Labour win 'best for Scots workers'

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

STUC general secretary Bill Speirs insisted yesterday that the return of a Labour government is "in the best interests of Scottish workers and their families."

"The STUC opposed the Iraq war. We would also have preferred that the govenment had taken a different approach on some domestic issues," Mr Speirs told congress.

"However, while we have concerns about the details and the direction of some of the government's policies, it is clear that the Conservative manifesto is incompetent, socially unjust and impossible for the trade union movement to support," he said.

Mr Speirs called on all trade unionists to make every effort to vote on May 5.

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STUC campaign highlights safety at work

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

THE STUC launched a campaign in partnership with Thomsons Solicitors yesterday to highlight the health and safety protection provided to workers by trade union membership.

STUC assistant secretary Ian Tasker said: "Between March 2000 and March 2004, some 116 Scottish workers were killed in workplace accidents and 11,455 have suffered serious injuries at work."

Together with Thomsons, the STUC is campaigning for wider recognition of International Workers Memorial Day, when those who have been killed at work are commemorated.

Mr Tasker said: "As we approach International Workers Memorial Day on April 28 it is crucial that we focus on protecting all Scottish workers. The best way to protect your health and safety is to join a union."

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General council to consult on EU constitution

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

THE STUC general council agreed to hold a consultative conference on the EU constitution yesterday.

The decision followed an agreement by Kilmarnock and Loudoun TUC to remit a motion condemning the forced privatisation of industries and services, which the constitution would worsen.

Kimarnock TUC delegate Arthur West said: "It would be churlish not to recognise the government's and particularly Gordon Brown's efforts in relation to third-world debt.

"But a lot of the government's good work is being undone by its encouragement of privatisation in developing countries."

While it was a "head-nipping exercise" to understand the huge draft constitution, he said: "The current version gives the EU commission the sole right to negotiate overseas aid, with a clear bias toward privatisation.

"It would be would be a lack of joined-up thinking on our part if we ignored the EU constitution as a factor in this issue."

PCS member Eddie Reilly called for remission of the motion on behalf of the STUC general council.

He said that they found no difficulty with it in principle, but "the EU constitution is a major issue and it is not to be determined by one line in a motion."

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Palestinians and Israelis speak to congress

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

IN A historic session on Palestine yesterday, representatives of both the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and the Israeli Histadrut trade union centre addressed congress.

Speaking on behalf of Histadrut, Avi Bitchur said that he understood very well the problems of the Palestinians.

"We have many things in common to talk about around workers' rights, despite politics and despite international relations," he said.

"We want Israelis and Palestinians to live together in economic and social prosperity."

PGFTU speaker Mohammed Amara said that Palestinian workers faced massive problems.

"We have 68 per cent unemployed and 51 per cent of our people are living under poverty," he said.

"You can't imagine how our people are living and all of this was born of the occupation."

Mr Amara, who spent five years in Israeli jails, offered a greeting in Hebrew to the Histadrut delegation.

"This is our choice - justice, peace, equality and security for all," he said, urging the Israeli unions to follow up their commitment to agreements made as long ago as 1995.

STUC general secretary Bill Speirs said: "We regard this positive contact as an indicator of potential for future co-operation and we will do everything in our power to assist our trade union colleagues in working together for workers' rights and for justice, peace and security."

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Reid joins SNP

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

FORMER Clydeside union leader Jimmy Reid told delegates yesterday that he has joined the Scottish National Party.

Mr Reid and SNP leader Alex Salmond visited the STUC congress in Dundee briefly, where Mr Salmond unveiled his new recruit.

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Iraq occupation 'a humanitarian disaster'

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

STUC congress condemned the attack on Iraq yesterday and branded the ongoing occupation as a "humanitarian disaster."

Delegates also called for solidarity with all bona fide trade union organisations in Iraq.

AUT delegate Terry Brotherstone slammed the "Basil Fawlty" nature of the Labour politicians "who have made whole speeches here this week without mentioning the war at all."

He said: "Iraq is not a separate issue for trade unions - the assault on the Iraqi people and the anti-working-class policies pursued at home are causally linked - they come from the same stable of capitalist globalisation."

Fire Brigades Union delegate Linda Shanahan said that the term "end of hostilities" should only be used in inverted commas.

