STUC, 333 Woodlands Rd
e-brief Glasgow G3 0141 337 8100 www.stuc.org.uk 5th November 2004 Contents: PCS Strike; Rally and March in Glasgow
P2 STUC Activity in October: Speaking at the civil service strike and rally at the Pavilion Theatre, Renfield Black Workers Conference Street, Glasgow, STUC General Secretary, Bill Speirs, said: Water Campaign Public Services "I am pleased to address this rally because you are standing up for yourselves, and for our communities." P3 STUC Activity in October: "I regret that this strike should be necessary. Westminster Government Youth Committee workplan Forward Planner Ministers regularly talk about how much they appreciate the work and commitment of our public servants who are delivering for our whole society, P4 but particularly the poor, the unemployed and the vulnerable." STUC Activity in October: Delegation from Western Sahara European social Forum "Telling them that they are going to be sacked is a very strange way of Current Consultations showing that appreciation. Axing 100,000 civil servants will be a disaster."
"We hope that the Scottish Executive will maintain their resolve, not P5 For thcoming events: bow to Whitehall, and refuse to axe their own staff." St Andrew's Day March & Rally Equality Action Group Consultation responses 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 For thcoming events: improvements or additions. You can send your comments to the STUC at dmoxham@stuc.org.uk or kbuchanan@stuc.org.uk Close the Gap Weekend Schools To contact the STUC: Scottish Hazards Conference Consultation responses General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk P7 For thcoming events: Head of Administration: Margaret Reid mreid@stuc.org.uk STUC/SCVO Partnership Assistant Secretary: Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk For um Conference Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Consultation responses Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary: John Park jpark@stuc.org.uk P8 The Month ahead Assistant Secretary: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk P9 The Month ahead Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk Research: Kevin Buchanan kbuchanan@stuc.org.uk Lifelong Learning Unit: Declan McGrath: dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk P10 In the parliaments ... Jacqueline McGuigan: jkmcguigan@stuc.org.uk P11 In the parliaments ... Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: Wendy Burton: wburton@stuc.org.uk P12 In the parliaments ... Close the Gap Project: Shona Roberts sroberts@stuc.org.uk One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk P13 STUC Learning Scottish One Fund for All: Mike McNicholl: mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk Conference Scottish Pensioners Forum: Doreen Kean: doreenk@stuc.org.uk P14 STUC Learning Conference
STUC activities in October Black Workers' Conference STUC Water Campaign
The 8th Annual Black Workers' Conference took place The STUC is currently campaigning against job losses in on 9-10 October 2004 at the Stirling Highland Hotel, the water industry and in support of the publicly owned Stirling. Conference, chaired by Namasiku Liandu and accountable Scottish Water model. On 15 September (AUT Scotland) and Anita Shelton (Amicus) was very a n STUC delegation provided evidence to the lively, positive and constructive, focusing on the Unions E n v i r o n m e n t Committee on the Water Services Work campaign. Guest speakers included Tim Hopkins (Scotland) Bill. On the main aspects of the Bill, the STUC of the Equality Network, who spoke on the expressed support for the prohibition of common Commission for Equality and Human Rights, and his carriage on public networks and retail competition for role as the Scottish Representative on the DTI's households but argued against the licensing of non- Transitionar y Steering Group; Malcolm Chisholm MSP, household retail competition. The STUC provided in his new role as Minister for Communities, and Anne responses to the Scottish Executive consultations on Douglas as Chair of the General Council. Afternoon Investing in Water Services and Paying for Water Services. workshops debated how to make Unions Work for The STUC agreed that charges would have to rise to Black workers, and looked at some of the case studies pay for the massive investment required and argued that of the One Workplace Equal Rights project. Motions developers should meet the cost of providing increased agreed