Lay edited bi-monthly bulletin for 5,000 activists in Scotland

October 2006 No 63 (Next issue December 2006)

Timetable to build new Scottish pension scheme
New phase in Scottish Local Government Pensions campaign. A new Scottish local government pensions deal has taken a step closer with unions and employers set to start hammering out a timetable on 1 November.

Say no to racism - and show it
It is that time of year when we march through the streets of Glasgow to say no to racism and fascism - and branches are urged to not just say it but show it by turning out in force with their banners. s.

Dawn raids slammed as UNISON issues guidance on asylum seeker children
UNISON and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) have launched a guidance booklet for social workers in Scotland. It advises on ethical practice for social work staff dealing with asylum-seeker children.

Fourth option needed as Stirling and Renfrewshire reject stock transfer
As we went to print, news was breaking of Renfrewshire council house tenants' close rejection of housing stock transfer. This followed Stirling tenants' rejection a week earlier.

Classroom Assistants research points to unfair pay
An Equal Opportunities Commission formal investigation into the role and status of Classroom Assistants in Scottish primary schools - called Valuable Assets - has shown they were working at high levels of responsibility but at the bottom end of pay.

Equal Pay: Biggest challenge faced by activists and staff
Achieving equal pay across all sectors and bargaining groups is a key priority in UNISON's objectives for 2006. In Scotland, at this time, this priority is providing many of us with the biggest challenge that we have faced as UNISON activists and staff.

Water: resist the drift to privatisation
Keeping water in public hands is more efficient and more sustainable, a special STUC water conference was told last week.

Careers service should be returned to democratic control
James Corry, Scottish Enterprise Branch Secretary, explains, "Our members overwhelmingly backed this option against any of the quango options" .

Don't impose, negotiate!
Falkirk Council UNISON members have lobbied their council and the SNP Annual Conference in Perth against threats to tear up everyone's existing contracts and impose new pay, grades and conditions.

'Worst' pay offer and holiday cut sparks college strike ballot
Support staff at James Watt College of Further and Higher Education in Greenock are to ballot for strike action following the breakdown of pay talks.

New rules outlaw age discrimination
New laws which came into force on 1 October will outlaw discrimination by employers on the grounds of age.

Communications awards are back
The Scottish Communications Awards have been re-born after a gap of four years. Entries needed by 3 November.

Making campaigns successful
Running a campaign looks easy until you think of the planning, the aims, the targets, how you will involve members, what materials you'll need and how you can get media coverage.

UNISON sponsors UK Asian Football Championships
UNISON Scotland is proud to sponsor the UK Asian Football Championships (UKAFC) for the first time this year.

Palestine and Lebanon: NEC gives £5,000 for humanitarian aid
Jane Carolan reports that UNISON's National Executive has donated £5,000 for humanitarian relief in the Lebanon and Palestine through Medical Aid to Palestine (MAP)..

Scottish Black Members training marks success
This year's Scottish black members training weekend brought in new and old members to learn and organise, to contribute to the work of UNISON Scotland - defending the rights of its members by eliminating all forms of discrimination at all levels, reports Ismail Donmez, Scottish Black Members Secretary.

UNISON Scotland at SNP Conference
UNISON Scotland attends all conferences of the main political parties in Scotland so we were in Perth last week for the Scottish National Party Conference.