news from November 2003 Revitalise our Public Services s the debate over pub- In Scotland the con- lic service reform at text of the debate is AUK level hots up at very different. There the Labour Party conference is a recognition that it often seems that some UK market solutions are ministers are happier promot- not a panacea for the ing the private sector and challenges facing our attacking public service work- public services. That’s ers. This strategy far from not to say that there promoting a sensible debate are not differences about reform, simply demor- between UNISON UNISON members and officers mingle alise public service staff. It and government in Scotland. with MSP’s researchers and the press at also plays into the hands of the Revitalise our Public Services event at The wasteful use of Public The Hub in Edinburgh the vested interests that would Private Partnerships (PPP) dismantle our public services workers challenge the status and the growth of the quango quo every day, they want posi- state are just two. tive change to improve our …. market solu- public services. “tions are not a owever, this context panacea for the chal- means that we can To promote this debate lenges facing our pub- have a serious lic services H UNISON Scotland has pub- debate in Scotland. Not just a lished five principles we defence of what some right believe are essential for the to the level of” a safety net for wing commentators call the revitalisation of Scotland’s those who cannot afford to cosy consensus around the public services. Cont p2 pay for private provision. status quo. Public service Speaking up for Nursery Nurses September’s Scottish Parliament recognised by the Scottish debate on Nursery Nurses. Executive’s removing the requirement to have Teachers Margaret, who has spoken at in each Pre Five education UNISON rallies for Nursery establishment". Margaret asked Nurses, emphasised the profes- that "the Minister do all within sionalism and training now his powers to ensure that undertaken by Nursery Nurses. CoSLA resolve this dispute by UNISON member and MSP She said: "the importance of entering into meaningful nego- for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, the contribution of Nursery tiations with trade unions rep- Margaret Jamieson gave a valu- Nurses in delivering quality pre resenting early years educators". able contribution to five education service has been Hard fight needed for Euro votes June 2004 sees the second European Parliament elections to be held in the UK under the proportional representation electoral system. It is also like- ly that Scotland’s current number of seven Euro MPs will be reduced to six, as most UK regions cut their representation to accommodate the new MEPs from member states joining the European Union. This reduction will mean political parties havetofight harder for votes under the D’Hont PR closed list system to ensure theyget their candidates elected. Labour currently has 3 MEPs: UNISON member Bill Miller, David Martin, and Catherine Stihler, and will be campaigning hardto maintain this level of representation for Scotland in the European Parliament. There has been a push to pilot postal voting in Scotland for the European elections. Suchamove will require Westminster legislation UNISON member Bill Miller MEP in the Queen’s speechlater this year if it is to happen. Whatever the voting system, UNISON LabourLink will be working to maximise the turnout at the elec- tions in June. The European Parliament, the democratic institution in the European Union, is increasing in powers, and does make important laws on issues thatare central to the trade union bargaining agenda, such as consultation rights for workers, health and safety atwork, and family friendlyworking practices. It is essential thatwe ensure Scotland’svoice is strong in the European Parliament, and thatwe elect rep- resentatives who will supportworkers rights. The Scottish Trade Union seminarswas held in and co-operation between Labour Party liaison commit- Glasgowon14September trade unions and the Labour tee (STULP) are holding a and brought together trade Party at all levels. series of "Strengthening the unionists and elected politi- link" seminars this autumn. cians to look atways of Delegates from UNISON, The first of the improving communications GMB, TGWU, USDAW and the FBU participated in the ReVITALise our Public Services event, along with Duncan -From p1 McNeil MSP, Bill Miller MEP n Extending democratic accountability to the quango state and the and Mohammed Sarwar MP. unelected regulators through real participation and involvement of service users and staff. Useful debate focussed on key issues for trade unions n Building capacity that then allows a cultureofinnovation to flourish. and helped express the con- cerns of trade union mem- n The recruitment and retention of high quality staff through fair bers to the politicians. A par- pay and conditions. ticular theme was concern n High performance assessed by systems appropriate to the com- over the policy making in the plexity of public service provision. party, with a strong feeling n Cross