General Council Meetings - The STUC

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58 the problems and anomalies there. In addition, it discussed with the Minister issues in other health areas, such as hearing tests, foot care, housing and central heating, or the lack of it. The Forum has also met with other MSPs: Keith Brown, Bob Doris, Wendy Alexander, and George Foulkes. In January 2008, the Forum met with Peter Hain MP, then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and Mike O’Brien MP, Minister of State for Pensions Reform. A meeting date with Des Browne MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, is yet to be confirmed. Several Forum members attended a Lobby at Westminster and took the opportunity to speak with various MPs. The Forum is beginning to develop a new Pensions Campaign, in the centenary year of the State Pension, based on our “Robin’ the Pensioner” initiative, and will be bringing this Campaign to Congress. The Forum is also involved in intergenerational work with both the STUC and Unions into Schools, and the newly formed Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice. The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum has had an information stall, or presence, at various Conferences, including the STUC Women’s Conference, and members of the Executive Committee attended many events, always taking the opportunity to promote the Forum. The Forum continues to be represented on the Scottish Executive Older People’s Consultative Forum; Cross Party Group on Older People; Age Concern Assembly; SCVO Policy Committee and the Scottish Helpline for Older People (SHOP) Consortium. The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum would wish to record its thanks to all affiliates for their continued support. Promoting Equality and Social Justice The General Council continues to pursue its equality and social justice agenda by engaging with a number of organisations, responding to government consultations, and articulating agreed STUC policy at many levels. The General Council also provides support and information to affiliates on equalities and social justice matters. The Secretariat gave evidence at the Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee meeting on 27 November 2007, highlighting issues of workplace discrimination, barriers to equality and the need to enforce existing equality legislation. The STUC held a most informative and well attended Conference on all three Equality Duties: Race, Gender and Disability, on Wednesday 29 August 2007. The Conference heard presentations from the Legal Officers of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, on the General and Specific Duties for the Race, Disability and Gender Duties. The Policy Officers of the Commissions led delegates in discussions on case studies and the practical application of the Duties. The Close the Gap project provided invaluable input into the Conference, presenting on its guidance on meeting the equal pay requirements of the Gender Duty. The afternoon of Conference incorporated a presentation from Rosemarie McIlwhan on the role and activity of the incoming Commission for Equality and Human Rights. In early 2008, the General Council agreed to work with the Runnymede Trust to enable them to facilitate antidiscrimination training at the STUC Centre for trade unionists and members of non-governmental organisations. The two day seminar is planned for 8–9 April 2008. The General Council submitted a response to the UK Government’s Consultation on the Discrimination Law Green Paper in September 2007, expressing concerns at the current proposals and our desire to see a harmonising up of equality laws. A response was also submitted to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland on its Equality and Diversity Strategy in March 2008. The Secretariat has participated in meetings of the reconvened Cross Party Group on Human Rights & Civil Liberties. ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEW EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION The STUC has participated in a number Scottish events, assisting to shape the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The General Council was pleased to welcome Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission, to its Annual Congress in 2007, and has engaged with the Scotland Commissioner, Morag Alexander, since her appointment last Spring. The Secretariat has held a number of meetings with officials of the EHRC, including a meeting with the Scotland Director, Ros Micklem, to articulate issues for trade unions. The General Council participated in an EHRC stakeholder event in February 2008, which gave the STUC an opportunity to input into the development of the Commission’s strategy and priorities, and in its Single Equality Scheme. SOLIDARITY WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES The General Council continues to monitor asylum and immigration policy, and work with organisations providing support and solidarity to asylum seekers, including the Scottish Refugee Council, Positive Action in Housing and New Roots Scotland. The STUC was particularly pleased to welcome the Independent Asylum Commission to Scotland on 5 June 2007, where UNISON and EIS members gave evidence. The Secretariat welcomed all participants to the STUC during a special Asylum Commission Roadshow event which followed the official proceedings. The STUC gave a written submission to the Independent Asylum Commission in November 2007. SCOTTISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS
LIAISON WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES The General Council was pleased to welcome Morag Mylne, Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council, to its Strategy Meeting in June 2007, where informative discussion was had on a range of issues. Regular liaison continues to take place between the General Council and the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCJC). The STUC hosted a meeting on 29 January 2008, where a number of issues, including anti Semitic incidents and the situation in the Middle East, were discussed. It is hoped to arrange a further meeting following Congress, which can focus on issues for Jewish workers in Scotland. The Secretariat continues to liaise with representatives of the Muslim Council of Scotland, and the General Secretary addressed a Muslim Council of Scotland Conference “Weaving the Tartan” in East Renfrewshire in August 2007. Osama Saeed of the Muslim Council of GENERAL COUNCIL REPORT 2008 Scotland held useful discussions with the Black Workers’ Network in March 2008. JUSTICE AND PEACE The General Council has an ongoing liaison with the peace movement in Scotland, working with Scottish CND, Scotland’s for Peace and Stop the War Coalition. The STUC has been securing signatures to the Scotland’s For Peace “Peace Covenant” book which pledges that: “We desire that Scotland should be known for its contribution to peace and justice rather than waging war”. The General Council would urge all delegates to Congress to sign up to the Peace Covenant. STUC President, Phil McGarry, addressed the Scotland’s for Peace Demonstration in Edinburgh on 3 November 2007, and the STUC supported the 15 March 2008 “World Against War” demonstration in Glasgow, which marked the fifth anniversary of the illegal invasion of Iraq. Linda Shanahan addressed participants of the rally in Glasgow Green on behalf of the General Council. 59
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General Council Report 2008 Introdu
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Chapter One Trade Union Organisatio
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Page 71 and 72: Appendix Obituary Graham Arbuckle R
Page 73: 1989 Ronnie Webster (Aberdeen Trade
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General Council Meetings - The STUC

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