Lay edited bi-monthly bulletin for 5,000 activists
in Scotland |
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October/November
2008 No 75 |
Vote on pay: 'Don't just reject, be
ready to step up action'
Following the highly successful
second one-day strike on September 24, CoSLA has made a
new offer to local government staff, amounting to 5.5% over
two years. The final offer was 3% for 2008 and 2.5% for
2009. UNISON, along with our colleagues in GMB and Unite,
have agreed to recommend members reject the offer.
Timetable set to 'Re-open' Health Pay
The UK Health Group is calling for NHS
pay rates to be 're-opened', triggering reconsideration
of the second stage of the three-year pay settlement (2.4%
for next year) agreed last year.
Pay imposition leads to strike ballot
in Scottish Water
A decision by Scottish Water management,
backed by the Scottish Government to unilaterally impose
a pay rise of 3% over 15 months (about 2.4% per year), has
led to a strike ballot of UNISON members.
Financial crisis: UNISON demands....
Two hours later Gordon answers
The response to the financial crisis must
bring a fairer society and invest in the vital role of public
services, says National Executive member JANE CAROLAN .
We deserve a living wage - report
on the 24 September local government strike
Up to 5,000 UNISON local government members,
joined by GMB and Unite colleagues, marched through Edinburgh
on 24 September to demand fair pay. There were also major
events in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee and Inverness.
Voluntary Sector unites to demand fair
funding
A broad coalition of voluntary organisations
and unions have launched a petition calling for fair funding
where Scottish public service contracts are undertaken by
the voluntary sector .
Scottish Government programme threatens
members' jobs
The Scottish Government has launched its
legislative programme for the coming year with 15 Bills
planned in addition to those already in progress. Probably
the biggest individual threat to UNISON members comes from
the Council Tax Abolition Bill, explains Dave Watson.
March for Just Solutions on climate
change
Demonstrations will be held around the
world on 6 December demanding urgent action on climate change.
The aim of the Global Day of Action is to put pressure on
world leaders at the United Nations Climate Change talks
in Poznan, Poland..
Futures Trust just another PPP
The Scottish Government has published some further details
of its claimed replacement for PPP/PFI. What started out
pre-election as a proposal to raise conventional finance
has, post election, turned into another form of PPP. .
Pensions Governance - members need
greater say
Negotiations on the next stage of the agreed
new Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) are starting.
Task groups looking at how the new scheme is to be governed
and how any future increase in the costs of benefits are
to be shared will start work early next month.
Organising backup for Scottish Further
Education members
Now, to support our members in FE, a new
team has been established to develop an organising approach.
UNISON success at STUC Black Workers
Conference
UNISON's 12 strong delegation to the STUC's
Twelfth Annual Black Workers' conference in Perth was successful
in getting motions on Defending and promoting multiculturalism
and Supporting Show Racism the Red Card carried.
Challenging the BNP: Recognition for
Show Racism the Red Card in South Ayrshire
In early 2003 UNISON South Ayrshire Branch
started a local campaign to highlight racist incidents aimed
at sportsmen and women. Its campaign steadily gained momentum
over the years to the point they are now being recognised
at a national and international level.
Choosing Life - a new initiative
As part of our new GPF-funded involvement
with the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival,
UNISON Scotland is gearing up for two events as we go to
press. .
Scotland Against Racism
STUC St Andrew's Day Anti Racism March
and Rally Saturday 29 November 2008 .
OBITUARY: Douglas Hay - Councillor
and Trade Unionist
Bob Thomson pays tribute.
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