Branch sets up phone buddy system

The Branch Committee has set up a system of Unite Phone Buddies. This is self-help organisation where Branch members offer to telephone other members in their locality to check how they are coping during the health emergency.
We have nearly 2,400 telephone contact details for our members. These have been sorted on a postcode basis to group them into localities.

PLEASE NOTE we are offering to assist by making phone calls and emailing - WE ARE NOT offering to visit people.
We would now like our members - who are able to - to sign up as Unite Phone Buddies. You can do so by clicking here.
We have developed a script which can be used by the Branch Buddies and you can get a copy by clicking here.
Those members that sign up to become UNITE Phone Buddies will be emailed an individual list of members in their area (as far as possible) to contact by phone.

DOWNLOAD ZOOM: The branch committee is recommending that Branch members download ZOOM – client based – so that we can set up online meetings.  To download ZOOM click here.

Mick Rice, Branch Secretary

Unite launches coronavirus crisis helpline for vulnerable members

Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union launched a helpline and volunteer care service for its vulnerable members during the coronavirus crisis.
All Unite members throughout the UK can call the helpline number 0330 1072351. The helpline is fully staffed between 08:00 until 19:00 Monday to Friday with an overflow service at other hours.
The helpline is for vulnerable Unite members to call. A Unite volunteer will then be assigned to assist with picking up shopping, posting mail, collecting urgent supplies such as prescriptions or simply talking to someone who is experiencing loneliness.

Click here for further details.

Mobirise

Unite’s Holocaust Memorial Day film

Seventy five years after the liberation of Auschwitz, Unite has released a powerful short film with members who were recently part of a delegation of trade unionists and others to visit the former concentration camp in Poland.
In the film, which has been produced to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, Unite members talk frankly and emotionally about their feelings and reactions to what they saw and heard at the largest of the Nazi camps.
Click here to view the film
There is a Unite Against Fascism Holocaust Memorial Meeting in the Unite Glasgow Office at 7pm on Tuesday 28 January.

Branch update

At the first meeting of the Branch in 2020, the Branch agreed a motion in favour of supporting a second referendum on the question of Scottish Independence. The motion will be sent to the usual channels within Unite Scotland asking for this to be adopted as Unite policy. It must be emphasised that the motion takes no position on whether or not Scotland should be independent, only that the Branch supports a second referendum.
Another proposal that was discussed was the setting up of a Branch Walking Club and two Branch members were tasked with taking this forward. More details when we get them.
The Treasurer presented an advance copy of the annual accounts. It would be helpful, if members were willing to write to their previous Branch asking them if they are in a position to make a donation to our Branch funds. A draft letter can be downloaded from here

Lobby of Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Pensioners Forum organised a lobby of the Scottish Parliament to mark the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UN IDOP). The lobby took place on Tuesday 1st October and Branch members were among those attending.
The objectives of the 2019 UN IDOP are:
⁕ To help draw attention to the existence of old age inequality, and how this often results from a cumulation of disadvantages throughout life -and highlight intergenerational risk of increased old age inequality.
⁕ To bring awareness to the urgency of coping with existing and preventing future old age inequality.
⁕ To explore societal and structural changes in view of life course policies: life-long learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, social protection and universal health coverage.
⁕ To reflect on best practice, lessons and progress on the journey to ending older age inequality and changing negative narratives and stereotypes involving “older age”.

For more pictures click here

Mobirise

Strike for the Climate

The global school student strikes over climate change and the actions by Exctinction Rebellion have inspired millions of people. On Friday September 20th, school students walked out in another global day of action, and asked others to join them.
There was growing TU movement support for the 20 September Climate strike and the Glasgow Demonstration – including the TUC, the STUC , all the major unions including UNITE, Glasgow Trades Council and many local union branches.
Our new banner was on the demonstration (pictures supplied by Irene Graham)

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Jimmy Friel: Presentation of Unite Scotland Gold Badge

Branch member Jimmy Friel was presented with the first Unite Scotland Gold badge in recognition of his outstanding service to the union over many years. The presentation was made following the Branch meeting on 2nd May. Click here to see pictures of the presentation.

Shrewsbury 24 Campaign

Terry Renshaw of The Shrewsbury 24 Campaign was the invited guest speaker at the April meeting of the Branch.
Terry outlined the history of the campaign to overturn the unjust prosecutions of 24 building workers following the first national building workers strike in 1972. The workers, all UCATT members, were arrested and charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly and causing affray, apparently just for organising and forming picket lines at a McAlpine construction site. At subsequent trials held in December 1973, January 1974 and February 1974, 6 workers were sent to jail whilst others received suspended sentences. The Shrewsbury 24 have since campaigned for their cases to be referred to the Court of Appeal and hopefully, to have these miscarriages of justice overturned. Such a Court action might incur significant costs, currently estimated to be in the region of £150,000. Unite the Union has pledged to underwrite a substantial portion of the costs, with the remainder being dependent on donations.
Branch Chair Jake McLeod thanked Terry for his presentation. In addition to the Branch affiliating to the campaign, a collection from the 35 members present raised the sum of £273.00 by way of a donation.

