Category: News

An Inspirational Woman – International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day gives us the chance not only to reflect on the inequalities women have faced, but also to recognise and celebrate the women whose leadership, strength, and solidarity shape our workplaces and our union.

Today, UNISON Stirling Branch is proud to honour the exceptional contribution of our Branch Secretary, Lorraine Thomson.

For the past 13 years, Lorraine has been a steadfast advocate for our members—negotiating, bargaining, and campaigning for fairer working conditions, improved pay, and strong public services. Her commitment to equality and justice has strengthened our Branch and made a real difference to the lives of countless colleagues.

Lorraine’s leadership is matched by her humanity. She has been a trusted friend and colleague to many, offering support, guidance, and a listening ear through some of the most challenging moments in our workplaces. She is supportive, knowledgeable, and always willing to stand beside others when they need it most.

Her dedication has often meant giving up time with her own family to ensure the Branch has her full commitment. She has consistently gone above and beyond what has ever been expected of her, demonstrating a level of care and responsibility that truly sets her apart.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate Lorraine not only as a dedicated Branch Secretary and strong female activist, but as someone whose presence, integrity, and compassion continue to inspire us all. We thank her sincerely for everything she has done—and continues to do—for our members and our Branch.

Lorraine has spoken passionately on women’s issues both locally and nationally, ensuring that women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued.

Through her mentorship and support, she has inspired and guided many newer female activists within the Branch and beyond, helping to build confidence, solidarity, and lasting change. Her dedication to equality and justice continues to strengthen our Branch and empower future generations.

With gratitude and solidarity on International Women’s Day, and on behalf of Stirling UNISON, we wish Lorraine every success in her new adventure.

Unison Stirling Branch LG Organisational Change Policy Dispute/Grievance Update

We advised members of concerns and the decision taken at a full committee meeting of Stirling Council held on Thursday 26th June 2025 to change and implement a new Organisational Change Policy despite the UNISON Stirling Branch having raised concerns in relation to the changes proposed, lack of information/detail, lack of robust/meaningful consultation and erosion of our members terms and conditions. We issued the employer with the grievance/dispute on the 21st July 2025.

Failure to Consult Letter Greivance/Dispute

We can now advise that we met with the employer on the 2nd September to discuss our Grievance dispute, however at that point there was no further movement in relation to our concerns. The UNISON Stirling Branch Executive took the decision on the 16th September to move to a consultative ballot of all our Stirling Council members on this matter. Since notifying the employer of this decision to move to an all members ballot the employer has reached out and has advised they wish to have further discussions. Whilst we are happy to engage on this matter in the hope of achieving a satisfactory resolution that we can put to our members the UNISON Stirling Branch Executive have made the decision to continue with the consultative ballot in the event that talks fail to address the concerns we have raised with the employer.

On that basis to allow preparation for the ballot we ask all members to immediately check that all their UNISON membership details are up to date particularly their e-mail address. You can do this by going to your MyUNISON account or by contacting UNISON direct on 0800 0857 857. The consultative ballot will be a digital ballot and your ballot will be sent directly to the e-mail address we hold for you.

UNISON Briefing on public sector reform and scotgov’s developing financial problems

Please see below three linked but separate briefings about Scottish government’s direction of travel in the face of a growing gap between projections about the money they expect to get and the money they expect to spend. 

In short 

Over the next few years unless they change either their spending priorities or the tax system the Scottish Government is looking at a shortfall running into billions – and Scotgov aren’t minded to do either.

 Instead, they intend to fill the gap through public sector reform and economic growth

REDUCING THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKFORCE – annual targets for the next five years 

OUTSOURCING SERVICES – primarily to the third sector 

AUTOMATING SERVICES – the view is that anything they don’t class as frontline should be being cut

ECONOMIC GROWTH – if this doesn’t deliver then more savings will be required from the public sector reform programme. 

Scotgov intentions are laid out in the Public Sector Reform Strategy, The Medium-term Financial Strategy & the Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan

 The Briefings are up on the UNISON Scotland website now – Links are below 

They don’t make for particularly cheery reading – but it is essential that we bring this to the attention of all UNISON members. 

Briefing 163 – Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy
Briefing 164 – Scottish Government Medium-Term Financial Strategy
Briefing 165 – Scottish Government Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan

Forth Valley College Rally

You will no doubt be aware from recent local and national press that Forth Valley College announced last week that they are taking proposals on the future of their Alloa Campus to their Board of Management on the 26th of September 2025.

While it may feel like this issue isn’t pertinent locally Forth Valley College is a 3-campus college, with sites in Stirling, Falkirk and Alloa – what affects one, affects them all. UNISON is calling for your support to ensure this valuable local education resource remains open for the benefit all residents of Forth Valley.

UNISON Scotland Further Education Branch is holding a demonstration on the 26th of September from 8.30am at the Stirling Campus – as this is the time, date and location of the Board meeting where the future of Alloa campus will be decided. We ask that if members have the time and can that they support and attend this lobby and join UNISON in sending a message to the Board to delay the decision to allow for proper consultation and full consideration of all options with all stakeholders involved.

The work that Forth Valley College does in the local area is invaluable for students, including some who are vulnerable, and people from all walks of life who are working towards a better future through education. It is so vital that this campus be saved from closure so that it can continue to help build and rebuild the lives of local residents in one of Scotland’s worst areas of socio/economic deprivation.

Recent closures of long-established companies like INEOS and there is still the potential for job loss at Alexander Dennis as well as the on-going potential for job losses across our Local Authorities year in year out mean that the local communities will be crying out for opportunities to retrain and the Alloa campus is ideally located to provide local access to a more hopeful future.

UNISON are seeking full details of the proposals and supporting business cases so that full and proper consultation can commence, this was unable to be provided as the college has not yet finalised its options paper on the possibilities for the future of the college, despite asking the Board of Management to take a decision on the 26th of September 25. However, what UNISON have been able to glean was that the two options that remain viable for the future of FVC’s Alloa Campus will have effects that will ripple throughout the whole of Forth Valley.

Welfare at Work Week

Welfare at Work Week poster

As you may already know, UNISON are launching a new campaign, Welfare at Work Week, on 29 September 2025. This will be a celebration of the work undertaken by the charity and the support provided to our members through financial grants, debt advice and online budgeting and benefits tools.
 
Many members are not aware of the support available to them, so this week will be a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the charity and the different types of support that we can offer to members, as well as highlighting a new small grant that members can apply for. 
 
UNISON’s new grant, the Seasonal Food Fund, will open at 12 noon on Tuesday 30 September 2025 for 24 hours. Further information regarding the grant can be found here Seasonal Food Fund | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National , including how to apply and the eligibility criteria. Please find attached the graphic for the grant.
 
If you have any questions, Please do not hesitate to contact the branch and we can put you in touch with our Branch Welfare Officer for further information