Trade Unions

I am proud to be a member of a Trade Union since commencing employment at 16 years of age. I was privileged to be the President of Unison in 2000. I am a member of Unison.

Links between Labour and trade unions in Scotland are as strong as ever. The Scottish Trade Union Labour Party Committee consists of representatives from trade unions in Scotland affiliated to the Labour Party. The purpose of the committee is to seek to co-ordinate all matters of policy relevant to the affiliated unions and to liaise with the Scottish general secretary of the Labour Party and the appropriate ministers in Westminster and Edinburgh. The committee will also take a lead role in campaigning for elections.

There is a very strong link between the affiliated unions and the party in Scotland at all levels. This was particularly evident throughout 1999 when the trade unions played a major role in the campaign for election to the Scottish Parliament. Not only did the trade unions contribute financially but, with hundreds of trade union members, actively campaigned for Labour at a local level.

It was particularly pleasing to find that a number of trade union members were selected and elected to the Scottish Parliament and the link with MSPs and their unions remains through constituency plan agreements.

The committee recognises that since the general election in 1997 much has been achieved. A Scottish Parliament has been established, thousands of jobs have been created and the introduction of the working families tax credit has assisted thousands of families throughout Scotland. Legislation has introduced a national minimum wage for the first time. This is recognised as a good first step but more needs to be done. STULP will continue to play its part in advocating policies that are not only in the interests of trade union members but of the community at large.

Scottish Trade Union Labour Party

The main business of the November 2006 Scottish Labour Party conference was the adoption of the policy programme for the Scottish elections. The affiliated unions through STULP championed the ‘Workplace Agenda 2007’ throughout the policy process that culminated in the debate and votes at conference. The aim was to win widespread support across all party organisations for a radical manifesto that recognised Scotland’s distinctive place in the UK and addressed the issues that matter to workers.

The key trade union issues in the programme are highlighted in the document ‘Delivering on the Workplace Agenda’ launched with First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP and Party Chair Hazel Blears MP at the STULP reception. This paper sets out 75 policy commitments of particular relevance to trade union members. These can be viewed here.

Delivering the Workplace Agenda gives workers a real confidence that Scottish Labour will deliver a better future for Scotland.

Also register your support or if you want to volunteer to help STULP in Scotland.

STULP is always looking for trade unionists to get involved in helping the Labour Party win elections. The best way to stay up to date with what STULP is doing is you area is to sign up for email updates.

If you do wish to volunteer some of your time to deliver leaflets or make some phone calls on behalf of you local Labour Party then fill out the volunteer form.

You may also wish to consider ordering some materials from STULP with which you can use to campaign with in your place of work.

Finally, you can help the campaign by emailing all your trade union colleagues and asking them to sign up to this site as well.

Further details can be found at the following sites:

Anne supporting Trades Union Campaigns at the TUC, meeting comrades from South Africa who spoke with her at a TUC fringe meeting - against abuse of workers by G4Security.