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Biographies of key STUC representatives can be found here.
About the STUC
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is Scotland’s representative trade union body representing 43 affiliate unions and over 550,000 workers in Scotland. Established in 1897 and now led by General Secretary Roz Foyer, the STUC, our purpose is to co-ordinate, develop and articulate the views and policies of the trade union movement in Scotland.
‘Killed by their class’: COVID-19 kills poorer, more low paid workers
December 6, 2024: Giving further testimony to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said workers were “killed by their class” as evidence presented to the Inquiry showed poorly paid workers from lower social classes were more susceptible to death from COVID-19 when compared to those from higher incomes.
Scottish Government Budget ‘dodged the big decisions'
December 4, 2024: This was primarily an electioneering budget that used Scotland’s finances to commit to doing what the UK Labour Government wouldn’t.
Invest in Scotland: Invest in Scotland’s Workers
December 3, 2024: The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) have called on the Finance Secretary to “invest in Scotland” as the Scottish Government looks set to unveil their Budget for 2025/26.
Unions demand Scottish Government ‘Keep Their Promises’ in Budget
November 27, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has demanded the Scottish Government ‘keep their promises’ in their upcoming budget as the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) say scrapping the council tax, taxing wealth and investing in local services are “imperative”.
‘Dying to talk:’ STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference set to debate assisted dying
November 23, 2024: Scotland’s largest disabled workers’ body are set to “shape” the debate on assisted dying in Scotland as the STUC Disabled Workers’ Committee looks set to take a position on legalising assisted dying in Scotland.
Scrapping of National Care Service Bill a victory for workers
November 14, 2024: Following the news that the National Care Service Bill will not progress to Stage 2, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
Zero hours Scotland branded “worst in UK” as contracts jump by 30%
November 12, 2024: Scotland holds the “shameful” title as the zero hours contract nation of the UK as new labour market data revealed a 30% rise in zero hours contract use over the last quarter.
Gender pay gap rises by 30% in Scotland
November 5, 2024: Women in Scotland can now expect to earn a “scandalous” £3000 less per year than men according to Scotland’s largest trade union body as the gender pay gap rose by 30%.
STUC Response to UK Budget
October 30, 2024: “Over 14 years of austerity from the Tory Government cannot be undone in one budget but potentially delivering a £3.4 billion increase to the Scottish Government coffers is an eye-opening and impressive start.
STUC demands an ‘end to austerity’ as Chancellor sets out budget
October 30, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has demanded an ‘end to austerity’ as they implore the Chancellor to invest in public services and the economy ahead of the budget.
Record delayed discharge condemned by unions
October 28, 2024: Delayed discharge in Scotland has reached a record high as Scotland’s largest trade union body says the blame lies “squarely at the door” of the Scottish Government’s in backtracking on sectoral bargaining.
Sexual harassment at work ‘endemic’ says STUC
October 23, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body have revealed the extent of abuse within the workplace as the STUC Women’s Committee publish the findings of their ‘Still Silent?’ report into sexual harassment.
GB Energy Partnership Agreement
October 18, 2024: Following the partnership agreement between the Scottish and UK Government’s regarding GB Energy, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
Employment Rights Bill must signal the start of real change for workers
October 10, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has welcomed the UK Labour Government’s Employment Rights Bill but made clear that it must be the “beginning” of wholesale changes for workers’ rights across the UK
STUC withdraws support for National Care Service
October 8, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has called on the Scottish Government to withdraw the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.
STUC comment on the Middle East
October 2, 2024: We condemn Iran's latest escalation in the Middle East as an unacceptable act directed at civilian targets.
Scotland’s largest trade union body has called on the City of Edinburgh Council to re-open the People’s Story museum
October 2, 2024: The STUC has written to Cllr Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, urging the Council to urgently re-open the People’s Story museum. The museum has been closed in advance of a debate on a proposal for the temporary closure of the museum.
