STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd
e-brief Glasgow G3 0141 337 8100 www.stuc.org.uk 24 June 2004 Contents: Strong support for STUC pensions rally P2 STUC Activity in June: Unions Work for Refugees Over 500 trade unionists gathered in Edinburgh to and Asylum Seekers; demonstrate against the continuing pensions crisis and the Stockline Support Government's failure to protect pensioners from poverty in Group Meeting; retirement. Show Racism the Red Card
Chaired by Ronnie Smith, EIS General Secretary, other P3 STUC Activity in June: speakers included John Quigley, Amicus Regional Secretary, Meeting with Governor of the Bank of England; Pauline Minnery STUC Youth Committee and General Meeting of the Forum for Council, Phylis Heriot Scottish Pensioners and Sandra Renewable Energy Osborne MP for Ayr. Development; STUC delegation to Dungavel There was a clear message from all the trade unions that both Year Planner public and private sector pensions have to be protected and employers should be compelled to contribute to workers P4 STUC Activity in June: pensions funds reinforcing the view that pension provision Welcome - Camcorder should be a partnership between the state, employers and Guerillas; individuals. Pride Scotia Current Consultations The Policy and Campaigns Team are keen to hear your comments on the format of this e-brief, along with any suggestions you have for P5 STUC Activity in June: improvements or additions. You can can send your comments to the STUC Highlands and Islands STUC at dmoxham@stuc.org.uk or lwilson@stuc.org.uk Conference Current Consultations To contact the STUC:
P6 Future events: General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk Promoting TU learning D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk in Fort William D. G. Secretary: Ronnie McDonald rmcdonald@stuc.org.uk STUC Youth Conference Assistant Secretary: Rozanne Foyer rfoyer@stuc.org.uk STUC Women's Conference Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Consultation Responses Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk P7 The month ahead Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk Research: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk Lifelong Learning Unit: Declan McGrath: dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk Jacqueline McGuigan: jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk P8 In the parliaments ... Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: Wendy Burton: wburton@stuc.org.uk Close the Gap Project: Evelyn Fraser efraser@stuc.org.uk P9 One Workplace Equal One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk Rights: Equality at Work Scottish One Fund for All: Mike McNicholl: mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk Seminars Scottish Pensioners Forum: Doreen Kean: doreenk@stuc.org.uk
S T U C activities in June STUC Stockline Support Group Meeting Unions Work for Refugees and Asylum Seekers The STUC met with forty Stockline workers and their families to investigate opportunities An interesting, challenging and well attended for the trade union movement to support conference, saw contributions from a range of individuals in the coming months. stakeholders, participants from a range of affiliates in the public and private sectors, chaired Thompsons Solicitors attended and made a by Anne Douglas, current Chair of the STUC presentation on our behalf to explain the legal General Council. Lesley Irving, Head of the processes, including criminal and civil liability Scottish Executive's Race Religion and Refugee and the the limitations of fatal accident inquir- Team opened the event outlining the Scottish ies to deal with other issues other than fatalities. Executive's positive work on integration of refugees into Scottish communities. It was agreed that a support group be formed to ensure the workers have a collective voice Jim Laird, of COSLA's Refugee and Asylum and are adequately equipped to ensure their Seeker Consortium gave an informative view are central to influencing any decisions contribution on the history of Glasgow's affecting the investigation and future inquiry. involvement in asylum seekers. The barriers that prevent asylum seekers and refugees from STUC leads the way in showing racist entering the workplace, were excellently political parties the Red Card described by Maggie Lennon of the Institute of Contemporary Scotland. Able Miller, a refugee A very successful press event was held on 7 June from Zimbabwe gave a first hand account of his in the run up to the European Parliament experiences of trying to access the workplace in elections, to demonstrate that Scotland rejects Scotland. racism and fascism in the political process. The afternoon session saw examples of best The mainstream political parties - Scottish practice of assisting asylum seekers and refugees Conser vatives, the Scottish Green Party, the to access the workplace from Kate Davidson of Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Liberal The Bridges Project, Lesley Sawers of Glasgow Democrats, the Scottish National Party and the C h a m b e r of Commerce's New Glaswegians Scottish Socialist Party all signed up to our Projects, Geoff Orr of the Refugee Doctors' statement, and were represented at the press Programme, and Jim Gaffney of Laing O'Rourke conference by one of their candidates in the and Harry Frew of UCATT. Euro elections. A wide range of religious, community, civic and faith groups all signed up Stephen Smellie, of UNISON's South Lanarkshire with the political parties to our statement: Branch led discussions with delegates on the way forward, and a variety of proposals and actions "Scotland is a vibrant and diverse nation. There is no for trade union involvement were drawn up in place in Scotland for politics that divide communities, workshops. promote hatred and misinformation, and oppose diversity and multiculturalism. Scotland rejects racism and A report of the conference will be available in due fascism". course.
