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12 September 2003 16.45
Rally to launch further nursery action as employers 'offer' a
sham.
UNISON, the union representing the majority of Scotland's local
authority nursery nurses, today announced that the major rally in
Glasgow tomorrow (Saturday 13 September) will kick off a new series
of two-day strikes across Scotland in the coming week.
This was announced after unions reacted angrily to CoSLA's statement
that the proposals from the technical working group could only be
recommended to councils.
UNISON said the CoSLA position was totally outrageous, wasn't even
an offer and is totally reliant on local councils' discretion.
Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government,
said "We have said all along that the report from the Technical
Working Group was flawed. Today it became absolutely clear that
the employers at Scottish level would not make an offer to the nursery
nurses which could settle the dispute. Instead we were told they
would recommend it to their councils but could go no further. We
feel that CoSLA has strung us along for nearly two years and now
they say it's a matter for local negotiation. We'll be talking to
our nursery nurse representatives next week and deciding on our
response."
Angela Lynes, Chair UNISON side, Scottish Joint Council said "The
employers behaviour today calls into question the bargaining machinery
itself. We expect to negotiate seriously and in good faith with
a view to reaching an agreement, we expect the employers to do the
same."
The Rally is taking place on Glasgow Green Saturday 13 September
between 1.00pm and 5.00pm, and will feature supporting speeches
from a cross party group: Margaret Jamieson MSP (Lab); Shona Robison
MSP (SNP); Elspeth Attwooll MEP (ScotLibDem); Carolyn Leckie MSP
(SSP) and Patrick Harvie MSP (Green).
Other support will come from local film actor Gary Lewis (Billy
Elliot and Gangs of New York) and STUC General Secretary Bill Speirs.
The day will also feature stalls and entertainment for kids to
encourage parents and other supporters to attend.
Strike action will take place across Scotland for two days, either
Tuesday and Wednesday (16 and 17) or Wednesday and Thursday (17
and 18), depending on the locality. [A
major event is planned for Edinburgh on Wednesday 17 click here
for details on the Edinburgh UNISON Branch site].
Further industrial action may be called unless improvements are
made to the offer.
ENDS
For Further Information Please Contact: Joe Di Paola (Scottish
Organiser - Local Gov't) 0845 355 0845(w) 07990 505698(m) Angela
Lynes (Chair-UNISON side Scottish Joint Council) 0141-552 7069(o)
07979 522606(m)
Nursery Nurse
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