• Join UCATT
• Login
• Register

News Archive

Regions

UCATT Welcomes Scottish Parliament’s Decision To Legislate On Pleural Plaques

Construction union UCATT have welcomed the confirmation from the Scottish Parliament that they will bring forward a Bill to allow victims of pleural plaques the right to receive compensation. The Bill is titled the Scottish Government Damages (asbestos- related conditions) Scotland Bill –

Harry Frew UCATT Scotland Regional Secretary, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has moved to overturn the ridiculous decision taken by the Law Lords. The Bill will once again allow workers to be compensated in the event of suffering from pleural plaques. We hope that all members of the Scottish Parliament support the Bill and it becomes law as soon as possible. 

Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Victims have a far higher likelihood of contracting the fatal lung cancer mesothelioma. Pleural plaque victims suffer both physical and mental trauma due to their injuries.

Mr Frew added: “Workers diagnosed with pleural plaques suffer the mental anguish of knowing that they have been given a potential death sentence.  We can only hope that the UK Government implements similar legislation to rewrite the disgraceful decision of the Law Lords.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

Industrial Action Suspended In Gesture Of Good Faith

The trade unions (UCATT, Unite and GMB) involved in the Scottish local government craft workers dispute have agreed to suspend further strike action for a four week period, in a gesture of good faith.

The unions agreed to call off strike action in the dispute - over long hours - planned for Monday June 16 and Monday June 30 after the councils involved indicated that they were prepared in principle to reduce the hours of the working week.

A 24 hour strike had already taken place on Monday June 2 in the 11 local authorities which had failed to reduce the working week for craft workers (carpenters, bricklayers, painters, labourers, electricians and plumbers) to 37 hours in line with the majority of local authorities in Scotland.

Harry Frew the secretary of the joint union side and Scottish regional secretary of construction union UCATT, said: “In an act of good faith the joint unions have agreed to suspend planned strike action. We will now be holding negotiations with each local authority in order to make progress in reducing the hours our members are expected to work.”

The 11 local authorities involved are: Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling. The dispute also involves workers employed in ALMO’s at Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235 or Harry Frew on 0789 4414612

Harry Frew is available for interview

Trade Unions To Consult Activists On Last Stage In Scottish Local Government Dispute

Representatives from the joint trade unions met local government representatives today (June 11) in Edinburgh for fresh talks in a bid to resolve the local government dispute, involving craft workers.

The dispute involves carpenters, bricklayers, painters, electricians, gas fitters and plumbers and has been caused by the failure of 11 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to reduce the working week to 37 hours.

Both sides agreed a form of wording, which could possibly lead to the end of the dispute or a suspension of strike action. The joint unions (UCATT, Unite and the GMB) will now hold meetings on Thursday and Friday this week with their shop stewards/strike committees. The unions will then make a joint decision whether to suspend the next 24-hour strike planned for Monday 16 June.

Following the meeting Harry Frew, the joint union secretary and the UCATT regional secretary for Scotland said: “Some progress was made at today’s meetings. However the union side were disappointed that the councils involved did not set a deadline about when the dispute about the 37 hour week could be resolved.”

The unions will issue a fresh joint statement on Friday morning.

The 11 local authorities involved Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, , Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling. The dispute also involves workers employed in ALMO’s at Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

The first 24 hour stoppage took place on Monday June 2. Further strikes have been scheduled for every second Monday until the dispute is resolved.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235 or Harry Frew on 0789 4414612

Harry Frew is available for interview

Unions Win Better Pay For Scottish Local Government Craft Workers But Long Hours Culture Must End

Unions representing Scottish local government craft workers, led by construction union UCATT, have claimed victory in the first round of their battle to win improved pay and conditions for their members.

Following the first successful strike action last Monday (June 2) the unions UCATT, UNITE and the GMB today met with the employers side COSLA, to discuss how further strike action can be averted.

The employers agreed to improve the 2007 pay offer and increased the pay increase to 2.5 per cent for local government craft workers (carpenters, bricklayers, painters, labourers, electricians and plumbers) in line with all other local government workers in Scotland.

While the agreement on pay has been welcomed by the unions, the dispute will continue with workers striking for 24 hour every second Monday (the next strike is set for June 16) in councils which do not implement a 37 hour week for craft workers.

Currently 13 out of 32 Scottish local authorities insist that craft workers, work in excess of 37 hours. Noting the seriousness of the situation COSLA has stepped in and requested that the councils involved meet the unions next week, to hammer out a deal.

Unions will continue to hold 24 hour stoppages every fortnight in councils that fail to reduce the working week to 37 hours.

Harry Frew, regional secretary of UCATT’s Scottish region and the secretary of the Unions Joint Negotiating Committee, said: “Time is of the essence. The ball is firmly in the councils court if they wish to resolve the industrial action before the next strike action on June 16.”

The 13 local authorities which have a working week in excess of 37 hours and where strike action took place on Monday June 2 are: Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Stirling.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

Harry Frew is available for interview