Unions and Environmental Groups Launch Petition to Scrap Peak Rail Fares as Peak Pricing Returns
October 1, 2024: In response to the reintroduction of peak fares on Scotland’s railways this week, trade unions and environmental groups have united to launch a petition demanding the permanent abolition of peak fare pricing.
Scottish Government Green Industrial Strategy is “outdated"
September 12, 2024: This is yet another example of government strategy that talks up potential without matching it with the necessary policy
Free school meals demand from across Parliament and unions
September 12, 2024: The Scottish Government has been “shamed” by the Parliament today according to Scotland’s largest trade union body following a debate on the SNP’s rollback on universal free school meals.
Peak fare rollback is driving workers off the rails
September 12, 2024: The Scottish Government has been accused of “derailing” its anti-poverty and green economic credentials as they press full steam ahead with its reintroduction of peak fares in Scotland.
Closure of Grangemouth
September 12, 2024: “This is a heart-breaking hammer blow for the workforce and their communities. Be left in no doubt that while there is hope there will be help. Our movement will fight for every single job and every single livelihood.
Prime Minister ‘wide of the mark’ at TUC Congress
September 10, 2024: Following the Prime Minister’s speech at the TUC Annual Congress, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “The Prime Minister gave welcome recommitments in his address, particularly on the New Deal for Working People. But overall, this wasn’t a speech that reflected the change working people voted for.
Free school meals rollback ‘unforgivable'
September 5, 2024: Reacting to confirmation at First Minister’s Questions that the Scottish Government has broken its commitment to provide universal free school meals, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said “This is unforgivable."
STUC Statement on Programme for Government
September 4, 2024: This was a Programme for Government that spoke of ambition and reform but all we got was a slimmed-down prospectus.
Fiscal statement a ‘shambles’ says STUC
September 3, 2024: Reacting to the Scottish Government’s Pre-Budget Fiscal Statement, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer: “With every cut announced by the Scottish Government today, workers and communities across Scotland will be scarred for generations to come.
Scottish Government cutting trial of off-peak fares
August 20, 2024: Reacting to the announcement of the Scottish Government cutting the trial of off-peak fares, STUC Deputy General Secretary Linda Somerville said:
Bi-Annual Meeting with First Minister of Scotland
August 15, 2024: Following the first Bi-Annual meeting with the Scottish Trades Union Congress and First Minister John Swinney, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
STUC Statement: United We Stand
August 6, 2024: United We Stand: STUC Statement on Far Right Riots
Government "failed their citizens" on COVID-19
July 18, 2024: Commenting on the first report of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry, stating that the UK Government and devolved administrations “failed their citizens” in their pandemic response and preparedness, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
Response to the King's Speech
July 17, 2024: Pomp and pageantry aside, this is a more progressive programme for government than we’ve seen after 14 years of Tory mismanagement.
Young workers rise up for trade unions
July 12, 2024: New figures revealed by Scotland’s largest trade union body have shown a “stunning” rise in the number of young people joining trade unions.
STUC Statement: General Election Result
July 5, 2024: A new dawn has broken. It cannot be a false one.
STUC Statement: ahead of the General Election
July 4, 2024: Voters in Scotland stand on the brink of consigning this crooked Conservative Government to the chronicles of history.
STUC Women's Committee write to party leaders ahead of General Election
June 27, 2024: The voices and concerns of women should not be drowned out as we reach the crescendo of this general election.
Scotland’s workers demand better: a six-point plan for change
June 26, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has called upon all political parties to back their six-point plan for change ahead of the general election next week.
Announcement of a General Election
May 22, 2024: STUC statement on the announcement of a General Election
NEW ‘PUBLIC POWER LEAGUE’ REVEALS LOCAL AUTHORITIES LEADING THE CHARGE ON ENERGY
May 22, 2024: The STUC has today published the latest ‘Public Power League Tables’ showing the progress made by local authorities across Scotland to develop their own energy projects.
