Scottish activist - Winter 2009-2010 Issue 16
In print and online, Scottish Activist is a quarterly resource for activists in Scotland to help us organise, campaign and represent our members effectively.
If you are an active member of our union in Scotland – as a distributor of PCS mail, a workplace rep, a national executive member, or in any other capacity – you should receive a copy.
Got a story?
To share your stories about campaigning and organising in the workplace in Scotland, or to suggest ideas for articles, contact:
Lynn Henderson, Scottish Activist editor
- email: lynnh@pcs.org.uk
- Telephone: 0131 556 0407
Latest articles
Eddie Reilly, PCS Scottish secretary writes - You can only win the future if you don’t sell the past
Whilst reflecting on my last few words for Scottish Activist (I retire this month after 35 years in the trade union and labour movement) I recalled the statement used by a leading union activist in a predecessor union of PCS – the Society of Civil and Public Servants, just before the “Winter of Discontent” in 1979.
He said “We can no longer pretend as civil servants we exist in a political vacuum. We may not be affiliated to a political party but we must engage with all political parties or we will be unable to defend or advance our members’ interests as workers and as citizens”.
That statement is equally valid today for all workers and their families particularly in the public sector.
That is why PCS was engaged in the recent Glasgow North East by-election not to support a particular party but to ensure candidates of all parties heard the voice of our members and their concerns clearly and to provide our members in that constituency with the opportunity of putting their questions direct to political candidates and hear their answers.
No matter how some have devolved politics and democracy, the union was working to maintain its essence. That same opportunity will be organised by PCS throughout the UK in 2010 for the General Election – our members must seize the opportunity to take part.
The trade union activist who made the statement I have quoted above also used it in its broader context to promote internationalism in the trade union and labour movement.
Today even more so the globalisation of the economy et al forges the need for workers and their trade unions to co-operate and recognise the mutuality of their common social and economic interests.
Just as it was important to mount the campaign for the anti-apartheid movement in the 1970’s to liberate all the people of South Africa so now it becomes vital to do the same to secure liberation of the Palestinians.
To use a simple analogy with football (I’m a lifelong support of Celtic) – the course of the game is not altered by the spectators but by the players.
The result will not change in the workplace nor the quality of our lives as citizens by the mere gaze of the onlookers but by the collective will and participation of workers and their trade unions.
My thanks and best wishes to all activists in this union and the labour movement – and always remember – you can only win the future if you don’t sell the past.
Members made their votes count in Glasgow North East
The 420 PCS members living in Glasgow North East had an opportunity ahead of the rest of us to make their votes count. While we must wait until next year’s Westminster general election, these Glasgow members had a vote at the by –election which took place on 12 November.
Make Your Vote Count gives members the opportunity to question candidates seeking their vote through emailing questions and by taking part in the Candidates Question Time. This was held in Springburn Academy the week before the vote.
Not only that, the general secretary then wrote to all 420 members with summaries of candidates responses on issues such as privatisation, public services, the Royal Mail dispute, MPs salaries and job cuts. That way, PCS members are well informed on what each candidate is promising.
Members made their votes count
Leafleting was targeted around the main local employer - DWP Springburn, but we also had members working in Barlinnie Prison and at the Driving Test Centre. Local issues were raised around telephony services at the Springburn office and also the MOD
sale of Kentigern House in Glasgow city centre.
To counter the BNP, PCS co-operated with Unite against Fascism and Hope Not Hate to promote the case against racism and fascism.
PCS will be co-ordinating Make Your Vote Count across the country at the forthcoming general election and will require a concerted effort of co-ordinators across the country.
Finance committee evidence
Parliamentary officer, Lynn Henderson joined an STUC delegation to give evidence to the Scottish parliament’s finance committee on the public sector reform bill.
The stated purpose of the bill is to "help simplify and improve the landscape of Scottish public bodies, to deliver more effective, co-ordinated government that can better achieve its core functions for the benefit of the people of Scotland".
It will also bring about the creation of Creative Scotland, which will see the transfer of PCS members from Scottish Screen into the new body.
This bill might sound innocuous enough to go unnoticed; however PCS, UNISON and the STUC used the opportunity to highlight the implications of the wider concerns for job and service cuts in the financial squeeze that we are likely to face in the coming financial period.
Trade union week
PCS used the annual Scottish Parliament trade union week to raise awareness of the implications for our members of the proposals to change the civil service compensation scheme.
Our drop in lobby was hosted by John Wilson MSP, a member of the PCS Scottish parliamentary group. NEC members, Scotland committee officers and full time officers were on hand to brief MSPs at the drop in.
Fighting the threat of privatisation
Image: Public services not private profit logo
Not since the dark days of Thatcherism has the scourge of privatisation been so high on the agenda.
PCS represents an increasing number of members who have been forced to transfer from the public to the commercial sector – without moving desk, office or location.
What is new is that public sector workers are now being asked to pay for the financial crisis, ironically caused by private greed of the world’s bankers.
At the UK general election, all the main political parties are lining up to cut jobs, pay and privatise services. And now, even the Scottish sector is no longer immune.
