THE Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has called on new SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and his colleagues to “reaffirm their support for Scotland’s trade union movement”.
This comes as teachers from two trade unions begin strike action across Scotland on Wednesday.
In a letter shared exclusively with The National, STUC general secretary Roz Foyer congratulated Flynn on his new position and called on his support against “an increasingly damaging Tory UK government”.
It read: “Throughout the year, the STUC has been campaigning for increased support for workers across Scotland to receive the urgent humanitarian assistance needed during the cost-of-living emergency.
“The UK Government has abjectly failed in their response. In the lead up to the Scottish Government budget, we need the SNP Scottish government to choose a different path.”
Last month, RMT members of the publicly owned ScotRail accepted a new pay offer although passengers will still face disruption due to an ongoing dispute with the RMT and Network Rail.
A record pay rise was also put to nurses, leading them to call off the planned industrial action.
However, civil servants have been balloted for strike action and teachers have planned 16-days of strike action for early 2023.
The letter also discussed the STUC’s new paper Fairer Taxes for a Fairer Future, which sets out exactly what they want the Scottish Government to do.
This includes radically reforming tax thresholds as a means of raising £1.3 billion by introducing wealth taxes.
“By April 2026, this could rise to £3.3bn by introducing wealth taxes, replacing the council tax and other costed measures.
“We are seeking your support and the support of the Westminster SNP group in advocating to the Scottish Government our proposals to properly fund our public services.”
Teachers have asked for a 10% pay rise which the Scottish Government has insisted is not affordable.
It said the latest pay offer would mean teachers on the lowest wages receives a 6.85% rise, with others getting 5%.
Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said strike action is in “no-one’s interest”.
Foyer added: “Scotland can – and should – build a fairer, more equal society where wealth and resources are shared.
“Our paper sets out, in detail, how the Scottish Government can transform our economy to benefit working people, not the top 1% or the pandemic profiteers.
“We hope you can make clear to Scottish Government ministers your support for Scotland’s trade union movement and would be glad to meet with you to discuss our prospectus.”
Responding to the letter, Flynn said he was “proud to support the trade union movement” and that he “looked forward to working with the STUC”.
He said: "I have written to the STUC to thank them for their kind letter, and for all the brilliant work they do standing up for the rights of workers across Scotland and the world.
"I look forward to meeting Roz Foyer, and working with the STUC, as we defend workers’ rights against Tory attacks and hold the Westminster government to account.
"Despite the damage Westminster cuts, Brexit and the Tory cost of living crisis have done to Scotland's budget, the SNP Scottish Government is doing everything it can to protect the pay of public sector workers and deliver progressive policies like the Scottish Child Payment.
"I am proud to support the trade union movement, and will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government and STUC to ensure the best outcomes in Scotland, and at Westminster, in these challenging times.
"I also look forward to working together on our shared belief that, wherever you stand on the question of independence, Scotland's future must be in Scotland's hands."