Pocket change of Scotland’s ten richest families could fund 10,000 public sector workers.
May 21, 2024: New analysis from the STUC has found that a wealth tax of 2% on Scotland’s ten richest people could fund 10,000 public sector workers.
Economic ‘mountain to climb’ to be Fair Work Nation says STUC
May 14, 2024: The latest labour market figures for Scotland show the Scottish Government have a ‘mountain to climb’ if they are to be a Fair Work Nation by 2025 according to Scotland’s leading trade union body
Resignation of the First Minister
April 29, 2024: Commenting on the resignation of the First Minister, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer: “We thank the First Minister for his commitment to our movement and for working closely with the STUC to help deliver a fairer, more equal nation.
Social care workers demand return of ‘Missing Millions’
April 24, 2024: Scotland’s largest health and social care unions will protest outside the Scottish Parliament tomorrow to demand the return of the ‘missing millions’ cut from the Scottish Government’s Budget for social care worker
Abandoned and alone: workers ‘left to rot’ during pandemic.
April 23, 2024: Scotland’s health and social care workers were ‘left to rot’ according to Scotland’s leading trade union body as the STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer is set to give evidence in front of the Scottish COVID Inquiry today.
Local government on ‘the brink of collapse’ according to STUC
April 17, 2024: Local government is “on the brink of collapse” according to Scotland’s most senior trade unionist.
‘Hot Air’: STUC Report Exposes £2 Billion Black Hole in Government Green Jobs Ambitions
April 16, 2024: ‘Hot Air’: STUC Report Exposes £2 Billion Black Hole in Government Green Jobs Ambitions
Workers Winning Together: Over £4.4 Billion Won by Unions
April 15, 2024: Figures from STUC reveal successful strike action windfall for workers ahead of STUC Congress.
The time for action on industrial injuries is now
April 12, 2024: The Scottish Parliament are set to debate Mark Griffin MSP’s Employment Injuries Advisory Council (SEIAC) Bill on Thursday 18th April. The debate comes as Scotland’s trade unionists are set to demand (2) the Scottish Government back the Bill the Scottish TUC annual Congress in Dundee next week.
Mind the Gap: STUC report shows Scotland ‘worst in UK’ for renewable jobs
March 27, 2024: A new report from Scotland’s largest trade union body has revealed the “unforgiveable” 4,000 total job decrease within Scotland’s renewable energy economy whilst companies raked in an increase of over £4 billion worth of turnover.
Mandelson ‘haunting spectre’ concerning as STUC call for New Deal to be fully implemented
March 25, 2024: Comments from Labour Peer Lord Mandelson have been condemned by Scottish TUC leader Roz Foyer as pressure increases on Labour Party leadership to water down their ‘New Deal for Working People’.
STUC Comment on Spring UK Budget
March 18, 2024: This isn’t a budget for long-term growth; this was an electioneering budget for the Tories and their support alone. Scotland’s workers should remember this callous approach to their pay packets and public services at the ballot box come the election.
Unions urge Ofcom and Channel 4 to Rethink Regional Production Quota
March 18, 2024: Deep concerns have been raised by Scotland’s largest creative industries unions over Ofcom proposals to allow Channel 4 to allocate 91% of its production budget to projects in England.
National Care Service Bill ‘not fit for purpose’ say unions
February 29, 2024: It beggars belief that, despite repeated warnings to the Scottish Government, Scotland’s social care workers are still in the dark on the basic fundamentals of the new National Care Service.
STUC Comment: Scottish Government Budget 'deeply damaging'
February 28, 2024: The STUC's General Secretary gives her verdict on the Scottish Government's budget.
Trade Unionists and anti-racist campaigners mark one year of fight against local fascists
February 3, 2024: In 2023, nearly 200 asylum seekers were placed in temporary accommodation at the Muthu Hotel in Erskine. Local fascists, first in the form of Patriotic Alternative, later as Homeland, turned up to intimidate the asylum seekers and sow hatred in the community. However, the community came together and fought back.
