Thursday, September 27, 2012

Unite Scotland and PCS Scotland Support the People's Charter


The Scottish Committee of The People’s Charter has put forward proposals for the protection and creation of jobs in the face of the Government’s failed austerity programme.


The Unite and PCS trades unions are calling for the revitalisation of collective bargaining and trade union rights to help boost pay and conditions. Furthermore, urgent state intervention and private investment in strategically important sectors of the economy are both required if the UK is to lift itself out of recession.

The proposals are central to the Charter’s radical alternative campaign which launched its new e-petition last week in the Scottish Parliament, already gaining cross-party support and over 1,000 public signatories.

Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said, “The increasing inequality of the UK economy can be linked to the decline of collective bargaining over the last thirty years and the legislative assault on trade union rights.

It’s a simple fact that in economies where high levels of collective bargaining and trade union freedoms exist, workers benefit from greater job security and stability of pay and conditions while wider society enjoys greater equality and prosperity.

A fresh focus on sector-wide collective bargaining coupled with legislative change from Government which supports and not attacks trade union rights are vital components for economic recovery and a future that works.”

The PCS Scottish Secretary Lynn Henderson added, “The failed politics of austerity has caused key industries to haemorrhage quality jobs, skills and slash wages with devastating effects on earnings and households.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

STUC supports launch of People's Charter Petition in the Scottish Parliament

 
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith said:

"The STUC is pleased to support the launch of the People's Charter E-Petition and will participate in the launch events in the Parliament on Wednesday 19th September as well as promoting it to our members and like-minded organisations.

"Now has never been a more important time for those who reject austerity and support a positive alternative to come together to pressurise politicians of all parties and to show that there is a 'Better Way'. We have organised a major demonstration in Glasgow on 20th October as the next stage of that campaign.

"The People's Charter includes 6 demands which STUC supports and STUC is pleased to associate itself this week with 'A Fair Economy for a Fair Britain'. We have consistently argued that the economy needs to be fundamentally rebalanced - reversing the fall in the share of the economy which goes on wages compared to profits; implementing active industrial policies promoting patient investment, jobs and sustainable growth; and ensuring the rich pay their fair share of taxes."

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Moxham 07891 026 870


Friday, September 14, 2012

e-petition on Scottish Parliament web site - sign up now!

The People's Charter e-petition is now live on the Scottish Parliament website.
www.scottish.parliament.uk/GettingInvolved/Petitions/peoplescharter

"Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to bring forward measures in all areas it has competency to fulfil the aspirations of the People's Charter. "

What you can do:
  • Click the e-petition link and sign up now!
  • Forward the e-petition link to your friends and family and colleagues
  • Share this post on social media networks - Facebook and Twitter and Google+ - or blog it or email it using the buttons below 
The petition will be live on the Parliament website until 26 October 2012.
Sign up now.


Scottish Parliament e-petition calling on Scottish Government to fulfil the aspirations of the People's Charter. 
Six simple demands to bring about a fair society for all.  
1. A fair economy for a fairer Britain.
2. More and better jobs.
3. Decent homes for all.
4. Protect and improve our public services – no cuts.
5. Fairness and Justice.
6. Build a secure and sustainable future for all.


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Mobilising for e-petition and October 20 A Future That Works

The People's Charter Scotland is mobilising for an e-petition in the Scottish Parliament to gather support for the Charter's six aims and for the STUC's October 20 anti-austerity demo in Glasgow on the theme A Future That Works.

People's Charter e-petition
The e-petition will be live on the Scottish Parliament website for the week beginning Monday 17 September. 
The link is: www.scottish.parliament.uk/GettingInvolved/Petitions/peoplescharter

There will be two  awareness raising session in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 19 September at 12.30 till 2 pm in room TG24 and 7pm in Room TG20/21. Please contact Lesley.Dobbin@scottish.parliament.uk or call 0131 348 5824/25 to notify that you wish to attend). Press are welcome.

A Future That Works demo 20 October
We plan to campaign around the six themes of the People's Charter in the weeks leading up to and immediately after the 20 October demo in Glasgow with different partners taking the lead as follows:

Week 1 Monday 17 September
STUC
A fair economy for a fairer Britain

Week 2 Monday 24 September
Unite
More and better jobs

Week 3 Monday 1 October
Positive Action in Housing
Decent homes for all

Week 4 Monday 8 October
UNISON and PCS
Protect and improve our public services - no cuts

Week 5 Monday 15 October
Scottish CND
Build a sustainable future for all

Week 6 Monday 22 October (after the 20 October demo)
Scottish Left Review
Fairness and justice

More details will be published shortly... Please contact vince.mills@btinternet.com for any other information.