Scottish Parliament Trade Union Week

4 – 8 December 2006

As part of the STUC Workplan the General Council held a trade union week of events in the Scottish Parliament

Political Party Meetings

Meetings were held with all of the main parties in the Parliament to discuss the STUC’s priorities for the forthcoming 2007 Scottish Elections. Each meeting was different in terms of attendance and approach but all were thought to be useful. Office bearers, members of the General Council and Secretariat were in attendance at all and at each meeting the General Secretary presented the STUC’s Manifesto “7 for 2007”.

While no specific outcomes were agreed with the parties the Labour Party, Scottish Greens and SNP indicated a willingness to follow up on policy issues in the development of measures within their respective manifestos. The “7 for 2007” Manifesto was circulated to all MSPs.

Fringe Events

The following fringe events were held over the week: Prospect: Launch of Scottish Science Study STUC: Migrant Workers Meeting UNISON - Working for Scotland’s public services: From employee to politician PCS - The Scottish Executive's Relocation Policy and its impact on PCS members STUC: Skills & Lifelong Learning Team- Union Learning: Route to a Successful Scotland Scottish Federation of Entertainment Unions-Launch of Manifesto CWU – Justice for Agency Workers

Exhibitions in Garden Lobby

The following Exhibitions took place in the Garden Lobby and generated much interest from MSPs, Party staff, Parliamentary Staff and visitors. One Workplace Equal Rights Violence Against Workers USDAW Skills & Lifelong Learning Team UNISON PCS - Close the Gap Anti – Sectarianism

Parliamentary Debate

An Executive led debate on Civic Engagement and the role of trade unions, the first of its kind, took place in the chamber on the Wednesday afternoon with a number of General Council members, STUC staff and secretariat in attendance. The Scottish Conservatives sought to amend the motion by removing all reference to trade unions and gave the debate an unexpected albeit entertaining edge.

Feedback and Follow up

The Secretariat has received a significant amount of positive feedback from MSPs and staff, General Council members, affiliates and the media about the STUC’s presence around the Parliament during the week. A number of MSPs have suggested holding an event of this nature annually would be a positive step and many have offered to help with organising any future activity.

Fringe events generated increased interest from MSPs and discussions are taking place with affiliates and MSPs about submitting motions in support of the campaigns highlighted as part of the week.

An Early Day Motion (EDM) was submitted by Katy Clark MP at Westminster, which has 52 signatories currently, highlighting and supporting the STUC’s Trade Union Week and calling for consideration of a similar event at Westminster.

Over 100 trade unionists attended the Parliament, many for the first time, as part of the week.