15th January 2013
The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) has added the voice of Scotland’s trade union movement to those calling on the Scottish Parliament to back a series of amendments to the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information (Scotland) Amendment Bill.
15th January 2013
Speaking as members of the Communication Worker Union (CWU) hold events in Dundee and Glasgow (Wednesday 16 January) to highlight the ongoing exploitation of agency workers, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
23rd January 2013
Commenting on the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland published today, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
25th January 2013
Responding to ONS’s first estimate of GDP in Q4 2014 which showed the economy shrank by 0.3%, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
29th January 2013
Today (Tuesday 29 January 2013) the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) publishes a major new report, ‘Performance Management and the New Workplace Tyranny’ written by Professor Phil Taylor of the University of Strathclyde.
6th February 2013
Speaking in reaction to the Scottish Budget today, Grahame Smith Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
20th February 2013
Commenting on the new labour market statistics for Scotland published today, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
22nd February 2013
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “The STUC welcomes YES Scotland’s comprehensive and serious response to our A Just Scotland interim report. We will of course address the many arguments and challenges set out in the paper in a detailed and considered manner over the coming weeks. A Just Scotland was designed to provoke exactly this kind of constructive discussion and debate.
6th March 2013
Commenting on today's report Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said. "Today's figures confirm our view that neither side of the independence debate should be spinning messages on Scotland' fiscal position.
7th March 2013
To mark International Women’s Day, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is calling on all its affiliated unions to highlight the work that they do to protect women’s rights in the workplace. Women are facing changes in equality laws, pregnancy discrimination, reduced hours, and losses of childcare services in every local area. Applications for flexible working are not being considered, provisions for good health and safety at work are under-resourced, and training and education opportunities have been reduced.
7th March 2013
Speaking as the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) published its submission to the Treasury and Scotland Office in advance of the 2013 Budget, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
15th March 2013
Addressing the Annual TUC Women’s Conference in London today, Eileen Dinning, UNISON and Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee, said:
15th March 2013
Saturday 16 March 11.30am – 1.00pm West Park Conference Centre, Dundee Amidst protests across the UK, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) will lobby Scottish Liberal Democrats for a change of policy on the Bedroom Tax.
19th March 2013
Speaking in advance of tomorrow’s Budget Statement and as the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) published its latest Labour Market Report, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said:
20th March 2013
Speaking after the Chancellor made his Budget Statement to the House of Commons, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The extent of the Coalition’s failure is laid bare by today’s statement. Growth in 2013 is now predicted to be only half what the Chancellor forecast in his Autumn Statement only four months ago. Forecasts for both deficit and debt have increased and debt will now peak later.
5th April 2013
STUC has received queries from a number of sources regarding the cancelling of the Sex Workers Open University event. This statement provides an explanation of the decision to cancel this event.
16th April 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has welcomed the Scottish Affairs Select Committees Report on Blacklisting and calls on all who were involved in operating blacklisting to face criminal investigation and sanction if proved guilty.
16th April 2013
Positive Scottish Government attitude welcomed. Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
16th April 2013
The First Minister Alex Salmond, speaking at STUC Congress today, announced the publication of a joint Scottish Government and STUC statement which recognises the constructive contribution trade unions make in the workplace.
17th April 2013
At the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Annual Congress in Perth (10:00 hrs, Wednesday 16th April 2013) Johann Lamont MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party will present the 2013 One Workplace Equality Award to recognise the role of Scottish trade union members in promoting equality
17th April 2013
Commenting on the latest labour market and GDP statistics for Scotland released today, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: “Today’s labour market statistics for Scotland are the most positive for some months with the fall in unemployment supplemented by a rise in employment which is on the face of it very impressive.
17th April 2013
Speaking at STUC Congress today, Eileen Dinning, Equalities Officer UNISON Scotland, highlighted the pressures on women in the workforce
17th April 2013
Delegates at the Scottish Trades Union Congress, currently meeting in Perth, have sent letters of condolence and solidarity to the American Consulate in Edinburgh and the Massachusetts Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), after the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon.
18th April 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has announced that the recipient of this year’s health and safety award is Pauline Russell, a committed GMB member, Senior Health and Safety Representative and Convenor at the Diageo Bottling Plant at Leven in Fife.
18th April 2013
As local authorities across Scotland respond to widespread community campaigning against the so-called “Bedroom Tax”, STUC Congress today called for the Coalition Government to change course.