by conference included ones calling for the new local capacity where this is necessary to take forward CEHR to have strong powers, resources and a clear their proposed developments. enforcement role, ensuring unions continue to tackle racism and fascism in the political processes, and calls Public Services for the extension of the Race Relations Amendment Act to the private and voluntary sectors. A meeting of Public Services Unions held on 5 October, 2004, to give consideration to issues relating to the Election results Scottish Public Services Forum and developments within the NHS in Scotland. A further meeting is scheduled Black Workers' Committee to take place in mid November. Caroline Campbell, GMB Scotland Harriette Campbell, UNISON Scotland Georgia Cruickshank, GMB Scotland An STUC delegation met with Chancellor of the Nazim Hamid, Amicus Exchequer on 2 November. The meeting was Habib Hashmi, EIS convened to discuss the implication for public service Ravi Nathan, UNISON Scotland jobs and services in Scotland of the Comprehensive Satnam Ner, Prospect Spending Review 2005-08. The Chancellor was Paul Patmore, ASLEF unable to provide the STUC delegation with a specific Nazir m Wardrop, T&G Scotland number in relation to Scottish civil service jobs to be Khurshid Usmani, EI affected by his proposal to axe over 100,000 civil ser vice jobs in the UK. There was a robust exchange Delegation to 2005 Annual STUC Congress of views at the meeting with the STUC strongly arguing against the cuts while the Chancellor argued i) General Places that many more other public service jobs had been Nazim Hamid, Amicus created. Namasiku Liandu, AUT (Scotland) Manjinder Shergill, T&G Scotland There are a number of matters in relation to civil ii) Women's Places ser vice jobs which the STUC will follow up Harriette Campbell, UNISON Scotland consequent to the meeting with the Chancellor Anita Shelton, Amicus including seeking further details of the number of civil service jobs to be lost vin Scotland and maintain Nominations for Black Workers' Seats on the STUC a dialogue on the prevention of compulsory General Council redundancies. i) General Seat Namasiku Liandu, AUT (Scotland) ii) Woman's Seat Anita Shelton, Amicus
STUC Youth Committee Workplan Forward planner The STUC Youth Committee has presented its Workplan to the STUC General Council. The Youth Committee reported NOVEMBER increased numbers of young trade unionists on the committee and amongst activists. 6-7 DISABLED WORKERS Promotion of Young Workers' Rights CONFERENCE Give evidence to Low Pay Commission on STUC Policy
12 STUC/SCVO Position as required. CONFERENCE Write to affiliates to get their views on developing a media
angle on advancing NMW campaign. Conduct a Westminster briefing session for MPs on young
16-17 WOMEN'S people, work and pay, calling for legislative improvements to CONFERENCE minimum age and legislation protecting school age workers. Albert Halls, Stirling Work with the Lifelong Learning Unit to develop materials
promoting Lifelong Learning Opportunities to young trade 19 STUC LEARNING unionists. CONFERENCE Meet with NUS Scotland to discuss:
· Holding a briefing session for young workers on pensions in partnership with NUS Scotland 27 ST ANDREW'S DAY · Developing a pensions information pack for young MARCH & RALLY workers in partnership with NUS Scotland/TUC. AGAINST RACISM · Updating NUS worker rights postcard AND FASCISM Building an active network of young members
DECEMBER Develop a monthly Youth Network E Bulletin
Contact affiliates to ascertain levels of young member
4 TRADES COUNCILS activity within the respective organisations. UNIONS WORK Encourage and work with affiliates in developing young
ACTIVITY DAY member representative structures within their organisations. Arrange to meet with Workers' Beer Company to discuss
new approaches of promoting Leftfield activity. Run capacity building sessions for young members on
organising and recruitment skills. Aim to increase young member participation in Annual
Youth Conference.
Promotion of trade union membership to young workers
Continue with school visits and consider ways to increase
capacity for visits. Provide training to build a wider network of reps willing to
conduct school visits. Develop an STUC Schools Visit pack in collaboration with
affiliates. Support Scottish Executive Schools project bid process in
any way required. Continue to work with NUS Scotland in promoting trade
union membership to students.
