National Delegate Conference 19-22 June 2007

National demonstration against privatisation

UNISON will step up its 'Positively Public' campaign for public services and against privatisation and back this up with a national demonstration. Scotland had a key role in the debate with an amendment warning of the 'creeping privatisation' of shared services and PFI.

Scotland's Pat Rowland, brought a Scottish perspective to the debate. She told conference of the campaigning work in Scotland around our "Revitalising our Public Services" manifesto, which has promoted the value of public services both socially and economically. She firmly rejected the "crowding out" argument.

"Research shows that there is little or no evidence in the long term of a negative relationship between public spending and private finance. "In fact, public investment is crucial to the success of the Scottish economy," she said, adding that a recent MORI poll has shown that over two thirds of Scots want their public services delivered by directly employed staff and not the private sector.

"Campaigning against privatisation and PFI is effective," she said. In a separate debate, Conference backed a comprehensive strategy for the campaign to end the marketisation and privatisation of public services. On a card vote, it also accepted a call for a national demonstration and delegates were urged to get there and make it count. Glasgow Branch had been hoping for regional demonstrations but this was ruled out by the vote.

The wide ranging debate attracted a number of Scottish speakers. John Devine from Glasgow City spoke of the threats to library services and called on delegates to sign the petition to save public libraries - part of the Positively Public campaign. "Library services are essential to the well-being of our local communities" he said. "Our campaign calls on the Government and Local Authorities to adopt a five point plan to defend public libraries."

Bob Revie, Aberdeenshire, told conference of the unique public services model in Scotland which centres on collaboration and co-ordination, not competition. "But Scotland also faces many challenges similar to England," Bob warned, emphasising that the union must continue to influence the public policy debate.

"We must let politicians know they cannot reform public services without taking account of the views of users and staff."

And Gordon McKay, Ayrshire and Arran Health, supported a Labour Link dimension to the campaigning strategy. As a proud Labour Party member, he was critical of their nominations in the Labour leadership contest, but called on Labour Link to work with the rest of the union to defend, support and promote UNISON's policy.

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