boundary collaboration through public service networks that the Partnership in Power thatpromote co-operation, not fragmentation and competition. process was in urgent need of reform. he key to this approachisrecognition that the public wants to be treated as partnerswho haveareal sayinshaping their Tpublic services. As citizens not simply customerstobe exploited for private profit. UNISON Labour Link is playing its partinpromoting these principles. Further details can be viewed at our website www.unison-scotland.org.uk. or contact the P&I Team on 0870 7777006. Strengthen Local Democracy The signing of the Partnership Agreement between reduce the agefor voting and candidates to 16. Labour and the Liberal Demoncrats in May meant the Scottish Executive adopted the LibDem posi- While the movetoPRprovides an opportunity for tion on implementing proportional representation morewomen and minority ethnic candidates to (PR) for local government elections. stand, UNISON is clear that political parties will have to ensurewomen and minority ethnic candi- Given that no one party had enough MSPs to form dates are selected in winnable positions, and pro- agovernment, it was inevitable thatLabour as the moted successfully. largest party would have to enter coalition negotia- tions. This means thatLabour accepted some coali- UNISON also believes that local democracy will be tion partner policies in returnfor LibDems taking undermined if powersaretransferred to unelected on Labour policies on issues such as crime and jus- Quangos, such as the proposed transport authority tice. The Executive has promised to implement and correctional agency. proportional representation for the next local coun- cil elections. UNISON’s full response to the Bill can be viewed on the website: http://www.unison- UNISON Scotland has a policy supporting propor- scotland.org.uk/response/lggovernance.html tional representation and this position is reflected in our response to the Executive. We support the Kerleyrecommendations for the UNISON seminar on Palestine Single Transferable Vote system whilst maintaining Sat 22 Nov. 10.00am - 4.00pm of the link between councillor and ward with wards UNISON office - West Campbell St. of no more than 3 or 4 members. UNISON also Speakers include supports the moves to reduce the age that individu- Pauline McNeil MSP, Chair - Cross- als can stand for election as councillorsfrom 21 to Party Group on Palestine 18, but argues that the Bill should go further and Scotland still needs positive action believes Anwari Din The Labour party had the – it is the same as has been of the party in ensuring that whole of the Scottish done for women. Thatis,pos- candidates from ethnic Parliament’sfirst termtotake itive action to ensure that minorities got off the starting positive action to help mem- individuals arerepresented blocks. bersfrom ethnic minorities to within the next Scottish be nominated and contest Parliament. Weare the Labour Party. It is winnable seats. time for individuals from eth- Asaprospective candidate for nic minorities to join forces Yet, come this year’s election, two Scottish elections I was with other memberswho are wewere still at the stageof struckbyafeeling of committed to a true represen- working groups–agreat tac- tokenism. Therewas no real tation of society, and make tic to give the impression that impetus within the party to their voices heard. Wemust something is being done. But assist in contesting a seat. It not settle for crumbs being we knowwhat has to be done was left up to me to find my offered by the party hierarchy. way through the We need to ensure thatin mazeofparty three years time therearea structures. number of candidate from ethnic minorities who can …ethnic This is not to represent Labour and contest minorities sayIexpected winnable seats – and not only must join forces with anypreferential in communities whicharepre- other mem- treatment, just dominantlyblack. bers… and make their action that Anwari Din is a UNISON member and a voices demonstrated member of Labour’s Scottish Executive heard. the commitment Committee. LabourLink area meetings launched in Hamilton The first Labour Link area Lanarkshire, gallantly took on 6.30pm, Fife Council meeting, under our new sys- the role of area Convenor. Chambers, Dunfermline, all tem of working in area Further local meetings are FifeLabour Link members groups, was held on 18th being planned, so keepaneye welcome – contact Roddy September in Hamilton. Cameron for more details: tel: 01592 416637, Labour Link membersfrom [email protected] the Central Scotland area met up to discuss the wayforward, For further information on and had the opportunity to the Central Scotland area grill local MSP, and Minister (North & South Lanarkshire, for Finance and Public out for notices of one in your Falkirk and Stirling) contact Services, AndyKerr. locality. LizAnne Handibode (tel: 07905 909532). LizAnne Handibode, Branch Fife is to hold its meeting on Labour Link Officer in South Monday17November, NHS Reform Bill welcomed UNISON has welcomed muchof the content of the the end of NHS Trusts, UNI- NHS Reform Bill.