"When I hear politicians talk about the war no-one wanted, as if its all done and dusted and there's no more killing or violence, it makes me really angry," she added.

"Lets get the speediest withdrawal of troops that we can, get medical aid in and build support for trade unions to secure the right to freedom and democracy for all Iraqis."

UNISON delegate Angela Lynes said that her union was proud to be working with Iraqi and Kurdish trade unionists through the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions.

Pointing out that the occupation affects us all, she said: "I doubt if I am the only person in this hall who has friends or relatives in Iraq.

"The occupation must end and our troops must be brought home," she said.

"UN Resolution 1546 provides a process and a timetable for withdrawal - and that must be no later than the end of this year. Perhaps my brother will see his baby born rather than be brought home in a box."

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Delegates condemn free trade

Published in the Morning Star

(Thursday 21 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

THE STUC congress condemned the system of unfair "free trade," deregulation and globalisation that conspires to keep most of the world in grinding poverty yesterday.

Delegates pledged to support the Make Poverty History demonstration in Edinburgh in July plus a peaceful mass protest at Gleneagles during this summer's G8 summit.

Congress called on the G8 countries to cancel all debt incurred by the developing world.

Amicus UNIFI delegate Marie Kiernan said that poverty prevents countries and people from realising their full potential, reminding delegates that it takes somebody's life every three seconds.

"We must fight for the three objectives of Make Poverty History - trade justice, drop the debt, plus more and better aid," she insisted.

Ms Kiernan pointed out that the G7 countries - the G8 minus China - hold half of the votes in the World Bank and the IMF, thus giving them the power to cancel debt.

"However, the IMF and the World Bank have forced developing countries to deregulate and privatise," she noted.

"Three out of four plates of rice eaten in Haiti come from the US. That's good news for rich farmers in the US, but disastrous for Haiti."

Ms Kiernan, who is expecting a baby, said: "We need trade justice, not self interest. Two decades after Live Aid, our generation has an unprecedented opportunity to end world poverty."

She concluded: "When my unborn child is five, I don't want to have to answer why millions are starving. I want to be able to say that in 2005 we changed it."

Community delegate Willie Paterson stressed that the thousands of deaths due to poverty are preventable.

"We could bring the problem of HIV and Aids in sub-Saharan Africa down to manageable proportions if they had drugs which are routinely available in Scotland," he pointed out.

Musicians Union delegate Shaun Dillon urged the cancellation of debt, saying: "Third world nations are kept in a kind of slavery by having this huge debt on their shoulders."

Alf Mackay of teaching union SSTA conceded that it is easy to feel cynical, but he insisted: "If we want to do something about the Third World, pressure has to come from the bottom rather than the top."

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Call for use of clean coal

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

CONGRESS warned yesterday that clean coal technology must provide a "substantial contribu-tion" to electricity generation if emission targets are to be met.

ASLEF delegate Kevin Lindsay said that the British coal industry had suffered enormous decline in the 20 years since the miners' strike.

"Other countries are expanding and developing their coalfields and we're closing them - it's the economics of the madhouse."

NUM Scotland delegate Barry Menzies said: "We now have the opportunity to replace our aging power stations with new ones incorporating clean coal technology and biomass - it only requires the political commitment."

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Congress slams deterioration of manufacturing

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

CONGRESS condemned the continuing manufacturing jobs haemorrhage yesterday and urged the Scottish Executive to develop a "proactive and positive manufacturing strategy" to aid future prosperity.

Amicus delegate John Quigley led the call, also making the case for a truly level playing field for employment rights.

"British workers are easier to fire than others in Europe, so we are often the first option when it comes to cutting jobs," he noted.

There was no evidence, however, that regulation had a detrimental effect on investment and jobs, he said.

GMB delegate Pauline Russell, a convener in the whisky industry, told congress that her bottling plant once employed 1,500 workers.

"There are now now barely 500 - that's the reality today," she said.

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Conference delegates call for end to anti-union legislation

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

T&G delegate Jackson Cullinane warned congress yesterday that the progressive STUC policies were "not worth the paper they're written on if they can't be backed up by effective collective trade union action."

Backing calls for an end to the anti-union laws, Mr Cullinane ridiculed government use of "fairness, balance and level playing fields in industrial relations when one side can't take solidarity action and the other side can take secondary action by bringing in scabs."

