The Herald Sat 23 Aug
"Local authority unions yesterday agreed to return to the negotiating table in the wake of this week's strike by up to 200,000 council employees which crippled public services across Scotland."
More...
See also UNISON press statement Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
One in a million - Fair Pay now!
The 2008 pay claim is just part of UNISON’s ongoing campaign for Fair Pay. We need a good annual increase in local government pay to keep pace with rising prices, but we need much more besides. UNISON is pursuing over 15,000 equal pay claims in Scotland alone. Council workers in Scotland have already received around £400 million in compensation and the issue has yet to be resolved. Do you need information about equal pay?
Check out www.unison-scotland.org.uk/fairpay.html for more info. You can download the One in a Million leaflet there too.
Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
UNISON Scotland Press Statement
Embargo: For immediate Release
Date: Fri 22 August 2008
Successful strike action brings reopening of talks
The 24 hour stoppage that closed and disrupted council services across Scotland on Wednesday has won a reopening of talks with the employers, the main council union – UNISON said today.
A meeting of UNISON’s Scottish local government branches today welcomed the news that council employers had suggested further talks, and congratulated the members who struck last Wednesday.
Dougie Black, UNISON regional Officer and Secretary to the TU negotiators said
“We are pleased that CoSLA has approached us to reopen talks on this years pay award, following the successful strike by members of the three unions on Wednesday. We also note that the invitation to talks addresses some of the contentious issues. Obviously we want a solution to this dispute, so we hope that discussions around a new offer more acceptable to our members can start quickly.”
The meeting of branches welcomed the news but also agreed to maintain the dispute and make preparations for further strike action in the event of any failure of talks.
Dougie Black said
“Members made it very clear on Wednesday that they want a settlement that protects them from inflation and does not lock them in to multi-year awards. The talks are welcome but are not in themselves a solution. We will be talking to our fellow unions to agree future action should it be required, and will announce this later.”
Cathy Jamieson and Bill Butler standing firm with UNISON Scotland
MSPs Cathy Jamieson and Bill Butler, UNISON Scotland's nominees for Scottish Labour Leader and Deputy, both confirmed their support for the Fair Pay campaign by making solidarity visits to local picket lines. Cathy spoke at Motherwell and then at the rally at George Square in Glasgow. She is pictured here with Dave Prentis and Mike Kirby.She said: "I have always campaigned against low pay and the current offer will leave many low paid workers substantially worse off. Rising fuel and food prices are hitting workers hard. I wanted to express my support for Unison members and those of the other trade unions taking action."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Big Ian's North Ayrshire strike pics
Looks like this strike picture thing is catching on across UNISON... Here's Big Ian's North Ayrshire strike picture gallery...
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigianwallace/UnisonStrike200808
UPDATE: North Ayrshire UNISON have a strike picture gallery on the branch site...
http://www.unison-northayrshire.org.uk/image/tid/2
Check them out. Here's a couple of Ian's snaps...
Joint union action on the picket line outside North Ayrshire HQ...
Look out, here comes the boss...
We like Ian's own caption:
Yeah we know Mr Mc Farline 2.5%, but some of our members will need to work for 10 years to reach your salary of £100000
Some of these pics are already on our Picasa gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland
Anyone else got any?
http://picasaweb.google.com/bigianwallace/UnisonStrike200808
UPDATE: North Ayrshire UNISON have a strike picture gallery on the branch site...
http://www.unison-northayrshire.org.uk/image/tid/2
Check them out. Here's a couple of Ian's snaps...
Joint union action on the picket line outside North Ayrshire HQ...
Look out, here comes the boss...
We like Ian's own caption:
Yeah we know Mr Mc Farline 2.5%, but some of our members will need to work for 10 years to reach your salary of £100000
Some of these pics are already on our Picasa gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland
Anyone else got any?
The Herald: Unions in threat to step up council dispute
The Herald Thu 21 August 2008
"Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland's councils "within weeks" as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.
Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were estimated to have taken part in the 24-hour walkout which yesterday left schools closed, bins left unemptied, ferries cancelled, day care and sports centres shut and libraries closed.
The leaders of the main unions have said the action provides the councils with a "window of opportunity" to restart negotiations but said that strategies were in place which could see an autumn of discontent with further days of action within the next month."
more...
"Union chiefs are warning of an escalation in their dispute with Scotland's councils "within weeks" as a strike by tens of thousands of workers brought disruption to key services across the country.Up to 200,000 local authority employees across Scotland were estimated to have taken part in the 24-hour walkout which yesterday left schools closed, bins left unemptied, ferries cancelled, day care and sports centres shut and libraries closed.
The leaders of the main unions have said the action provides the councils with a "window of opportunity" to restart negotiations but said that strategies were in place which could see an autumn of discontent with further days of action within the next month."
more...
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