Composite K (covering Motions 68, 69, 70 & 74 and Amended Motion 67)
Advancing Fair Work
“That this Congress notes that the Fair Work Convention stated in 2020 that “faster progress on fair work is urgently needed if Scotland is to become a Fair Work Nation by 2025”.
“Congress notes that it’s common in some employers for lip service to given to Fair Work without workers being given a real say and that, under the Scottish Government’s ‘Fair Work First’ policy, there are no effective escalation mechanisms for dealing with employers who renege on Fair Work principles.
“Congress expresses concern that creative workers often face systemic barriers to achieving Fair Work, including precarious employment, low pay, lack of job security, and inadequate representation.
“Congress believes that Fair Work must also extend to the safety and well-being of musicians who work demanding hours in late night, informal settings.
“Sadly, across the creative sector, Trade Union delivered “worker voice” has far too often been discounted, and employer established “employee forums” with no independence or accountability are being taken as acceptable by awarding bodies such as Creative Scotland.
“Congress notes, however, that Fair Work rules are inconsistently applied and inadequately enforced. In some cases, large employers have abandoned Fair Work principles yet continued to receive substantial public funds.
“Congress notes the alarming rise in reported cases of racism in workplaces and believes racism contradicts the principles of Fair Work First and so effective measures must be implemented to create safe and inclusive environments where all workers feel empowered to report racism without fear of retribution.
“Employers have a responsibility to cultivate a culture of respect and accountability, but a union’s endorsement of any organisation’s Fair Work First Statement has considerable value and we must ensure that it is not granted until each organisation’s Fair Work First practice contains commitments towards equalities outcome recording, reporting, and remedial actions.
“The UK Government have announced plans for a Fair Work Agency, which will reportedly have enforcement powers.
“Congress instructs the STUC to campaign and lobby:
- ?for the Scottish Government to publish data on employers’ compliance with the Fair Work principles and the Fair Work First criteria for procurement;
- for the Scottish Government to implement mechanisms that ensures compliance with the Fair Work principles and the Fair Work First criteria;
- for the Scottish Government to implement escalation mechanisms and sanctions for employers who renege on commitments;
- for the Scottish Government to not wait for the UK’s Fair Work Agency, but to ensure now that trade unions are regarded as the gold standard in the workplace, including in evidencing compliance and establishing a clearer and strengthened role in monitoring and enforcement of Fair Work;
- against outsourcing in government procurement contracts;
- to raise the profile of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work commitments as part of political campaigning, with a view to securing improvements;
- for fair work to extend to all sectors where non-traditional employment structures are prevalent;
- for fair work principles to be embedded into all publicly funded arts programs in Scotland, ensuring fair pay, clear contracts, and safe working conditions for all workers;
- for musicians and creative workers to have effective voice and representation, including through collective bargaining and trade union engagement
- for the Scottish Government to make compliance with Fair Work principles a mandatory condition for receiving public funding in the creative sectors;
- with the MU and creative unions, for improved pay, job security, and working conditions for creative workers;
- for more robust enforcement of non-compliance with Fair Work principles in the creative industries including developing an accreditation system tailored to the creative industries;
- to ensure the voices of creative workers are included in national discussions on Fair Work policy, highlighting the unique challenges of non-traditional employment;
- to improve the application and enforcement of Fair Work conditionality across the private, public and third sectors within its current powers;
- to extend Fair Work conditionality to new areas, such as ScotWind leases;
- to strengthen Fair Work rules, to include mandatory trade union recognition where a request is made by the workforce;
- in support of the Fair Work Convention, including any academic or other research needs deemed necessary by the Convention;
- for the UK Government to implement enhanced Fair Work conditionality in reserved areas, such as when awarding Contracts for Difference to energy generation projects;
- for the Scottish Government to enhance the Fair Work First framework by integrating specific guidelines aimed at combating workplace racism and fostering inclusive practices;
- to urge affiliated unions to actively engage, support Black members and participate in training programmes that increase awareness of racism and effective reporting mechanisms;
- to advocate for robust support systems that help victims of workplace racism navigate the reporting process, ensuring their voices are heard and validated; and
- the Scottish Government to deliver “worker voice” through Trade Union recognition and engagement.”
Mover: Public and Commercial Services Union
Seconder: Musicians’ Union
Supporters: STUC Black Workers’ Conference
Moray Trades Union Council
Prospect
GMB
RSS