STUC on Scottish GDP statistics
13th January 2016
Responding to publication of the latest GDP statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
13th January 2016
Responding to publication of the latest GDP statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
20th January 2016
Commenting after the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland were published by ONS, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
3rd February 2016
Speaking ahead of the meeting between the Scottish and UK Governments on the Fiscal Framework, Grahame Smith said:
3rd February 2016
The STUC has released details of its asks of Government and the key political parties ahead of a lobby of Holyrood on the local authority settlement.
8th February 2016
Speaking at the launch in Aberdeen of the Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG), Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
9th February 2016
STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "Last week the STUC criticised the Scottish Government's settlement for councils and responded positively to Labour's tax proposal.
17th February 2016
Commenting after the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland were published by ONS, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
23rd February 2016
13.00 - 14.00 Wednesday 24 February Protest outside Scottish Parliament for end to £484M erosion of tax base due to eight year council tax freeze
23rd February 2016
The General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Grahame Smith said: “The Scottish Government is perfectly correct to reject the Fiscal Framework as currently proposed by the Westminster Government. We recognise that these negotiations have been difficult and that significant additional powers for the Parliament are an important prize.
27th February 2016
On 29th February, the extra day in 2016, unions and employers in Scotland are coming together to demonstrate opposition to the Trade Union Bill and an intent to build positive industrial relations based on strong trade unions.
2nd March 2016
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said “The STUC welcomes the First Minister’s commitment to ending the Council Tax freeze next year and to introducing some additional progressivity to the system. “However, in totality, the measures announced by the First Minister today are very disappointing.
4th March 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is today publishing its 2016 Budget Submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and an associated report on the current state of the Scottish labour market.
13th March 2016
Speaking on the release of the Commission for Widening Access Report Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
15th March 2016
Speaking on behalf of the Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG), Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “It is vital that the Chancellor leaves no stone unturned in trying to support production and jobs in the oil and gas sector through the current crisis.
16th March 2016
STUC on labour market statistics Responding to the latest set of official labour market statistics published today, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
16th March 2016
Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget Statement, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “As anticipated this was an uneventful Budget primarily designed not to provoke Tory backbenchers prior to the EU referendum.
21st March 2016
Commenting on the publication of the Fair Work Convention’s Fair Work Framework, STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: ‘The STUC enthusiastically welcomes this new Fair Work Framework. Such an explicit statement of the importance of fair work and the role of unions in delivering it is not to be found anywhere else in the world.
22nd March 2016
Commenting after the First Minister had set out the Scottish Government's plans for income tax over the next Parliament, Grahame Smith, said: "The plans announced today represent a disappointingly timid approach to income tax policy.
31st March 2016
The STUC supported Better than Zero campaign will take to the streets of Glasgow (Thursday 31 March at 7.30pm) to highlight companies which have stated their intention to discriminate against young workers and warn companies who are ‘still deciding their position’ that they will be campaign targets in months to come if they take the wrong decision.
15th April 2016
On Monday morning (12.20 hrs 18 April), STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith will call on political leaders to raise their game and to offer the people of Scotland bold, ambitious polices to address some of the hitherto intractable challenges facing the Scottish economy and society.
15th April 2016
Young workers from the >zero campaign will today visit Dundee as Congress is expected to affirm its support for the new and imaginative campaigns aimed at bad employers in the non-unitised sector.
15th April 2016
“The recent experience of our members of the workings of the European Union has been mixed to say the least. EU-wide austerity and the behaviour of key institutions during the debt crisis, some poor ECJ judgments undermining workers’ rights and the approach to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are all matters of enormous concern. Far too much of this debate has been captured by the right wing, trading petty prejudices at the expense of a proper discourse.
18th April 2016
Commenting after 211 skilled workers at Carron Phoenix had been informed that is a production will end in Falkirk by the end of 2017, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said, “Today’s news is devastating blow to the workers at Carron Phoenix, their families and the Falkirk community.
18th April 2016
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “The STUC warmly welcomes the speech today from Labour leader Kezia Dugdale. Her two central themes committing to tackling austerity through new powers and legislating in opposition to the trade union bill and recognising the key role of trade unions, sit comfortably with our own priorities.
19th April 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has announced that the recipients of this year’s STUC Organising Award are the University and College Union (UCU) Aberdeen Branch
19th April 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has announced that the recipient of this year’s STUC Frank Maguire Award for Health and Safety is Scott Donohoe, Health and Safety Officer for Glasgow City Unison.
19th April 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has announced that the recipient of the 11th Annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning is Julie Atkinson, an Aegis Union Learning Rep (ULR) at Aegon UK in Edinburgh.
19th April 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has announced that the recipient of the STUC Equality Award for 2016 is Scott Mowat, an EIS Equality Rep based at Mosspark Primary School in Glasgow.
20th April 2016
Commenting on publication of the latest labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “With increases in unemployment and economic inactivity driven by a significant fall in employment, today’s statistics provide further evidence of the significant slowdown in the Scottish economy over the past year.
27th April 2016
The recently established Offshore Coordinating Group (OCG) is today expressing anger and frustration at the ongoing and severe attacks on jobs, terms and conditions being driven by large operators in the oil and gas industry.
27th April 2016
Commenting on the latest government climb down on Trade Union Bill STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said "This latest climb down is a testament to the strength of the campaigning by unions to protect their members rights and further exposes the lack of democracy at the heart of the government approach.
28th April 2016
Over lunchtime today trade unionists will gather to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of injury at work or occupational diseases such as mesothelioma and commit to fight for safer and healthier workplaces across the world. Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said “HSE statistics show that 20 Scottish workers left home to go to work and did not return home in the last year, across the United Kingdom 192 families lost loved ones through work related injury.