Rail union RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "People warn me about the dangers of Michael Howard being in Downing Street on May 6, but I don't want the same policies spouted out by new Labour."

Moving a successful composite on taking united action to oppose legal restrictions on trade unionists, Mr Crow said that he wanted "John Smith's policies," noting that the late Labour leader had been in favour of full workplace rights from day one of employment.

PCS delegate Alan Brown said that the government's "tinkering round the edges of Tory legislation" means that workers must still jump through hoops to take strike action.

He warned that a new Labour government would "need to be dragged kicking and screaming to repeal the anti-union laws."

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Affiliates urged to fight against racism and fascism

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

STUC delegates called on all affiliated unions to tackle racism and fascism as a priority yesterday.

Speaking for the General Council, Edinburgh TUC delegate Liz Elkind said that the STUC had a long-standing commitment to actively challenging racism and fascism.

Ms Elkind paid tribute to the STUC Black Workers Committee, saying: "It has only been part of the STUC's formal structure since 1997 - but it has built its role and range of influence year on year."

She also highlighted the work of the One Workplace campaign, which aims to challenge racism at work by giving trade unionists training and support in the workplace.

PCS delegate Joy Dunn said: "There is no doubt that racism is still a problem and there is evidence that fascists are also in the workplace.

"It is not enough to be opposed to racism and fascism. What we need to do is develop and anti-racist, anti-fascist culture."

Congress backed unions campaigning to change rule books to allow exclusion from membership for belonging to the BNP or other racist or fascist parties.

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STUC congress condemns ferry privatisation

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

STUC congress condemned the Scottish Executive's decision to proceed with privatising the essential lifeline ferry services operated on the Clyde and to the Western Isles by Caledonian MacBrayne.

RMT scottish secretary Phil McGarry said: "The maritime unions and the STUC are working tirelessly along with the island communities to halt the tendering process.

"There are clear alternatives to tendering the services, as shown in the report by economist Jeannette Findlay of Glasgow University," he noted.

"Let's send a clear message from this congress. CalMac is not for sale - lifeline public services must stay in public hands."

TSSA delegate Donald Frew reminded conference that Prime Minister Tony Blair had branded Conservative policy as "economic nonsense."

"If he wants to have a definition of economic nonsense, he need look no further than the proposal to put CalMac services out to tender," said Mr Frew.

"A full disclosure of costs would show tendering is unviable."

The resolution called on Scottish Transport Minister Nicol Stephen to fight Scotland's corner with greater "vigour and determination" in order to get the European commission to withdraw its threats to enforce the tendering process.

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Scots 'face key choices in election'

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

SCOTTISH First Minister Jack McConnell told the STUC conference yesterday that Scotland faced three big choices in the current election campaign - on the economy, on public services and on the issue of population decline.

"Gone are the days that Scotland only attracted inward investors on the quantity of the work," he said.

"Now, it is the quality of the work and the skills of the workforce that are determinants for foreign investment."

Mr McConnell insisted that manufacturing in Scotland has a future - with the help of the STUC.

"Our national advisory service on manufacturing, proposed by the Scottish unions, will be up and running by autumn this year."

But the first minister warned that population decline is one of the greatest threats to Scotland's future success.

"While other countries are closing their borders, Scotland must open its arms to a generation of new Scots from across the world," he insisted.

Mr McConnell also praised the STUC support for the Scottish Executive's agenda to tackle sectarianism.

"It is so important that you, the trade unions of Scotland, speak up against the prejudice and bigotry that is displayed through sectarian hatred," he said.

"It is a tough issue to tackle - but I am convinced we are doing the right thing," Mr McConnell added.

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'You should have told Darling to get stuffed'

Published in the Morning Star

(Wednesday 20 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

SCOTTISH trade unionists urged Labour yesterday to follow its own policy and end the rail privatisation nightmare.

The STUC congress unanimously backed a motion calling for renationalisation and also called for specific powers for the Scottish Executive to take the country's passenger services back under public control.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow told conference that he felt that he had to lie down in a dark room after hearing Transport Secretary Alistair Darling's speech on Monday.

"Yesterday, Alistair Darling told you he wasn't going to renationalise the railways - and you applauded him at the end of his speech," noted Mr Crow.

"You should have told him to go and get stuffed," he added, to laughter and applause.

