STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd
e-brief Glasgow G3 0141 337 8100
Contents: www.stuc.org.uk 10 August 2004
Executive announce funding for feasibility study into estab- P2 STUC Activity in July: lishment of new union learning institution for Scotland STURN Conference report STUC Offshoring group Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Energ y conference Learning announced backing for an STUC proposal to undertake a Stockline Support Cultural Commission feasibility study into the potential for establishing a new union learning institution for Scotland. The proposal seeks to tap into the enormous P3 STUC Activity in July: potential for expanding trade union led learning activity in Scotland. Meeting with Governor of Bank of England STUC statement on Civil Service Job Cuts Year Planner The August meeting of the STUC General Council adopted a statement on Civil Service Job Cuts. The full text of the statement can P4 STUC Activity in July: be downloaded here. 64th STUC Annual Youth Conference report Current Consultations General Council anger as split employers scupper TUC brokered firefighters deal P5 STUC Activity in July: Chief Scottish FBU negotiator John McDonald presented an in-depth Staff changes account of the recent pay negotiation debacle to the August General Scottish Affairs Council. Read the STUC press release here. Committee - Asylum HSE & HSC Current Consultations The Policy and Campaigns Team are keen to hear your comments on the format of this e-brief, along with any suggestions you have for P6 The Month ahead: improvements or additions. You can can send your comments to the Current Consultations STUC at dmoxham@stuc.org.uk or lwilson@stuc.org.uk
P7 The Month ahead: To contact the STUC: Close the Gap weekend General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk schools D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk Current Consultations D.G. Secretary: Ronnie McDonald rmcdonald@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk P8 One Workplace events Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Consultations Responses Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: John Park jpark@stuc.org.uk P9 In the parliaments ... Assistant Secretary: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk P10 In the parliaments ... Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk Lifelong Learning Unit: Declan McGrath: dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk P11 In the parliaments ... Jacqueline McGuigan: jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: Wendy Burton: wburton@stuc.org.uk P11 One Workplace Close the Gap Project: Evelyn Fraser efraser@stuc.org.uk Equality at Work One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk seminars Scottish One Fund for All: Mike McNicholl: mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk Scottish Pensioners Forum: Doreen Kean: doreenk@stuc.org.uk
STUC activities in July STUC 4th Annual STURN conference Energy Conference
The 4th Annual conference of the Scottish Trade The STUC will be holding an energy conference Union Research Network was held at the STUC on in late autumn of 2004. The agenda and date for 25th June 2004. It was a well attended event from the conference will be made available in due both trade unions and academics. The event was course, possible themes include: sponsored by Amicus, AUT, EIS and UNISON, as well as receiving organisational support from · imbalances within current energy policy; STUC and Paisley University. · future security of supply; · the need for a distinctive Scottish energy 17 papers were presented on a range of subjects in policy; six themed sessions. · green jobs strategy; · i m p l i c a t i o n s of the forthcoming UK Growing trade unions Energ y Bill; Trade union learning · fuel poverty; and, Par tner ships · industry regulation. Workplace issues Contact/Call Centres Stockline support Special issues The STUC is continuing to support the Stockline There was also a keynote address and Q&A sessions workers and shares their concern at the appalling from Alistair Darling MP, Secretary of State for lack of communication from the company that S c o t l a n d ; presentation on the STUC research has left many workers uncertain of their priorities for the coming year and a session on immediate futures. demographics from Mike Danson. Presently, some workers who were injured in the The conference identified a number of priority areas explosion are believed to be receiving full pay, f o r continuing cooperation and as subjects for others statutory sick pay and and enhancement STURN seminars in the coming year: of a half week's wages, on production of a sickness certificate while others receive nothing. · Issues associated with the Unions Work campaign Additionally, there are reports of further · Strengthening the STUC advisory unacceptable employment practices as the expertise on economic matters company seeks to increase production. A further · The implications of the demographic meeting of the Stockline Workers Support Group trends in Scotland was held in the Scottish Trades Union Centre on · Disseminating, analysing and promoting Wednesday, 4 August 2004. union learning activities · Equalities mainstreaming Cultural Commission
TUC Offshoring Group The STUC and its affiliates enjoyed a constr uctive first meeting with officials from the Stephen Boyd attended the TUC's Offshoring Commission secretariat on 14 July. Group on 6 July and spoke on the threat offshoring poses to Scottish jobs. Phil Taylor, Stirling The commission will focus initially on exploring University presented his report `Call Centres in the notion of cultural rights for the Scottish Scotland and Outsourced Competition from India'. citizen and translating such rights into a scheme of entitlements. The STUC will provide the commission with a submission on these issues in due course.