29th April 2016
The Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG) is today publishing a new report, ‘Safety Critical Offshore Workers in the UK Oil and Gas Sector: Hours, Shifts and Schedules’, commissioned from the Scottish Centre for Employment Research (SCER), Strathclyde University. The report draws on current research evidence to consider the implications for health, safety and wellbeing of a change from two weeks offshore, two weeks onshore (2/2) to three weeks offshore/onshore (3/3) working schedules.
3rd May 2016
Commenting after the Accident Investigation Board press conference in Norway, Tommy Campbell chair of the Offshore Coordinating Group said: "The Offshore Coordinating Group stands shoulder to shoulder with the Norwegian trade unions in their demand that the Puma 225 helicopter must be grounded until proof of the cause of Friday's tragic crash has been presented by the Accident Investigation Board.
6th May 2016
STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “The STUC congratulates Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP on its election victory. Whilst the SNP has fallen short of an overall majority and the Tories have strengthened their position, there remains a strong majority for progressive policies in the Parliament.
13th May 2016
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) trade union members from all over Scotland will gather in Glasgow this weekend (Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Clydebank, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May) to debate a wide range of issues affecting LGBT people in the workplace and in Scottish Society.
19th May 2016
Commenting on the Scottish Government's decision to award the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Contract 2016-2024 to CalMac, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: "This is the correct decision and one that finally provides both the workforce and communities they serve with some certainty and security.
25th May 2016
Responding to Shell's announcement of a further 475 job losses in the North Sea, Tommy Campbell, chair of the Offshore Coordinating Group (OCG) said,
2nd June 2016
Responding to publication of the latest report into the Bergen helicopter tragedy, Tommy Campbell, chair of the Offshore Coordinating Group (OCG) of trade unions said:
7th June 2016
When addressing the Annual Conference of the Scottish Pensioners Forum in Glasgow City Chambers tomorrow, (14.15 hrs 7 June 2016), Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith will say:
10th June 2016
Tomorrow trade union members from across the area will meet in Inverness for the STUC’s annual Highlands and Islands Conference.
15th June 2016
Commenting in advance of the Scottish Parliament debate on trade union membership initiated by Clare Haughey MSP, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
15th June 2016
Commenting following publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
20th June 2016
Commenting in advance of tomorrow’s RMT strike action, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
24th June 2016
Following the vote for the UK to leave in the European Union, Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “This is a desperately disappointing result and will have enormous consequences for everyone in the UK and beyond.
24th June 2016
Commenting on the First Minister’s statement on the EU Referendum result, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “It is clear that the First Minister wants to set Scotland on the course to a second Independence Referendum. While a second independence referendum will undoubtedly bring added uncertainty, the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland also need to be acknowledged.
12th July 2016
At its meeting with the First Minister today (12 July 2016) a delegation from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) urged the Scottish Government to intensify its commitment to fair work and progressive workplace practices in light of the immediate and long term challenges facing the Scottish economy in the wake of the Brexit vote.
20th July 2016
Commenting on release of the latest official labour market and GDP statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
25th July 2016
Commenting as Unite and RMT members working for the Wood Group on Shell’s North Sea installations prepare to start 24 hour strike action on Tuesday, Steve Doran of the Offshore Co-ordinating Group (OCG) and Nautilus International said:
10th August 2016
Responding to the First Minister’s announcement today of new measures to stimulate economic activity and support businesses in the wake of the Brexit vote, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
17th August 2016
Commenting on publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
8th September 2016
Responding to the closure of Dungavel, Grahame Smith Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
14th September 2016
Commenting on publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
5th October 2016
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said: "The STUC is pleased and relieved that the two decade long battle for justice for Surjit Singh Chhokar and his family has been finally concluded.
6th October 2016
#20th STUC Black Workers’ Conference ##Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 October 2016 ##Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, Falkirk The 20th Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Black Workers’ Conference will take place in the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel, Falkirk this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 8-9 October). The Conference brings together Black trade unionists from a range of workplaces across Scotland to debate issues and motions of interest to them.
19th October 2016
Commenting following publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
25th October 2016
Women: Many Roles, Many Barriers 89th Annual STUC Women’s Conference Friday 28th / Saturday 29th October 2016 Perth Concert Hall #stucwomen16 @STUCwomen
25th October 2016
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s announcement on pardons for historic LGBT convictions, Pam Currie, chair of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) LGBT Workers’ Committee said:
16th November 2016
Commenting on publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
23rd November 2016
Commenting after the Chancellor announced his Autumn Statement, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “There was nothing in this statement to improve the lot of the most vulnerable in society who’ve been hit hardest by austerity since 2010. The significant additional borrowing over this Parliament demonstrates, once again, that austerity is failing on its own terms.
25th November 2016
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Annual St Andrew’s Day March and Rally takes place Saturday 26th November. The event was organised by the STUC Black Workers’ Committee and this year has the theme ‘No Racism: Protecting Rights, Defending Communities’
14th December 2016
Commenting on publication of the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
15th December 2016
STUC deeply concerned at cuts to council budgets and calls for use of tax powers to invest in services and jobs Responding to today’s Scottish Budget STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
20th December 2016
Responding to the Scottish Government’s paper, ‘Scotland’s Place in Europe’, Grahame Smith STUC General Secretary said: “ The STUC welcomes the publication of this paper by the Scottish Government which is a useful and serious contribution to the debate. It is positive that the Scottish Government has developed such a clear position setting out what they see as the best future relationship both Scotland and the UK could have with the EU. This is in stark contrast to the half-baked and conflicting positions that are emerging from the UK Government on this issue.