AUSTERITY KILLS AS CUTS HARMED EFFORTS DURING COVID
January 18, 2024: Scotland’s largest trade union body has claimed that years of budget cuts and austerity from government had “lethal” consequences during the COVID pandemic. The news comes as the UK COVID-19 Inquiry gets underway in Edinburgh this week.
STUC comment on the latest ONS labour market figures
January 16, 2024: STUC comment on the latest ONS labour market figures
STUC launch tax proposals to save Scotland’s public services
December 4, 2023: Scotland’s largest trade union body has implored the Scottish Government to “step up for Scotland” as the STUC launches their 2023 tax report showing an extra £3.7 billion could be raised per year using Scotland’s existing powers.
STUC reaction to the UK Chancellor’s Autumn Statement
November 22, 2023: “Don’t be fooled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Underpinning this statement was a determination that cuts to key public services and workers' livelihoods will bankroll some desperate pre-election giveaways. We cannot be content with scraps from the table. We cannot possibly congratulate the Chancellor for doing what he was shamed into doing on pensions, wages and welfare and then make workers pay the price later down the line via public spending cuts.”
Workers’ pay down £1200 in two years
November 14, 2023: Workers have lost a ‘staggering’ £1200 from their pay packets according to Scotland’s largest trade union body.
Workers win £4bn through industrial action
November 10, 2023: Ahead of a major trade union conference this Saturday, the STUC reveals workers in Scotland have won more than £4 billion in pay and pensions during the cost-of-living crisis.
Workers thrown to the wolves during Covid
October 24, 2023: Workers in Scotland faced an “astonishing” lack of support leading to unnecessary workplace-related deaths according to Scotland’s largest trade union body.
STUC response to First Minister's Council Tax Freeze Announcement
October 18, 2023: “Across Scotland, our public services are in crisis. Local authorities are increasingly strapped for cash and are facing huge budget cuts. Sequential council tax freezes without adequate compensation is one of the key reasons why local services are in such a mess.”
STUC Comments on Latest Pay Figures
October 17, 2023: “Real pay might now be growing but it will take more than two months of pay growth to ease two years of cost-of-living pain. Workers have lost more than £1400 in real terms over the last 24 months, and a couple of pounds extra a week is not going to cut it.”
STUC statement on Israel/Palestine crisis
October 13, 2023: The human suffering of the past week is unimaginable.
STUC comment on the appointment of Satwat Rehman and Prof. Dave Reay as co-chairs of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission
September 28, 2023: “We welcome the newly appointed co-chairs to their role in the Just Transition Commission. With the Scottish Government’s climate targets and job promises being broken, the challenge of building a green economy with decent work and better services for all could not be greater.”
STUC welcomes TUC devolution of employment law pledge
September 11, 2023: Trade unions from across the United Kingdom have backed a motion at the Trades Union Congress’ annual Congress calling for the devolution of employment law to the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Government Programme for Government
September 6, 2023: “There are welcome elements within the Programme for Government from the First Minister, not least of all the pledge to raise the pay of our early years and social care workers in addition to a Housing Bill to introduce long-term rent controls. Reestablishing the Independent Living Fund and introducing a much-needed, if inadequate, premium council tax on second homes is also welcome. However, we cannot pretend this was the radical, redistributive prospectus Scotland desperately needs.”
Programme For Government Must Be Unashamedly Progressive to Protect Pay & Services
September 4, 2023: Scotland’s largest trade union body has called upon the Scottish Government to be ‘unashamedly’ progressive to protect pay and services as they set out their Programme for Government tomorrow.
New 'Public Power League' reveals local authorities leading the charge on energy
August 31, 2023: The STUC has today published new ‘Public Power League’ showing the progress made by local authorities across Scotland to develop their own energy projects. The league tables, which show Aberdeenshire topping the capacity chart with 226 megawatts of energy, aim to show the progress made by local authorities in creating local municipal energy projects.