Report of meeting between representatives of the STUC and Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England Year planner An STUC delegation met with Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank on Monday 14 June 2004. The Governor was keen to meet with the STUC during his recent visit to Scotland. continuing the productive working relationship between the Bank and the STUC that has resulted in recent meetings with members of the Monetary Policy Committee and a presentation by the Bank's OCTOBER Scottish Agent Tony Strachan to the STUC General Council.
9-10 BLACK WORKERS The Governor emphasised the importance he places on regional visits and CONFERENCE especially on developing a dialogue with trade unions given that the relationship Stirling Highland Hotel between the Bank and the unions has often been difficult in the past. Deadline for delegates - Friday 20 August 2004 The Governor dealt with monetary policy - inflation is low and stable but with pressures growing. He indicated that interest rates will slow spending but Email to strengthen the pound with possible adverse consequences for manufacturing hcarson@stuc.org.uk industr y. He expects growth to strengthen over the next couple of years but that the economy remains unbalanced with manufacturing continuing to struggle. NOVEMBER On behalf of the STUC, Stephen Boyd agreed that growth will remain strong over the period 2003 2005, indicating that in Scotland this continues to be 16-17 WOMEN'S driven by the Financial services sector. along with retail and construction. The CONFERENCE economy continues to benefit from ongoing investment and rising employment in the public sector and that public services are crucial in supporting economic Albert Halls, Stirling development activities and job creation in both public and private sector; and Deadlines for motions that employment in the public sector should not be regarded as a burden on Friday 3 September the economy. 2004. Deadline for delegates Whilst the STUC welcomed recent signs of a recovery, manufacturing continues Friday 15 October 2004. to perform poorly relative to the UK as a whole and investment continues to Email to: be low despite the favourable macroeconomic environment. Given the ongoing hcarson@stuc.org.uk job losses in long established and previously profitable enterprises, the STUC expressed concerns about rising interest rates.
27 ST ANDREW'S DAY Other issues raised by the STUC included: MARCH & RALLY AGAINST RACISM · Welcomed the historically high employment levels but remain concerned AND FACISM that the Scottish unemployment rate continues to exceed that for the UK as a whole; Rally at Glasgow Film · Particularly concerned about the persistent high levels of economic Theatre, march route to inactivity in and around Glasgow; and, be confirmed. · Concerned about demographic change social, economic, cultural, attitudinal along with the massive implications for public service delivery and pension provision. · Length of pay deals 2/3-year pay deals contribute to stability however unlikely to continue if interest rates continue to rise; · House prices becoming a barrier to mobility of labour; · Offshoring importance of service sector jobs to Scottish economy and threat from offshoring of these jobs, especially in the financial sector; · New technology in services also poses a threat to levels of employment; · Ongoing threat to final salary pension schemes; · Growth in economy and business success not reflected in pay;
64th STUC Youth Conference Cur r ent Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 July 2004
Consultations The 64th Annual Youth Conference was held in Dundee, 3-4 July. The conference was chaired by Daniel Donaldson, GMB Scotland and attended by 32 delegates. Guest speakers included: Scottish Parliament: Consultation on the Water Lewis Macdonald, MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise Services etc (Scotland) Bill and Lifelong Learning Closing date for Veronica Rankin, Chair, STUC Women's Committee affiliate comments Zaffir Hakim, One Workplace Project 27-Aug-04 Rami Okasha, National Union of Students (Scotland) Closing date for Gemma Doyle, Young Labour Committee consultation Nazim Hamid, STUC Black Workers' Committee 03-Sep-04 Denise Hanrahan, Youth Officer,Irish Congress Trade Unions View consultation document Paul Kane, Chair, Scottish Youth Parliament Matthew McGregor, TUC Young Members' Forum Scottish Executive: Ferran Rossell, Avalot UGT of Catalonia Towards A Green Jobs Strategy There was an Open Panel Debate on the Saturday afternoon Closing date for affiliate comments on "Do Unions Work for Young People? Your Chance to 16-Sep-04 Q u e s t i o n the Leadership". Panelists included: Harry Closing date for Donaldson, Scottish Regional Secretary GMB Scotland; Anne consultation Douglas, National Officer, Prospect EMA; 30-Sep-04 Eddie Reilly, Scottish Secretary, Public & Commercial Services View consultation document Union; Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary, UNISON Scotland.
