e-brief STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd Glasgow G3 01413378100 www.stuc.org.uk 24 February 2004 Contents: Welcome to the second Scottish Trade Union Congress e-brief. to Scottish Trade e-brief The e-brief aims to keep affiliates and other interested parties (Click on heading navigate) informed of past and future STUC activities. Each issue will provide a snapshot of key STUC activities over the previous four weeks and P1 Recent activity look forward to events in the coming period. It will also keep you up-to-date with STUC responses to consultations issued by Scottish P 2 The month and Westminster parliaments, give examples of recent STUC media ahead activity and flag up parliamentary business of interest to the trade (24-26 Feb 04) union movement. Year planner The Policy and Campaigns Team are keen to hear your comments on the format of this e-brief, along with any suggestions you P3 The month have for improvements or additions. ahead You can can send your comments to the STUC at (27 Feb-02 Mar 04) dmoxham@stuc.org.uk or lwilson@stuc.org.uk Current Consultations To contact the STUC: General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk P4 The month D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk ahead D. G. Secretary: Ronnie McDonald rmcdonald@stuc.org.uk (03-09 Mar 04) Assistant Secretary: Tracey White twhite@stuc.org.uk Current Assistant Secretary: Rozanne Foyer rfoyer@stuc.org.uk Consultations Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk P5 The month Assistant Secretary Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk ahead Research: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk (10-15 Mar 04) Lifelong Learning Unit: Current Consultations Declan McGrath dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk Jacqueline McGuigan jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk P6 The month Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: ahead Wendy Burton wburton@stuc.org.uk (16-22 Mar 04) Close the Gap Project: Evelyn Fraser efraser@stuc.org.uk Consultations One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk submitted Jan/Feb Scottish One Fund for All: Mike McNicholl mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk P7 Media activity in Scottish Pensioners Forum: February Doreen Kean doreenk@stuc.org.uk Further Education Learning Project: P 8 In the parliaments ... Ann Garscadden agarscadden@stuc.org.uk
In February ... In Februar
that the application of the protocol be The STUC hosted a violence at work reviewed jointly on an annual basis. seminar which included presentations from Scotland Office Minster Ann Women & Poverty Strategy Meeting Po Strat Meeting McGuire MP and Scottish Executive Involved the Women's Committee, Scottish Minister Andy Kerr. Out of School Care Network and Scottish Poverty Information Unit. (The Poverty Bill Speirs returned from a Trade Union Speirs returned from Trade Alliance are also key partners in the cam- delegation to Colombia which witnessed at paign). The meeting looked at developing first hand the violence and repression an appropriate campaigning strategy on suffered by trade unionists in that country. poverty, women and childcare. The aim is A full report of the delegation will be to include a variety of other organisations available in due course. in the initiative. It is proposed to develop the campaign through the publication of a Met with Scottish Executive officials to booklet discussing the interelated issues of review the PPP staffing protocol It was protocol. poverty, childcare and its impact for agreed that the stage of the process of women, launching the publication at a current PPP projects meant that a full campaigning conference early in 2005. review of the protocol, particularly its success in eliminating the two tier The STUC hosted a highly successful workforce, was impossible. It was agreed from Trade visit from the Irish Congress of Trade that although no changes to the protocol Unions. The visiting trade unionists were Unions. were necessary at this time some action provided with an intense programme of was needed to raise awareness about some meetings within the Scottish Parliament of its provisions. It was agreed that and at the STUC to assist them in Scottish Executive [SE] would re-emphasise developing strategies based upon the to Public Sector Organisations that TUs Scottish experience of devolved should be involved in discussions about government. procurement options at earliest opportunity, i.e. before decision to use PPP route is Harry Cunningham has been appointed taken; and that SE would re-emphasise to as the new TUC Education officer in PSOs their obligations in relation to Scotland. disclosure of information prior to the preparation of the Outline Business Case. The TUC Union Learning Reps Cour se Reps Course It was also agreed that a joint SE/STUC which was held recently in Inverness was a seminar on the protocol and associated real success story with 14 participants rep- guidance would be organised and that the resenting 5 unions. The ULRs are now SE and STUC would identify and publicise completing the course on-line and are due examples of good practice in the applica to complete by 31st March 2004. tion of the protocol. Finally, it was agreed
Year planner The month ahead (24th -26th February) Februar MARCH