No political party espousing racist policies secured a seat in Scotland.
S T U C activities in June STUC Year planner Meeting with Governor of the Bank of England
A General Council delegation enjoyed a constructive and thought-provoking meeting with Mervyn King during his JULY recent visit to Scotland. The Bank of England ensures that meetings with the STUC are arranged whenever the 3-4 STUC YOUTH Governor or indeed other members of the Monetary Policy CONFERENCE Committee visit Scotland. OCTOBER A range of issues were discussed during the meeting: the impact of the minimum wage; wage agreements in general; 9-10 BLACK WORKERS monetary policy; and sectoral performance. The STUC CONFERENCE delegation raised specific concerns about Stirling Highland Hotel Deadlines for motions · the detrimental effect rising interest rates are likely to Friday 23 July 2004 have on Scotland's manufacturing industry; Deadline for delegates - · rising interest rates forming a barrier to longer-term Friday 20 August 2004 pay agreements; and, Email to · the short-termism of the financial markets driving the hcarson@stuc.org.uk offshoring of Scottish jobs.
NOVEMBER Meeting of the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS). 16-17 WOMEN'S CONFERENCE FREDS is a partnership between industry, academia and Government which seeks to secure economic development Albert Halls, Stirling Deadlines for motions opportunities for Scotland by capitalising on our Friday 3 September renewable energy resources. Stephen Boyd attended the 2004. recent meeting in Aberdeen which focused on the DTI Deadline for delegates Renewables Innovation review and the development of Friday 15 October 2004. Scotland's marine energy sector. Email to: hcarson@stuc.org.uk STUC Delegation to Dungavel
On 29 May a delegation from the STUC visited the Dungavel 27 ST ANDREW'S DAY Detention Centre in South Lanarkshire. Anne Douglas, MARCH & RALLY AGAINST RACISM STUC President, Veronica Rankin, Chair of the Women's AND FACISM Committee, Agnes Tolmie, General Council member, and Mary Senior Assistant Secretary, spent a morning in the centre, meeting with the Deputy Manager of Dungavel, and the Home Office's representative Contract Manager, and touring the facilities. A detailed report of the visit is being compiled.
Cur r ent Welcome - Camcorder Guerillas
Consultations
The STUC was delighted to support the showing of a new
film "Welcome" by the Glasgow based film producers -
Camcorder Guerillas. "Welcome" records the plight of
asylum seekers in Glasgow, highlighting how they are being 14-Jun-04
evicted on to the streets of Glasgow and left homeless and
Scottish Executive:
destitute. A packed audience at the Glasgow Film Theatre
Rights of Appeal in Planning
on Saturday 19 June watched the video, and then debated
Closing date for
the issues raised with a panel including representatives of affiliate comments
Glasgow City Council, Positive Action in Housing, the 23-Jul-04
STUC, and the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees. Closing date for
The film was produced on a zero budget, and copies of consultation
30-Jul-04
the video are being made available, through organisations
purchasing supporter' copies of the film at a cost of £50. View consultation document
NUJ are among the organisations who have already bought
Scottish Executive:
a supporter copy - the STUC is encouraging other trade
Making Development Plans
unions, trade union councils, branches and other organisa-
Deliver
tions to purchase a copy and show the video in their
Closing date for
workplace or branch.
affiliate comments
23-Jul-04
Copies of the film "Welcome" (20mins) are available from Closing date for
the Camcorder Guerillas www.camcorderguerillas.net 34 consultation
Albion Street Gmac Rm 17, Glasgow G1 1LH. 30-Jul-04
The film also encourages viewers to express their View consultation document
opposition to the policy of eviction to the Home Secretary
and their MP. Positive Action in Housing (PAIH) is the Scottish Executive
Consultation on the Merger
main charity helping people who find themselves in this
of the Scottish Further
situation and provides limited shelter and support for
Education Funding Council
destitute refugees, however PAIH can only help people
and the Scottish Higher
with donations received from the public.
