STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd
e-brief Glasgow G3 0141 337 8100 www.stuc.org.uk 13 September 2004 Contents: One Workplace Equal Rights Project wins award
P2 STUC Activity in August: One Workplace co-ordinator Zaffir Hakim collected one of the first ever Fire Fighters dispute Scottish Empowerment Awards. The awards are designed to celebrate Scottish Public Sector Forum the significant contribution that minority ethnic individuals, organisations, businesses and young people make to Scotland. The project's success P3 STUC Activity in August: came in the employment category, for its work with Scottish trade unions Staff changes at the STUC that focuses on tackling racism in the workplace. Union learning academy The STUC's One Workplace Equal Rights project, in conjunction with TUC Year Planner Education, is offering residential weekend schools free of charge to TU Reps and Officials - become one of the first fully qualified Equality Reps in P4 STUC Activity in August: Scotland. More details ... Delegation from South Africa Iraqi Fed.of Trade Unions Support requested for Soapworks dispute Scottish Civic Forum Current Consultations T&G members at Soapworks in Queenslie Industrial Estate, Glasgow, have begun a continuous overtime ban. On Wednesdays and Thursdays each week, P5 For thcoming events: until further notice, they will be taking part in a complete stoppage. St Andrew's Day March & The industrial action is being taken after members voted overwhelmingly to Rally reject the company's offer of a 3% increase on basic rates only. Equality Action Group This is the first time that there has been an industrial dispute with the Current Consultations company and probably is a first for the majority of those employed there. The T&G have the asked STUC to advise affiliates of this situation and P6 For thcoming events: that any assistance they can give would be greatly appreciated. Close the Gap Weekend Schools The Policy and Campaigns Team are keen to hear your comments on Lifelong Learning roadshows the format of this e-brief, along with any suggestions you have for Current Consultations improvements or additions. You can can send your comments to the STUC at dmoxham@stuc.org.uk or lwilson@stuc.org.uk P7 The Month ahead: Consultation responses To contact the STUC:
P8 The Month ahead: General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk P9 In the parliaments ... Assistant Secretary: Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk P10 In the parliaments ... Assistant Secretary: John Park jpark@stuc.org.uk Key meetings with Executive Assistant Secretary: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk P11 One Workplace Lifelong Learning Unit: Declan McGrath: dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk Bargaining for Equality Jacqueline McGuigan: jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk weekend schools Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: Wendy Burton: wburton@stuc.org.uk Close the Gap Project: Evelyn Fraser efraser@stuc.org.uk One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk Scottish One Fund for All: Mike McNicholl: mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk Scottish Pensioners Forum: Doreen Kean: doreenk@stuc.org.uk
S T U C activities in August STUC
Fire Fighters dispute finally resolved Efficient Government
The final resolution of the fire dispute was a matter Efficient Government initiative is to be a standing of relief rather than celebration. At the time of item on the agenda for the Public Services Forum writing the release of the Stage 2 3.5% and Stage 3 for the foreseeable future. 4.2% tranches of the paydeal was imminent. The The Minister agreed to consider a process for STUC salutes the determination of the FBU and the support of the TUC in achieving a negotiated Image of Public Services including consultation with end to this long-running dispute in the face of a unions as one of the assessment criteria for deter mined attempt to wreck the agreement. proposals for efficiencies from departments and agencies, including those brought forward under Public Sector Forum Meeting the Efficient Government Fund.
The central purpose of the Scottish Public Sector The Minister agreed to investigate if consultation Forum, is to improve the dialogue between the with unions has been included as one of the Scottish Executive, the STUC and public service assessment criteria for bids submitted under the trade unions on issues relating to the shared Modernising Government Fund. p r i o r i t y, identified in the Memorandum of Understanding, of improving public services. It The Executive and STUC are to consider what will formalise the arrangements for dialogue on initiatives might be undertaken to promote a public service matters that exist between the positive image of public services and public Finance and Public Services Minister and the service employment, and the resources, including STUC, and will complement the bi-annual meetings financial, that might be made available for this between the STUC General Council and the First purpose. Minister. This issue is to be included on the agenda for the A preliminary scoping meeting of the Forum took next meeting of the Forum. place on 25 August. The meeting was attended by Local Authority Workforce Guidance STUC General Council members and Deputy General Secretary along with representatives from A further round on consultation is to take place UNISON, PCS, GMB, EIS, Amicus and T&G. with stakeholders, at the earliest opportunity, to Andy Kerr MSP, Minister for Finance and Public try and resolve outstanding issues before the Services and a range of officials and special advisors Minister signs off the guidance. Discussions represented the Scottish Executive. are to take place at official level to determine if Joint paper on public services organisations other than STUC and COSLA should be involved in the further round of A number of amendments to a draft joint paper consultation. on Public Service Reform were agreed. STUC and Scottish Executive officials will liaise over the preparation of a final draft, to be available for c o n s i d e r a t i o n by the STUC Economy and Employment Committee at its meeting on 22 September 2004.
