Scotland’s workers demand better: a six-point plan for change
Scotland’s largest trade union body has called upon all political parties to back their six-point plan for change ahead of the general election next week.
The STUC has set out six key pledges, including strengthening workers' rights, investing in public services and increasing taxation on wealth, for all candidates to endorse ahead of the polls opening.
In addition to investing in the green economy, devolving further power to the Scottish Parliament and showing support for the people of Palestine, the STUC’s General Secretary Roz Foyer has called upon candidates to reject the politics of “hatred, division and scapegoating” which has permeated the campaign.
Ms. Foyer adds that Scotland’s growing trade union movement won’t accept “half-measures” with recent data from the Office for National Statistics revealed trade union membership in Scotland soared by 30,000 to 664,000.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer:
“Without question, workers in Scotland can play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the general election. This campaign has been mired by the politics of hatred, division and scapegoating. We need candidates to reject these values and to stand beside our growing movement which seeks to bring positive, transformational change across our communities.
“From strengthening workers’ rights to taxing wealth and investing in our public services, our general election demands are straightforward and achievable. There can be no half-measures from candidates; if they seek our vote they must pledge their support.
“The next UK Government, which polls suggest will be a Labour one, must heed the call of workers in Scotland to devolve further powers to the Scottish Parliament on employment and migration in addition to pledging further investment in our green economy, creating up to 367,000 jobs in the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy economy.
“Our movement is also unapologetically internationalist. We call upon every candidate, no matter their party, to show support for the people of Palestine and end the genocide being inflicted on the people of Gaza.
“This election needs to make a difference for workers. They need action. Our plan shows what needs to be done. We need candidates, especially those that may form the next Labour Government, to pledge their support to Scotland’s trade unionists.
END
Notes to editors:
The full six-point pledge is available to view here:
https://www.stuc.org.uk/content/general-election-6-point-pledge/
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