WIREDGOV

£100,000 to support the STUC on ‘Leap Day of Action’.

The value of trade unions in a modern Scotland has been underlined by additional funding of £100,000 to help the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) promote equality.

The funding for 2016/17 will be used to support a number of innovative projects aimed at boosting the leadership and equality capacity across unions and builds on the successful work supported by funding announced for this year.

The original investment stemmed from the recommendations of the Working Together Review and fits the Scottish Government’s ambitions to support a modernised trade union movement.

The announcement comes on the STUC’s ‘Leap Day of Action’ which is aimed at encouraging union and employer engagement in the workplace. The Scottish Government is supporting and taking part in the programme of activity.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham made the announcement while visiting Michelin’s Dundee plant. She said:

“Trade Unions are key social partners that have an important role to play with employees and their employers, an essential component when developing more equal, fairer and productive work places.

“Despite this, the Westminster government still want to dismantle such good relations with their deeply unfair Trade Union Bill, something which we will continue to work with the STUC and many others to oppose.

“With that in mind I am very pleased to able to extend funding for the STUC’s work on equality and leadership into 2016/17, which will help them move forward with key actions from last year’s Working Together Review.

“I fully support today’s Leap Day of Action’ and wish the STUC well as they raise awareness of the possible effects of Westminster’s regressive Bill and the wide range of positive work that trade unions help employees and businesses with in Scotland.”

STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith added:

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government continues to recognised the role unions play in promoting equality and the importance of effective union leadership. This funding will with further strengthen our capacity to work more effectively with employers in creating fairer, more inclusive and more innovative workplaces.”