19th April 2013
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “STUC welcomes today’s announcement that there is to be a distinct Labour pro-devolution campaign. Now that there is a Labour focussed campaign and a commitment to examining the devolution of significant additional tax raising powers, the potential exists to develop thinking and an exchange of ideas across Scotland on further devolution of power in the event of a ‘No’ vote. STUC will engage proactively in this discussion, just as it is prepared to consider the shape of an independent Scotland if ‘Yes’ is the outcome.
26th April 2013
As part of this year’s commemoration of International Workers Memorial Day the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is urging Scotland to remember the families of the Bangladeshi garment workers who have lost their lives following the collapse of a clothing factory on the outskirts of capital Dhaka
1st May 2013
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “We send out solidarity to workers and their families across Europe who are protesting against austerity this May Day. On Saturday 4th Scotland will see May Day marches in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Irvine and on Sunday thousands will gather in Glasgow.
2nd May 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has welcomed today’s Scottish Parliament debate on blacklisting being moved by Neil Findlay MSP for Lothian. Ahead of the debate Grahame Smith STUC General Secretary said “The ongoing and very welcome inquiry by the Scottish Affairs Committee has unravelled the hideous practice where employers, over a number of years, have denied individuals jobs purely on the basis of trade union activity and wanting to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and colleagues.
8th May 2013
Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said “Bereft of a single new idea to tackle the economy the Coalition has turned to scapegoating and fostering insecurity. “It comes as no surprise that the supply-side ideologues in the Tory Party refuse to budge from their fantasy that making people easier to fire is the way to foster a secure and growing economy. And it is now wearingly familiar that they continue to use Vince Cable, who probably does understand the need for a demand-led recovery, to come up with these attacks on workers’ rights.
8th May 2013
Speaking prior to this afternoons debate on Childcare in the Scottish Parliament, Eileen Dinning (UNISON), the Chair of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Committee, said
10th May 2013
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) trade union members from all over Scotland will gather in Glasgow this weekend (Mercure Hotel, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May) to debate a wide range of issues affecting LGBT people in the workplace and in Scottish Society.
10th May 2013
Responding to the Scottish Government paper ‘Sustainable, Responsible Banking’ published today, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC welcomes this contribution to the on-going debate over the future of banking in Scotland. It’s important the Scottish Government recognises that the status quo isn’t an option and that banks have singularly failed to support growth in the productive economy with patient, committed capital. The prominence given to alternative business banking business models and credit unions is also welcome.
15th May 2013
Responding to the latest official labour market statistics published today, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “This is another encouraging set of labour market statistics for Scotland and it is particularly pleasing to see women starting to benefit.
22nd May 2013
As part of National Epilepsy Week the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) are launching guidance for trade union representatives to help them understand epilepsy and how to support members in the workplace who have the condition. Ian Tasker, STUC Assistant Secretary said “Epilepsy is a complex condition and one where unfortunately a massive amount of stigma attaches to those who have the condition, both in society and the workplace.
27th June 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Workers’ Committee has welcomed the introduction of the Equal Marriage Bill to the Scottish Parliament today. Craig Cameron, Chair of the STUC LGBT Workers’ Committee said:
28th June 2013
Ahead of a major conference 'Scotland United Against the Bedroom Tax' STUC General Secretary has written to First Minister Alex Salmond calling for an increase in Scottish Government funding to mitigate the impact of the Bedroom Tax. He said:
3rd July 2013
Following publication of HSE statistics for the year to March 2013 the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has expressed concern that fatal injuries have risen in the last year. Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said “Once again we have seen a rise in the number of workers killed in Scotland, 22 workers left for work never to return home and this is unacceptable and does not compare to an overall reduction in the UK wide figure of 148 which is 24 fewer than last year.
17th July 2013
Commenting on the latest labour market and GDP statistics published this morning, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
17th July 2013
The United Nations has designated Nelson Mandela’s birthday every 18th July as Nelson Mandela International Day, when people throughout the world are encouraged to give 67 minutes of voluntary service to the community in whatever way they choose, to help change the world for the better.
2nd August 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has pledged support for the consultation being launched today by Patricia Ferguson MSP on proposals for a private members Bill aiming to address serious failings in Scotland’s Fatal Accident Inquiries system.