Year planner Staff Changes at the STUC
In August, the STUC waved farewell to Deputy General Secretary Ronnie Macdonald.
Ronnie gave almost 40 years service to the STUC and the trade OCTOBER union movement in general. In those years she worked through many of Scotland's major trade union events UCS, the miners 9-10 BLACK WORKERS strike and the formation of the Scottish Parliament. She also CONFERENCE played the key role in the enormous task of moving the STUC Stirling Highland Hotel from our previous premises to the Scottish Trade Union Centre 14 STUC/CENTRE FOR that has been created today. CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY But perhaps her most significant contribution was the tireless CONFERENCE work she undertook promoting women's representation, not Mitchell Theatre, just in the trade union movement but in broader Scottish Glasgow society. NOVEMBER All at the STUC wish Ronnie the very best for an active but stress free retirement. She will be missed! 6-7 DISABLED WORKERS The STUC are pleased to welcome Margaret Reid as our new CONFERENCE head of administration. Margaret will commence work at the 16-17 WOMEN'S STUC on October 1st. CONFERENCE Albert Halls, Stirling Union learning institution - tenders for feasibility Deadline for delegates study Friday 15 October 2004. Email to: The Scottish TUC and the TUC Education Service in Scotland, hcarson@stuc.org.uk with the support of the Scottish Executive, are seeking tenders for the conduct of a feasibility study into the potential for a new trade union learning Institution/Academy in Scotland. This 27 ST ANDREW'S DAY concept is being developed jointly by the STUC and TUC and a MARCH & RALLY separate feasibility study has been commissioned by the TUC to AGAINST RACISM consider issues in the context of the funding and policy AND FASCISM Further details ... environments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while addressing the interface with devolved government and union str uctures in Scotland.
The purpose of this feasibility study is to give greater focus to the implications of devolved policy making and funding arrangements on education and training in Scotland and the distinct Scottish education and training infrastructure for the operation of a new union Institution/Academy in Scotland. For more details contact Ann Garscadden agarscadden@stuc.org.uk
Delegation from South Africa Current The STUC welcomed a delegation from the Limpopo Consultations region of South Africa to Scotland at the end of August. Joe Maswanganyi and Jakob Rapholo from the Limpopo Provincial Government, along with one of their officials, were escorted to the STUC by PCS and ACTSA member Annie White. The South African delegation met up with Scottish Executive: members of the STUC's Secretariat, to discuss a range of Towards A Green Jobs Strategy issues including arts and culture, Scottish politics, and Closing date for relationships with government. The South Africans were affiliate comments par ticularly interested in the STUC's Memorandum of 16-Sep-04 Understanding with the Scottish Executive. The STUC Closing date for expressed the solidarity greetings of the Scottish Trade consultation 30-Sep-04 Union Movement to the South African's in their 10th View consultation document Anniversary Year of democracy.