3 GENERAL 24/02/04 Scottish Parliament Finance COUNCIL Committee. Oral evidence to 13-14 EQUAL PAY REPS Inquiry into Scottish Executive DAY SCHOOL relocation policy 18 ADMINISTRATION 24/02/04 Attending launch of New GENERAL PURPOSES Glaswegians Projects - COMMITTEE 20 TU COUNCILS supporting refugees into CONFERENCE employment - hosted by 29 LAUNCH OF ONE Glasgow Chamber of W ORKPLACE Commerce CAMPAIGN 24/02/04 Special Admin & GPC meeting APRIL 25/02/04 Meeting with SE Wider Access 7 GENERAL to Council Membership Group COUNCIL re politically restricted posts 19-22 STUC CONGRESS 25/02/04 Economy and Employment 2 4 INTERNATIONAL Committee WORKERS 25/02/04 Cross Party Group on Refugees MEMORIAL DAY and Asylum MAY 25/02/04 Employment Appeal Tribunal AGM 8-9 YOUTH WEEKEND 25/02/04 Meeting Nicol Stephen, Minister SCHOOL for Transport 25/02/04 Scotland's Voluntary Sector Fair, JUNE SECC. STUC/SCVO hosting 12 STUC HIGHLANDS joint fringe meetings & ISLANDS CONFERENCE 26/02/04 Born Equal - Close the Gap transnational steering JULY group meeting 3-4 YOUTH 26/02/04 Everyday Skills course for CONFERENCE Union Learning Reps - Fife 26/02/04 Scottish Executive officials re SEPTEMBER relocation policy; UNISON; Prospect; PCS 18-19 BLACK WORKERS 26/02/04 Violence at work round table CONFERENCE discussions NOVEMBER 26/02/04 National Employers Advisory Board Dinner 16-17 WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
Current The month ahead The Consultations Consultations (27th February - 2nd March) Februar Marc
27/02/04 Meeting Chief Executive Highlands & Islands Enterprise Scottish Executive: 27/02/04 Jimmy Knapp memorial dinner Draft National Sexual 27/02/04 General Secretary to address Health and Scottish Labour Party Relationships Strategy Conference in Inverness Closing date for affiliate comments 09-Feb-04 27/02/04 Rozanne Foyer addressing Equal Closing date for Opportunities Commission consultation Labour Party fringe meeting "Is 27-Feb-04 Local Government Pale Male and Stale?"
Scottish Executive: 28/02/04 Jaqueline McGuigan addressing Modernising NHS Association of Scottish Colleges dental services Labour Party fringe meeting to Closing date for describe the development of the affiliate comments Highlands & Islands Lifelong 16-Feb-04 Learning Unit Closing date for consultation 01/03/04 Meeting Scottish Executive 05-Mar-04 officials re public sector improvement 01/03/04 Department of Works and DTI: Employment Pensions Healthy Return Tribunals: Draft rehabilitation project Revised Regulations and Rules 02/03/04 Meeting Scottish Enterprise re Closing date for Lifelong Learning affiliate comments 02/03/04 Voluntary Sector Unions 20-Feb-04 Meeting Closing date for 02/03/04 Meeting with Association of consultation 05-Mar-04 Scottish Prisoners 02/03/04 Everyday Skills Presentation to North Lanarkshire Community Learning Partnership
Current The month ahead (3rd March - 9th March) Consultations 03/03/04 General Council 03/03/04 Presentation to GC on Lifelong Learning Activity Home Office: 03/03/04 Scottish Parliament Labour Proposals to Amend Trade Union Group the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 04/03/04 Scottish Executive Officials Closing date for Monthly Meeting affiliate comments 04/03/04 Scottish Parliament Cross Party 27-Feb-04 Group on Women Closing date for consultation 04/03/04 Scottish Council for 05-Mar-04 Development & Industry Executive Committee 04/03/04 Everyday Skills course for Scottish Executive: Union Learning Reps - Fife A New Complaints Landscape for FE/HE in 05/03/04 Meeting Scottish Executive Scotland officials reLocal Government Closing date for Improvement Function affiliate comments 05/03/04 Meeting with Oxfam 19-Mar-04 05/03/04 Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Closing date for Board Meeting consultation 01-Apr-04 06/03/04 Unions 21 conference on new organising and development Scottish Parliament: initiatives in London Inquiry into Broadband in Scotland 08/03/04 Scottish Credit and Closing date for Qualifications Framework affiliate comments Conference SECC 27-Feb-04 08/03/04 Women's Committee meeting Closing date for with Anne McGuire consultation MP Minister of State 05-Mar-04 08&09/03/04 Everyday Skills course for Union Learning Reps - Inverness 09/03/04 Strategic Meeting with Jack McConnell, First Minister 09/03/04 Allander Series Lecture
Current The month ahead Consultations (10th March - 15th March)
10/03/04 Safe and Health Working Steering Group at NHS Health Scotland Scottish Executive: 10/03/04 Youth Committee presentation Modernising NHS to Liberton High School 5th dental services Years. Closing date for 10/03/04 TUC Women's Conference affiliate comments Eastbourne. Agnes Tolmie 19-Mar-04 addressing the Conference on Closing date for consultation behalf of the STUC Women's 02-Apr-04 Committee 10/03/04 Orkney Adult Literacies Meeting 10&11/03/04 TUC Union Learning Reps Scottish Parliament Course, Inverness, to be Health Committee: completed on-line Inquiry into Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bill 11/03/04 STUC Learning Forum held at Closing date for the STUC affiliate comments 11/03/04 Scottish Executive Officials and 27-Mar-04 TUC re Scottish Learning Closing date for Services consultation 05-Apr-04 13/03/04 Close the Gap Equal pay reps training session in Inverness 13/03/04 LGBT network - building Scottish Executive: membership Consultation on Hate Crime 15/03/04 Meeting with Scottish Executive Closing date for Officials re Community Planning affiliate comments 15/03/04 Admin & General Purposes 16-Apr-04 Committee meeting Closing date for consultation 15/03/04 Inverness Learning Forum, 30-Apr-04 meeting at Inverness College. 15/03/04 Standing Orders Committee 15/03/04 Women's Committee 15/03/04 Disability Forum - presentations from Edinburgh TUC and One Workplace Project
