e-brief STUC 333 Woodlands Road Glasgow G3 www.stuc.org.uk 23 January 2004 Contents: Welcome to the first Scottish Trade Union Congress E-Brief. to fir Scottish Trade The E-Brief aims to keep affiliates and other interested parties (Click on heading to go informed of past and future STUC activities. Each issue will directly to item) provide a snapshot of key STUC activities over the previous four weeks and look forward to events in the coming period. It will also keep you up-to-date with STUC responses to P 1 Recent activity consultations issued by Scottish and Westminster parliaments, give examples of recent STUC media activity and P 2 The month flag up parliamentary business of interest to the trade union ahead movement. (26-27 Jan-03) The Policy and Campaigns Team are keen to hear your Year planner comments on the format of this E-Brief, along with any suggestions you have for improvements or additions. P3 The month You can can send your comments to the STUC at ahead dmoxham@stuc.org.uk (27 Jan-2 Feb 03) Current To contact the STUC: Consultations General Secretary: Bill Speirs bspeirs@stuc.org.uk D.G. Secretary: Grahame Smith gsmith@stuc.org.uk P4 The month D. G. Secretary: Ronnie McDonald rmcdonald@stuc.org.uk ahead Assistant Secretary: Tracey White twhite@stuc.org.uk (3-9 Feb 03) Assistant Secretary: Rozanne Foyer rfoyer@stuc.org.uk Current Assistant Secretary: Stephen Boyd sboyd@stuc.org.uk Consultations Assistant Secretary: Mary Senior msenior@stuc.org.uk Assistant Secretary Ian Tasker itasker@stuc.org.uk Research: Lorraine Wilson lwilson@stuc.org.uk P5 The month Research: David Moxham dmoxham@stuc.org.uk ahead Lifelong Learning Unit: (10-17Feb 03) Declan McGrath dmcgrath@stuc.org.uk Consultation Jacqueline McGuigan jmcguigan@stuc.org.uk responses from Adult Literacy Co-ordinator: January 2004 Wendy Burton w.burton@stuc.org.uk Close the Gap Project: Evelyn Fraser efraser@stuc.org.uk P6 The month One Workplace Project: Zaffir Hakim zhakim@stuc.org.uk ahead Scottish One Fund for All: (17-25 Feb 03) Mike McNicholl mmcnicholl@stuc.org.uk Scottish Pensioners Forum: P7 Media activity in Dorothy Kean dkean@stuc.org.uk Further Education Learning Project: January Ann Garscadden agarscadden@stuc.org.uk
In January ...
with John Swinney of the SNP. As with The STUC office bearers met with the off bearers met the other political parties the meeting CBI to discuss the prospects for the centered on the priority issues for the Scottish Economy and Social and STUC at Holyrood in 2004. Economic Partnership.
Linda Shanahan of the FBU was Linda STUC along with other trade union seconded to the Scottish Executive as an representatives attended an Oxfam Oxfam STUC nominee to represent union for Scottish briefing for Scottish trade unions The unions. interests in the development of proposals briefing concentrated on the key for a non-legislative package of elements of Oxfam's campaigning work measures to protect public sector for 2004 including; Make Trade Fair; workers from attack in the course of Control Arms; Education Now! For their duties. further details on Oxfam's proposals for joint work with trade unions contact Mary The STUC participated in the Forum for for Senior. Dev Renewable Energy Development in Scotland (FREDS) meeting along with A meeting was held with Andy Kerr MSP, Andy Kerr MSP, the major players in the energy sector to Executiv Minister for Scottish Executive Minister for Finance evaluate the progress on Scottish and Public Services. The meeting was Executive targets on renewable energy. also attended by public services unions and discussed joint activity by the unions The STUC met with the Low Pay Lo Pa and the executive. Commission in the Scottish Borders to discuss low pay in the Borders area. The Women's Committee strategic Committee strategic weekend discussed its priorities for the A number of meetings and discussions forthcoming year to be proposed to the within the STUC and between the STUC General Council. They are; women, and academics over future activities for families and poverty; women and the the Scottish Trade Union Research Trade Resear Sco workplace; tackling domestic abuse. Network. STURN brings together academics and trade unionists to discuss A meeting was held with Margaret Margare and research issues central to trade Curran MSP, Minister for Communities MSP, Minister for Communities. unionism in Scotland. The 4th STURN The STUC raised the issues of poverty; conference will take place this summer. free school meals; social inclusion budgets; childcare; Scottish Women's The last of the STUC's annual round of Convention and domestic abuse. meetings with the leaders of Scottish Sco Parliament political parties was held parties