Campaign to save
Inchgreen Dry Dock

Peel Ports are vandalising the facilities at Inchgreen Dry Dock purchased in

2002 from Clydeport. They blew up the cranes in July 2017 claiming it was
too costly to service and maintain. No investment has been made in the
facility since 2002 and rumour is they want to infill the dock and sell the land
for housing. The Dry Dock is the second largest in the UK and a major asset
for Inverclyde and the west coast.
 Who are Peel Ports?
The Peel Group is constructed like a Russian Doll, a company within a
company within a company and so on that produces hundreds of
companies.
The holding companies are registered in Tax havens, the Isle of Man and the
Cayman Islands.

Facebook page: click here and 38 Degrees page: click here

Click here for further details of the campaign and click here for a 200+ page report on the Peel Group.

Unite Scotland social media update

Jake McLeod - Chair of the Glasgow Retired Members sat down to tell us about retired members activities; including their song club, and their role in assisting other campaigns.

Steve Turner - Assistant General Secretary. Steve Turner came visit our retired members in Scotland, and to find out more about what they are doing. 

Follow Unite Scotland on Social Media

There are a number of other comments, events and images we have shared with our followers on our social media streams you can find on our streams below.
Twitter: @UniteScotland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniteScotland/
Instagram: @uniteunionscotland
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/UniteScotland

Branch update

♦ David Paterson was elected as Education Officer.

♦ The Branch agreed to support the demonstration at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27th September at 10.45am to mark United Nations Older People's Day. The Scottish Pensioners Forum is calling on the Scottish Governmment and MSPs to recognise the contribution and dedication that older people have made, and continue to make, to help safeguard welfare rights during the past 70 years, both in policy making, campaigning and in wider society as a whole.

♦ A number of Branch members will be visiting the Forth Valley Retired Memebrs Branch on 17th September.

♦ The Branch's Xmas Lunch will beheld on Thursday 6th December at 12.30pm. Further details and tickets at the October Branch meeting.

Unite Retired Members Newsletter

The latest editon of teh Unite REtired Members Plus Newsletter can be downloaded here.
Topics covered include: Residential Education Course; Social media as a valuable campaigning tool; the abortive plot by the Rees-Mogg Brexiteers to ditch the Prime Minister; In Britain’s boardrooms, Brexit is already here. And the warning is stark;  Labour Party Liverpool Conference Report 2018;  and Report of the URM Campaign Team (October 30th) and National Meeting Held on October 31st 2018.

UN Day of Older Persons

Branch members were prominent among those demonstrating at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27th September to celebrate the United Nations Day of Older Pesons. The gathering was addressed by a number of speakers including MSPs and our own Branch Treasurer Maureen Gardner who is also a stalwart of the Scottish Pensioners Forum.
On Saturday 6th October, the Branch organised a stall in Buchanan Street and leafleted passers-by and encouraged them to sign our petition calling for the retention of the free TV licence for those over 75.
Click here for photos and video.

Unite Retired Members Newsletter

The latest editon of teh Unite REtired Members Plus Newsletter can be downloaded here.
Topics covered include: Residential Education Course; Social media as a valuable campaigning tool; the abortive plot by the Rees-Mogg Brexiteers to ditch the Prime Minister; In Britain’s boardrooms, Brexit is already here. And the warning is stark;  Labour Party Liverpool Conference Report 2018;  and Report of the URM Campaign Team (October 30th) and National Meeting Held on October 31st 2018.

TV Licence demo:
1st February

The Scottish Pensioners Forum organised a demonstration to protest against the proposed withdrawal of the free TV licence for those aged over 75. The demonstration took place at 11.00am on Friday 1st February at the BBC Scottish Headquarters at Pacific Quay.
Photos of the demo can be viewed here and the words of a song written by the Branch's own singer/songwriter (and Treasurer) Maureen Gardner can be downloaded here.

UN Anti-Racism Day Demonstration: 16th March

The growth of the far right in the last year—from openly anti-Semitic parties in government in Poland and Hungary, fascists in the German parliament and the Austrian government, to Trump in the White House and Bolsonaro in Brazil—underlines the urgency of the task facing us all to build a broad based movement against racism and fascism in Britain.
We urge you to support the call from Stand Up To Racism—a coalition of civic organisations, refugee and migrant communities, as well as trade unions, political organisations and individuals—to join the day of international protests around UN Anti Racism Day on 16 March in Glasgow - assemble George Square, Glasgow, 11am.
The demonstraion is backed by a number of organisations including Unite Scotland, Glasgow Unite Area Activist Committee, Glasgow & West Of Scotland Unite Retired Members Branch, and Glasgow Unite Community Branch. 
Further details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2242706462615178/
Download leaflet here

Mobirise

Shrewsbury 24 Campaign

Terry Renshaw of The Shrewsbury 24 Campaign was the invited guest speaker at the April meeting of the Branch.
Terry outlined the history of the campaign to overturn the unjust prosecutions of 24 building workers following the first national building workers strike in 1972. The workers, all UCATT members, were arrested and charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly and causing affray, apparently just for organising and forming picket lines at a McAlpine construction site. At subsequent trials held in December 1973, January 1974 and February 1974, 6 workers were sent to jail whilst others received suspended sentences. The Shrewsbury 24 have since campaigned for their cases to be referred to the Court of Appeal and hopefully, to have these miscarriages of justice overturned. Such a Court action might incur significant costs, currently estimated to be in the region of £150,000. Unite the Union has pledged to underwrite a substantial portion of the costs, with the remainder being dependent on donations.
Branch Chair Jake McLeod thanked Terry for his presentation. In addition to the Branch affiliating to the campaign, a collection from the 35 members present raised the sum of £273.00 by way of a donation.

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