Scottish Executive: Election results Smoking in Public Places Closing date for General seats affiliate comments Andrew Brady, T&G Scotland 20-Sep-04 Daniel Donaldson, GMB Scotland Closing date for Euan Purves, UNISON Scotland consultation Cheryl Watson, USDAW. 30-Sep-04 Womens' seats View consultation document Lesley McCallum, T&G Scotland Fiona Smith, UNISON Scotland Scottish Parliament: Trades Union Council Seat Finance Committee Cross- No nominees. cutting Expenditure Review on Economic Development Young Workers' Seats on the STUC GC Closing date for General - Daniel Donaldson, GMB Scotland affiliate comments Woman's - Fiona Smith, UNISON Scotland 18-Aug-04 Youth Conference Delegation to the STUC Annual Closing date for Congress 2005 consultation General - Andrew Brady, T&G, Daniel Donaldson, GMB 26-Aug-04 Women's - Lesley McCallum, T&G, Fiona Smith, UNISON View consultation document
Pauline Minnery, GMB Scotland, was presented with the Jimmy Waugh Memorial Trophy, as this year's outstanding young trade unionist
Current STUC welcomes new staff members and says
Consultations goodbye to Rozanne Foyer
Rozanne Foyer, Assistant Secretary, has left the STUC to take up a post as a National Secretary with the TGWU, based Scottish Parliament: in London. Rozanne was an invaluable member of the STUC Justice 2 Committee Fire team and will be greatly missed. All at the STUC wish her the (Scotland) Bill inquiry very best for the future. Closing date for affiliate comments John Park has joined the STUC as Assistant Secretary with 20-Aug-04 responsibility for political and media liaison. John will be Closing date for based in the STUC's Edinburgh office. consultation 27-Aug-04 David Moxham has moved from Research Assistant to view the bill Assistant Secretary for a period of 6 months to undertake the responsibility for the Unions Work campaign and Fairness at European Commission: Work. Consultation on future of EU Equality and Anti- Scottish Affairs Committee - Asylum discrimination policies Closing date for The STUC participated in a discussion session with affiliate comments Westminster MPs from the Scottish Affairs Committee who 23-Aug-04 met in Possil, Glasgow, in June to take evidence on the city's Closing date for experience of asylum. consultation 31-Aug-04 MPs also heard from Glasgow City Council representatives view the green paper who are involved in providing the accommodation and support to asylum seekers, community groups who work with asylum Scottish Executive: seekers and refugees, the New Glaswegians Project and the The Future of Fire Service Bridges Project who support asylum seekers and refugees to Control Rooms in Scotland access training and the workplace. The MPs were left in no Closing date for doubt of the STUC's concerns on current asylum and affiliate comments immigration policies, in particular the plight of asylum seekers 23-Aug-04 in the Dungavel detention centre and the situation of asylum Closing date for seekers facing destitution. consultation 31-Aug-04 DWP Select Committee on HSC and HSE view the green paper
The STUC gave evidence to the DWP Select Committee DTI: investigating the HSC and HSE and the final report including a Regional Aid Post 2006 substantial number of positive recommendations can be found Closing date for at: affiliate comments http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/ 23-Aug-04 cmworpen/311/311.pdf Closing date for consultation Further discussion will take place with affiliates and the TUC 06-Sep-04 to ensure these recommendations are implemented. view the document
Current The month ahead Consultations (August 11 - August 31)
Audit Commission: Statutory Performance Indicators Closing date for 12/08/04 Meeting with Jewish Community affiliate comments Council 03-Sep-04 Closing date for 12/08/04 Leftfield/Unions Work consultation Edinburgh Fringe event view consultation document
