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Excellent Public Services
UNISON welcomes the sustained long-term investment in public services
that has enabled the Scottish Parliament to begin rebuilding our
public services. That investment needs to be sustained and not diverted
into expensive privatisation that undermines democracy and accountability.
 The
Scottish model of co-operation and collaboration is the right approach
to improving public services. It reflects Scotland's geography,
our values and our sense of ownership in our public services. Competitive
models offering the illusion of choice have no place in Scotland.
Instead we have a public service ethos driven by values of selflessness,
integrity, objectivity, openness, accountability, competence and
equality.
Whilst good progress has been made in Scotland in tackling the
two-tier workforce more remains to be done to end this inequity
across all our public services. A genuine level playing field between
public and private finance would ensure real value for money in
public procurement. Efficient government should start by recovering
the additional £5.8bn wasted on PFI in Scotland.
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A Strong and Sustainable
Economy
UNISON recognises that the government has created a strong and
growing economy with low interest rates and more people in work
than ever before. Public services are a key economic generator in
Scotland. They purchase, create infrastructure, educate, innovate,
provide health and care and ensure a quality of life for all. Public
procurement should safeguard jobs and skills in the UK.
A strong skills agenda should be promoted through sector skills
councils with a particular focus on sectors under-performing on
skills, and new support for union learning representatives.
A Scottish energy strategy is essential to Scotland's economy.
This requires a planned and balanced generation policy, following
a full and informed public debate, to ensure that we do not become
reliant on insecure overseas gas supplies.
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Quality of Life
in Retirement
 UNISON
will expect any government to maintain the public sector pensions
contract. Public sector workers should be able to retire on a decent
pension at 60.
Public sector workers give a lifetime of service, putting up with
lower pay and conditions, making substantial pension contributions
and should expect to have dignity and a quality of life in retirement
- not have to rely on means tested benefits. We also need to develop
new pension arrangements to reflect new forms of public service
provision.
Occupational schemes need real protection when organisations fail
together with protection for pension funds during transfers and
mergers. The governance of pension funds should be strengthened
to include more member trustees and bargaining rights for trade
unions. We need to move beyond the current voluntary system of occupational
pensions to ensure dignity for all in retirement.
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Fairness at Work
UNISON seeks new employment rights to ensure fairness at work.
Four weeks paid holiday exclusive of bank holidays, increased redundancy
pay, extended protection for striking workers and effective employment
protection for temporary and agency workers.
A new strategy is needed to tackle unequal pay, with the government
leading the way in promoting best practice in the public services.
A minimum wage of at least £6.50 an hour, and an end to the different
age rates.
The number of workers who are injured or worse at work remains
unacceptable. Further action is required by government and employers
to strengthen the safety culture and ensure adequate regulation
and enforcement. Assaults on staff are not part of the job and must
be tackled vigorously.
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Childcare and work life balance
UNISON wants government to provide clearer incentives for a more
worker-friendly approach to working hours. To introduce legislation
where a voluntary approach is not working and ensure equality in
the provision of flexible working opportunities.
Childcare should be extended while making sure that early year's
staff are properly trained and rewarded. Recognising the value of
early year's education in achieving wider social policy goals.
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Stronger Communities
UNISON believes the UK government can support the measures taken
by the Scottish Parliament to support local communities. Local authorities
should be allowed to borrow to build and maintain new homes, instead
of being forced to transfer houses out of their ownership.
 Promoting
respect for asylum seekers and developing humane immigration rules.
Supporting the Scottish Executive's Fresh Talent Initiative and
recognising that migration brings economic, social and cultural
benefits to Scotland and the UK. Leading the fight against racism
by challenging the negative language and images presented by parts
of the media and by combating the far-right.
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Britain in Europe
Devolution has enabled Scotland to make a more direct contribution
in Europe recognising that the European Union has a major influence
on our daily lives. Government should focus on developing the European
Social Model and resist attempts to create a union based on a neo-liberal
free market. Europe must be more than an economic space where ‘competitiveness'
is the only measure. We see no merit in joining the Euro.
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Britain in the World
UNISON campaigns for decent working conditions across the globe.
We would encourage government to take responsible action in support
of global justice whenever possible. This includes incorporating
Core Labour Standards in international treaties including the rules
of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Similar provisions should
be incorporated into the GATS and the EU Services Directive as well
as clearly excluding public services from these competition provisions.
Privatisation should never be a condition for aid.
UNISON opposed military action in Iraq without the support of the
UN and in the face of strong opposition from much of the democratic
and free world. The emphasis now should be on building a democratic
Iraq with a functioning civic society including independent trade
unions. The government should work for peace in the Middle East,
based on the implementation of UN resolutions including the creation
of a viable Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
Whilst disaster relief has rightly been in the forefront of our
recent thoughts, government needs to develop a comprehensive strategy
to address global poverty, the reduction of debt and the blight
of HIV/AIDS particularly in Africa. The resources devoted to war
could be so much more effectively used to make the whole planet
a safer place in which to live. Government should also take action
to enforce respect for human rights particularly in countries such
as Colombia and Burma.
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Constitutional Change
Devolution is a developing process. The Scottish Parliament has
taken responsibility for additional functions since the Scotland
Act. UNISON believes that the respective functions should be regularly
reviewed to ensure that the Scottish Parliament is able to address
the challenges facing 21st Century Scotland.
UNISON's vision is for a devolved Scotland, within the UK, based
on excellent public services, sustainable economic growth and strong
communities. A Scotland that challenges racism and sectarianism,
that tackles the culture of ill health and ensures fairness at work
and dignity in retirement. But our vision is also about the way
we project ourselves in the world. Promoting global justice, tackling
poverty and ill health, and championing human rights.
A Scotland, at home and abroad, that is able to respond positively
to the challenges of the new century.
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Published by UNISONScotland, 14 West Campbell
Street, Glasgow G2 6RX. Tel 0845 355 0845. For further information
about our Revitalise our Public Services campaign or to join
the union that fights for Scotland's public services and those
who deliver them, contact Matt Smith at the adress above or
at matt.smith@unison.co.uk.
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Scotland's
public service union 
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