Communications

Keeping UNISON in the public eye

The branch magazine landed the top prize in UNISON’s communications awards last year, winning £600 for computer upgrades.

While UNISONNews has won awards before, this was the first time we had won the ‘best overall entry’ section.
This success is a tribute to the officers who take the time to come up with the information and the staff and stewards who make sure it is distributed.

In line with UNISON Scotland’s Serving Scotland campaign, we grouped our campaigning material last year under the banner of Serving Scotland’s Capital.
This has targeted the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), council funding and it relaunched the Partnership to Save Edinburgh’s Services paper at the beginning of January.

The campaign was initially geared to the Scottish Parliament elections, but now aims to keep UNISON’s fight for public services in the public eye, and well to the fore on the Parliament’s agenda.

We have also ensured that the branch responds to Parliamentary documents like the financing of local government and the plans to repeal ‘Section 28’.

Website

The branch website has won wide praise throughout the union. 10% of responses to the pay offer came via the web. People are using it to join and members to update their details. Popular areas are the ‘policy finder’ and the online branch magazine. The site is at: www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk.

We are also making more use of e-mail to contact members. It is easy, cheap and immediate and with the rapid changes in technology and the growing access to it, we have to make sure we keep up.

Media

Officers and activists take the branch media strategy very seriously because of its importance to getting our message across and to informing the public and our members.

That strategy consistently pays off. For example, the branch had major stories in the first two issues of the Evening News of the New Year.

While we struggled for media interest in the Revenue Benefits dispute, we did manage to get regular stories and, significantly, a ‘platform’ column outlining the workers’ case.

The other main issue was violence to staff, especially in residential units.
We need to do more to identify likely issues before they arise so that we can make sure UNISON’s view is reported.

We try consistently to focus on the effects of cuts and we need more personal stories to get this issue covered

Lay control

Internally, we have been campaigning for the retention of an elected Communication Committee at national level so that the union’s communications remain under lay control in partnership with the paid professionals.

Finally, thanks to the officers, stewards, members and the branch office staff for all their help throughout the year

John Stevenson
Communications Officer

Membership Services

Extra benefits of membership

The past 12 months has seen much work going on behind the scenes which will hopefully come to fruition during 2000.

Contacts have been made with organisations such as Britannia Building Society to ensure members are afforded packages which will really benefit them.

You can anticipate a regular flow of fliers and articles in the Branch Magazine detailing the offers available.
These will demonstrate the fringe benefits of union membership but our real focus in the next year must be on recruitment. The job losses of the past years are now having a direct effect on our membership figures as you will note elsewhere in the annual report.

The Branch will be seeking a direct input in council Induction Courses with a view to recruiting new employees and we will also be initiating target recruitment campaigns. There are many of your work colleagues who are getting the improvements won by the union but are still not members. You can help yourself and the Branch by recruiting those people (application forms from the Branch Office).

If you are aware of any "fringe benefits" that the branch should be pursuing please contact the Branch Office.

Tom McLeod/ Ken Scott
Recruitment/ Membership Services

Youth Officer

The year of 1999, has proved informative and valuable in developing the role of Branch Youth Officer.

It has seen the introduction of a National Minimum Wage for young people from the Government (not before time)! This was set at a ridiculously low level. A national rally was organised by UNISON and attended by thousands from throughout the UK.

This campaign continues as UNISON fights for a national living wage which provides for a decent standard of living and an acceptable level of pay for all.

In January 1999, I attended the Scottish Youth Forum in Stirling on behalf of this branch, and was joined by many young activists from throughout Scotland.

At this weekend we learnt of the National Minimum Wage, role of trade unions and employment Rights. I also attended workshops on the Scottish Parliament and Public Services. The Scottish Youth Forum elected the Scottish Young Members Committee on which I obtained a place, and also to represent this Committee on the International Committee.

In April the first ever national Young Members Conference took place at Keele University.
I was pleased to attend as a delegate. We had debates on drug issues, National Minimum Wage and many more.

June 1999 saw the 59th Annual STUC Conference and as Branch Youth Officer and member of the Scottish Young Members Committee, I attended. The Conference was also attended by MSP's from all parties and an open debate on Social Inclusion took place amongst many other topics.

In September 1999, young members attended the Homelands Dance Festival at Ingliston and were involved in fundraising for respective branches/committees - many more opportunities for youth involvement will come forward during 2000 ..look out!

During my first year as Youth Officer I have rapidly enhanced my skills in negotiations and knowledge in all areas of the trade union movement, and understanding the issues and needs of young members.

Through branch activities, allied to initiatives at Scottish and National level, Youth Officers and Committees are striving to ensure young members are fairly represented throughout UNISON, to inform them of their rights at work, ensuring Health & Safety responsibilities are met and that Conditions of Service are maintained or improved.

Cameron Day
Youth Officer