17th April 2015
Commenting on the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland published today, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “The recovery in the Scottish labour market appears to be stalling with today’s figures confirming another rise in unemployment and only a marginal increase in employment. These statistics should give Government at all levels pause to reflect on both their overly optimistic assessments of the labour market and policies required to boost employment.
14th April 2015
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary, Grahame Smith said: “Since we launched our campaign against low pay and zero hours contracts in the food, retail and leisure sectors, we have been contacted by workers across Scotland complaining at their treatment. “In the US, trade unions and community campaigners are coming together and making real gains by pressuring fast food giants to increase pay and permit union activity. “In Scotland zero-hours contracts are rife, payment below the Living Wage is the norm and people report being routinely disrespected at work.”
1st April 2015
Following today’s publication of Labour’s Work Manifesto, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary, Grahame Smith, said: “The devastating individual and macro-economic impact of low pay and insecure work is a modern day scandal. “Labour has made clear in its Work Manifesto that there are very clear dividing lines between it and the Tories on the key issues affecting working people in Scotland.
19th March 2015
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is joining a range of anti-racist groups, civil society organisations and concerned citizens to march on Saturday 21st March in Glasgow against racism. The 21st March is UN Anti-Racist Day and a range of demonstrations have been organised across Europe, including in London, Cardiff and Glasgow, to show our opposition to rising levels of racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
18th March 2015
Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget Statement, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “This Budget was clearly designed to meet the political challenge of the forthcoming general election rather than the significant economic and social challenges facing the UK. The windfall provided by falling inflation should have been reinvested in vital infrastructure to further embed the recovery and support good jobs, not pay down debt that is currently being serviced at historically low interest rates.
18th March 2015
Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC and other Scottish civil society organisations we have contacted are very concerned at reports of large numbers of detainees refusing food at the Dungavel Detention Centre.