The public sector ethos that marked the first decade of devolution is being rubbed out as pressure for shared services, arms-length bodies, outsourcing and direct privatisation creeps onto the agenda at Holyrood.
Outsourcing at Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland
PCS reps from Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Enterprise with Pauline McNeill MSP
PCS is leading a localised campaign against planned outsourcing of fifty IT staff at Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland.
Branch reps at the two agencies have come together to form a campaign committee to protect members and fight against this privatisation.
From the outset there has been a lack of proper consultation with the unions and non-compliance with national guidance and protocols on privatisation. PCS has, however, convinced management that the Scottish Ministers’ no compulsory redundancy guarantee should now be included in any contract with the private sector companies - an important safeguard for members.
There has been a veil of misinformation throughout the process. On the one hand, management are telling local MSP Pauline McNeill that things are at a very early stage, whilst on the other hand they announced that Atos Origin was appointed as the preferred bidder in late November with a view to signing the contract by early December.
Tracey McKelvie, PCS branch secretary in Scottish Enterprise said "I'm worried this is just the beginning and could lead to other services being outsourced.
And the majority of our members in IT feel that this is a foregone conclusion based on the findings of an outside consultant's report.
The employers seem to have no regard for the future welfare or security of staff but merely want to demonstrate a short term cost reduction".
MOD selling off Kentigern House
Image: Image 1 GIF
The Ministry of Defence is currently marketing Kentigern House in Glasgow city centre. This massive building was described at the time of it was being built in the 1980s as one of the largest developments outside of London.
Staff won’t be turfed out yet though, as the MOD intends to lease back the office accommodation from the successful private landlord. A 20 year lease is being sought in exchange for £47 million.
The actual cost to the taxpayer however over the 20 year lease period will be in the region of £140 million when the rent and maintenance costs are calculated. It just doesn’t add up.
The MOD has failed to properly consult with PCS and seem driven by short term desperation to plug a funding gap.
PCS Scotland anti-privatisation forum
Following a successful national privatisation forum held in HQ in the summer, the NEC agreed to hold a series of privatisation events around the country which include an NEC speaker, PCS research and policy officers on the hidden histories and failures of the great privatisation experiment and with space on the agenda to share the experience of other public sector trade union and local PCS perspectives.
The Scottish event will take place in Glasgow on 4 February. Application forms with full agenda details will be circulated directly to branches.
Public services not private profit rally
Across the public sector, privatisation is becoming a massive threat to public sector workers.
CWU members in the Royal Mail have recently taken industrial action to protect jobs and public services. UK ministers are considering plans to privatise the Royal Fleet Artillery which delivers fuel, food and ammunition to the Royal Navy.
RMT union is vowing to fight protect thousands of jobs affected. The NUJ is opposed to cuts in the BBC license fee and is campaigning to protect jobs and services at the BBC.
As part of our work with other public sector unions, PCS and the Public Services Not Private Profit campaign are planning a rally on the eve of the Scottish Labour conference in March 2010.
Scottish Parliament branch celebrates its 300th member
Image: SWP4586
The 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament celebrated earlier this year has been marked by a major achievement for the PCS Scottish Parliament branch - its 300th member.
Back in 1999 the branch started like the parliament - from nothing, no committee, no officers and very few members. But over the years the branch has grown from its very humble beginnings to one which epitomises the organising culture of PCS.
Sam Currie, branch organiser said “My role as the branch organiser is to make sure the records are kept up to date, recruitment is for all of us to do. Not just the office bearers and committee members but every member is a recruiter.
Every new member of staff is approached as soon as they are in the door.”
Even with 2 other unions in the parliament PCS represents more than two thirds of the staff. A voice to be reckoned with in a place where there a lot of very loud voices!
Learning conference
The 5th annual PCS Scotland learning conference will take place on 25 February 2010 in the Scottish Youth Theatre, Glasgow. Funded by the Scottish Union Learning Fund, the theme of the event will be “accessing learning for all” encouraging reps to access all forms of funding available to deliver learning to our members.
Workshops will focus on the roll out of Skills for Life throughout PCS Scotland and accessing funding for individual and collective learning. Derek Thompson, Chair of the PCS Scotland Committee, will chair the event and Jeff Evans, new Senior National Officer for Devolved Nations, has agreed to be the keynote speaker.
We are looking to attract learning reps who have yet to experience delivering workshops and seminars with a view to building confidence and transferable skills that will benefit the wider work of PCS.
A one-day facilitation/public speaking course will take place in February for all conference workshop facilitators.
Recognition at the Risk Management Authority
Danny Williamson, negotiations officer and Yvonne Gaily, RMA CEO sign the agreement test
PCS recently extended its influence across Scottish devolved areas when we signed a recognition agreement with the Risk Management Authority.
The Authority plays an important role in the Scottish Justice system. It was established in 2004 as an independent public body with statutory powers to develop effective risk assessment and risk management practices across agencies in the interests of public safety specifically in relation to managing the risk of serious harm presented by violent and sexual offenders in Scotland.
