ETUC Meeting Minutes

Tuesday 9th June 2026

Chair: RD

Apologies: DSM, MH, PO, GS

Present: CR, DL, CS, TA, DG, TB, PD, LC, AM, PG, MH, SW, LA

  1. Approval of Minutes 12/5/26- LA, PG                   
  • Matters Arising: Claire shared news that Graeme Smith will no longer be a delegate to ETUC due to his work commitments.  All delegates wish him very well in his future and will miss his excellent contributions to ETUC.

         This results in us looking for another exec member.

  • Constitution and Governance –

Suitable venues for ETUC in-person meetings

Claire has been helped by Carmen, Patrick and Steve investigations into the accessibility of the Unite office building lift.  Committee agreed to write to the RCO to demand that the lift is fixed asap.  Terry volunteered to add his name to this demand on behalf of Support @Work.  

Claire has received some suggestions of other venues including Tollcross, NASUWT office, EIS HQ and City Chambers and will continue to source a venue for our return in August.

Delegate to Stop the War conference

Steve has volunteered to be our delegate to the Stop the War Conference.  We look forward to his report and recommendations during our August meeting.

  • Trade Reports-

UNITE CEC-Please support Leith Gala- CR to send info.  Update on negotiations for additional day annual leave.  3 ballots held, 1 unsuccessful, 2 others incomplete so far. STUC has written to COSLA and John Swinney due to successful emergency motion at STUC.

EIS Edinburgh- During National AGM all Edinburgh motions passed.  Work remains focused on behaviours of concern, underfunding, under resourcing. Supporting members in university sector.  Conversations taking place with senior officers on community cohesion, political literacy and PACT.

UNITE Not for Profit-Discussions on 100 affordable council homes-what is considered affordable level of rent? Des highlighted bi-elections in Portobello and Southside (3rdSept) due to CEC councillors moving to become MSPs.  

PCS DWP Lothian and Borders- Steve West is Acting Branch Secretary along with being Organiser-work includes cases on attendance management, career breaks for care of a disabled child-denied and referred to ACAS

Nationally PCS exec is issuing communications to MSPs on claims from hustings.  A strategy day will take place in late June, and work will continue through their parliamentary group.

  • Support @ Work Report-

Ongoing support for retail and social care workers.  There are currently delays at ACAS due to large numbers of cases.  Supporting workers at M&S and in bargain stores.  Training is ongoing with NHS Occupational Therapists on Employment right and ongoing changes to the law.

Approaches made to colleges about stalls to share information on employment rights

Trade Unions into Schools aim to increase number of sessions for S3-6 young people, including at St Augustine HS, Leith Academy.  Hopeful that Education Dept of Scottish Government will support this work in tackling misogyny.  

Ruaraidh suggesting approaching Tam Kirby (Unite) re: apprentices

  • Secretary’s report

Met with council leader Jane Meagre to discuss shared priorities including in-housing work force, poverty, housing, AI, political literacy and to remind her of the community cohesion project previously discussed with Des and Penny.

Met with Des three times on treasurer training

Attended West Lothian Trades Council meeting

Met with the Green Group to discuss shared priorities

Attended Robert Paterson’s funeral

  • Unite Edinburgh Not for Profit branch motion

UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL AGGRESSION

Edinburgh Trade Union Council has always been opposed to aggression by countries which results in crimes against humanity. Edinburgh TUC is opposed to illegal wars. Edinburgh TUC is opposed to the targeting of civilians in such wars.

Edinburgh TUC is opposed to the illegal attack on Iran by the United States which has been tacitly supported by the UK Government. The attach has resulted in the death of thousands of innocent Iranian men, women and children. We likewise condemn the Israeli attacks on Iran, in support of the United States, and their attacks on Lebanon.

We call on the UK Government to explicitly condemn President Trump and the US Government and the Israeli Government for their illegal action and their consequent crimes against humanity. The UK Government must call for the attacks to cease. The UK Government must call on other European countries to take similar action.

In the current crisis, considering the devastating effects of unrestricted bombing, the UK Government must provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Iran and the people of Lebanon. 

Edinburgh TUC expresses its solidarity with the activists who participated in the Flotilla and applauds their action to bring to the attention of the world the refusal of the Israeli Government to allow sufficient aid to enter Gaza and relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people”

This motion was proposed by Des Loughney, seconded by Penny Gower and accepted nem con.  Claire to write to MSPs, First Minister and Prime Minister

  • Anti Racist Activities- Anti-Traveller racism

Agreed to support by forwarding the email to SUTR

Claire to write to Danielle to ask for specific traveller groups in Edinburgh to work with.