STUC Comment - Labour market statistics
August 15, 2023: "Today’s Labour market figures reveal the extent to which working people have been misled by politicians with their hollow promises of economic recovery.”
Workers in Scotland at risk of becoming the poor relation of the UK
August 11, 2023: New analysis from Scotland’s largest trade union body has shown workers in Scotland have suffered the biggest real terms pay cut with wages falling further and faster than the UK average over the last two years.
STUC comment on 13th Note closure threat
July 19, 2023: “This is the mother of all scapegoats from the employer. Staff at the 13th Note have led the way in standing up for their rights, seeking fairer conditions and improvements in health and safety.”
STUC comment on the Scottish Government National Care Service partnership announcement
July 12, 2023: “This partnership agreement is a much needed first step and can be welcomed by unions across the country. This deal is testament to our collective campaigning, ensuring care workers will now remain employed by local authorities and that councils still retain a key role in delivering local care.”
STUC comment on Labour Market Figures showing the 19th month of real wages falling
July 11, 2023: “It’s chronically hollow of well-renumerated Bank of England executives and politicians to be calling for wage restraint for ordinary workers whilst the pay packets of those in finance and business grows.”
Young workers demanding safe home after work
July 1, 2023: Young trade unionists from across Scotland will gather in Glasgow today to demand transport home after their shifts as the Scottish TUC call for ‘Safe Home’ policies be rolled out across the country.
STUC comment on the latest inflation figures
June 26, 2023: “Far from coming down, inflation remains stubbornly high and is eating further into the living standards of ordinary working people across Scotland. The biggest rises continue to hit workers the hardest as food, energy and fuel costs remain eye-wateringly high.”
STUC comment on the announced Labour Party Green Prosperity Plan
June 19, 2023: “The Labour Party’s plans for a publicly owned energy company headquartered in Scotland are welcome.”
STUC comment on the publication of the Scottish Government’s ‘Creating a modern constitution for an Independent Scotland’
June 19, 2023: “Whilst clearly a blueprint and civic Scotland should, rightly, have their say, there are some unfortunate omissions from this prospectus which the Scottish Government would do well to recognise.”
STUC’s LGBT+ Workers to Meet as UK Falls in LGBT+ Rankings
May 26, 2023: LGBT+ workers across Scotland will meet in Clydebank this weekend as shocking new data shows that the UK has fallen in LGBT+ rankings.
Medium Term Financial Strategy: STUC says tax reform cannot be kicked down the road for another year
May 25, 2023: “The Cabinet Secretary for Finance is in a slightly better budgetary position than was predicted this time last year. However, she rightly points out that UK Government austerity and its manufactured cost-of-living crisis continue to hit Scotland hard.”
Positive anti-poverty summit soured by possible roll-back on Free School Meals
May 3, 2023: The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and the STUC Women’s Committee have warned of massive resistance to any reversal on the SNP free school meals pledge and called for an acceleration, not a roll-back of the programme.
