Unite CEC Branch – Unite CEC Branch

International Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January

27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Holocaust Memorial Day encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide. the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides such as those in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

HMD is a time for collective reflection and learning about genocide and persecution across the globe. It is a time to vow that never again shall the world see the evils of fascism.

Learn about Holocaust Memorial Day.
See how the Council is marking Holocaust Memorial Day on Newsbeat.

Reducing COVID risks in schools

We continue to see a high number of COVID cases in schools and this is likely to increase in the near future as we approach the peak of the omicron wave.

Staff in schools should be aware of the current Scottish Government guidance for schools. Contact us if you have any concerns whatsoever.

Shirley-Ann Sommerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, wrote to the trade unions on these, with the main points

Pay award agreed!

Unite, Unison and GMB have now all voted to accept the latest pay offer from COSLA.

Details of the pay award are on The Orb. Staff without IT access will get information in their pay slips and an email, if you signed up for employee comms. A summary is below.

Budget rally on 8 December—fund local government!

On Wednesday 8th December we will join the STUC Budget Rally as part of our campaign for investment in public services and public sector pay. Plans for the Scottish Budget will be announced the following day in the Scottish Parliament. It is critical this budget delivers for all public sector workers, especially in historically underfunded sectors including local government.

The rally will increase the pressure on Scottish Government and call for all political parties to support increased funding for the public sector. We would encourage all affiliates to attend to show our determination to fight for key workers across the public sector who have carried Scotland through the Covid-19 pandemic and are now facing wage cuts, rising prices and job losses. All MSPs and local government Councillors will be invited to attend to support the rally.

STUC BUDGET RALLY
Key Workers, Key Services – the Key to Recovery
Wednesday 8th December 2021
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Assemble 11:30
Rally with speakers 12:00

HAVS crisis in Parks and Greenspaces

Essential guidance for those working with vibrating machinery

Photo by isi martínez on Unsplash

Around 20% of ground maintenance staff in the Council suffer from symptoms related to HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome). Your branch is looking into this concerning figure and trying to understand how big an issue HAVS is in the workforce.

Complete our HAVS survey

Read on for useful information if you work with vibrating machinery.

Issues with HAVS in Parks and Greenspaces

Members have raised concerns that

Working in social care

Issues with HAVS in Parks and Greenspaces