  • AOCB

Refuge Week- event on 18/6/26 5pm-8pm at the Southside Community Centre-music, conversation.  Leaflet forwarded to network

Discussion around how to engage TU members not to vote for Reform by providing speakers and notes for meetings whether informal, branch or lunch time meetings.  Contact TUIC or SUTR for collaboration.

Report from Trade Council meeting included information on General Council discussions

  • Refreshing the strategy
  • More organizational approach
  • Campaign wins
  • Grow membership by 50K in the next 5 years

Further discussion on austerity, Reform, rebuilding the public sector and energy ownership

  1. Date of next meeting: 11/8/26

Tuesday 12th May 2026

Chair: RD

Apologies: GS, TA, MH, PC

Present: CR, DL, SW, AM, DSMc, PG, BR, PD, MH, TB, M(S@W), PO, AL, DJ, MW-KG, CH

  1. Des Loughney-Des shared memories of his time as secretary, particularly highlighting the miners’ strike collection efforts in 1984-85 that raised approximately £100,000. He announced plans to update the 1959 Edinburgh TUC handbook, either for the 150th anniversary in 2009 or a 75th anniversary version, and sought assistance with historical research
  2. Approval of Minutes 14/4/26-DL
  • Lewis Akers Nominated by Unite-EIS branch and supported by AM and RD, elected unopposed. The position of Assistant Secretary remains open, Ruaraidh encouraged colleagues to consider nominations for this role.
  • Keep the North Sea Working campaign-Speakers-Kyle Griffiths and Chris Hamilton

Kyle and Chris, a former Grangemouth plant operator, explained his involvement in the Keep the North Sea Working campaign, highlighting the limited job creation following the Grangemouth refinery closure and similar closures at other sites. He outlined the campaign’s two main elements: securing a no-compulsory redundancy pledge through workplace negotiations and addressing policies perceived as detrimental to the oil and gas sector.

Challenges and future of the oil and gas industry in the North Sea, particularly regarding job transitions and workforce protection were highlighted. Chris emphasised that while the concept of a just transition is supported in principle, there has been a lack of effective implementation, citing Grangemouth refinery’s closure as an example. The group discussed potential lessons from Norway’s sovereign fund model and the need for government intervention to support industry workers during transitions.

  • Constitution and Governance Claire provided an update on her recent activities, including attending North Lanarkshire Trades Council, setting up meetings with local leaders, and working on the website and communications.
  • Trade Reports

AM-EIS workforce pressures due to inadequate support for employees without permanent jobs or those needing reasonable adjustments. 

SW-PCS ongoing issues with the pension scheme, maintained by Capita, leading to delays and errors. Planned protest London-May 18th Possibility of strike action due to Capita’s potential control over payroll. 

MW-HW-UCU update on the ongoing dispute over compulsory redundancy, mentioning six scheduled days of strike action, including one this Thursday, and expressed gratitude for support from students.

Marion requested support for the picket on Thursday, between 8am and 10am

  • S@W report- a 90-minute briefing session being offered to ETUC delegates. Mhairi highlighted the positive impact of Support at Work, particularly for migrant communities and those with health issues.

Short discussion on promoting trade unions in schools-Des highlighting upcoming changes related to the Employment Rights Act 2025 and disability rights. 

Mhairi suggested connecting TU into S with EIS to explore different strategies for union engagement in schools. 

Claire plans to shadow a session at Leith Academy in November. 

The group agreed to discuss potential collaboration between unions and schools during their June session. Email Terry if interested in attending future sessions

  • Scottish General Election Des highlighting concerns about the Reform UK vote in central Scotland and its potential impact on local councils. Penny noted that ETUC’s campaigning helped limit Reform’s success in Edinburgh and Lothians, while Claire expressed disappointment with candidate responses during the election. 

The group agreed to consider forming a working group to analyse voting data and plan for upcoming local elections, with Mhairi offering to share a comprehensive spreadsheet of MSP backgrounds.

  • STUC 26 Report written report shared to delegates. Claire noted a sense of apathy in the hall. Ruaraidh and Lewis noting that the main business felt flat due to uninspiring political speeches and pre-composed motions that lacked meaningful debate. Des highlighted that politicians offered few concrete policies to address key issues like poverty or public sector cuts.
  1. International Workers Memorial Day 26 Report written report shared to delegates previously, a successful International Workers Memorial Day event that attracted 70 attendees, featuring speakers on workplace health and safety issues including a firefighter and a representative from Edinburgh Uni Student Federation of India.

