UNISON's 'Public Works' campaign - we all need to
do our bit to defend public service jobs and services
Click here to
tell us why public services are important to you.
UNISON
Scotland has launched its 'Public Works' campaign
with the message that public service cuts will increase
costs for ordinary families and will delay economic
recovery.
'Public Works' is the Scottish arm of the union's
'Million Voices for Change' campaign. As a branch
we need to play our part in getting the message over.
UNISON has warned that the headlong rush to cut and
privatise public services will lead to delays in coming
out of recession It has produced a leaflet demonstrating
the importance of public services to everyone's lives
and pointing to the huge costs that would fall on
people if public services were not available.
John Stevenson, Branch President, said "'A day
in the life...' follows an average woman through
her day and points out our dependence on public services
- from water and sewerage, through environmental health
and refuse collection, to education and health care.
"It points out that all of us rely on public
services, not just the most vulnerable, for whom they
can be a lifeline."
What can you do?
Agnes Petkevicus, Branch Secretary added, "We are
keen to involve members in this campaign. After all
we are both the front-line providers of public services
and the users of public services. Who knows their
importance and their value better that us?"
"We are asking you all to sign up individually to
the "Million Voices" campaign at national level. We
would also like you to tell us what you do in your
job and why it is important. And tell us your own
experiences of using public services - how they have
supported you and your families."
Why public services are so important
Affordable and value for money
lead negotiator Kevin Duguid warned, "We need to
get across the message that if these services are
cut back or privatised the increased costs of paying
for them individually can only increase the cost burden
on hard-pressed families.
"We estimate the average household gets more
than £10,000 a year in benefits and public services.
Public delivery provides value for money through economies
of scale and stopping shareholders taking profits
out of the pot.
"A year's domestic waste collection sourced
privately would cost around £2,500, and the average
cost of a year's education outside the public sector
in Scotland is around £8,200."
Important for the economy
Service conditions convener John Ross said "But it
is not just that public services are essential for
all of us. They also play a key part in the economic
well-being of our communities. Cuts in public sector
jobs, pay and pensions will only lead to less money
being spent to stimulate the economy, and if public
services were cut they would order and contract less
with the private sector.
"Far from being the drain on the economy argued by
those who created the economic crisis, the public
sector contracts for supplies and services from the
private sector - especially important when private
industry faces reduced order books.
A just and fairer society
"In addition money spent in the economy by public
service staff will not be there if we accept the advice
of the right wing think tanks to cut jobs, pay and
pensions. Now is the time to build a fairer society
based on social justice, good jobs and quality public
services. It is up to all of us to highlight the importance
of public services and to get across the message that
Public Works!"
