UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch has reacted to the news that Edinburgh Council leader Andrew Burns is to stand down at the next election. The local UNISON branch said Andrew Burns has been ‘respectful, positive and constructive’ in his dealings with trade unions.
UNISON Edinburgh lead negotiator Tom Connolly said: “Andrew has always made himself available to UNISON and the other trade unions and has engaged with us on regular basis throughout his time as leader. He has always done this in a respectful, positive and constructive manner.”
Along with the unions, Andrew Burns played an important role in stopping the wholesale privatisation of Edinburgh’s services. His willingness to forge alliances and cooperation with others where they had a common aim to defend Edinburgh’s services led to the unique Labour – SNP ‘Capital Coalition.’
John Stevenson, Edinburgh Branch President added: “Huge challenges face Andrew for the rest of his term of office as local government carries the lion’s share of Westminster and Holyrood cuts. Not least of those will be how to stand by the pledge of no compulsory redundancies.”
Announcing his decision not to seek re-election last week, Councillor Burns said: “I confirmed this week I don’t intend to stand for potential re-election next May. I have published a personal blog-post explaining my decision.
“I simply want to focus on other (non-political) interests in the next few years of my life. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s an entirely personal decision.
“Of course, I will continue to fulfil the duties in my role as Council Leader – to the best of my ability – right through until next May. Back in 2012 I committed to a five-year term, and I intend to complete that term and finish the work that both myself, and the current Coalition, have a mandate to deliver upon.”
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