Attacks on staff pay and conditions spark strike action in Culture and Sport Glasgow

Thu 29 April 2010 

Glasgow’s major cultural and leisure trust, set up to attract extra private sector finance and provide increased service to the public, faces major disruption tomorrow (Friday) due to the first of a series of strikes by four separate unions that represent the Trust’s around 1600 staff. Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) runs libraries, museums and sports and leisure centres across Glasgow, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, and is proposing a series of attacks on staff conditions and pay since it was set up in 2008.
The staff are members of UNISON, Unite, the GMB and BECTU, all of whom have returned positive ballots for industrial action after the trust – cut 10% from the wages of almost 200 workers; declared a unilateral pay freeze for all other workers and cut public holidays and overtime rates.

Brian Smith, Branch Secretary for UNISON’s Glasgow City Branch – which has the largest single number of members in CSG said:
“All the trade unions in CSG are united in their opposition to the attacks on their members pay and conditions. The trade unions have attempted to negotiate to persuade CSG not carry out these attacks. However workers have been left with no option other than to use strike action in an effort to defend their pay and conditions. Our members provide culture and sport services across Glasgow and recognise the wide disruption that strike action will cause.”

CSG was established as an “arms-length” Trust by Glasgow City Council as a tax scam; to draw in private money and to get grants from charitable trusts. It has failed to deliver on most of these. Ultimately the standard of service which the public will receive in their libraries, sports centres, museums and community centres will be affected if workers wages and conditions are cut.

The strikers are asking for public support by asking people to send protests to Bridget McConnell, CSG Chief Executive, and to Councillor Liz Cameron, Chair of the CSG Board. Messages of support to the strikers should be sent to enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk or to the UNISON Branch, 18 Albion Street, G1 1LH


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UNISON calls for action to end work-related deaths and injuries

Tue 27 April 2010


Further action must be taken to combat "unacceptable levels" of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses. That’s the message from UNISON on International Workers Memorial Day.

In a move welcomed by UNISON, International Workers Memorial Day, held annually on 28 April, is being officially recognised by the UK Government for the first time.

UNISON Scottish Secretary, Matt Smith will attend the main Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Glasgow's George Square, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of UNISON Scotland's 170,000 members in memory of all workers who have died as a result of their work.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony he said;

"70% of workplace accidents are due to poor management on health and safety. This means deaths at work are avoidable. But the alarming cuts in public spending which all the main parties have been proposing can only result in more danger for people at work.

"We welcome the official recognition of International Workers Memorial Day by the UK Government. Formal recognition reinforces the significance of the Day and raises awareness of the number of people who are killed, disabled, injured or made unwell through their work.

"We know, however, that recognition of International Workers Memorial Day will only be of value if it results in greater awareness of the unacceptable levels of deaths at work, and of work-related injuries and illnesses - and in practical action to combat these."

Scott Donohoe, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health & Safety Committee said:

“At a time when business and other vested interests are campaigning for proper health and safety laws to be replaced by deregulation, with companies being allowed to carry out their own health & safety audits, trade unions need to ensure that these hard-fought for rights are not eroded when employers campaign against red tape. Health & safety rules and regulations are an essential protection from employers who would put profit above the safety of their staff and the public.”

UNISON branches across Scotland will take part in ceremonies organised by local Trade Union Councils, and some will participate in activity organised jointly with local authorities.

UNISON Staff and members will hold a minute's silence at UNISON offices across Scotland.

Notes for editors
Full details of these events can be found at www.stuc.org.uk, the website of the Scottish TUC which is co-ordinating International Workers Memorial Day in Scotland.


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STUC: Sharks are circling again for Scottish Water

UNISON's Dave Watson warned that 'the sharks are circling again' as the CBI and right wing think tanks campaign for Water privatisation. UNISON's Dave Watson warned that 'the sharks are circling again' as the CBI and right wing think tanks campaign for Water privatisation. Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/9.html


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STUC: Rebuilding collective prosperity - a charter for public services

STUC: UNISON's Matt Smith lays out a strategy for public services. "saying to the people of Scotland that we will not stand idly by while attempts are made to make the many pay for the greed and folly of a wealthy few". Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/8.html


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STUC: Alliance to challenge local government cuts: 'Service users pay three times as Edinburgh Council prepares for sell-off Proposals', says UNISON

UNISON's John Stevenson pledges that, standing up for jobs and services, the union would make sure that the public knew exactly what is happening. "Edinburgh is Not for Sale", he said. Read more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/7.html


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STUC: Re-visit bus deregulation to address failures of Thatcher

Fractured and inconsistent bus services with not enough new build means bus services cannot be left exclusively to the private market, said the STUC backing a motion from Unite. "There is no bigger barrier for disabled people than the design of, and access to public transport. Although Charlie's bill was a small step for disabled people, it was nevertheless, an important one", says UNISON's John Nisbet.


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STUC: Children must have a right to music in schools

Seconding a Musicians' Union motion, UNISON's John Stevenson said that the chance to learn a musical instrument is crucial to encouraging creativity.
See more at http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/stuc2010/5.html


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