The meeting also commemorated the passing of Robert Paterson, a long-standing member of Midlothian Trades Council

  1. May Day 26 Report Steve updated that May Day parade attracted 800-1000 participants, apology to Unison Health branch error in the pipe band’s name in the parade publicity.  Accessibility issues at venue will be raised at review meeting.  Claire suggested joining the May Day committee and walking together next year under the ETUC banner
  1. Anti Racist Activities-Scotland Nationalist-Anti-Traveller racism- missed from discussion
  1. AOCB –

Cuba Solidarity Campaign -decision to affiliate with the campaign and potentially make an additional donation but not through Your Party

EIS-Unite motion

Lewis proposed a motion to support a European Peace Conference, which was passed despite some concerns about timing and finances.

London Peace Conference resolution

Edinburgh Trades Union Council notes

  1. The success of the Paris Peace conference held on the 4/5 October 2025 which attracted 4,000 people and delegates from 18 different countries.
  2. The considerable involvement of the French trade unions in mobilising for and assisting in the finance of the conference and the presence of trade union representatives from across Europe at the conference. 
  3. That the conference foregrounded opposition to renewed arms spending and the consequent attack on workers’ living standards that this requires across Europe. 
  4. That the conference amplified the voices of the Palestine solidarity movement.
  5. The enthusiastic response of the conference to the speech of the General Secretary of the PCS and Stop the War officers.
  6. That the aims of the conference are supportive of the positions taken at the TUC, STUC and support for the Palestine movement. 
  7. That a second European conference announced in Paris is planned for Central Hall Westminster, London, on 20 June 2026.

    Edinburgh Trades Union Council believes
  8. That this is an initiative wholly in line with the TUC resolution on ‘wages not weapons’ and the motion agreed at STUC 2026 on military spending. 
  9. That in a darkening international situation and in the face of the growth of the far right across Europe it is necessary to broaden and deepen international links between trade unionists, anti-war movements, and progressive forces.
  10. That the London conference held under the banner of ‘The People of Europe Demand Peace’, and the slogans ‘Wages not Weapons’, and ‘Welfare not Warfare’ deserves the support of trade unions in the UK.
    Edinburgh Trades Union Council resolves
  1. To encourage affiliates to attend the conference.
  2. To send a delegation on behalf of Edinburgh TUC to the conference.
  3. To assist in the circulation of material advertising the conference.
  4. To publicise and support the conference in the wider trade union movement.

Tuesday 14th April 2026

Chair: RD

Apologies: TB

Present: CR, RD, DL, DG, PG, AM, TA, PO, BR, CS, CB, MH, MW, PC, RH, SW

1.New Affiliations-Unite Lothian Health and EIS-Unite

2. Minutes of Ordinary meeting held on 10/3/26-approved CR

3. Matters Arising:

3.1 Disaffiliation: Email from UNISON City Council Branch.

Unison City of Edinburgh branch unanimously voted to disaffiliate in February following disputes over the Secretary-Treasurer role and constitutional procedures.  The branch sent two strongly-worded emails, the second threatening involvement of a certification officer.  Claire sent a conciliatory letter requesting dialogue but received no response.  Des confirmed he offered meetings to resolve issues in January, which were not accepted. Multiple delegates expressed disappointment at the uncommonly tone toward Claire and Des, noting the decision does not serve the branch’s members.

3.2 STUC Delegation – Congress April 2026 Claire Robertson-Delegation leader, Des Loughney, and Ruaraidh Dempster-thanks for stepping in at the last moment, will attend speaking on Disability friendly workplaces, A Scottish commission on Health and Safety and Ethical Procurement.

3.3 Nominations for Vice-Chair and Assistant Secretary of ETUC-No nominations received at meeting so positions remain vacant.  Delegates urged to discuss with branches and submit nominations to Claire Robertson before next meeting.

4. Constitution and Governance 

Exec have agreed to monthly meetings, 2 weeks before ETUC meetings to focus on building the council, improving communication and increasing solidarity and support of branches. 

Des Loughney noted constitution was last amended to allow affiliation of other union organisations (shop stewards committees, district committees) for token £80 fee representing 200 members; Unite Edinburgh District Committee planning to affiliate under this provision.  

Suggestions made for improved transparency including Google Drive/WhatsApp group for document sharing and website updates with logged-in delegate section.

Claire Robertson will include new office bearers and trustees in a survey to find preferred time and date.

