SCOTTISH POLITICS

The second Scottish Political School took place in Edinburgh recently the second school since it was introduced last year. Proceedings began with RMT regional organiser Gordon Martin welcoming all and a round table introductions session to break the ice before getting down to the business. Dr Ewan Gibbs from the West of Scotland University addressed delegates and covered class politics and the history of the Labour movement in Scotland. He covered many aspects of the class struggle and touched upon some of the leading characters involved such as Lanarkshire- born James Keir Hardie who rose from very humble beginnings to become one of Scotland’s most notable politicians and the first leader of the Labour Party. Our second guest speaker was long-time RMT member and former STUC assistant general secretary Ann Henderson. Ann led off on the political challenges and opportunities for trade unionists in Scotland including re- nationalising the railway and the Scottish Government’s Fair Work Framework. Ann also spoke about universal suffrage with particular emphasis made to the campaigning by the suffragettes for the right of women to vote. We learned more about Mary Barbour and the rent strikes she led in Glasgow during World War One. Day two began with a discussion about how to campaign successfully on issues of importance to the union. The group identified companies where the political decisions are made by the Scottish government and others controlled by Westminster. We split into groups and explored the key benefits of in-house employment and discussed strategies and tactics to secure campaign objectives. We then headed down to the Scottish Parliament to be met by RMT Parliamentary group convenor Elaine Smith MSP assistant Lesley Dobbin. Lesley and her colleague Suzi gave us a presentation on the workings of the Scottish Parliament and some of the excellent work our cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament does. Eight MSPs from our group came and spoke to us with the Labour Party, Greens and SNP all represented. The MSPs covered a wide variety of issues including transport with Jackie Bailey paying particular attention to an ongoing anti- social behaviour problem in her constituency and the involvement of the British Transport Police. One of the delegates, Dennis Fallen from Glasgow 5 branch made reference to the fact that school children in Sweden are educated on the role of trade unions from an early age. Clare Haughey MSP found this interesting and said that she would look into it further. The final day was spent in the Parliament for a tour by Lesley Dobbin which was educational with Lesley’s knowledge second to none. We then took our seats in the public gallery for First Minister’s Questions. Following FMQs we had a brief meeting with the First Minister and took the opportunity to have a group photo with her. Despite the brevity of the meeting Gordon Martin took the opportunity to challenge the First Minister on the weakness of the Fair Work Framework and the decision to put Northlink Ferries out to a tendering process rather than a direct award to the in-house operator David Macbrayne. This was followed by a meeting with Richard Leonard MSP, leader of the Labour Party in Scotland. We covered a number of political issues with Richard who was very generous with his time. The delegates were very impressed with the fact that we were able to meet the leaders of three of the political parties in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon SNP, Richard Leonard Labour and Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Green Party. It only remains for me on behalf of the delegates who attended the political school to thank Lesley and Suzi for their hospitality and attention to detail and James Croy and Gordon Martin for organising and delivering this fantastic course. Delegates were Mandy Burke and Dennis Fallen of Glasgow 5 branch, Alistair MacArthur of Glasgow Shipping branch, Gary Pollock Stirling branch and Kenny Barclay, John Marshall, Mick Campbell, Gary Buchanan of Edinburgh no 1 and Portobello branch and Andy Ritchie, Fife and District. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2018 :: RMTnews 9 SCOTTISH POLITICS Delegate Gary Buchanan reports from the latest RMT Scottish Political School Political school with Richard Leonard Political school with Nicola Sturgeon Political school with Elaine Smith