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

March 2010 No 83

Campaign launched against £300million in cuts
General Secretary Dave Prentis launched UNISON’s major ‘Public Works’ campaign at a public services rally at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on 6 February.

I've added mine!
Aberdeenshire Branch members added their voices for public services at ‘Public Works’ stalls set up by the branch in Gordon House, Inverurie and Woodhill House, Aberdeen.

UNISON rejects report on ‘crude productivity’ in NHS
UNISON Scotland has criticised a report published by the Nuffield Trust which claims that the NHS in Scotland is underperforming in comparison with England.

Cuts: Real picture emerges as branches build up for April 10
As branches gear up for the ‘stop the cuts’ demo on 10 April, the real picture of job losses was emerging across local government in Scotland, with the major impact of Health Service cuts set to bite next year.

Cuts threats spark recruitment boost
UNISON Scotland membership has increased again, Scottish Organiser, John Keggie reported to the last Scottish Committee.

Home Carers kicked in teeth by private care company
UNISONScotland has condemned the news that over 300 low paid Home Carers employed by Choices - Care at Home, are to have their contracts of employment ripped up and replaced with “zero hour” contracts, removing any guarantees of how long, or if, they will work in any given period.

2010 Budget will fail to deliver for Scotland
Matt Smith, UNISON Scottish Secretary has told the Government that the Scottish budget fails to meet the needs of the Scottish people and is likely to threaten the economic recovery.

Returning to learn about computers
South Lanarkshire UNISON is proud to continue its backing for the highly successful Return to Learn IT programme in 2010.

Domestic violence: UNISON backs bill to give women more protection
UNISON has backed plans to give greater legal protection and support to women experiencing domestic violence.

UNISON signs recognition deal with Police Service Authority
UNISON has signed a recognition agreement with the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) and fellow trade union, Unite, which will confirm them as the unions recognised to represent police staff working for the Authority.

Health weekend school success
A very successful weekend school for Health Branches was held at the Apex Hotel Dundee 12-14 February.

Accounts Commission report ‘misses the point’
It is disappointing that the Accounts Commission seem to have missed the point again, said Dougie Black, UNISON regional organiser, commenting on last week’s report on Scottish Local Government.

Edinburgh calls for outsourcing halt after care tender fiasco
In the wake of £250,000 wasted on a flawed bid to re-tender care services for vulnerable people, UNISON’s Edinburgh Branch has called on the Council to halt its ‘new business model’ outsourcing plans and open up the books on its figures.

UNISON lobbies to protect women’s refuge
UNISON’s Highland Branch has called for talks with Inverness Women’s Aid amid fears that a review of services will lead to job losses.

98% of childcare workers abused
That shocking figure was revealed in a Glasgow City Branch survey of their residential childcare members about violence at work over a twelve month period.

Scotland backs Prentis for Gen Sec
UNISON’s Scottish Regional Council has voted to nominate current UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis for the forthcoming election starting in April.

New Media - a UNISON opportunity
UNISON Scotland needs to develop and promote itself through all new media platforms and should train activists up to use the relevant software - that’s the message from a successful pilot one day course held in Inverness.

Scottish Water backs environment but regulator joins enviro-sceptics
Just as the Scottish Government prioritised the fight against climate change in Scottish Water's plans, news emerged that regulator Sir Ian Byatt was helping a group critical of the evidence behind climate change.

New ‘Springboard’ training for women activists
A new course targeted at new women activists in UNISON Scotland has been launched.

Sackings threat withdrawn at Renfrewshire leisure charity
Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd has withdrawn threats to dismiss ex-council staff working for the organisation unless they signed-up to a range of detrimental working conditions.

Key officers flag retirement
Matt Smith, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary since the inception of the union, has signalled that he intends to retire at the end of the year - with Communications Officer Chris Bartter set to leave in May.

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