We would like to give a special thank you to everyone who is working over Christmas and New Year running public services, being there when we need you and keeping us all safe.
Whether that’s caring for sick and vulnerable, dealing with adverse weather, responding to emergencies, or keeping services and utilities running – your work is vital – and UNISON never forgets that you are still out there, working on our behalf over the festivities.
We also want to thank those who’ve given up your time to support your colleagues, through representation, activism and UNISON’s campaign work this year.
UNISON is the public service union and the biggest and liveliest union in Scotland. Throughout this year more people joined us to get involved and make a difference – getting active in their workplaces, challenging discrimination, and campaigning to build a fairer world.
We are proud of the leadership UNISON members are taking to campaign for peace in Ukraine, Palestine and elsewhere in the world, and supporting families living in poverty in Scotland and abroad.
You also secured higher pay for staff across public services, and you are still working up to the wire to get final deals across the line. At a time when families are struggling with the cost of living these wins are more important than ever.
We would like to make a special mention to UNISON local government members in Perth and Kinross who took two weeks action on behalf of all council workers in the autumn – showing solidarity in action. It was courageous and UNISON will hold Cosla and the Scottish government to the commitments they made.
2024 was UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ workers. It was a chance to celebrate all LGBT+ workers and reminds us that whoever you are in UNISON you can expect a supportive welcoming environment that campaigns with you.
We want to thank LGBT+ Scotland committee who have worked with all parts of the union to improve equality and challenge prejudice wherever we find it. We are proud of all you achieved this year.
Let us now look forward to 2025 where we will continue to work together to campaign for better pay, conditions, workers’ rights, equality and world-class public services. This year will see the build up to 2026 Scottish Parliament elections and will be pushing all political parties to commit to increased funding for public services in the coming years.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you can spend some precious time with your family and friends over the coming weeks and let’s come together again ready to take on the challenges, in 2025.
In solidarity
Lilian Macer UNISON Scottish secretary
Mark Ferguson – UNISON Scotland convener