Unison and GMB have suspended proposed industrial action involving their members in the Council’s Waste and Street Cleansing Services. Their members were due to go on strike from this Wednesday (14 August) to Wednesday 21 August as part of a national dispute over local government pay.
However, following a revised pay offer from COSLA, the national association for local authorities, the unions have suspended their action and will consult with members on the offer.
Saturday 7 September 12pm George Square Glasgow
We stand in solidarity with communities across the UK who have been subjected to violence and intimidation orchestrated by far-right groups.
We have witnessed appalling scenes of racist rioters targeting Muslim, black and minority ethnic communities, spreading fear and mayhem. The deliberate assault and arson of hotels accommodating asylum seekers is nothing short of barbaric. These hateful events must be condemned as Islamophobic and racist by politicians of all parties and the media.
We offer our condolences and support to all those tragically impacted by the events in Southport that resulted in the murder of three children, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
We are appalled that these events have been weaponised by far-right individuals and groups to incite riots and violence on our streets. They show contempt and absolute disregard for the families and communities impacted.
We are heartened to see people across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland come together to clean up streets, offer their services and support, their solidarity, kindness and humanity.
We have long warned that the far-right poses a dangerous threat in the UK. Spreading racist hate amongst communities that are often marginalised and under-resourced. The cruel impacts of austerity are shared across working-class communities, however, the brutality of structural racism is faced only by black and minority ethnic communities. This has been compounded by the drip feed of anti-migrant rhetoric from parts of the media, politicians and echoed across social media channels.
We will not stand back and allow the far-right to attempt to divide us. We will not be silent. We will not cower. Trade unions have a long history of defending our communities against fascists and racists. That work continues today.
It is our duty to step up. We must be anti-racist in our actions. We must reach out to local mosques, encourage others to do so also, to offer support to asylum seekers and refugee organisations, to educate ourselves about racism, fascism and Britain’s colonial past and to build unity and to demonstrate against the far-right.
The trade union movement in Scotland stands ready. We call on you to stand with us.
Here is a briefing on the Improvement Service benchmarking report on Scottish local government
The report makes for interesting, if grim, reading. Tracking some shocking decreases in spending in services, frank acknowledgment that councils are struggling and staff are working under “intolerable pressure”
The briefing is on the UNISON Scotland website
We hope this is helpful.
Christina McAnea says: “We will work with other unions across the
country to call for an end to violence, intimidation and
discrimination. Unity is our strength”
The racist rioting and violence led and organised over social media by the far right last week and over the weekend has horrified many of us.
Sickening scenes of mobs laughing and cheering as buildings housing vulnerable asylum seekers were set on fire were both terrifying and shameful.
The homes of those judged to be immigrants were attacked street by street. People were targeted and beaten up solely because of the colour of their skin.
Mosques were attacked and besieged. Islamophobia plain for all to see. Nazi salutes, racist chants and violent language have polluted the streets of many towns and cities.
Public service workers, including nurses rushing in to provide emergency cover at a hospital, had missiles thrown at them. Several police officers have been injured trying to stand up to the mob and prevent arson, assaults and the violence spreading.
Most repellent of all has been the excuse used by the far right that the rioting is a direct consequence of the terrible tragedy in Southport where three little girls were murdered and their families and a community were left grieving.
The far right and those they’ve misled are using the Southport tragedy to scapegoat Muslim people, asylum seekers, in fact anyone who doesn’t look like them.
When the facts didn’t match, the far right changed the facts. In the name of “justice”, shops have been looted, a library and a citizens advice bureau burned down, bricks, bottles and other missiles have been thrown at the police, and local communities terrified.
The mob has struck fear into the hearts of millions of people who are now anxious for the safety of themselves and their families at the hands of racist thugs draped in the union jack.
The far right is returning to street violence, reminiscent of the past but given renewed impetus and power by social media and the internet.
The politics of hate didn’t just show up though. The rioters have been given encouragement by politicians, some in the mainstream. There will be those who seek to use this violence to advance the politics of hate. UNISON will challenge them too.
That means standing up to these vile people wherever and whenever they show up with their ugly politics and racist hate. They do not speak for us.
We will support our members who are attacked by racists whether that’s when they’re at work or walking through their local community. We will defend migrant people in this country, many working in essential public services. They deserve thanks not racist attacks.
Tommy Robinson and his loathsome brand of politics have nothing to offer but division and hate. They destroy communities, they don’t speak for them.
That is why UNISON is determined to challenge the politics of hate. Our members will lead the way, as they do, day in day out in our communities and in workplaces.
The union movement is united in this. We will work with other unions across the country to call for an end to violence, intimidation and discrimination. Unity is our strength.
Schools, early years, and family centre staff.
Your strike ballot has been sent to you in a purple envelope, VOTE YES to strike, and return it as soon as you can
On Wednesday we announced that council waste, recycling and street cleaning staff (in 14 councils / employers) have voted in an official ballot to strike, that action will start soon.
On Thursday last week, in response, Cosla issued a revised 1-year pay offer of 3.2%. Your local government committee considered this offer last Friday and don’t think it’s enough to suspend industrial action.
In cash terms it is identical to Cosla’s previous offer, and this was overwhelmingly rejected (91%) by UNISON members in a recent consultation;.
UNISON Scotland will also now also be balloting all Education members in Local Government to support further strike action in pursuit of a fair pay offer.
Education Workers strike ballot will arrive to members in a purple envelope and will be posted to them on July 23rd. UNISON is balloting 38,000 members who work in schools, early years and family centres in Scotland.
UNISON Scotland local government committee recommends you VOTE YES for strike action. You deserve a fair pay rise that rewards you for the essential work you do.
Ballot hotline to request a new ballot
If you don’t receive your purple envelop by August 2nd please call our ballot helpline 0800 0 857 857 to request a replacement. The helpline closes at 12 noon on August 22nd.
We hope this is helpful.
Lorraine Thomson
UNISON Stirling Branch Secretary
Viewforth
Stirling
FK8 2ET
e-mail address thomsonl34s@stirling.gov.uk
Branch tel. 01786 233093
or mobile 07826903559
Stirling UNISON 