9th August 2013
STUc is pleased to announce that a speaker and marchers from the Communication Workers Union will join the march and rally of LibDem conference on 14th September.
14th August 2013
Commenting after the latest set of labour markets statistics for Scotland were published, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “These latest statistics confirm what the STUC has been arguing throughout 2013: unemployment in Scotland is stagnating at a high level. Following a significant fall in early autumn 2012, unemployment has hardly moved.
23rd August 2013
Supporters of the National Health Service and all those who want to defend jobs, services and a decent welfare state will be marching in Manchester to deliver a clear message to Conservative Party Conference that we mean to Save Our NHS from cuts and privatisation
10th September 2013
Bin the Bedroom Tax Coalition has announced, with both anger and disappointment, that it has been unable to agree arrangements with authorities for a march from Glasgow Green to the SECC.
11th September 2013
Commenting on the latest official labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
12th September 2013
**Charities, faith groups, trade unions and others issue call for collective action to reverse devastating policy** The third sector and wider Scottish civil society are already working with communities to help them deal with the devastating impact of benefit cuts. Rather than increasing economic and social independence, these cuts have had the opposite effect.
12th September 2013
Commenting on the First Minister’s announcement that the Procurement Bill has been sent to Parliament, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC welcomes the news that this important Bill has been sent to Parliament today. It is particularly encouraging that the First Minister confirmed that the Bill will take a tough line on those companies engaged in blacklisting and flouting employment law.
4th October 2013
Responding to publication of the Procurement Reform Bill, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC enthusiastically welcomes parts of this important Bill especially its provisions to disqualify firms engaging in tax avoidance and blacklisting from the public procurement process and the commitment to introduce further guidance on workforce matters.
4th October 2013
The 17th annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Black Workers Conference will gather in Glasgow today (Saturday 5th October) and high in its agenda will be the impact of austerity on Black and Minority Ethnic workers and communities.
4th October 2013
Peter Kelly said on behalf of the Scottish Living Wage Campaign: "The fact that the Scottish Government now pays the living wage to all of its employees makes the decision to exclude the Living Wage from the Procurement Reform Bill all the more disappointing. We believe that if the political will and commitment is there, then a way could have been found to ensure that the Living Wage became part of procurement process in Scotland.
10th October 2013
Speaking in response to the proposal from several companies to set up a Construction Workers Compensation Scheme for Blacklisted Workers, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
16th October 2013
Responding to today’s publishing of UK and Scottish employment and growth statistics, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "Today's statistics continue to illustrate that the economy is stumbling forward when, by now, there should really be a brisk pace towards recovery. To the extent that there is any recovery at all, it is excruciatingly slow and dependent on low paid and insecure employment with the number of full-time jobs in the UK still 100,000 below the pre-recession level. There is no progress at a UK level towards the Bank of England's 7.0% unemployment target and wages have risen by less than one percent over the past quarter despite an annual inflation rate of nearly 3 percent.
21st October 2013
Speech by STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith to UNITE members attending the rally at INEOS in Grangemouth on 20 October
23rd October 2013
Speaking after INEOS announced its intention to close and rapidly liquidate the Grangemouth petrochemical plant, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The behaviour of INEOS is simply disgusting and it reveals the true nature of a feral private equity concern that clearly believes it has no social obligations whatsoever.
25th October 2013
Reacting to the news that Ineos boss Jim Ratcliffe has accepted Unite members’ proposals to keep the Grangemouth Petrochemical plant open, STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said.
1st November 2013
The 10th Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Annual Disabled Workers Conference takes place in Dundee, on Saturday 2 November, against a background of austerity measures that continue to hit disabled people and their families throughout Scotland.
5th November 2013
Peter Kelly, Director of the Scottish Poverty Alliance (which co-chairs the Scottish Living Wage campaign along with Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)) said: “We welcome the growing commitment at all levels of government to the Living Wage and the role it can play in lifting people out of poverty strengthening and regenerating local communities.
6th November 2013
Commenting on the announcement that over 800 BAE Systems jobs will be lost in Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “This very disappointing announcement will inevitably exacerbate the worry and stress workers and their families were already experiencing as they considered their job security post completion of the carriers. The loss of skilled, well-paid manufacturing jobs is also a major blow to the Glasgow economy at a time when its employment rate is fully 20% below Scotland’s best performing regions.