13/08/04 Meeting Peter Hughes, Scottish 10-Sep-04 Engineering Bill Butler MSP: 13/08/04 Clydeside Action on Asbestos Proposed Direct Election to National Health Service 10th Anniversary celebrations Boards (Scotland) Bill Closing date for 16/08/04 Workbase board meeting affiliate comments 03-Sep-04 19/08/04 STUC/SCVO Partnership Closing date for For um Meeting consultation 19/08/04 Scottish Civic Forum seminar on 13-Sep-04 view consultation document the Scottish economy DTI: 20/08/04 Scottish Civic Forum seminar Working Time - Widening continues the debate Closing date for affiliate comments 21/08/04 Scottish Hazards meeting 10-Sep-04 21/08/04 Youth Committee Meeting Closing date for consultation 23/08/04 Water affiliates meeting 22-Sep-04 view the document 25/08/04 First meeting of Scottish Public Sir John Orr: Sector Forum Inquiry into Marches and 25/08/04 Presenatation on Health and Parades Safety to Employers in Closing date for Voluntary Sector Conference affiliate comments 17-Sep-04 26/08/04 Energ y affiliates meeting Closing date for consultation view the document 31/08/04 Institute of Contemporary Scotland AGM
Cur r ent The month ahead Consultations (September 1 - September 10)
01/09/04 General Council Scottish Parliament: Local Government and 03/09/04 Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Transport Inquiry into issues board meeting arising from the 03/09/04 Black Workers Committee Implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Bill 04/09/04 TUC regional government 2001 conference Closing date for affiliate comments 06/09/04 Women's Committee 24-Sep-04 Closing date for 08/09/04 International Literacy Day consultation Conference, Celtic Park 30-Sep-04 09/09/04 Scottish Business awards dinner view the call for evidence 09/09/04 Disabled Workers Conference Tommy Sheridan MSP: Steering Group Meeting Abolition of Council Tax (Scotland) 10/09/04 Launch of the Caledonian Closing date for Centre for Equality and Diversity affiliate comments 24-Sep-04 Closing date for consultation view consultation document
8-Oct-04
Scottish Executive: Implementation of measures Close The Gap Weekend Schools resulting from the review of governance and 2 / 3 October 2004, Milton Hotel, Glasgow accountability in the FE 22 / 23 January 2005, Swallow Hotel, Dundee sector 19 / 20 March 2005, Ramada Jarvis, Aberdeen Closing date for affiliate comments The courses are designed to help reps; 24-Sep-04 Understand how the pay gap occurs; Closing date for consultation Know what the law says about equal pay; 22-Oct-04 Understand what pay reviews are and why they are view consultation document necessary; Gain the skills to work in partnership with employers to carry these out.
For further details contact Shona Roberts sroberts@stuc.org.uk
Consultation responses
Emergency Workers Bargaining for Equality: Residential Training (Scotland) Bill View consultation Beginning in November, the One Workplace Campaign will response be delivering weekend training schools around Scotland to train Bargaining for Equality Reps. The training is to be Use of delivered by TUC Education and will focus on practical Joint Ventures to deliver skills to both build equality within unions and negotiate equal primary care treatment for members with employers. View consultation response Provisional dates are listed below with locations and venues to be confirmed shortly Merger of the Scottish Further Education Funding 26-28 Nov 04; Council and the Scottish 18-20 Feb 05; Higher Education Funding 25-27 Mar 05; Council 29 Apr - 1 Mar 05 View consultation response For more information, please contact Liza Greig, project Administrator on 0141 337 8135 or mail lgreig@stuc.org.uk A Review of Collaboration between Schools and Action Research to promote Equal Opportunities Further Education Colleges in Scottish Trade Unions in Scotland View consultation The One Workplace Equal Rights Campaign is response commissioning research to explore the operation of equal opportunities policies and practice in the workplace, Making Development Plans identifying barriers and opportunities. The findings of the Deliver and Rights of Appeal in Planning (Joint research will support the work of the Campaign and the STUC in promoting equal opportunities in Scotland. response) View consultation As part of this research, we are also seeking to establish a response group of trade unionists to participate in specific research activities in conjunction with other researchers and trade unionists. This represents a good opportunity to build capacity within your union and also to learn about good practice within other unions.
If you are interested in participating in the research activities, or your organisation is interested in placing a tender bid for the research, please contact Zaffir Hakim, Development Manager, Tel: 0141 337 8122, email: zhakim@stuc.org.uk for more information.
