IT is “crucial” that the SNP send a message to voters that it is committed to a transformative vision of a fairer Scotland, trade unionists have said ahead of the party’s conference.
Representatives from the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) have produced special campaign leaflets for the conference, and Roz Foyer, the general secretary of the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress), has spoken out.
The RMT’s campaign focuses on urging the SNP government to act on a number of key transport issues, including reversing the decision to reintroduce peak fares on Scotrail services, ending the delay on issuing a ferry contract to Calmac, and firm action on a just transition.
Gordon Martin, the RMT’s Scottish organiser, will appear at a conference fringe event alongside Foyer and former MPs Tommy Sheppard, Chris Stephens, and Deidre Brock on Sunday.
Foyer said: “While it is a decision for SNP members to vote on their party policy, I’m encouraged by their trade union group taking the lead in ensuring the party of government seeks to adopt our progressive tax proposals.
“The powers are there. The Scottish Government has already shown, through the Scottish Child Payment and the new income tax band introduced last year, that our Parliament can make a positive difference to the lives of workers in Scotland.
“This must continue. We can raise up to £3.7 billion of additional revenue for the public coffers, building world-class public services and rewarding the fine public servants who uphold them. All we need to see is the political will to do so.”
The event on Sunday has been organised by the SNP Trade Union Group, the party’s largest affiliate body with some 11,000 members.
The group has also lodged a motion, which SNP delegates will discuss and vote on on Friday, calling on the Scottish Government to explore how it can maximise its use of tax powers within the devolved settlement.
Simon Barrow, the SNP Trade Union Group national secretary, told The National: “Alongside renewing internal governance, democracy and member-participation, it is crucial that the SNP sends out a message that it is listening to voters, and most especially trade unionists, in its political commitment to a transformative vision of a fairer, more equal and environmentally sustainable Scotland."
He went on: “Both we and our fellow trade unionists acknowledge that the Scottish Government has limited powers, and that the impact of Labour’s austerity path will add further to huge financial pressures. That is why we have to be strong and decisive.
“Giving local authorities more financial flexibility, reforming local government finance, and looking at realistic ideas for a wealth tax on the richest are also ways forward. But beyond that, the financial squeeze shows very clearly why Scotland needs the full powers of independence in its hands to make our nation a better, fairer place. No-one else will do that for us.”
The TUG’s tax motion will be seconded by the newly-elected depute leader of the SNP group on Edinburgh Council, Vicky Nicolson.
Other trade unions will also be present at the SNP conference. The EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union, also has a fringe event on the Sunday.