5.  Support@Work April Report

Terry reported 3% funding increase from City Council, with staff receiving 3.8% pay rise (0.8% from STUC) Des will be reducing hours from 12 to 3, focusing on treasury work.  

New team member Ricky Henderson started last week working 6 hours/week on casework. The project received improved audit rating (previously 5-6/10) after tightening GDPR procedures with Carmen’s assistance.  Support at Work provides a “bridge to trade unions” for workers in precarious employment, with increased cases of workers dissatisfied with union representation requiring mediation.  The project can work outside Edinburgh and is a unique model.

6. Trade Reports

Unite Edinburgh Not-for-Profit Des Loughney: In March, the Scottish government and trade unions, reached a landmark agreement to establish a voluntary sectoral bargaining body for social care.

This body is designed to standardize and improve paying conditions across the sector that have 

historically faced high turnover and low wages.  This new collective bargaining setup embraces about 

100,000 people.  The implications for the unions are a great victory because and could lead to a huge increase in trade unionism in the sector

PCS Scotland Steve West: Conference on 13 March passed motions on opposing military spending increases, ending Scottish Government complicity in Venezuela blockade, campaigning against Barclays sponsorship of Hampden due to Israel arms links, opposing far-right, and supporting Stand Up to Racism Unity demonstrations.

EIS Alison Murphy EIS successfully resolved national contact time dispute, achieving first significant improvement to teachers’ terms in over a decade, though still above OECD average. Increased union membership in independent schools following attacks on pensions and workers’ rights under VAT introduction pretext. 

Local AGM motions on Palestine, Love Music Hate Racism affiliation, psychological safety, and health/safety issues forwarded to national AGM in June.

UCU Heriot-Watt Marion Winters: 11 staff face compulsory redundancy from Scholar online learning unit and Languages/Intercultural Studies department, representing 50% and over one-third of respective units. Management doubled number of staff earning over £100K in past year while targeting low-to-middle grade staff.  Branch completed 9 days of strike action; German and Chinese undergraduate teaching being closed during negotiations.  Petition launched seeking 3,000 signatures before submission to principal.

Save LINCS petition

7.  Scottish General Election

Peter Olech proposed Edinburgh Trades Council write directly to all candidates with three questions (workers’ rights, privatisation/public services, militarisation/Palestine), collate responses, and circulate to affiliates Ruaraidh Dempster to compile candidate contact details Alison Murphy suggested also circulating questions to branches for members to ask at local hustings.  

  • Executive to draft three key questions on workers’ rights, privatisation, and militarisation/Palestine to send directly to all candidates, with responses circulated to affiliates

8. International Workers Memorial Day: Tuesday 28/4/26 12.30pm-1.30pm with speakers from FBU, 

EIS, and Students Federation of India.   Branches encouraged to organize attendance and wreaths.

Brian Reynolds reported that RMT has decided is to use that day to campaign around assaults on staff, 

to work to achieve protection in law for transport workers. 

9. May Day Parade and Rally (2 May): Two assembly points—Section 1 (trade unions) at top of Lawn Market led by City of Edinburgh Pipe Band with Ian Mullen as lead steward; 

Section 2 at top of Johnston Terrace led by Stockbridge Pipe Band.  Speakers include Ewan Gibbs (General Strike centenary), Rania Obed (migrant worker), Gus Sproul (FBU), compared by Mike Cowley (EIS) Trade Unions in Communities are distributing leaflets in Niddrie/Craigmillar area to engage migrant communities to attend.

May Day Eve Events (1 May): Unite Community film on General Strike at Lister Learning Centre, 19:00-20:00, free event.

May Day gig at Waverley Bar 

10. Motions

GMB M23-carried, Alternate monthly meetings between in-person and online format, using Unite office venue where possible, with trial period and accessibility checks required.

Unite the Union Community-carried unanimously, Affiliate to Stop the War Coalition nationally, encouraging member branches to engage with local anti-war activities.

11. Iran War Steve West reported ~700 attended Stop the War protest in Glasgow on Saturday focused on preventing Scottish airports being used as US air bases

12. Anti Racist Activities: Penny Gower emphasized Edinburgh Trades Council’s duty to actively campaign against Reform UK through lunchtime meetings, leaflet distribution, and hustings questions, noting strong public engagement when distributing anti-Reform materials

12.1 Unity Demonstration in London 28/3/26

12.2 Stop the Far Right Demo – Edinburgh demo 21/3/26.

14. Date of next meeting: 12/5/26