Senior MSP respects BECTU picket

The Scottish Parliament’s Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has today refused to cross BECTU’s picket line.

The picket line, in place at the St Francis Centre in the Gorbals district of Glasgow, is just one of many in operation today (Friday 29 August) at Culture and Sport Glasgow venues as BECTU members take part in a 24-hour strike.

The dispute arises because of the employer’s refusal to negotiate improvements to staff pay and grading.

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister and Deputy Leader of the SNP, was due to attend a reception at the St Francis Centre following an official engagement closeby. The reception has sinced been moved to alternative premises.

Local Labour MSP, Frank McAveety, also refused to cross the picket line.

Reports from a number of venues affected by the dispute have recorded maximum support for the strike by BECTU members; fellow trade union members in Unite and GMB have also helped to make the action effective by refusing to cross picket lines.

The dispute, which follows a string of broken promises by Culture and Sport Glasgow’s management, is about the company’s failure to agree improvements in pay and grading for community facility officers and culture and leisure attendants.

These workers are central to the operation of the company’s venues but are currently expected to work excessive and unsociable hours without adequate recognition.

In another report from the picket line, BECTU members at the Tramway Theatre reported the arrival this morning of several company managers, surrounded by private security officers.

At least one security officer is set to be reported by police to the Procurator Fiscal’s office for his failure to display his statutory SIA licence.

BECTU has expressed its sincere regret at the inconvenience caused to venue users since the strike began at 00.05 hours today 29 August; however, despite the loss of facilities, the public’s reaction to today’s closures has been one of understanding and support.

Paul McManus, BECTU’s Scottish Officer said:

“Today’s action has been effective and the support of our members, and of fellow trade unionists, has been very strong. Yesterday the employer refused to negotiate meaningfully with us.”

“We hope that the determination displayed by our members today will encourage them to think more positively about working with us to resolve this dispute.”

Today’s 24-hour strike will be followed by a work-to-rule which will continue until the dispute is resolved.

The work to rule will see community facility officers refuse to work evenings or weekends or to be contacted outside core hours; culture and leisure attendants will refuse to open or lock up any facilities. All staff will refuse work past midnight as part of core hours.