10th November 2013
The 2013 STUC Women's Conference takes place on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th November, at the Caird Hall in Dundee.
11th November 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Conference, meeting in Dundee at the Caird Hall, will today (Monday 11 November) consider the priorities for women in the forthcoming Independence Referendum. In a Question and Answer Panel session, speakers and delegates will discuss policies on the economy, childcare, democracy, equality and other topics.
12th November 2013
School students from Forfar Academy, Forfar, and Hazelhead Academy in Aberdeen, joined delegates at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Conference today in Dundee. Two of the students made short speeches to Conference on the theme of ‘Women and Work – Our Future in Scotland’.
13th November 2013
Commenting on publication of the latest labour market statistics for Scotland, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “Although there have been some minor fluctuations in the rate through 2013, unemployment in Scotland is stagnating at a high level. Along with the unprecedented continuing decline in real wages this fact should cause politicians at all levels to pause for reflection before commenting on the state of the labour market.
19th November 2013
In a speech to be delivered at the 6th Annual Scottish Union Learning Conference at 10.50am, STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith will speak of the enormous positive contribution made by trade union learning reps to the success of businesses and the economy and criticise the UK Coalition Government’s approach to industrial relations.
20th November 2013
The STUC has welcomed Scottish Government guidelines published today that clarify the circumstances under which public bodies can exclude or remove suppliers who have engaged in blacklisting to the detriment of the livelihoods of workers.
25th November 2013
Domestic violence may happen behind closed doors but it has far reaching consequences and is known to have an impact on the working lives of those living with an abusive partner. Today (25 November 2013), the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) along with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), is launching a survey to find out more about how domestic violence affect affects working life and the role that employers, colleagues, and union reps can play in supporting those experiencing domestic abuse.
26th November 2013
Speaking after the Scottish Government had published its White Paper on independence, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC welcomes publication of the White Paper and the ambition it reflects on key issues such as economic development and childcare.
28th November 2013
Responding to today’s report on the public sector workforce, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “It comes as no surprise to us that Audit Scotland is reporting the loss of over 26,000 whole time equivalent jobs in Scotland, in reality the number of actual people affected is far higher. Neither is it a surprise that local government is particularly badly affected.
28th November 2013
Schools from around Scotland will be gathering at the STUC in Glasgow to take part in the 2013 STUC Unions into Schools Songs Festival tomorrow (Friday 29 November 2013). This is the second song writing festival to be held at the STUC, established to encourage and nurture aspiring songwriters and performers to write and perform songs on the themes of justice and equality.
29th November 2013
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Annual St Andrews Day March and Rally take place tomorrow 3Oth November, the first time in a number of years that the celebration of Scotland’s multicultural society fall on St Andrew’s Day itself. Speaking ahead of the March and Rally, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said,
5th December 2013
Commenting after the Chancellor announced his Autumn Statement to Parliament, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “There is nothing today’s statement to help embed the recovery and create decent jobs. While recent growth is largely attributable to consumer spending, real wages continue to fall at rate unprecedented in modern times. Yet the Chancellor brazenly adopted a triumphalist tone just as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) revised down its forecast for wages growth. He continues to ignore the glaring disconnect between growth and living standards.
6th December 2013
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said: "It is impossible to overstate the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Quite simply, he changed the world and in doing so gave hope to millions that even in the face of crushing injustice a better future was possible. "Not only did he lead the people of South Africa to freedom, in overthrowing apartheid and returning his country to the family of Nations, he provided the most powerful example possible for all who are committed to the cause of social and economic justice.
12th December 2013
Commenting on publication of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “While today’s figures are not as bad as some anticipated, it must be stressed that they do confirm yet another real terms fall in median earnings in Scotland.
16th December 2013
The Scottish Trades Unions Congress (STUC) has set up a helpline to allow victims and their families involved in the Clutha tragedy to access free legal advice and representation. The STUC is concerned that many union members don’t realise that their families and themselves are entitled to free legal support whether an accident occurs at work or not.
18th December 2013
Commenting on the latest labour market statistics Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: "It is encouraging that employment continues to increase in Scotland. The growth through 2013 is substantial and the rise in women finding work is particularly welcome. "However no one should underestimate the very significant challenge that remains in returning both the employment and unemployment rates to pre-recession levels.