Education Funding Council
Closing date for
To support the PAIH destitution appeal, you can donate affiliate comments
on line at: www.paih.org send cheques to PAIH at 98 West 02-Jul-04
George Street, Glasgow, G2, or call 0141 353 2220. Closing date for
Cheques should be made payable toPositive Action in consultation
15-Jul-04
Housing' and marked on the back for "Destitution
View consultation document
Appeal".
Pride Scotia
The STUC supported and attended the Pride Scotia event in Glasgow on 20th June 2004. The event was well attended and successful. The STUC organised a Unions Work stall which was well received.
Cur r ent STUC Highlands and Islands Conference
Consultations Sixty-nine trade unionists participated in this year's STUC Highlands and Islands Conference held in Inverness on Saturday 12 June. The unions represented were AMICUS, ASLEF, CSP, GMB, MU, PCS, PROSPECT, RMT, SSTA, TGWU, UCATT, UNIFI, UNISON and USDAW. Moray, Inverness and Thurso DTI: Fairness for All: A New Commission for Equality & Wick Trades Union Councils were also represented. and Human Rights - White Paper Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Closing date for Lifelong Learning and David Stewart MP, PPS to the affiliate comments Secretary of State for Scotland, gave keynote addresses. 23-Jul-04 Conference was chaired by Anne Douglas, STUC General Closing date for Council Chairperson, and its theme was Unions Work. consultation Special sessions were held on Unions Work, One Workplace 06-Aug-04 and Lifelong Learning. View consultation document
Delegates had the opportunity to quiz Lewis and David, as Scottish Parliament: well as MSPs representing the Scottish Conservatives, the Consultation on the Water Green Party and Scottish Labour Party who partcipated in an Services etc (Scotland) Bill open forum session. Closing date for affiliate comments Issues of concern to delegates included the lack of NHS 27-Aug-04 dentists and maternity services, lack of affordable childcare, Closing date for low pay, the new railway franchise in Scotland, environment, consultation 03-Sep-04 opportunities for fabrication yards, windfarm and renewable View consultation document energ y, racism at work, training for trade unionists at work, lack of support from trade unions for Trades Union Scottish Executive: Councils in the area. Towards A Green Jobs Strategy Delegates were asked to complete a questionnaire which, Closing date for together with the report of the Conference, will be affiliate comments considered by the General Council when it meets in August 16-Sep-04 so that the views of trade unionists from Scotland's Closing date for Highlands and Islands are taken into account in the work consultation 30-Sep-04 which is carried out throughout the year. View consultation document
Scottish Executive: Smoking in Public Places Closing date for affiliate comments 20-Sep-04 Closing date for consultation 30-Sep-04 View consultation document
F u t u re eve n t s Consultation Responses Promoting TU learning in Fort William 29/30 June
On Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th June, a mobile learning bus will be touring union recognised businesses in Fort William to promote trade union learning with existing union members Scottish Executive: in the area. The use of Joint Ventures to deliver The bus is being funded by Learndirect Scotland and is aimed primary/joint care at raising awareness of learning and the benefits both to premises individuals and to the business. Full STUC response We are planning to launch the STUC Everyday Skills on-line available here course on 30th June. This will enable learners in the High- lands and Islands to access the adult literacy and numeracy awareness raising training course without the need to leave Scottish Parliament their locality Justice 1 Committee Contact Jaqueline McGuigan at Jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk or Inquiry into Emergency 01463 248905 for further information. Workers (Scotland) Bill Full STUC response available here 64th STUC Youth Conference
Saturday/Sunday 3/4 July, 2004 Venue: West Park Conference Centre, Dundee University. Chair: Daniel Donaldson; GMB
The theme of the 64th Annual STUC Youth Conference is "Unions Work for Young People". Debates will include Eradicating Low Pay Among Young People; Working Tax Credits and Support for Students; Higher Education Funding; Public Services; Exploitation of Migrant Workers; National Minimum Wage for Young Workers; Pensions
Guest speakers will include, Lewis McDonald Deputy Minister for Lifelong Learning, Veronica Rankin, Chair STUC Women's Committee and Rami Okasha, President NUS Scotland.
