TUESDAY 17 June No. 2

President's speech . Nursery Nurses Update

President, Scotland's Nancy Coull applauds work of activists and slams racism

What a year! in fact what a decade! and definitely what a union!

by Jane Aitchsion, Briefings Team

Scottish delegates were extremely proud to welcome Nancy Coull, yet another Scottish UNISON national president "but also, low paid part-time worker and member of UNISON."

She said "When I look behind me I see the word - NO THEM AND US - and for me they relate, not only to racism, but also to the wider world and in particular to UNISON.

"This year, as I have represented the union, I have had the opportunity to meet trade union members and activists at all kinds of events and it has given me such a boost to see so many people working together, sharing their experiences, sharing common causes. If I ever had any doubts, which I didn't, that the trade union movement was alive and well, in fact thriving, they would have been well buried"

After becoming President last year, Nancy took part in a demonstration in the US in support of culinary workers on strike because of low pay - in temperatures of over 100 degrees.

Nancy said "Contrast that with your own knowledge and experiences - with nursery nurses fighting for better pay; my daughter used to be one - not now - not enough money or respect!

"And contrast it with low paid school workers joining the fight in London, for decent allowances to let them live where they work; with term time workers fighting for better working conditions. All those workers looking for a living wage and those resisting privatisation and PFI plans."

Nancy continued, "So many people around the world facing the same problems but at different stages.What a wealth of experience we can bring to each other. Experience that means we shouldn't need to reinvent the wheel."

On the NEC, Nancy said "Every single member on this platform behind me is a local steward, some of them hold branch positions, some Service Group or Self-Organised group positions. We, and I include myself in this, are a diverse group. And we're human - with jobs to fit in families to look after - and possible, just possible a social life as well"

"We are not some elite - an enemy to be fought against- we're all trying to do the best we can for the people we care about - our members."

Nancy got involved in the union, on return to work after having a family. Facing a number of problems, her branch secretary and branch chair, both men, encouraged her to become active in the union. She rose through the ranks, became Chair of the APF in 1997 and is now a UNISON representative in the Labour Party NEC.

Nancy explained that UNISON now has 50,000 young members and that thanks to ongoing recruitment campaigns, the number is rising faster than ever.

"Young people are overworked, underpaid and undervalued. Our message is what it can mean to be part of a union, but we don't just want the image, we want substance."

On the National Minimum Wage, Nancy said "I think the age difference stinks and the opt outs for young people in training is pure exploitation. We, my son and I, are going through this just now. He's coming up for 18. It's double jeopardy they don't get the full rate and you lose housing benefit."

Nancy closed her speech, with "tears running down my face, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to us all and remind you again that there should be no them and us, so that our unity and strength will take us forward.

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Employers 'fail parents' as nursery strikes go on

Around 2,000 Nursery Nurses from Central Scotland, Dundee, Fife and South Lanarkshire, will be the latest to take strike action today (17 June).

Nursery nurses from Falkirk, Stirling, Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Fife, all start two days of strike action today. South Lanarkshire will also strike on Thursday 19th. Stirling Nursery Nurses will be leafleting Stirling Town Centre all day today(17).

News arriving at Conference from Dundee is that, on their third day of action, nursery nurses were joined on the picket lines by parents, grandparents, head teachers, teachers, classroom assistants, jannies and supporters from other unions. Dundee's Branch Secretary describes the mood as 'bubbly' with strength of action throughout.

"Scottish Employers are clearly treating nursery nurses, and Scotland's children with contempt. ", said Carol Ball, Chair of UNISON's Scottish Nursery Nurse Working Party.

"Millions of taxpayers money has been committed by the Scottish Executive to nursery provision, yet they will not discuss any payment to nursery nurses who are providing the service. They are failing Scotland's children and Scotland's parents by sitting back whilst childrens' education is disrupted."

This is the latest of the current strike days in Scotland. The current wave of strike action will culminate in an all-Scotland demonstration on Tuesday 24 June in Glasgow, further strikes are likely to be planned as there appears to be no movement from employers. The boycott of additional duties is continuing.

"It wasn't so long ago that CoSLA was complaining all over the media that we wouldn't talk to them." Said Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser (Local Government).

"We spoke to them and they refused to make a tangible move towards addressing nursery nurses' concerns. All we were looking for was a payment to bring nursery nurses to a fair level - but councillors' apparently would rather sit back and wait for their summer holidays. Well we have news for them, it will not be a rest for them, as our members are angry and want to target them."

Future action will also be discussed by the union this week at its National Industrial Action Committee. The boycott of additional duties is continuing and further strikes in nursery services are likely.

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