Rail nationalisation was agreed at Labour conference last year, the RMT leader pointed out.

"If it's Labour Party policy, how come it doesn't go in the manifesto?" he asked, stressing that it would help Labour's other policies too.

"If you want the NHS and education brought back to decency, save the billions being spent on the privateers in the railways and reinvest it in schools and hospitals."

Mr Crow pledged that the unions would continue to press for renationalisation, up to and including balloting members for industrial action if necessary.

"ASLEF won a ballot on the rail safety issue and we won the CalMac ballot to stop tendering," he said.

"If there is no progress, we can come back shortly to say there will have to be industrial action to bring railways back into public ownership."

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty also referred to Labour's manifesto, noting that it included a policy supporting the public ownership of light rail networks.

"If public ownership is good enough for light rail, why is it not good enough for heavy rail?" he asked.

"Those who say we can't afford it are making a bogus argument. What matters is what works.

"The trains don't work in private hands, so let's get them back into the public sector where they belong," suggested Mr Doherty.

Supporting the motion, T&G delegate Vic Downs insisted that "all transport unions should resist any attempts to play rail and bus industries off against each other."

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Restoring pension link 'long overdue'

Published in the Morning Star

(Tuesday 19 April 2005)

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley told the STUC congress yesterday that restoring the pension links with earnings is "long, long, long overdue."

Speaking during a major debate on pensions, Mr Woodley insisted: "The third-term Labour government must find the means to do it, not the means-testing to stop it."

"Pensions are one of the hottest potatoes for our members today. Thousands have been robbed, millions face worse provision. The fat cats have feathered their own nests, while our members end up in pensioner poverty.

"We have a duty to organise and fight back to restore those final salary pensions schemes that those opportunistic bosses removed.

"We now have the pensions protection fund - yet, just over a year ago, at the TUC we were called 'lunatics' when we called for such a fund."

STUC General Council member Katrina Purcell welcomed the government's decision to shelve attacks on public-sector pensions last month in the face of a potential walkout by over a million workers.

She said: "If there is any sign of unwillingness after the election, I can assure them that the unions will be just as strong on May 6 as we were on March 23!" - a reference to the overwhelming support for industrial action among many public-sector unions.

Glasgow TUC delegate David Stark said: "Pensions are just deferred earnings and for public-sector workers pensions are a big part of their earnings.

"Why should it be right for the captains of industry and MPs and MSPs to look after their own pensions and at same time attack the public-service workers?"

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty backed a composite motion committing Congress to lobby the government to establish procedures - including training - for workplace pensions reps.

"Not only do we need pension representation at the bargaining table but that should be of the highest quality." Mr Docherty said.

Recalling the stuggles of the Maxwell pension campaigners, he warned: "The amounts at stake are vast," citing the railway pension scheme worth £8 billion - some four times as much as the industry itself was sold off for.

Hamish Drummond of the STUC youth committee called on unions to work alongside young workers to win pensions benefits, stating that young workers face unprecedented level of debt and are least able to afford to contribute to pensions.

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STUC issues demands on Scottish economy

Published in the Morning Star

(Monday 18 April 2005)

Scottish TUC

by MALCOLM BURNS in Dundee

THE 108th STUC congress at Dundee this week will issue 5 key demands on the Scottish economy to the Labour government and all other parties that are contending the election on May 5th.

This includes a step-change in immigration and action on manufacturing, public services, employment rights and a balanced energy policy.

Top of the agenda is the challenge of economic inactivity. Scottish growth continues to lag behind the rest of Britain.

The STUC wants Scotland's poorest local authority areas brought up to the British national average within 10 years and insists that Scotland needs 25,000 new people each year to counter population decline.

The STUC also wants the current low level of state aid to manufacturing to be increased to the EU average within 5 years. It is also calling for a commitment to a growing public sector to boost the economy, legislation for fairer employment rights and a balanced energy policy.

STUC general secretary Bill Speirs, had a clear message for the political parties, saying: "To Labour, we are saying that a third term must be bold, with further legislation to improve employment rights.

"To the SNP - the economy and not constitutional wrangling should take centre stage," he urged.

"To the Tories we say, apart from being morally bankrupt, your stance on immigration is profoundly anti-economic growth.

"To the Liberals, SNP and Greens, we say that hard choices have to be made on energy policy," Mr Speirs added.

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