General Secretary’s newspaper columns
Scottish budget dodged critical decisions The Herald, 9th December
Scotland’s Budget must deliver for workers The Herald, 2nd December
Save Grangemouth project is vital to turn tide on 50 years of failure The Herald, 25th November
Trump is back and the far right is too The Herald, 18 November
We cannot sit back and allow Palestine to die, says STUC chief The Herald, 11 November
Unpicking what the Budget means for workers The Herald, 4th November
John Swinney was right - and Labour must listen, says STUC chief The Herald, 28th October
So many broken promises: why we’ve walked away from care service bill The Herald, 22nd October
We can’t always get what we want. But we can try hard to do so The Herald, 14th October
Good news on tips for workers The Herald, 7th October
Sir Keir needs to invest - not force through endless cuts The Herald, 30th September
We must remember the lessons of the Auchengeich disaster The Herald, 23rd September
Global corporations are destroying Scottish jobs - we must stop them The Herald, 16th September
Want to let Glasgow flourish? Help its children The Herald, 9th September
Scotland’s culture cannot be for rich people only The Herald, 26th August
The deeper issues that both our governments need to address The Herald, 19th August
Far-right hate mob exploited tragedy for their own ends The Herald, 12th August
Public services denigration and nefarious far-right risks The Herald, 5th August
Workers could do with a retirement like Joe Biden will have The Herald, 19th July
Pomp. Pageantry. Performance. Politics. The Herald, 22nd July
The kids are alright and we should listen to them The Herald, 15th July
Labour must tear up anti-union legislation, says STUC chief The Herald, 8th July
Politicans should hedge their bets on the workers The Herald, 1st July
Grangemouth is first test of Labour’s commitment to a just transition The Herald, 24th June
Politicians talk the talk but they don’t walk the walk over education The Herald, 17th June
Media must step up to the plate amid the rise of the far right The National, 15th June
Green Industrial Strategy could create tens of thousands of jobs The Herald, 27th May
Failure to devolve power casts a shadow over Holyrood The Herald, 20th May
Trade unions will work with FM to help end policy failure The National, 18th May
Workers have had enough of nice ideas from the SNP The Herald, 13th May
Scottish and UK governments must not let Grangemouth refinery die The Herald, 6th May
I predict new era of cooperation between Labour and SNP The Herald, 22nd April
Scotland’s support for Palestinians IS making a difference The National, 20th April
Strike action works and we make no apologies for it The Herald, 15th April
Sunak’s Freeports are called Greenports here but there’s no difference The Herald, 8th April
Mandelson has pushed Labour to ‘soften’ New Deal for Working People The Herald, 1st April
Miners’ strike taught us justice is not achieved through asking nicely The Herald, 18th March
Anas Sarwar’s Scottish Labour plans tax cuts for middle earners The Herald, 26th February
Highland workers need action, not more rhetoric The Herald, 2nd February
Grangemouth Refinery closure must be halted The Herald, 24th November
King’s Speech proved how badly we need an election The National 15th November
We march against fascism. Would Braverman want to ban us too? Herald 14th November
We should be furious that workers were thrown to wolves during Covid The National 27th October
SNP Can’t blame Labour deluge on the weather The National 14th October
Why we must fight for the future of further education Herald 13th October
The attack on Unison’s Johanna Baxter is nonsense - here’s why The National 29th September
Labour must commit to the devolution of employment law Herald 29th September
Why we must have a wholesale revolution on social care Herald 12th September
Roz Foyer: First Minister says he ‘isn’t afraid to pick a side’ – so do it The National 9th September
It’s time to pay women fairly. Let the bosses pay the bill The National 1st September
Politicians beware: the people are not prepared to lie down any longer Herald 18th August
Strikes in Scotland seem endless? Well the workers are fed up too The National 12th August
It’s time we took back control of our buses The National 4th August
Two-child benefit cap: Dismay over lack of vision from Labour Herald 21st July
When it comes to care, we must put people before profit Herald 12th July 2023
What can we say about Humza Yousaf’s record after 100 days in the job? The National 8th July 2023
Profiteering is driving up costs and they want you to take the blame. Herald 5th July 2023
We have a real chance to deliver fairness for workers. Let’s take it. Herald 10th June 2023
Never forget Pride is a protest as well as a celebration The National 10th June 2023
The Yes campaign may have stalled but people still want change Herald 6th June 2023
Forget the coronation, profit is king in the UK The National 13th May 2023
The First Minister must stay firm on free school meals Herald 8th May 2023
What are the politicians going to do to rescue our democracy? Herald 13th April 2023
First Minister Humza Yousaf must work with trade unions to succeed The National 8th April 2023
Next first minister must show same respect to unions The National 21st March
Government has turbocharged our resolve on workers’ rights The National 31st January
