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Thursday 23 June No 3 - Reports
Collective is better than an individual
says Cathy Jamieson MSP, Minister for Justice
Cathy Jamieson, pleased to be addressing UNISON's
conference in sunny Glasgow yesterday afternoon, described UNISON
as the "defender of the poorest and disadvantaged who depend on
public services".
"Scottish public services are among the best in the
world", she said, and the Government was committed to ensuring that
Scotland continues to enjoy prosperity and success. The existing
arrangements One of the greatest achievements between the Government
and the trade unions was the memorandum of understanding with the
STUC dated 2002.
This had improved partnership understanding, delivering
a better Scotland and a genuine partnership with the STUC. underlined
the Scotland Many Cultures Campaign.
She urged the delegates to spread the message that
"Racist minority had no place in Scotland". "The biggest killers
of Scots population were diet and smoking", Cathy Jamieson informed
the delegates. That is why the Government was advocating for improved
school meals and new legislation to combat smoking in public places.
The Government was also relying on the members of
the public to speak out against those employers with working practices
that affected the health of the workers and the public.
The Executive was also determined to root out physical
abuse against staff in the emergency services. "Physical abuse in
any form was not going to be tolerated", said Cath.
As well as opposing physical abuse of staff, the Government
was not going to tolerate any form of sectarian culture within Scotland.
Cathy highlighted many of the advantages that devolution had brought
to Scotland.
"We now have the power to make laws and govern ourselves
on a domestic affairs" It was now possible for Scotland to extend
a helping hand to those disadvantaged poor countries like Malawi.
"This was a time to help African nations to build
their organisations such as trade unions". That is why Scotland
was at the forefront of campaigning for the achievement of the millennium
development goals.
Cathy said, "We want a clear message to go from Scotland.
Scotland's voice has a chance to be heard loud and clear. That we
must Make Poverty History and bring real justice for all.”
Cathy Jamieson invoked the UNISON principle of collective
bargaining to sum up her speech that, "Collective is better than
an individual and that was why it was important to campaign together
for issues such as climate change, creating a lasting difference
for Africa and promoting an agenda of working together with UNISON
to make make sure everyone in Scotland is well off.
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Scotland's
public service union 
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