| UNISON
backs protests to make poverty history
UNISON's Scottish Council meeting of branches has backed
a variety of protest actions aimed at the G8 meeting in Scotland
later this year.
These include:-
• The huge Make Poverty History Demonstration and rally in
Edinburgh on Saturday 2 July,
• The G8 Alternatives Summit the following day,
• A protest at Faslane Nuclear Submarine base on 4 July.
The union welcomed a 'Global New Deal' but called for the
UK government to go it alone if agreement could not be reached
with the G8.
Mike Kirby, UNISON's Scottish Convenor said "UNISON has been
an integral part of the organising of the Make Poverty History
event. Trade union members wear the white bands urging 'Respect
Workers Rights' as well.
"We will be urging UNISON members to attend the demonstration
and be part of the giant human white band around Edinburgh".
"We will also be part of the STUC mobilisation raising support
from elsewhere in the trade union movement at the STUC Congress
later this month. It is wholly in line with UNISON's aims
to draw attention to increasing world poverty and inequality
and to show that another world is possible."
The meeting also backed the peaceful alternative summit being
organised by G8 Alternatives and the blockade of Faslane by
SCND and Trident Ploughshares.
Michael Macneil, Secretary of UNISON's Scottish International
Committee said "The alternative summit follows on from the
European Social Forum last year. We want to ensure that the
maximum number of people from across the world are able to
take part in a range of peaceful protests. We want a New Global
Deal to tackle issues of debt relief, trade negotiations and
development funding."
More detail on the Make Poverty History campaign is available
on a link from the UNISONScotland Website at www.unison-scotland.org.uk
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