Meeting with Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions
Members of the STUC's Secretariat met with Abdullah Scottish Executive: Muhsin of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions at the Smoking in Public Places STUC Centre on Tuesday 17 August 2004. Abdullah Closing date for Muhsin told of the current situation facing Iraqi trade affiliate comments 20-Sep-04 unionists, and spoke of the need for support in terms of Closing date for resources and finances, the need for labour codes in Iraq, consultation and the need for a strong trade union movement to help 30-Sep-04 develop civic society. The IFTU is very interested in ad- View consultation document dressing the issue of unemployment in Iraq, which is cur- rently as high as 50%. It is looking to replicate models used by trade unions in the UK, such as the Unemployed Scottish Executive: Workers' Centres. Mike McNicoll of the One Fund For Implementation of measures All was able to offer advice on Unemployed Workers' Cen- resulting from the review of tres, and facilitate a visit to the Clydebank Centre. governance and accountability in the FE Scottish Civic Forum sector Closing date for affiliate comments Stephen Boyd attended the Scottish Civic Forum 24-Sep-04 seminar `What will a smart, successful Scotland look Closing date for like?' consultation
22-Oct-04 A range of civic organisations were represented at the view consultation document seminar and the keynote speaker was Jeremy Peate, Chief Economist, the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Current STUC Consultations ST ANDREW'S DAY MARCH AGAINST Scottish Parliament: RACISM & FASCISM Local Government and Transport Inquiry into issues arising from the Saturday 27th November 2004 Implementation of the Assemble, St Andrew's in the Square, Off Transport (Scotland) Bill Saltmarket 10.30am 2001 Closing date for March Off, 11am affiliate comments Rally, Glasgow Film Theatre, 24-Sep-04 Rose Street 12 noon Closing date for consultation To volunteer to steward the event, and for details 30-Sep-04 on posters and flyers for the event please contact: hcarson@stuc.org.uk view the call for evidence
Tommy Sheridan MSP: Equality Action Group Abolition of Council Tax (Scotland) Closing date for affiliate comments 24-Sep-04 The One Workplace Equal Rights Project is looking for TU Closing date for Shop Stewards and Equality Officers to form an Equality consultation Action Group. The group will work with a team of view consultation document researchers to help develop new approaches to tackling racism and promoting equality in the workplace, as well as 8-Oct-04 encouraging diversity in trade unions.
The group will meet together to identify measures that can be taken to promote equality. This will then be put into practice in the workplace and the effectiveness discussed at subsequent meetings, with the aim of developing examples of best practice over a period of months.
This is a unique opportunity to learn new skills and become more active in building trade union capacity to deliver equal opportunities at work. No specialist knowledge is needed to participate in the group and a time commitment will be agreed at an early stage.
If you might be interested in joining the group or nominating someone from your union, please contact Zaffir Hakim, Development Manager, Tel 0141 337 8122/8135, for more infor mation.
Current Consultations Close The Gap Weekend Schools
2 / 3 October 2004, Milton Hotel, Glasgow Bill Butler MSP: 22 / 23 January 2005, Swallow Hotel, Dundee Proposed Direct Election 19 / 20 March 2005, Ramada Jarvis, Aberdeen to National Health Service Boards (Scotland) Bill The courses are designed to help reps; Closing date for Understand how the pay gap occurs; affiliate comments 03-Sep-04 Know what the law says about equal pay; Closing date for Understand what pay reviews are and why they are consultation necessary; 13-Sep-04 view consultation document Gain the skills to work in partnership with employers to carry these out. DTI: Working Time - Widening For further details contact Shona Roberts sroberts@stuc.org.uk the debate Closing date for Lifelong Learning Roadshows affiliate comments 10-Sep-04 With the launch of ILA Scotland planned for October 4th Closing date for 2004, a series of roadshows, aimed at raising awareness consultation 22-Sep-04 with Union Learning Reps, with input from the Scottish Executive, Learndirect Scotland and the STUC Lifelong view the document Learning Units are being held throughout the country in Sir John Orr: September and October. Inquiry into Marches and Monday 20th September Parades STUC, Glasgow Closing date for Tuesday 21st September affiliate comments Lauder College, Dunfermline 17-Sep-04 Closing date for Tuesday 21st September consultation Murrayfield, Edinburgh view the document Thursday 23rd September Jimmy Brandon Learning Centre, Motherwell Tuesday 28th September AECC, Aberdeen Friday 1st October STUC, Glasgow Monday 4th October Discovery Point, Dundee Tuesday 5th October Inverness College, Inverness
For further details contact Dec McGrath dmcg rath@stuc.org.uk
Consultation The month ahead responses ( S e p t e m b e r 10 - September 16)
Use of Joint Ventures to deliver 10/09/04 Launch of the Caledonian primary care Centre for Equality and Diversity View consultation 10/09/04 National Textiles Forum response
