STUC at the Scottish Parliament this week

February 17th 2014

STUC at the Scottish Parliament this week

February 17th 2014

As MSPs come back to Parliament this week, there will be a number of opportunities to meet with trade union representatives from different sectors and professions across Scotland. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) ‘Trade Union Week at the Scottish Parliament’ allows MSPs to meet with constituents from local workplaces, but also shines a spotlight on the valuable contribution that trade unions make to civic society and to the economy. With the second ‘A Just Scotland’ Report due to be published later in the week, the focus will be on tackling inequality and developing good employment practice, with investment in good quality, long term, jobs.

Topics explored during the Week include the British Dietetic Association (BDA) ‘Trust a Dietician’ campaign; the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) highlighting the impact poverty has on children’s education; the Future of Scotland’s Ferry Services; Prospect the Union stressing the ‘Value of our Heritage’; and Scottish Union Learning presenting new work to increase diversity and equality of access in the Modern Apprenticeships programme.

Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:

“We welcome the opportunity to bring members from so many different trade unions and workplaces to the Parliament. The Scottish Parliament continues to promote openness and accessibility, and the events planned this week in Edinburgh reinforce this important principle. We look forward to a constructive week, celebrating together the benefits of respect and good practice in the workplace”

On Wednesday night a community drumming band ‘One Big Drum’ from the North East of Scotland, will be performing in the Garden Lobby at the STUC Reception, hosted and welcomed by Drew Smith MSP. The links that the STUC ‘Unions Into Schools’ project make with young people and school students are an integral part of the trade union movement’s activity.

ENDS

For further information contact Ann Henderson 07875 208 167 ahenderson@stuc.org.uk

Notes to Editors

  1. Members Motion Number: S4M-09028 Lodged By: Drew Smith Title: Trade Union Week at the Parliament, February 2014

That the Parliament welcomes what it sees as the wide range of topics at Trade Union Week, which will be held at the Parliament from 17 to 21 February 2014; believes that the STUC and its affiliated trade unions make a commendable contribution to civic society engagement, including through the campaign, There is a Better Way, and the programme of consultative events, A Just Scotland; congratulates the winners of the 2013 STUC Union Rep Awards, Sonya Cassidy of UNITE, who won the Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning, Sharon Edwards of the Public and Commercial Services union, winner of the One Workplace Equal Rights Equality Award, and Pauline Russell of the GMB, on being named the recipient of the Frank Maguire Health and Safety Award, and recognises the role played by workplace reps and the benefits of collective bargaining and strong workplace agreements.

2 Members Motion Number: S4M-08997 Lodged By: Jean Urquhart Title: One Big Drum at Trade Union Week

That the Parliament welcomes the visit by members of One Big Drum from East Sutherland during Trade Union Week at the Parliament; commends High Life Highland and Health and Happiness for the One Big Drum initiative, which brings together people with learning disabilities, non-disabled people, young people and older people together; recognises the support from Brora Community Council, Golspie Community Council, High Life Highland, Health and Happiness, the STUC and from Unions into Schools in making the visit possible, and joins with One Big Drum in celebrating what it sees as the positive contribution that African drum music makes to breaking down barriers and collectively improving wellbeing.

3 A Just Scotland Report’ The STUC will publish its second ‘A Just Scotland Report’ in Edinburgh on Thursday 20th February. Details of the media launch will be circulated to media outlets shortly.

4 A copy of the Trade Union Week programme is attached