UNISON Scotland on the march against racism and fascism

 

UNISON Scotland's banner joined with other unions, political parties and community organisations on the streets of Glasgow for this year's St Andrews Day Anti Racism March and Rally.  The demonstration against racism and fascism is an annual event organised by the STUC and GARA (Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance).

More pics from the demo at the UNISON Scotland Picasa gallery

Water strike across Scotland: a "handy success" on the picket lines

The 24 hour Scottish Water strike which began yesterday at noon moved into Friday morning with pickets out across Scotland.

Edinburgh and East: a "handy success" on the picket lines
Report: 9:15am

UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser Dougie Black reports "a handy success" from the Fairmilehead site in Edinburgh. There have been pickets on each gate and not much sign of anyone crossing in to work.


"Quite a quite a few turned away when they saw the pickets, and some contractors and the mail did not cross," Dougie told the blog.


Also in the East, the Livingston picket has been well supported this morning and the site was so quiet it appeared to be shut completely.

Aberdeen and Dundee: "very, very successful"
Update: 10:30am

Scottish Water Branch Chair Dave Wilkins was on the picket line at Kingshill House. Dave reports that the only people going in were the occasional consultant and contractor. He counted only 4 direct Scottish Water employees at work and the car park was virtually empty.

Branch Secretary Steve Scott also reports that Bullion House in Dundee have been successsfully picketed.

Picture update 13:00 - pics from Aberdeen this morning:

 Looks like more people were on picket duty...

...than on work duty!


Further picture update - Dumfries and Fort William

There were many places around Scotland where the strike was unfolding and pickets were active...

 

from the Highlands like these stalwarts in Fort William....

 

...to the South of Scotland, and this happy bunch of activists in Dumfries, the message from UNISON and the ther unions was: Cut My Pay - No Way!

   

STV video: Scottish Water workers in pay row walkout

STV Standard News Player

The organisation says plans are in place to cope with the strike

Several hundred workers with Scottish Water are taking part in a 24-hour walk-out in a dispute over pay.

Union leaders say the industrial action, which started at noon on Thursday, will affect Scottish Water operations across the country.

Employees are protesting a pay increase which they claim is unfair.

Dougie Black, a negotiator with Unison, said: "Clearly it is an issue which our members feel very strongly about.

"I would invite Scottish Water and the Scottish Government, even at this late stage, to come back to the negotiating table.

"We are always ready to talk about a way to settle this dispute."

More at www.stv.tv...

The Herald: Scottish Water workers begin strike

Herald Video: Scottish Water workers begin strike

Hundreds of workers from Scottish Water walked out today in a dispute over pay which could hit services across the country.

Unions leaders expect up to 2,000 staff to take part in the action across Scotland.

Workers started the 24-hour strike at midday in protest at a pay rise they claim is unfair.

But Scottish Water said it was "deeply disappointed" with the decision to strike. The company added contingency plans were in place to ensure normal services were maintained during the strike.

Dougie Black, a negotiator with Unison, said the strike action was going ahead because of the pay award and the manner in which it was imposed.

He said: "The employers imposed a pay award on our members this year and undermined the whole of the industrial relations machinery in Scottish Water.

"I hope the strike sends a really strong message to Scottish Water that our members are serious about winning a fair pay award this year.

"We want the employers to come back to the negotiating table and speak to us about how they can improve upon this offer."

Scottish Water staff from the Unison, Unite and GMB unions are involved in the action. They are angry about a pay rise from Scottish Water of 3% over 15 months.

Mr Black predicted the strike could cause disruption for customers.

"For the 24 hours the strike is taking place, Scottish Water services are going to be affected," he said.

"There won't be responses to individual incidents such as burst pipes."

He added if there was a "significant public health risk", union members would be asked to respond.

He added: "I hope Scottish Water customers understand clearly why we need to take this action."

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's customer service delivery director, said: "We have a committed team in place, determined to maintain a normal service for our customers.

"I am confident we can continue to deliver this."

Director of communications Chris Wallace added: "We are deeply disappointed; this decision is not the right action for Scottish Water.

"We have been in continuous dialogue with unions for a considerable time regarding this year's pay award.

"We are aware of the demands on everyone's pay in today's tough economic climate, but we believe we have given the best possible deal under the circumstances."

He added it was the only pay deal Scottish Water could give "under public sector guidelines".

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Water workers warn of more action

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Water workers warn of more action:
Page last updated at 14:57 GMT, Thursday, 27 November 2008


A 24-hour walkout by hundreds of Scottish Water employees could be followed up with further action.


A Unite spokesman said unions involved were open to fresh talks on pay, but he said more stoppages were possible.

Scottish Water said the action involved 802 union members and it had contingency plans to maintain services.

The unions involved are Unison - which said more than 1,000 staff were taking action - Unite and the GMB. Thursday's action is to end midday on Friday.

The Unite spokesman said: "If Scottish Water want to talk then we are up for that.

"Union members are really disappointed by the actions of Scottish Water for imposing what is a pay cut whilst still undertaking negotiations."

It is the latest in a series of separate pay disputes affecting thousands of public service workers in Scotland, including local authority employees and coastguards.

Scottish Water said the pay award it had made was within public sector guidelines.

It was paid in the September salaries of the company's 3,685 employees and was backdated to April. The award equates to 3% over 15 months.

'Pay cuts'

But Unison said Scottish Water could afford more.

Dave Watson, the union's Scottish organiser, said: "In recent years our members have helped to save Scottish Water over £1bn through reduced operating costs and improved efficiencies.

"Customers and directors have benefited, while workers have faced real terms pay cuts due to inflation."

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's customer service delivery director, was confident usual services could be maintained during the action, which will finish at midday on Friday.

He said: "We have a committed team in place, determined to maintain a normal service for our customers."

Director of communications Chris Wallace added: "We are deeply disappointed; this decision is not the right action for Scottish Water."

Dundee: UNISON pickets active at Scottish Water sites

UNISON Scottish Water Branch Secretary Steve Scott reports that pickets were active on both Scottish Waters sites in Dundee - at Riverside Drive (from 12 - 2pm) and Bullion House (12 - 2.30pm).

A flurry of members were leaving work at 12 noon. Lorries delivering chemical supplies for the labs turned away rather than cross the picket line. Good to see solidarity in action.

Steve was interviewed by the Herald and reiterated UNISON's position: Scottish Water and the Scottish Government should come back to the negotiating table and bring forward a fair settlement for Scottish Water workers.

Picket cover at the two sites will be active from 8am tomorrow.

Aberdeen: Scottish Water picketed from noon

UNISON Scotland Local Organiser Jane Fielding reports that the Aberdeen picket line at Kingshill House was on from 12 noon - 2pm. The pickets included Scottish Water Branch Chair Dave Wilkinson and Regional Organiser Sarah Duncan. 

The vast majority of UNISON members in Scottish Water Aberdeen left work at 12 noon to join the strike. STV Aberdeen did an interview with Dave Wilkinson (which will hopefully be shown tonight) and the TV cameras were also going to the Shipping Water Office which is being covered by the GMB.

The Scottish Water unions in the North East are working together in the fight for fair pay.  

The picket line will be back on again tomorrow (Friday 28 November) from 9am.