European Social Forum Current Assistant Secretary, Mary Senior, was one of two speakers from Consultations Scotland, contributing to the plenary sessions of the European Social Forum in London 14-17 October 2004. The European Social Forum, taking place at the Alexandra Palace in London, was a giant gathering for everyone supporting the broad aims of global justice, workers' rights and a sustainable society. The STUC The Need for a contributed to the plenary debate on a Democratic and Social Professional Body Europe on Friday 15 October. In her contribution Mary drew for Staff in attention to the declining participation in elections in the UK, Scotland's Colleges saying we have to "challenge disillusionment, re-engage people with democratic processes, and encourage people to recognise they Closing date for affiliates have rights and responsibilities". Mary also called for greater comments democracy in the workplace, to get fairness for workers and 22-Nov-04 equality at work. She pointed to the growing use of the Private Closing date for Finance Initiative, and the World Trade Organisations General consultation Agreement in Trade on Services, as encroaching on democratic 30-Nov-04 control of essential public services. View the consultation document here Delegation from Western Sahara
The STUC met a Saharawi delegation represented by; Fatma of the Saharawi Women's Union, from the refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria and; Aicha a woman from the occupied territories of Western Scotland's Transport Sahara. The delegation was accompanied by John Gurr of the Future: Proposals Western Sahara Campaign - Cymru (Wales). for Statutory The purpose of the visit was to increase awareness in Scotland of Regional Transport the Saharawi plight and to secure support particularly for the work Partnerships of the Women's Union. Closing date for affiliates comments The delegation outlined the history of the illegal occupation of the 12-Jan-05 Western Sahara by Morocco since 1975 and the various diplomatic Closing date for and political initiatives that had been undertaken to attempt to gain consultation independence for the region. The UN supported referendum on self- 19-Jan-05 deter mination has been supported by the Saharawi despite it falling well short of their desires, but continues to be delayed and obstructed View the consultation by the Moroccan authorities. document here The STUC General Council have agreed to support the Saharawi campaign through circulating:
1) Infor mation in relation to specific Saharawi Women's Union activity and projects be circulated to STUC affiliates 2) General information in relation to the activities of the Western Sahara campaign be circulated to all affiliates
The STUC agreed to use all relevant opportunities to raise the plight of the Saharawi people and to support their campaign for justice.
Consultation ST ANDREW'S DAY MARCH responses AGAINST RACISM & FASCISM Saturday 27th November 2004 Denis Canavan MSP: Assemble, St Andrew's in the Square, Off St Andrew's Day Saltmarket 10.30am Holiday View consultation March Off, 11am response here Rally, Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street 12 noon To volunteer to steward the event, and for details on posters and flyers for the event please contact: hcarson@stuc.org.uk DEFRA: The Gangmasters A bus will be provided by T&G Scotland to participate in the march for any of those who want an easier ride up to the (Licensing Authority) Glasgow Film Theatre Regulations View consultation response here Equality Action Group
The One Workplace Equal Rights Project is looking for TU Low Pay Commission: Shop Stewards and Equality Officers to form an Equality Consultation on the Action Group. The group will work with a team of researchers to help develop new approaches to tackling National Minimum racism and promoting equality in the workplace, as well as Wa g e encouraging diversity in trade unions. View consultation response here 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.
Consultation responses Close The Gap Weekend Schools Department of Trade and 22 / 23 January 2005, Swallow Hotel, Dundee Industry: 19 / 20 March 2005, Ramada Jarvis, Aberdeen Information and Consultation Directive - The courses are designed to help reps; Consultation on draft Understand how the pay gap occurs; guidelines View briefing on Know what the law says about equal pay; consultation here Understand what pay reviews are and why they are necessary; Gain the skills to work in partnership with employers to carry these out.
For further details contact Shona Roberts sroberts@stuc.org.uk
Scottish Executive: Implementation of Scottish Hazards Campaign Group measures resulting 4th Conference - Scotland and Beyond from the review of governance and The STUC is supporting the 4th Scottish Hazards accountability in the Conference due to be held in the STUC, 333 Woodlands FE sector Road, Glasgow on Saturday, 13 November. View consultation response here The Conference will look at Scotland's record of progressing occupational health and safety in Scotland, looking at other European countries for comparisons.
Throughout the day there will be workshop on workplace, violence, occupational health services, the ageing workforce, environment, occupational cancers, hand arm vibration, stress and bullying, chemicals and the dangers for reproductive health, workplace transport and travel and protecting the health and safety of agency workers.
In the afternoon there will be a discussion on the Stockline disaster including a contribution from a member of the Stockline Workers Support Group.
A limited number of places are still available and the fees are £30 waged and £5 for the unwaged.
