PCS Scotland conference calls for devolved equality structures

Moving the motion, Brodie Wilson (SG Edinburgh Leith) said “Rising far right sentiment across our communities puts the most marginalised among us at the highest risk. We must be prepared to both respond to that threat which is alarming in both pace and ferocity and we must be prepared to stand in solidarity, true solidarity, with our comrades who are targets of rising fascism, racism, misogyny and transphobia.”

The motion commits the incoming Scotland executive committee to reform the equalities networks, facilitate mass member engagement and allow members to shape the constitution of these networks.

Disability leave policies

The conference was also highly critical of the lack of paid disability policies from employers which motion A2 said creates “hardship for disabled employees and carers of disabled dependents.”

Also moving Motion A2, Brodie said “It is a scandal that disability leave is not the norm, not only across the public sector but as a basic right of workers everywhere.

“For too long employers have relied on policies steeped in liberal individualism. Policies that permit and encourage the sacking of disabled workers if they breach sick leave or enable the refusal of reasonable adjustments.”

PCS Scotland will lobby and campaign alongside the Scottish TUC for the Scottish Government to implement paid disability leave in the Scottish sector, local government, the NHS, and UK civil service.