Chris Stephens is a Senior UNISON activist in Glasgow, the SNP Trade Union group representative on the SNP National Executive, and the Scottish Parliamentary Candidate for Glasgow Pollok.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY
As the STUC Annual Congress gathers in Ayr this week, the Trade Union Movement in Scotland will no doubt discuss the next set of attacks from the Tory-led Government to its memberships terms and conditions, pensions, effects of the unregulated market, and the next assault on Workers’ Rights. For some of the unreconstructed, this will be the equivalent of starring in Back to the Future.
Since the 14 years when John Majors Govt left office, we still have the most restrictive labour laws in the Western world - a fact Tony Blair boasted of. Indeed the Blair Government were just as guilty to gain exemptions from the European Social Chapter as the Tories were.
David Cameron’s Government wishes to “reform” the Employment Tribunal system ensuring the balance is even more greatly weighted to employers.
The myth was that these labour laws would create more employment. Due to the lack of workers right, we have seen for decades, multinational companies close business in Scotland as it is easier to pay our workers off as it is elsewhere.
The recent legal disputes between UNITE and British Airways is a classic example of large companies hiding behind the law to frustrate a Trade Union and its members in standing up to be counted and take action against unfairness in the workplace.
This week presents an opportunity to demonstrate what the Trade Union Movement call – There is a Better Way.
Independence supporters should use this as a clarion call. The SNP where the first political party in Scotland to support Workers Rights from the first day of employment, to support ILO Conventions, the right to join a Trade Union, the right to take part in industrial action in a workplace relevant to the dispute, the first Westminster Group to raise issues in respect to asbestos related illness, and indeed where the first political group in the Scottish parliament to recognise their own staff’s trade union.
The case for optimism lies with those Trade Unions who do not meekly follow the Labour Party in Scotland line. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union, and the Fire Brigades Union have shown in the last few years that they are willing to support candidates from Independence supporting parties including the SNP. Indeed this year will likely see a record number of Independence supporting candidates gaining the support of Trade unions.
The case for Workers protection has never been stronger as the full effects of the unregulated market continue to bite. Independence can be sold to Trade Union members across the country to show how constitutional change can make Scotland a fairer place to live and work.
Is there a Better Way – Yes
It’s called Independence
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