The month ahead (16th March - 22nd March) Consultation Responses 16/03/04 Fairplay Consortium meeting January & 16/03/04 Presentation to Workplace February 2004 Literacies Group - Edinburgh Reponses to 17/03/04 Youth Committee visit to consultations are held meeting of school leavers on the STUC website click "Full STUC 18/03/04 STUC/SCVO Partnership reponse" to access Forum the full text 18-19/03/04 Everyday Skills course for Union Learning Reps - Dundee 19/03/04 Meeting with Scottish Funding Scottish Executive: Councils re HE and FE Protecting Emergency Workers 20/03/04 STUC Youth Committee Full STUC response meeting 20/03/04 Trades Councils Conference Scottish Executive: Draft Water Services 22/03/04 Further Education Learning (Scotland) Bill Project Conference. Contact Full STUC response Ann Garscadden 22/03/04 Workplace Literacies Event - Stirling Scottish Executive: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Proposals for Legislation Full STUC Response
Media Activity Media "Britain and EU must not 14/02/04 Excerpts from some of the press releases issued back Colombian state by the STUC in February. For full press releases terror" go to the stuc website. Bill Speirs said: "I returned late last night from a 17/02/04 STUC slams Scottish & British trade union and human rights delegation Newcastle's "corporate greed" "corporat to Colombia, during which the union building and shabby treatment of we had a meeting in was bombed. dedicated staff "There is so much I could, and will, say about Responding to the news that Scottish and what we heard and saw in Colombia. In Newcastle intends to close its historic particular I will never, ever, forget talking to the Fountainbridge brewery, STUC general Secretary woman whose husband was kidnapped by State- linked Paramilitaries. They let him phone her to Bill Speirs said: tell her how much he loved her and their "The STUC is shocked and angered by Scottish children. Then they left the phone open so that and Newcastle's declared intention to close she could listen as they cut off his arms and legs, Fountainbridge which appears motivated by sheer which they later dumped at her house. corporate greed. Given Edinburgh's inflated property market, you have to wonder whether it "There is no way that the European Union and is the fact they own a prime city centre asset that the British Government should be supplying aid has prompted S & N to close this historic site. - especially military aid - to a state which jails people for years without trial, and is complicit in "The really disappointing aspect is that, once the assassination of trade union activists." again, it is workers who have proved willing and able to adapt to new working practices who will Unions call for a strategic 23/02/04 lose their jobs. The workforce at Fountainbridge approach to jobs relocation have been treated shabbily and the STUC will stand firm behind them in fighting to retain Union leaders will call for the Scottish Executive important jobs in Edinburgh". to take a more strategic approach to its relocation policy, arguing that the current system STUC pledges full support 13/02/04 support leads to confusion, insecurity and inefficiency, for PCS strike action when they appear before the Scottish Bill Speirs said: Parliament's Finance Committee Tuesday 24 February. "Whilst we are quite content for MSPs and senior civil servants to receive decent wage rises, we STUC Vice-president and National Officer for demand at least the same concern for those on Prospect, Anne Douglas said: "Ministers have poverty wages at the lower end of the pay scale. identified a number of very broad criteria by which they measure any relocation decision and have made clear to us that decisions are made on "I think the public will be shocked to discover a case-by-case basis. While we recognise the how low wage levels are for workers in the DWP potential benefits for local economic and DSA. Without their dedication the system development of moving agencies and would simply break down. Its time the departments, we are very concerned that there contribution of civil servants on lower pay scales appears to be no central strategy or control over was recognised" the process."
In the parliaments ... In
Committee evidence from unions Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday 24 February Committee meeting Tuesda 24 Februar Inquiry into the Relocation of Scottish Jobs Evidence from PCS, Prospect, Unison and STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/agendas/c-fin.htm
House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee Trade Industry Committee Progress towards the knowledge driven economy - Oral evidence from Unifi, Amicus, CWU and National Outsourcing Association http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmtrdind/ uc262-iii/uc26202.htm
Reports on recent consultations Scottish Executive publication Scottish Executive's Response to The Enterprise and Culture Committee's Scottish Solutions Report http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/enterprise/serssr-00.asp
Scottish Executive publication The Consultation on Civil Partnership Registration: Analysis of Responses http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/social/cprar-00.asp
Scottish Executive publication Modernising Scotland's Social Housing - Consultation Report: Responses to Consulta- tion Paper http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/housing/mssh04-00.asp
Scottish Executive publication Report of the Consultation on the Draft Services (Scotland) Bill http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/environment/spices-00.asp
House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee Report on Coincidence of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in Scotland and the Consequences of Change http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmscotaf/ 77/7702.htm