Equality Award win for UNISON activists
First Minister Alex Salmond presented
this year's STUC One Workplace Equality Award 2008
to Marion Stewart, Branch Secretary and Elaine North,
Support for Learning Assistant at Maxwellton High
School in Dumfries and steward for UNISON Dumfries
and Galloway Local Authority Branch at the STUC Annual
Congress in Inverness.
The award recognises the role of Scottish
trade union members in challenging discriminatory
practices and attitudes in the workplace Both award
winners led the successful Classroom Assistants campaign
last year that saw a planned proposal to cut up to
70 Classroom Assistant posts withdrawn by Education
officials.
The campaign culminated with a 6000
signature petition being given to the Council and
over 2000 postcards opposing any cuts being sent directly
to elected members.
UNISON in Dumfries and Galloway have
also lodged over 300 equal pay claims on behalf of
Classroom Assistant members and the award recognises
Marion's & Elaine's successful work with their Branch
and nationally to eradicate the historical gender
pay inequalities and promote equality of opportunity
for all workers.
Matt Smith UNISON's Scottish Secretary
said today: "Elaine and Marion have congratulations
from everyone in UNISON for their excellent organising
work that has not only won this award, but shown how
important the union's work on equal pay is, both to
deliver for low-paid women workers, and to deliver
fair pay structures in the longer term.”
Grahame Smith STUC Gen Secretary commented:
"It is entirely appropriate that the award this year
goes to a group of low-paid women workers who stood
up for fairer treatment, with the support of their
union. They deserve all our congratulations in showing
that to stand up for fair treatment can deliver results.”
The STUC One Workplace Equality Award
highlights the work of the STUC's ground breaking
One Workplace Equal Rights Project which has, since
its launch in 2004, supported trade unions in Scotland
in promoting equal opportunities issues in the workplace
by offering support, targeted training and advice
to trade unions, employers and employees on rights
at work and on promoting and bargaining for inclusive
work practices.
Dumfries & Galloway UNISON spokesperson,
Alan Bradley said: "UNISON representatives locally
and nationally have a key role to play in solving
problems for workers everyday from the smallest grievance
to major strategic issues. Tackling inequality and
discrimination by supporting their fellow members
who are being discriminated against is just one part
of this. The Branch is delighted that Marion & Elaine's
tireless work in leading the campaign last year has
been recognised.”
Marion says, "After so many years as
an activist to be recognised for my efforts in this
way is just amazing. I feel that this award is in
recognition of all the effort put in by my Branch
colleagues and members in promoting Equality in our
Council and to the thousands in Dumfries & Galloway
who supported the Classroom Assistants campaign”.
Elaine says, "I am delighted and very
honoured to have received this award and this recognition
will only help to promote UNISON's fight for fairness
and equality in the workplace.”
top | STUC
Index
|
Scotland's
public service union
|
