Author: Stirling Websites

Rishi Sunak is trying to force his anti-union “sack key workers bill” through parliament in a matter of weeks. It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal. We need to stop this bill.

These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions.

Here’s how you can take part

Protect the right to strike day

Along with the TUC, we are coordinating a protect the right to strike day on Wednesday 1 February. Book a ticket for our Defend the Right to Strike Rally in Glasgow.

Solidarity with worker striking on the 1st of February
Join our solidarity rally.  Scottish workers in the civil service, higher education, some schools, some rail operators and Co-op Funeral Care will all be taking industrial action on the 1st.  Join our joint strike rally at the Donald Dewar Steps, Buchanan Street at 12 noon.
Edinburgh
A rally is also being organised for Edinburgh.  Click  here for details which will be uploaded asap
Petition
Sign the petition and join the campaign. 

Lobby your MP

Whatever party your MP is in, you have a part to play in stopping this bill in its tracks. 
Use forms to request a meeting here.

Be part of the social media storm

Get on social media channels and get the message out by using #RightToStrike. We need people to know that their right to strike is under attack

Wednesday 22nd February 2023, 12 – 2pm, Council Chambers, Viewforth, Stirling only.

Unfortunately, we have to cancel this year’s virtual AGM scheduled for 6 p.m. on the 22nd of February 2023. During covid, a dispensation was given by the Certification Officer that branches could hold virtual AGMs (even if their branch rules did not provide for this) for the years 2021 and 2022, providing an organiser was present. This dispensation is no longer valid.

For 2023 AGMs, branches can only hold virtual AGMs if their current branch rules provide for it –  Branches have only just been made aware of this. As such we will need to approve a constitution at our in-person AGM this year to be held as above to allow for us to have future virtual AGMs from 2024.

Bearing in mind the continuing cuts across Local Government, Voluntary Redundancies and possible Compulsory Redundancies within Stirling Council over the coming years it is in all members’ interests to come along to the AGM.

If you have any motions/items for the Annual General Meeting please submit them to me by Wednesday15^th February 2023 for inclusion within the Agenda. A pre-agenda is attached.

A free prize draw will be carried out for those attending the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there

A day of protest over plans to restrict industrial action by the unions under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill will be held on 1 February with events taking place across the country, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) says.

The TUC has announced a national protest in response to new anti-strike legislation it says attacks a “fundamental British liberty” and is “almost certainly illegal”.

The “national right to strike day” will be held on 1 February with events taking place across the country, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said.

It comes after a bill was introduced to parliament on Monday afternoon that will mean unions representing key workers will have to agree to minimum levels of safety and service when their members go on strike.

The TUC, which represents all unions, called the measures “draconian” and vowed to fight them “every step of the way”.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty – but the government is attacking it in broad daylight.

“These draconian new curbs will tilt the balance of power even more in favour of bad bosses and make it harder for people to win better pay and conditions.

Calling all stewards, see the new calendar of courses for 2023 for new or more experienced reps.

Please book early as spaces are limited you will find the application form in our training page.

Many of the courses will be held online and others in one of our venues. Our venues have disabled access but as disabilities vary greatly from individual to individual you can let us know your requirements.

The UNISON Stirling ANNUAL GENERAL of which 2 MEETINGS are to be held one in person and one online (please note you need only attend one of these meetings depending on your preference)

Wednesday 22^rd February 2023, 12 – 2pm, Council Chambers, Viewforth, Stirling
and
Wednesday 22^nd February 2023, 6p.m-7.30p.m, via Teams Video Link

We have included separate guidance in this mailing to advise you how to register for the video link AGM to be held from 6p.m-7.30p.m on the 22^nd of February 2023.

Nomination of Office Bearers

Nominations for branch officers are invited from members and should be submitted no later than 5pm on Wednesday 11th January 2023.  This is to allow for any election to take place prior to the Annual General Meeting.  Under the Stirling Council Branch constitution, each post requires five nominations to be valid.  A Nomination form is enclosed for your use.

Bearing in mind the continuing cuts across Local Government, Voluntary Redundancies and possible Compulsory Redundancies within Stirling Council over the coming years it is in all members’ interests to come along to the AGM.

If you have any motions/items for the Annual General Meeting please submit to me by Wednesday15^th February 2023 for inclusion within the Agenda. A pre-agenda is attached.

A free prize draw will be carried out for those attending at both of the meetings.

We look forward to seeing you there

Lorraine Thomson

Branch Secretary, UNISON Stirling Branch

See below for the latest news in Early years including:

• Streptococcus A and scarlet fever – guidance for schools & early years
• Stars in Our Schools – thank you for making it such a great success
• UNISON’s housing survey

Streptococcus A (strep A) and scarlet fever – guidance for schools & early years

We are aware of increased concern regarding scarlet fever and group A strep infections, due to an increase in cases and the very sad news about the children who have died of invasive group A streptococcal infections (iGAS). Whilst cases of iGAS remain rare, we have been pressing the Department for Education (DfE) to send guidance to schools and early years settings. This has now been sent – please see the DfE Education Hub which includes links to UKHSA guidance on Managing outbreaks & incidents and Preventing & controlling infection.

UNISON has produced a short summary for branches, reps and members setting out what you need to know and what infection prevention measures your settings should be taking. These include additional cleaning, handwashing regimes, enhanced ventilation, updating risk assessments and calling on all those with symptoms to stay at home. These basic mitigations will also assist in relation to the risk of other infectious diseases such as flu, Covid-19 and norovirus.

The key message for branches is to share the Department for Education/devolved administration, UKHSA and UNISON guidance with schools and early years settings, and to follow up on any member concerns with schools.

Public health bodies in the devolved nations have also issued letters to all education and early years settings which can be requested from schools. In addition:

• Advice from Public Health Scotland can be found here.
• General advice from Public Health Wales can be found here.
• UNISON Northern Ireland has requested guidance from the Department of Education and the employing authority. Please keep an eye on the UNISON Northern Ireland website and social media.