In the parliaments ... Parliamentary Committees Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Relocation of public sector jobs report evidence submitted from PCS, Prospect, UNISON and STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/finance/reports/fir04-06-vol01-01.htm
Scottish Parliament Enterprise and Culture Committee Renewable Energy in Scotland report written evidence submitted from STUC and UNISON http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/enterprise/reports/elr04-06-01.htm
Scottish Parliament Health Committee Report on Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Bill written evidence submitted from STUC, TGWU, UNISON and USDAW http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/health/reports/her04-14-01.htm
Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee Briefing Paper Inquiry into the Promotion of Scotland worldwide: Emerging issues and initial thoughts evidence submitted from STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/european/evidence/eu04-prs-iss.pdf
Scottish Parliament Education Committee Report on the Scottish Executive's implementation of the recommendations of the "It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm Alright" evidence submitted from UNISON http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/education/reports/edr04-08-vol01-01.htm
Scottish Parliament Audit Committee Overview of the National Health Service in Scotland 2002-03 http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/audit/reports/aur04-08-01.htm
House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee Response by the Government to the Third Report on the Proposed Whisky Strip Stamp http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmscotaf/822/822.pdf
Joint Committee on Human Rights - Fourteenth Report Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill: New Clauses http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200304/jtselect/jtrights/130/130.pdf
House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee Report The work of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect cmworpen/456/456.pdf
Government Publications DTI Review of the Government's Manufacturing Strategy - Competing in the Global Economy: The Manufacturing Strategy Two Years On http://www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing/strategy_review.pdf
Scottish Executive Scottish Manufactured Exports for the first quarter 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00354-00.asp
Scotland Office July Labour Market Statistics for Scotland http://www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk/News_2004/ss0813.htm
In the parliaments ... Government Publications (cont'd) DTI Making Globalisation a Force for Good - Trade and Investment White Paper http://www.dti.gov.uk/ewt/whitepaper.htm
Department for Transport The Future of Rail - White Paper http://www.dft.gov.uk/railways/whitepaper/
Scottish Executive Future of the Fire Service Control Rooms in Scotland (NB: This report is 143 pages) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/JD/FSEP/00019077/page547378006.aspx
Scottish Executive Draft Water Services (Scotland) Bill - Report on consultation http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/dwsbrep.pdf
Scottish Executive Update on the Recommendations of the Cross-Party Working Group in Religious Hatred - Response to the recommendations http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/cpwgrh-00.asp
Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin Pre-school and childcare statistics 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00346-00.asp
Scottish Executive Research Findings Parents' Demand for and Access to Childcare in Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/ins13-00.asp
Scottish Executive Research Findings The elusive nature of the learning society: a profile of adult participation in education and training in Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/lifelong/enls-00.asp
Scottish Executive Research Report Black and Ethnic Minority Communities and Homelessness in Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/bmech-00.asp
DTI Review of the Government's Manufacturing Strategy - Competing in the Global Economy: The Manufacturing Strategy Two Years On http://www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing/strategy_review.pdf
Scottish Executive Scottish Manufactured Exports for the first quarter 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00354-00.asp
Scotland Office July Labour Market Statistics for Scotland http://www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk/News_2004/ss0813.htm
In the parliaments ... Government Announcements HM Treasury 2004 Spending Review http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spendingreview/spendsr04/spendsr04index.cfm
Scottish Executive Efficient Government Initiative http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/plenary/or-04/sor0624-02.htm#Col9576
DTI New commission to champion women in work http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=124591&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
Home Office New EU citizens working and contributing http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/nstory.asp?itemid=995
EQUALITY AT WORK SEMINARS Awareness-raising seminars for Trade Union Reps and Officials covering:
· How to recognise different types of discrimination · How discrimination affects different groups in different ways · Basic legal rights in the areas of race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation and age · Bargaining for equality in the workplace · Promoting equality in your union
There have already been two successful seminars held in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Future seminars
Tuesday 14th September Aberdeen Tuesday 26th October Inve r n e s s
These seminars will provide a good foundation for the residential weekend schools aimed at training Bargaining for Equality Reps, to be offered around Scotland from November 2004.
If you would like to receive further information, please complete and return the attached form. Alternatively, please contact:
Liza Greig Project Administrator Tel: 0141 337 8135 E-mail: lgreig@stuc.org.uk
One Workplace Seminars for Trade Union Reps and Officials
Please complete and return by fax to Liza Greig on 0141 337 8101
Please indicate which seminar you wish to attend:
Tuesday 14th September 2004 Aberdeen Tuesday 26 October 2004 Inverness th
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