Year planner The month ahead (26th -27th Januar y) -27th January) FEBRUARY
4 GENERAL 26/01/04 TUC equal pay finance sector COUNCIL conference. 24 ADMINISTRATION 26/01/04 STUC Standing Orders GENERAL PURPOSES Committee. COMMITTEE 26/01/04 Meeting Scottish Executive 25 ECONOMY & Equalities Unit EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE 26/01/04 Pre-budget seminar with Secretary of State for Scotland MARCH and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng. 3 GENERAL Scottish trade union input into COUNCIL the budget process 13-14 EQUAL PAY REPS DAY SCHOOL 26/01/04 STUC short-life working party on 18 ADMINISTRATION emergency workers. Monitoring GENERAL PURPOSES and input on Scottish Executive COMMITTEE proposed legislation on 20 TU COUNCILS protection of emergency CONFERENCE workers. 29 LAUNCH OF ONE W ORKPLACE 26/01/04 STUC violence at work seminar CAMPAIGN investigating the benefits of partnership working in reducing workplace attacks. Seminar APRIL speakers include Scotland Office Minister Anne McGuire; 7 GENERAL COUNCIL Scottish Executive Minister Andy 19-23 STUC CONGRESS Kerr; Jim Devine, UNISON; Bruce Fraser, USDAW; Iain Brodie, Health and Safety Executive. ToTo JULY for register for seminar contact Task Ian Tasker. Venue STUC 3-4 YOUTH CONFERENCE 26/01/04 Meeting CBI about planning issues SEPTEMBER
27/01/04 Meeting of Hazards office 18-19 BLACK WORKERS bearers to discuss Congress and CONFERENCE future Hazards conference 27/01/04 Presentation to PCS organising conference
Current The month ahead Consultations Consultations (27th Januar y - 2nd February) January Februar
27/01/04 Equality Strands Meeting 27/01/04 Scottish Arts Council. Scottish Executive: Protecting Emergency 28/01/04 Meeting of Scottish Clearing Workers House contacts. Closing date for affiliate comments 28/01/04 STUC Disability Forum. 26-Jan-04 Closing date for 29/01/04 Trade Union Working Party on consultation Life Long Learning pre-meeting. 06-Jan-04 29/01/04 Meeting with BBC to discuss workplace literacy. Scottish Executive: Draft National Sexual 30/01/04 Meeting with Cathy Peattie MSP Health and and Des McNulty MSP to Relationships Strategy discuss possibility of forming a Closing date for cross-party group on asbestos. affiliate comments 30/01/04 Presentation on STUC literacy 09-Feb-04 project to Communities Closing date for Scotland seminar. consultation 27-Feb-04 01/02/04 General Secretary on Scottish Executive: international delegation to Consultation on Colombia. Personal Bankruptcy Reform 02/02/04 Meeting with Hugh Henry, Closing date for Deputy Justice Minister to affiliate comments discuss impact of amended 16-Feb-04 regulations on asbestos claims. Closing date for 02/02/04 Meeting PACE representatives consultation to provide an update on trade 28-Feb-04 union involvement in PACE Scottish Executive: initiatives. Modernising NHS 2/02/04 Joint STUC/TUC secretariat dental services meeting. Closing date for affiliate comments 16-Feb-04 Closing date for consultation 05-Mar-04
Current The month ahead Consultations (3rd February -9th February) Februar Februar
03/02/04 Scottish Women's Convention DTI: Employment Steering Group. Officers of Tribunals: Consultation Women's Committee will attend on Draft Revised second meeting of group Regulations and Rules following successful inaugural Closing date for meeting in December. affiliate comments 03/02/04 Water industry affiliates 20-Feb-04 meeting. Co-ordinating trade Closing date for union response to challenges in consultation the Scottish water industry. 05-Mar-04 04/02/04 General Council Meeting. Home Office: Proposals to Amend 05/02/04 Delivering presentation to the Criminal Injuries health and safety inspectors on Compensation Scheme trade union perspective on Closing date for affiliate comments Health & Safety. 27-Feb-04 Closing date for 06/02/04 STUC meeting with Secretary of consultation State for Scotland. Agenda 05-Mar-04 includes: Budget; Health & Safety issues; Asylum. Followed Scottish Executive: by further meeting with Minister A New Complaints in Transport capacity, discussing Landscape for FE/HE in Rail; Seafarers; Health & Safety Scotland for Transport Workers; Scottish Closing date for Transport Group Pension affiliate comments 19-Mar-04 schemes. Closing date for consultation 09/02/04 Trade Union Working Party on 01-Apr-04 Lifelong Learning.
