the Scottish Trades Union Congress

Picture of Rozanne Foyer

Our purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the trade union movement in Scotland and to promote: trade unionism; equality and social justice; the creation and maintenance of high quality jobs; and the public sector delivery of services. We support our affiliates in recruiting, organising and empowering workers to work collectively to win better terms and conditions at work.

The STUC represents over 540,000 trade unionists, the members of 39 affiliated trade unions and 20 Trades Union Councils. We speak for trade union members in and out of work, in the community and in the workplace, in all occupational sectors and across Scotland. Our representative structures ensure that we can speak with authority for the interests of women workers, black workers, young workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers and other groups of trade unionists that otherwise suffer discrimination in the workplace and in society.

Our policy is set by Annual Congress, which is attended by delegates from affiliated trade unions and trades union councils, each April. Congress elects a General Council to oversee our policy and campaigning work over the year.

The trade union movement played a leading and active role in the campaign to establish the Scottish Parliament and, through the 50=50 campaign, to improve women's representation in the Parliament.

Since 1999, we have campaigned to influence the policies of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, in support of Scottish workers. Since 2002 we have had a Memorandum of Understanding with successive Scottish Governments. The MoU outlines a formal mechanism for on-going dialogue on shared priorities for economic development, public service improvement, equality and social justice.

The STUC seeks to influence local government in Scotland, the government at Westminster and the European Union. Where appropriate we work with other trade union centres across the UK and beyond. International solidarity activities are an important feature of our work.

We also support unions in organising and learning. Scottish Union Learning works with unions, employers, government and a range of other bodies to help unions give workers access to training and development opportunities. We provide assistance to unions on health and safety issues and on campaigning for equal pay between men and women.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary

Scottish Trades Union Congress

8 Landressy Street

Glasgow G40 1BP

Tel 0141 337 8100

Fax 0141 337 8101

e-mail info@stuc.org.uk