Scottish unions welcome ministers

The Scottish TUC has welcomed what it calls the "union friendly" cabinet appointed by new Scottish first minister Jack McConnell.

The STUC cited in particular the new minister for sport, culture and tourism, Mike Watson, who is a former official of the MSF union and who founded the Trade Union Group of Labour MSPs. It also welcomed the appointment of former STUC official Patricia Ferguson (as chief whip) and, as minister for finance and public services, Andy Kerr, who has worked closely with the STUC and transport unions in opposition to privatisation.

STUC general secretary Bill Speirs said: "This cabinet includes people who know the key role that trade unions play in Scottish society, from personal experience. That can only be good for the STUC's project of building real social partnership in Scotland, which recognises that workers are as important as captains of industry."