place in Wales onRead more…

Defeat the Trade Union Bill – STUC public meeting in Glasgow Tue 26 Aug

The Scottish TUC has called a public meeting to mobilise opposition to the vindictive Tory Trade Union Bill. Renfied St Stephen’s Centre, Bath Street, Glasgow on Tuesday 26 August from 6.30pm – 9pm. 

Chair: Helen Connor, STUC Vice-President & EIS Speakers:
Jackson Cullinane, Political Officer, Unite the Union Scotland  Lillian Macer, Convenor , Unison Scotland Mark Serwotka, General SecretaryRead more…

Scotland united against austerity – Demo in Glasgow 20 June 2015

The STUC, in partnership with organisations comprising the People’s Assembly in Scotland will hold a major anti-austerity rally in George Square, Glasgow, on Saturday 20 June.

The event, now entitled, “Scotland United Against Austerity”, will take place on the same day as a number of rallies throughout the UK. The event in Glasgow will take the form of a rally and will be taken forward inRead more…

May Scotland in UNISON now online

Election special, Health conference reports, Glasgow strikers and reports from UNISON at the STUC on TTIP, local government, pay, union rights, poverty, environment, child care, BME workers, ethical care charter, flexible working, pay and much more. Take your copy into your workplace and share it or see it online at at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/siu/index.html and on issuu at http://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…

Migrant rescue cut ‘indefensible in its inhumanity’

#stuc15 Delegates mourned the terrible tragedy of the 950 migrants drowned as their ship capsized off the coast of Libya just before the start of the Congress and gave overwhelming support to an emergency motion condemning the trade of people trafficking but also the reduction in search and rescue operations which is having a dramatic consequence on loss of life.

The STUC will campaign for anRead more…

Foodbanks: Solidarity not charity

#stuc15 The rise of foodbanks in the 6th richest country in the world is a national scandal and the STUC will continue to campaign vigorously against austerity, low pay and benefit sanctions which see so many people reliant on them.

It will also work to support foodbanks with advice on trade union and employment rights until the need for them can be eradicated.

Supporting the motion, UNISON’sRead more…

Poorer students are being failed

#STUC15. Too many students in Scotland drop out of full time education due to inadequate financial support.

Speaking on behalf of a motion from the Annual STUC Youth Conference, UNISON Scotland’s Ryan Boyle said that ‘students from poorer backgrounds are being failed’

Ryan supported the STUC Youth Conference motion calling for significant investment in further education support, increasedRead more…

Change society so women can live free from violence

#stuc15 Gender equality is at the root of violence against women and girls and the STUC will campaign to keep this issue at the heart of the agenda for all public bodies in Scotland. Delegates commended the Scottish Government’s “Equally Safe” strategy and the STUC pledged to lend its full support to groups campaigning to build a Scotland free from violence against women and girls.

SupportingRead more…

Call to challenge gender equality in apprenticeships

#stuc15 The STUC will press the Scottish government to work with them to tackle gender inequality in apprenticeships and to encourage women to take on apprenticeships in under-represented sectors.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary also committed to taking up incidents of abuse in the apprenticeship sector in his capacity as a board member of Skills Development Scotland.

Seconding theRead more…

Tackling poverty to tackle education inequalities

#stuc15 Poverty affects the education and life chances of our children, and delegates condemned the disgrace of one in five Scottish children living in poverty and will campaign for additional resources to tackle educational inequalities, for the full implementation of the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Strategy and for better training for teachers and other school staff on the effects ofRead more…