There will also be an open panel debate "Do unions work for young people" with panel members: Harry Donaldson, Scottish Regional Secretary, GMB Scotland; Anne Douglas, National Officer, Prospect EMA; Eddie Reilly, Scottish Secretary PCS; Matt Smith; Scottsih Secretary, Unison.
The month ahead The (28th June - 22nd July)
24/06/04 Scottish Council Foundation Annual Lecture 24/06/04 Meeting with Federation of Small Business to discuss their report, Barriers to Progress
25/06/04 Scottish Trade Union Research Network Conference 28/06/04 Scottish Council Foundation seminar with Jack Perry Chief Executive Scottish Enterprise. Options for Scotland's Economic Development Agency
29/06/04 Meeting Peter Hughes, Scottish Engineering 29/06/04 Ministerial Small Business Consultative Group
30/06/04 Scottish Human Services Tr ust Disability Event with Tom McCabe MSP
06/07/04 TUC Offshoring Group
12/07/04 TUC Regional Development Agency Group
21/07/04 General Secretary on judging panel for National Awards for Scotland
22/07/04 Meeting with Scottish Executive Glasgow to discuss refreshing "A Smart Successful Scotland"
In the parliaments ...
Committee Evidence Scottish Parliament Justice 1 Committee Emergency Workers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 oral evidence from Unison, TGWU, GMB and STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/justice1/or/j104-2202.htm#Col865
Scottish Parliament Health Committee Prohibition of Smoking in Regulated Areas (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 oral evidence from Amicus http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/health/or/he04-1502.htm#Col946
Committee Reports Scottish Parliament Standards Committee Report on Research Commissioned into aspects of the Cross-Party Group System http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/standards/reports/str04-04-01.htm
Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee Report The repatriation of European regional development funding and the UK Government's proposals: an Inquiry into the impact in Scotland http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/european/reports/eur04-02-vol01-01.htm
Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Scottish Executive's Response to 2nd Report 2004 (Session 2) Report on Scottish Water http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/finance/reports/fir04-02-resp-02.htm
Government and Parliament Publications Scottish Executive Publication Scotland's Transport Future -The Transport White Paper http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/transport/stfwp-00.asp#
Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Analytical Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People http://www.strategy.gov.uk/files/pdf/Disability%20interim.pdf
DTI Employment Research Relations Series Equal opportunities polices and practices at the workplace: Secondary analysis of WERS98 http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/emar/errs30.pdf
Office for National Statistics Labour Market Statistics for Scotland June 2004 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsscot0604.pdf
Securing Future Practice - Shaping the New Medical Workforce for Scotland The Report of a Short-Life Working Group Commissioned by the Scottish Executive http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/sfpnmw-00.asp
Scottish Parliament Research Briefing Business Growth http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/research/briefings-04/sb04-45.pdf
EQUALITY AT WORK SEMINARS Awareness-raising seminars for Trade Union Reps and Officials covering:
· How to recognise different types of discrimination · How discrimination affects different groups in different ways · Basic legal rights in the areas of race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation and age · Bargaining for equality in the workplace · Promoting equality in your union
There have already been two successful seminars held in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Future seminars
Tuesday 14th September Aberdeen Tuesday 26th October Inve r n e s s
These seminars will provide a good foundation for the residential weekend schools aimed at training Bargaining for Equality Reps, to be offered around Scotland from November 2004.
If you would like to receive further information, please complete and return the attached form. Alternatively, please contact:
Liza Greig Project Administrator Tel: 0141 337 8135 E-mail: lgreig@stuc.org.uk
One Workplace Seminars for Trade Union Reps and Officials
Please complete and return by fax to Liza Greig on 0141 337 8101
Please indicate which seminar you wish to attend:
Tuesday 14th September 2004 Aberdeen Tuesday 26 October 2004 Inverness th
Name: ...............................................................................
J o b Title: ...........................................................................
Organisation: ........................................................................
P h o n e Number: ...................................................................
Address: ............................................................................ ...............................................................
Email: .................................................................................