11/09/04 Black Workers' Network Meeting - includes a contribution from Making Development the Scottish Executive's Race Plans Deliver and Rights Religion and Refugees Team on of Appeal in Planning the current Scottish Executive (Joint response) review of Race Equality Work. View consultation response 13/09/04 For um for Renewable Energy Development Scotland 13/09/04 Women's Committee Standing Orders Justice 2 Committee Fire (Scotland) Bill inquiry 14/09/04 Scottish Council for Development View consultation and Industry Executive response 14/09/04 Scotland's Health at Work Steering Group
14/09/04 Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance launch research on young people and Employment & Training at Strathclyde University
15/09/04 Evidence session at Scottish Parliament, Environment Committee on Water Services Bill
16/09/04 Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Partnership initiative meeting 16/09/04 Scottish (HE & FE) Funding Councils
The month ahead The ( S e p t e m b e r 16 - September 30)
20/09/04 Meeting with delegation from Western Sahara 20/09/04 Women's Committee meeting with Oxfam
21/09/04 Unions Work Contact Meeting
22/09/04 STUC Economy and Employment Committee
23/09/04 Edinburgh TUC Solidarity with Iraqi Workers Meeting. 28/09/04 Association of Scottish Colleges/ STUC working group
29/09/04 EOC Advisory Group on Gender Segregation in Modern Apprenticeships
30/09/04 Black Workers' Committee meeting with Margaret Curran - Minister for Communities 30/09/04 Admin. and General Purposes Committee
In the parliaments ...
Scottish Executive publications
Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland: Analysis of Responses submissions from STUC, Unison and Scottish Pensioners Forum http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/srmdscr-00.asp
Co-operative Development Agency consultation - responses http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/enterprise/cda_responses.pdf
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Proposals for Legislation Consultation analysis report http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1100/0002414.pdf
Framework for Economic Development in Scotland 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/fedsm-00.asp?mode=view
Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin: GDP for Scotland for Q1 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00358-00.asp
Measuring Scotland's progress towards a Smart Successful Scotland 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/enterprise/MP%20Report%202004.pdf
Scottish Executive Research report: Green Jobs Strategy Review http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/gjsr-00.asp
Healthy Working Lives: A plan for action http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/hwls-00.asp
Social Focus on Disability 2004 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/sfod04-00.asp
Scotland's Social Care Labour Market http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/ssclm-00.asp
Parliament publications Scottish Parliament SPICe Research Briefing Water Services etc (Scotland) Bill http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/research/briefings-04/sb04-49.pdf
Joint Select Committee on Human Rights Commission for Equality and Human Rights: The Government's White Paper http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200304/jtselect/jtrights/156/156.pdf
In the parliaments ... Other Government publications
Health and Safety Executive Statistics of Fatal Injuries 2003/04 http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/fatl0304.pdf
Scotland Office August Labour Market Statistics for Scotland http://www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk/News_2004/ss0826.htm
Audit Scotland Report Local Economic Forums: A follow-up report http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/pdf/2004/04pf05ag.pdf
STUC/Scottish Executive programme of key meetings
First Minister Tuesday 26th October 2004
Education Thursday 28th October 2004
Finance and Central Services Wednesday 10th November 2004
Development Friday 12th November 2004
Crown Office & PFS Monday 15th November 2004
Enterprise Transport and Lifelong Learning Tuesday 16th November 2004
Justice Monday 6th December 2004
Principal Finance Officer Monday 13th December 2004
ONE WORKPLACE EQUAL RIGHTS
Bargaining for Equality WEEKEND SCHOOLS
The STUC's One Workplace Equal Rights project, in conjunction with TUC Education, is offering residential weekend schools free of charge to TU Reps and Officials.
Become one of the first fully qualified Equality Reps in Scotland by learning how to:
· Recognise Discrimination · Use the Law to Combat Discrimination · Monitor Workplace Practice and Procedure · Implement Equal Opportunities Best Practice · Negotiate Equality Workplace Agreements · Promote Equality and Increase TU Membership
26-28 November 2004 Glasgow & South West Gailes Hotel IRVINE
18-20 February 2005 Edinburgh & South East Ellersly House Hotel EDINBURGH
25-27 March 2005 Central & North East Swallow Hotel DUNDEE
29 Apr - 1 May 2005 Highlands & Islands TBC INVERNESS
For more information, please contact Liza Greig, Project A d m i n i s t r a t o r, on 0141 337 8135 or e-mail: lgreig@stuc.org.uk