Scotland's Ferry Services

The Scottish Parliament Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee published its report on Scotland's Ferry Services.

and it was debated in Parliament on Wednesday 10th September 2008.

A number of trade unions participated in the inquiry, attending local meetings around Scotland, and on the day of the Parliamentary debate an STUC Briefing was circulated. We are keen to see public investment in publicly owned and managed Ferry services, and welcome recommendations to extend and improve services. Ferry services are vital to the economic and social structure of Scotland's island communities, and good working conditions and opportunities for the workforce are crucial to the success of those services.

Consultation on the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill

The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill provides for a statutory framework for sexual offences in Scots law. The Bill repeals the common law offences of rape, sodomy and clandestine injury to women and a number of statutory sexual offences in addition to creating new statutory offences relating to sexual conduct, in particular where that takes place without consent. It provides a general definition of consent as "free agreement" and supplements this with a non-exhaustive list of factual circumstances in which free agreement, and therefore consent, is not present.

The Justice Committee has been taking evidence on the proposals contained in the Scottish Government's draft Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill.

The STUC submission is here. The Equal Opportunities Committee meeting on 30th September considered written evidence on the specific point of how the provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill might better protect trafficked women and offer additional measures to hold responsible those who facilitate access to vulnerable women.

The STUC submitted a paper. The STUC has clear and strong policy against trafficking and exploitation of women and children, and would argue that the Sexual Offences Bill should contain explicit reference to additional protection of prostitutes and women who have been trafficked.

Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill

The Justice Committee in the Scottish Parliament is considering the legislation on compensation payments for pleural plaques: Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill

The Committee has held a number of evidence sessions , reports of which can be read on the Scottish Parliament website.

The STUC made a written submission. Frank Maguire of Thompsons Solicitors, and representatives of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, gave evidence at the meeting on 2nd September.

Further updates will be given on this issue through the STUC website, as the Bill moves into the next stage in Parliament.

STUC - Campaigning for Recognition of International Workers Memorial Day

Following on from a well attended debate in the Parliament on 1st May 2008, on a Members Motion submitted by Elaine Smith MSP, the STUC has now met with Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, to discuss how the Government can give due recognition to the International Workers Memorial Day. The Scottish Government will be considering this further, and will be asking the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body to also consider how the Parliament could mark the day.

This is the Motion debated in Parliament:

S3M-01710# Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Scottish Labour): Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living— That the Parliament recognises the importance of International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) held on 28 April each year; considers that the official slogan “remember the dead, fight for the living” is particularly apposite and helps to ensure that all those who have died as a result of work are not forgotten whilst at the same time encourages renewed efforts to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated; welcomes events around Scotland to commemorate this important day and, in particular, the unveiling of the North Lanarkshire Workers Memorial at Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge; encourages relevant authorities to fly official flags on public buildings at half mast; hopes that all workplaces will observe a one-minute silence at 12 noon on 28 April 2008; commends the STUC and the trade unions for their work in building trade union organisation and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws to help in the struggle for safer workplaces, and supports the call for recognition of IWMD as a national day of remembrance for those who have been killed, injured, or made ill by their work. Parliamentary debate

CWU 'Time to deliver in Scotland' lobby of the Scottish Parliament

A comprehensive report of the lobby, which was supported by the STUC, is available on the CWU website

Voluntary Sector unites to demand fair funding

Early this week (W/b Monday 13 Oct) a broad coalition of voluntary organisations and unions will launch a petition calling for fair funding where Scottish public service contracts are undertaken by the voluntary sector.

The petition - jointly submitted by the STUC, SCVO, Unite, UNISON and Community Care Providers Scotland urges the Scottish Government to demonstrate commitment to the third sector by agreeing a National Framework for Public Service Contracts between the Scottish Government, purchasers and providers.

Full press release available on the UNISON website