Scottish TUC

The Scottish TUC and The Scottish government have agreed a statement on the constructive contribution made by workplace unions to economic growth.

The statement is in contrast to the recent union-unfriendly pronouncements of the Westminster administration.

Running to several pages, the statement sets out the areas in which unions and their representatives contribute to the workplace and economy, including on health at work, learning, health and safety and equality. It showcases the work of reps who have won STUC awards.

The statement includes a joint approach to trade union facility time which, while proposing some measures to ensure it works in the most effective and efficient way, acknowledges that in general, the arrangements work well.

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said that the STUC was “pleased to be able to maintain a far more positive dialogue” with Scottish government ministers “who maintain a far more nuanced and progressive approach to working with unions”.

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/04/6138