09/02/04 Union researchers meeting at the STUC. To discuss potential for co-operation on research; unions work campaign; Scottish Trade Union Research Network.
Consultation The month ahead responses in (10th February - 17th February) Februar 17th Februar
January 2004 10/02/04 Scottish Refugee Council; skills audit for asylum seekers. Reponses to 10/02/04 Meeting Chief Executive of consultations are held Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire on the STUC website - round of meetings with click "Full STUC regional enterpriseboards. reponse" to access the 10/02/04 Monthly meeting between full text STUC and Scottish Executive officials.
12&13/02/04 Everyday skills workshop - Scottish Executive: Inverness. Contact Wendy The Scottish Fire and Burton at the STUC. Rescue Service: 13/02/04 Attending meeting of Scottish Proposals for Textiles Forum. Legislation Full STUC Response 16/02/04 First project advisory group meeting of One Workplace. Scottish Executive: Project. One Workplace aims to Review of the Liquor build awareness and capacity Licensing Laws in within Trade Unions to tackle Scotland (Nicholson racism and discrimination in the Committee) workplace. Full STUC response 16/02/04 Women's Committee roundtable discussion with Scottish Poverty Alliance, Scottish Executive: Scottish Out of School Draft Water Services Network, Scottish Poverty (Scotland) Bill Information Unit. Full STUC response
17/02/04 Annual Review of PPP protocol with Scottish Executive. Meeting involves public sector unions and will review the effectiveness of the protocol to date. 17/02/04 Presentation to Scottish Out of School Network 17/02/04 Everyday skills workshop - Inverness. Contact Wendy Contact Wendy Burton or Jaqueline McGuigan.
The month ahead (18th February - 25th February) Februar Februar
18/02/04 Attending Bank of England Briefing on the economy.
20/02/04 Black Workers Committee meeting; includes presentation from One Workplace project.
23/02/04 Home-working briefing session at the STUC from the National Group on Homeworking . 23/02/04 STUC Standing Orders Committee.
24/02/04 GC Administration and General Purpposes Committee.
25/02/04 GC Economy and Employment Committee. 25/02/04 Meeting Nicol Stephen, Scottish Executive Minister for Transport.
Media Activity Executive considers similar arrangements Excerpts from some of the press releases to ensure that companies who place the issued by the STUC in January. For full press lives of their workers at risk are brought to releases click here to go to the STUC justice." website.
21/01/04 STUC General Secretary urges 14/01/04 STUC General Secretary calls government to avert strike by on bosses and MSPs to back rethinking imposition of action against "scum" who "derisory" pay offer attack emergency workers Bill Speirs said: "To be offering derisory lower- "We are working with the Executive on the than-inflation rises at a time when low pay is detail of the these measures promoting endemic in areas of the civil service is bad training and risk assessment for those enough, to attempt to impose the settlement workers who serve the public in whatever without proper negotiation would be disas- capacity; proper staffing levels; adequate trous." safety equipment and appropriate security measures; and a range of public "We need to inspire hope, confidence and a awareness and educational initiatives. sense of worth among public service workers, not treat them like dirt. The Government must "Our affiliated trade unions are already think again." pursuing these measures, working with employers in the public and private sectors. 15/01/04 STUC calls for review of workplace fatality "A zero tolerance approach to violence at investigations work in Scotland is overdue. And we want MSPs and employers in Scotland to get In the light of the Court of Appeal ruling on behind that campaign". the Transco case, Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer, said "While we were 05/01/04 STUC calls for an `Activity disappointed that the charges were ruled strategy' to counter high levels irrelevant ... This would appear to suggest of inactivity and declining that companies could be held responsible population as a corporate body for their actions that lead to the deaths of workers and we are "For too long, the inactive have tended to calling for a review of current investigation be regarded as a social problem rather procedures to ensure all work related than an as a reservoir of potential to fatalities are properly investigated and increase prosperity for all. Reducing charges brought against companies where working age inactivity will help to sustain appropriate. employment growth and hence the overall sustainable economic growth rate. This in "In England and Wales a protocol exists turn will allow higher average living between prosecution and enforcement standards throughout the economy". bodies and we would suggest the Scottish