Further information from LTURC at 26 Albany Street, Edinburgh, Tel 0131 556 7318, E-mail lturc@tiscali.co.uk
Consultation responses SCVO/STUC Partnership Forum & EQUAL Conference Strengthening the Social Economy Sir John Orr/Scottish Executive Partnership for quality services: Inquiry into Marches good employment practice and Parades View consultation 12 November 2004 9.30am3.00pm response STUC Conference Centre
As the social economy grows it faces a number of challenging issues affecting its workforce. With multiple funders, limited funding and competition how are social Scottish Executive: economy organisations ensuring that their staff are Smoking in Public receiving good employment practice. The conference will: Places: A · Highlight the issues effecting social economy organisations Consultation and staff in relation to workforce issues; · Provide a forum to discuss workforce issues affecting social View consultation economy organisations and potential solutions; response · Provide workshops that will highlight ways in which par tnership working will have a positive effect on workforce issues.
Speakers Jackie Baillie MSP Scottish Executive: Isobel Lawson SCVO & Stepping Stones for Families Towards a Green Katrina Purcell STUC Jobs Strategy Donna Carvill, Glasgow City Council, Changing Children's Services View consultation Team response Ea O'Neill EQUAL, Strengthening the Social Economy Helen Tyrrell Voluntary Health Scotland Rozanne Foyer TGWU Lynne Dickson COSLA Annie Gunner Community Care Providers Scotland Shirley Howitt Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector Sallie Anderson Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council Marion Lacey SCVO Dennis Nickson Scottish Centre for Employment Research Univer- sity of Strathclyde Keith Wimbles EQUAL, Strengthening the Social Economy
For further details, full conference programme and registration details go here
The month ahead The ( N o v e m b e r 6 - November 19)
6/11/04 STUC Disabled Workers Conference, Milton Hotel Glasgow
7/11/04 STUC Disabled Workers Conference
8/11/04 STUC meeting with Alistair Darling Secretary of State for Scotland 10/11/04 Meeting with Dr Andrew Goudie, Scottish Executive 10/11/04 Scottish Women's Convention
12/11/04 STUC/SCVO Partnership Forum Conference. More details here 12/11/04 Green Jobs Strategy: STUC evidence to SP committee 12/11/04 Thompson's Solicitors 25th Anniversar y 15/11/04 Scottish Executive Lifelong Learning For um 15/11/04 STUC Meeting with Crown Office
16/11/04 STUC Women's Conference 16/11/04 Meeting Scottish Executive officials on Lifelong Learning
17/11/04 STUC literacies working group 17/11/04 STUC Women's Conference 17/11/04 STUC Admin. & GPC
19/11/04 STUC Learning Conference, Dynamic Earth Edinburgh. More details 19/11/04 STUC addressing Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
The month ahead The ( N o v e m b e r 23 - December 1)
23/11/04 Unions Work contacts meeting at STUC
24/11/04 Enterprise in Education Schools visits Scoping Meeting 24/11/04 STUC Meeting with Low Pay Commission 24/11/04 Scottish Action on Asbestos Group
25/11/04 Launch of Scottish Lean Manufacturing Initiative
26/11/04 New Roots Scotland event 26/11/04 STUC Black Workers Committee
27/11/04 St Andrews Day March and Rally
1/12/04 General Council Meeting
In the parliaments ... Scottish Executive Consultations
Scottish Executive Response to `A New Complaints Landscape for Further and Higher Education in Scotland' http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/education/nclhesresonse-00.asp
Co-operative Development Agency Consultation - A Summary of Consultation Responses http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/enterprise/cdasummar yupdate.pdf
The Use of Joint Ventures to Deliver Primary Care/Joint Premises Consultation: Summary Report Responses submitted from STUC and Unison Scotland http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/librar y5/health/jvdpc.pdf
Making Development Plans Deliver: Consultation responses - Responses from STUC and Unison Scotland http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/library5/planning/mdpdcr-00.asp
Scottish Parliament Committee Business
Scottish Parliament Environment and Rural Development Committee Water Services (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 - oral evidence from STUC, UNISON and Amicus http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/environment/or-04/ra04- 2002.htm#Col1134
Scottish Parliament Justice 2 Committee Fire (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 oral evidence from FBU http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/justice2/or-04/j204- 2502.htm#Col941
Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee Disability Inquiry - oral evidence from Stephen Boyd, STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/equal/or-04/eo04- 1502.htm#Col591
Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Scottish Executive Response to Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee Report on Relocation of Public Sector Jobs http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/finance/index.htm
Scottish Parliament Justice 1 Committee Report Report on The Emergency Workers (Scotland) Bill http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/justice1/re por ts-04/j1r04-10-vol1- 01.htm
Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Cross cutting expenditure review of economic development: Briefing paper on submissions received - Written submission from STUC http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/finance/papers-04/fip04-23.pdf
In the parliaments ... Scottish Parliament Committee Business (Cont'd)
Scottish Parliament Environment and Rural Development Committee Report Is the Scottish Executive Structured and Positioned to Deliver Sustainable Development? http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/environment/repor ts-04/rar04-10-vol1- 00.htm
Scottish Parliament Debates
Debate - Growing Scotland's Economy http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialRepor ts/meetingsParliament/archive/or-04/ sor0916-02.htm#Col10223
Debate on Relocation of Public Sector Jobs http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialRepor ts/meetingsParliament/archive/or-04/ sor0915-02.htm#Col10147
Debate - Gender Pay Gap (references to Close the Gap campaign and STUC) http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialRepor ts/meetingsParliament/or-04/sor0930- 02.htm#Col10890
Government and Parliament Publications and Announcements
Scottish Executive Cabinet reshuffle announced http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/News/Releases/2004/10/04142721
Building a Better Scotland - Spending proposals 2005-08: Enterprise, Opportunity and Fairness http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/librar y5/enterprise/babs-00.asp
Women and Work Commission Announcement on Commission membership and terms of reference http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmhansrd/cm041011/wmstext/ 41011m02.htm#column_6
Scottish Executive Report Protecting Public Workers When the customer isn't right http://www.scotland.gov.uk/librar y5/justice/ppsw-00.asp
Pension Commission Pensions: Choices and challenges The first report of the Pension Commission http://www.pensionscommission.org.uk/publications/2004/annrep/index.asp
SPICe Research Briefing Key Economic Indicators http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/briefings-04/sb04-54.pdf
In the parliaments ... Government and Parliament Publications and Announcements (Cont'd)
Scotland Office October Labour Market Statistics for Scotland http://www.statistics.g ov.uk/pdfdir/lmsscot1004.pdf
Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin Scottish Manufactured Exports Estimates for the Second Quarter of 2004 http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/stats/bulletins/00371-00.asp
Scottish Parliament SPICe Research Briefing Defining Disability http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/briefings-04/sb04-59.pdf
Further Education in Scotland 2003: A report by Scottish Ministers http://www.scotland.g ov.uk/librar y5/lifelong/feis03-00.asp
Scottish Executive Research Collaboration between schools and further education colleges in Scotland - Literature Review http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cr u/resfinds/cbsfec-00.asp
STUC LEARNING CONFERENCE 2004 dynamic earth Holyrood Road Edinburgh FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2004
9.30 - 10.30 Registration & Coffee
10.30 - 10.40 Welcome Anne Douglas Chairperson, STUC General Council
10.40 - 11.00 UNIONS WORK for Learning Dave Moxham Assistant Secretary, STUC
11.00 11.20 ILA's Scotland Kirk Ramsay, Director of Learning and Technology, Learndirect Scotland
11.20 12.30 Workshops
12.30 1.30 Lunch
1.30 2.30 Feedback on Workshops
2.30 2.45 STUC Learning Website Launch
Grahame Smith, Deputy General Secretary, STUC
2.45 3.00 STUC Unions Work for Learning Brochure Launch
Dec McGrath Development Manager, Lifelong Learning, STUC
3.00 3.20 Scottish Union Academy
Grahame Smith Deputy General Secretary, STUC
3.20 3.30 Chairpersons Closing Remarks
STUC LEARNING CONFERENCE 2004 dynamic earth Holyrood Road Edinburgh FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2004
DELEGATES FORM
UNION____________________________________________
Name____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
__________________________ Postcode _______________________
Email_____________________________________________________
Te l e p h o n e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Are you a Trade Union Learning Representative? Yes No
Please return this pro-forma to Ann Garscadden, STUC, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6NG by Thursday 11 November 2004 (Fax: 0141 337 8101) agarscadden@stuc.org.uk