The STUC has called out politicians for the ‘suffocating and self-obsessed debate’ on the parliamentary tactics for or against a second independence referendum rather than addressing the concerns of most working-class people in Scotland.
The STUC remains committed to Scottish self-determination and supports a second referendum if that is the clear will of the Scottish people, but will challenge all parties contesting the election to also address the priorities of voters – a jobs recovery, tackling inequality and supporting public services.
The STUC campaign will call for commitments to restore the pay of public service workers and for the use of all available levers to push up pay in the private sector.
It will call on candidates to support a plan for good jobs with a focus on younger workers and a step-change in government investment to create green jobs.
It will also call for urgent action on the back of the Feely Review to remove the profit motive, tackle a flawed model of procurement, and end low pay through sectoral bargaining in the Care Sector.
The STUC was due to host a trade union hustings for leaders and senior party representatives yesterday, but this was postponed following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. It is hoped that the event can be rescheduled.
Later this month it will release “COVID winners and losers” research and a series of papers outlining the potential for jobs creation in the green economy with a proper industrial strategy.
STUC leader, General Secretary Rozanne Foyer said: “If we need a super majority for anything in this next parliament it should be for a radical plan to increase pay, create good jobs and for a Scottish National Care Service of which we can be proud.
“The STUC will challenge candidates of all parties to commit to a ‘People’s Recovery’, rebuilding a better economy and shifting power in favour of working-class people from day one of the new Parliament.
“That challenge will be carried directly to candidates by raising the voices of workers who have become all too used to being dictated to, rather than listened to, by the politicians.
“Whilst many companies have suffered during the pandemic, many others have profited greatly. Workers have borne the brunt of the suffering and very few of the profits.
“Over the past year more than half of people in the top income quintile continued to be paid in full, but this was only true for 28% of those in the lowest income quintile. We need urgent action to address this.”
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