In 2004, the STUC began a campaign to retain a publicly owned and accountable Scottish water industry.
As part of the ongoing campaign, a half-day conference was held on 16 October 2006 the purpose of which was to present findings of STUC commissioned research.
The conference was attended by over 40 people including representatives from:
• STUC water affiliates • Scottish Water • NGO’s including Oxfam and WDM • Employers’ organisations • SCVO • Academics
Professor David Miller and Professor Christine Cooper, Public Interest Research Network, Strathclyde University presented the findings from their STUC commissioned report, “Scottish Water, the drift to privatisation and how democratisation could improve efficiency and lower costs”. Other speakers included Jim and Margaret Cuthbert, Kirstie Shirra, World Development Movement and Dave Watson, UNISON, on behalf of the water unions.