Scotland

As you will be aware staff testing has been rolled out across the whole estate and available in each prison for those who wish to volunteer to be tested.

A subgroup has been set up from the NCRG with a view to looking back over the past year and more to establish what has been learned, and what opportunities that may offer up to change how we do some of what we have traditionally delivered, and what the future may start to look like as we go forward.

Following a workplace ballot on the NHS pay offer to our membership in the State Hospital we can confirm that our members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the pay offer.

Further to circular 16/21, we are pleased to report that we have some new Union Learning Representatives who will be participating in the STUC ULR course soon.  We are reinvigorating Union Learning within the POAS and recently met with STUC to investigate what support and resources are available for union officials to access training to support their membership. 

As mentioned in our last general update we are keen to continue this communication source, so we hope the following is helpful.

Following the issue of Circulars 09/21 & 14/21 relating to the election of Scottish National Committee Member, I can confirm that Mark Meikle, having received support from the branches listed below, is the sole nominee for the post.

As you will be aware, we have been trying to ensure each branch has an active Union Learning Representative (ULR) for some time, whilst we have been able to get some in place, we still have a void in many branches, which we hope to fill. 

Surely, this time, better days lie ahead

You may be aware of SPS NTS 17/21 which was issued by SPS outlining the provision for staff who have been required to shield through various points throughout the COVID pandemic, to have any leave lost during those periods reinstated.

Over the past week Scotland’s health trade unions been in formal pay negotiations for Agenda for Change staff with the Scottish Government and NHS employers.