Already the majority of staff have joined PCS and local reps appointed.
PCS Scotland negotiations officer Danny Williamson said “We’re delighted that RMA have agreed to recognise PCS as the union best able to represent the interests of its staff.
We are already engaging in important work for members around pay and grading and developing a new staff hand book and we look forward to building a good working relationship with the authority.”
Scottish living wage awards
The Scottish living wage campaign plans to give awards to two employers in PCS Scotland bargaining areas, following successful negotiations by PCS to tackle low pay.
PCS has negotiated with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise increase pay to above minimum wage level as part of the 2009 pay settlements. Both employers have now agreed to up the wages of their lowest paid staff to £7.15.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has taken this further and agreed to pay all of their cleaning and catering staff a living wage as well, and are on the road to become a full living wage employer.
Achievements in these two agencies allow PCS to now press Scottish Ministers to extend the living wage across all areas within the Scottish public sector pay remit.
To that end, PCS Scotland is working with the STUC to call for the 2010 Scottish budget to be a living wage budget.
Put people first
PCS forms a line in the sand to put people first
As the G20 finance ministers gathered in St. Andrews on 7 November to discuss their recommendations on tackling climate change, trade unions and climate change campaigners came together on St Andrews beach to witness a stunt where 20 men in suits lined up to put their head in the sand.
A march through the streets of St Andrews was then followed with an afternoon of an alternative summit where debate and exchanges on climate change, protecting public services, tackling tax evasion and world poverty.
PCS Scotland, the STUC and other unions to build for this action and supported buses from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
PCS reps from HMRC Dundee carried the PCS banner on the march.
Women’s suffrage procession centenary – “a gude cause”
Image 042: Rosa Ryou, British Council and Anne Johnson, National Museums of Scotland at the gude cause
Hundreds of women, men and children marched through the streets of Edinburgh on 10 November to mark the centenary of a 1909 women’s suffrage march in the city.
Many women were dressed in period costume and many more wore the suffragette colours green, purple and white.
PCS members from MOD, Scottish Government, IPS, Historic Scotland and the British Council marched behind the PCS Scotland banner along with women’s choirs singing Bread and Roses, a feminist variation on the lyrics of Bella Ciao and Rosa’s Lovely Daughters.
Scotland united against racism and fascism
PCS members took to the streets of Glasgow twice in November to carry our banner in marches against racism and fascism.
Trade unions, faith organisations, politicians of all parties and anti racist campaigners came together on 14 November in Glasgow in an upbeat display of strength of opposition amongst Scots to racism and fascism.
The gathering of 3,000 was planned to counter the far right Scottish Defence League who had bussed in around 70 nazi-saluting skin heads, who were quickly contained and dispersed by the police.
In spite of soaking cold November rain at the open, the PCS contingent carried our banner proudly, if a little damply from Glasgow Green to George Square.
Two weeks later, the PCS presence was even bigger at the annual STUC St Andrew’s day march and rally against racism and fascism as we marched from St Andrews in the Square to the rally at the Glasgow Film Theatre.
An obituary to Bill Speirs, former STUC general secretary by Lynn Henderson
Sadly, following a period of illness, Bill Speirs passed away in September at the young age of 57. Since his death, much has been written by many about the late trade union leader, his role in bringing unity to campaigns and struggles.
Whether arguing for Scottish home rule, international solidarity for the Palestinian people, increasing women’s representation or providing a forum for broad alliances between the trade union movement and civic Scotland, Bill was always able to rally others to fight for what was right.
Born on 8 March 1952 - international women’s day, Bill marvelled at the thought of women all over the world celebrating his birthday, and he never tired of saying so.
His active commitment to women’s liberation, however, ran deep.
He was unwavering in his support for the STUC women’s campaign for 50-50 representation in the new Scottish Parliament and argued strongly with those who dismissed this as patronising or tokenistic.
Comrades, friends, colleagues and even political adversaries have commented on Bill’s gentle way with words and persuasive ideas which revealed a true thinker and a strategist. He was witty, clever, and politically astute.
A great friend to our union and its predecessors, Bill appeared on many platforms and rallies to offer support of the STUC and the wider trade union movement our industrial struggles and campaigns to defend jobs, public services and pay.
During the darkest decades of Thatcherism, Bill played a leading role in struggles against unprecedented attacks on trade union rights, decimation of the Scottish and UK manufacturing landscape and mass privatisation.
Following the heavy Tory losses in Scotland at the 1987 general election, Bill Speirs, in a powerful position as STUC deputy general secretary, argued that the people of Scotland had no moral obligation to pay the unfair poll tax.
Bill’s time was cut short. Now should have been his time to lead the Scottish trade union movement against the new era in which public sector workers are being forced to pay for the greed of global capitalists, and a time at which, whatever the outcome of the UK general election, the forward march toward Scottish home rule reveals new challenges - not only for the industrial interests of our members, but also for all Scottish citizens.
The Scottish labour and trade union movement has lost one of the greatest of our time and I miss my mentor and dear friend.
Bill Speirs, 8 March 1952 - 23 September 2009
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