REPORT FROM SCOTLAND

www.rmt.org.uk :: october 2007 :: RMTnews 9 T he new Scottish Parliament session began in early September, with the First Minister Alex Salmond unveiling the legislative programme for the coming year. The Scottish National Party has formed a minority administration, with some support from the two Green party MSPs. The proposals for new legislation are fairly cautious, as agreement will be needed from other parties to for anything to go forward. Some announcements were welcomed, such as the proposal for new legislation on Rape and Sexual Offences, taking forward recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission, with the intent of tackling the very low conviction rates. Over the summer, the new administration has sought to honour election promises and to reassure local communities of continuing service provision, reviewing hospital and school closures. However, the Scottish budget for the forthcoming financial year cannot be fully considered until December 2007, when the Westminster government make the Comprehensive spending Review announcement which includes the allocation for Scotland (delayed from summer 2006), so decisions on policy priorities will not be clear until later in the year. Following a vote in the Scottish Parliament in June, where a majority view was expressed against the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons in Scotland, the government has convened a forum later in the autumn to discuss this further with campaigning groups and wider civic society. On transport policy, there has been no significant change yet from the framework agreed under the previous government, to which RMT and the STUC had strong input. New rail projects are continuing, with work starting on the Airdrie to Bathgate line, and on the Glasgow Airport link. The proposals for heavy rail link to Edinburgh airport will however be subject to further financial scrutiny, with costs are already predicted to be well over £600million, and may not go ahead. Despite strong pre-election statements opposing the tendering process for the Hebrides and Western Isles ferry services (Cal Mac), the new SNP government have taken the view that there is no alternative but to continue with it. The new Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson MSP has made absolutely clear that the tendering process for the Hebrides and Western Isles ferries will be completed by October 1, arguing that this is the best option for the running of these lifeline services. RMT will continue to be putting the case for an exemption of such services, highlighting the cost of the process at over £17 million, public money that could have been far better spent elsewhere. An early meeting with the Minister is being sought by the transport affiliates to the STUC. Another SNP pledge was the abolition of road tolls on the Forth and Tay Bridges, and consultation on that is now at the Transport committee stage. In giving evidence, the STUC has raised concerns about the job losses amongst the toll booth staff, but also took the opportunity to argue for any new replacement crossing for the Forth to be multi-modal, encouraging further infrastructure commitment to public transport rather than promoting private car use. Following on from the guilty verdict in the case against ICL Plastics and ICL Tech Limited, relating to the explosion in 2004 at Stockline plastics factory in Glasgow in which nine workers lost their lives and many were seriously injured, Karen Gillon MSP has called for tighter legislation on corporate killing. Her Member’s Bill was supported by the STUC last session, and is likely to be resubmitted. Although Health and Safety legislation is primarily reserved to the Wetminster government, there is a strong feeling that the new laws do not go far enough, and the trade union movement in Scotland, including RMT, is working with the Karen Gillon MSP to hold bosses and businesses accountable, using whatever powers exist under devolved government. RMT is seeking to re- establish a Parliamentary Group at Holyrood to allow us to continue to work closely with MSPs, bringing policy concerns of RMT members into the wider political arena. There are considerable changes in Holyrood, with nearly a third of the MSPs being elected for the first time, and many others not returned. The union will be writing out to MSPs, and will also continue to work with the STUC in its discussions with the new Scottish government. Ann Henderson RMT Scottish Parliamentary Officer Parliamentary column REPORT FROM SCOTLAND