| UNISON
protection helps as tourist agencies merge
by Chris Bartter
UNISON has been working to defend pensions and conditions
as Area Tourist Boards across Scotland merged with the central
agency VisitScotland (formerly the Scottish Tourist Board)
on 1 April.
The merger - described as 'creating a new integrated tourism
network' sees the winding up of all the Area Tourist Boards.
Dougie Black, UNISON's Regional Officer dealing with the issue,
has met with the VisitScotland management on a number of occasions
and is also having regular meetings with staff around the
country.
He says, "The crucial issues identified by staff, are the
protection of their terms and conditions and, in particular,
staff pensions. ATB staff are generally in the Local Government
Pension Scheme, and want to stay in that.
"We have been pressing VisitScotland to acquire admitted
body status to the LGPS to enable staff to continue with their
pension."
Staff terms and conditions have transferred, but VisitScotland
want to introduce a new set of terms and conditions - the
organisational structure was issued at the end of January
and the grading structure in February.
New members
UNISON has been negotiating on these new conditions through
the Trade Union Consultation Forum - the body which discusses
all aspects of the transfer.
UNISON has made a pledge to staff not to agree to new conditions
without consulting them. The need for protection and professional
backing has led to a steady influx of new UNISON members across
the Tourist Board structures.
UNISON has representatives on both the Trade Union Consultation
Forum and the Staff Consultative Forum, and, along with PCS,
is one of the two recognised unions. Membership has increased
by over 25% during this period.
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