Democracy in Scotland Flashcards
State three roles of trade unions.
Negotiate on behalf of workers
Represent workers
Influence Government policy
Describe how trade unions negotiate on behalf of workers.
Trade unions speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.
Give an example of a trade union negotiating on behalf of workers.
In 2023, the EIS successfully negotiated a pay rise with COSLA that will see the majority of teacher’s pay increase by 14% in 2024.
Describe how trade unions represent workers.
Trade unions can represent the interests of their workers in official settings when any areas of conflict arise.
What areas of conflict might trade unions get involved in?
Enforced redundancies, fire and rehire schemes or disciplinary issues
Give an example of a trade union representing workers.
In 2022, Unison won a landmark case that allows all workers to stand for election and take part in public political activity without fear of dismissal.
Describe how trade unions influence government policy.
Trade unions liaise with Government and attempt to influence policy decisions in favour of workers using their powers of collective bargaining.
Give an example of a trade union influencing government policy.
In 2022,Unite opposed the Scottish Government’s draft National Care Service legislation which could see up to 75,000 staff lose their jobs.
State five reasons why people join trade unions.
Greater bargaining power
Negotiating better pay and conditions
Provide training for new skills
Free legal advice
Build personal and professional relationships
Explain why greater bargaining power is a reason to join a trade union.
The individual employee possesses very little bargaining power compared to their employer. However, the threat of a collective strike by a union is a powerful tool that often causes the employer to accept the demands of the workers for better conditions of employment.
Give an example of a trade union utilising their bargaining power.
In 2023, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland won nurses in Scotland a 6.5% pay rise by threatening to go on strike.
Explain why negotiating better pay and conditions is a reason to join a trade union.
Trade unions will speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.
Explain why training for new skills is a reason to join a trade union.
Trade unions run huge training and education programmes to help their members get the skills they need to get better-paid jobs. They also argue for employers to have better development programmes so that ordinary working people get chances for training andpromotion.
Give an example of a trade union that offers training for new skills.
Unite Scotland run free courses aimed at developing digital skills required for work and life.
Explain why free legal advice is a reason to join a trade union.
If you run into problems at work, your union’s legal team can make sure you are treated fairly – without you having to worry about paying.
What problems can trade unions offer you advice on?
Employment contracts, harassment, redundancy, pensions or discrimination
Give an example of a trade union who offer free legal advice to members.
In 2022, Prospect Scotland provided free legal advice to members employed by Scottish Power facing redundancy.
Explain why building personal and professional relationships is a reason to join a trade union.
Trade Unions provide a mechanism for bringing people together not only to promote common job-related interests but also to organise programmes, functions, and social events from time to time, to create a strong bond among the union members.
Give an example of a trade union who offers social events for its members.
Musicians’ Union Scotland often hold social events enabling musicians to socialise with one another and develop working relationships.
State three methods used by trade unions.
Organising demonstrations
Negotiating on behalf of workers
Taking industrial action
Explain why trade unions organise demonstrations.
Trade unions often organise demonstrations to draw the attention of the Government and the general public to their members’ concerns. They hope that by raising awareness, they will pressure employers and the Government into meeting members’ demands.
Explain how trade unions negotiate on behalf of workers.
Trade unions will speak to employers to try and improve the pay, work conditions and health & safety of the workers they represent.
Explain why trade unions take industrial action.
Industrial action happens when negotiations with employers fail and trade union members decide to take action which disrupts productivity in the workplace as a showing of protest.
What forms of industrial action can be taken by workers?
Striking, pickets, ‘go slow’, overtime ban or work to rule
Give an example of a trade union who organised a successful demonstration.
In 2022, the Fire Brigades Union demonstrated outside of the Scottish Parliament to demand a fair pay, which was widely reported in the media and increased pressure on the Government.
Give an example of a trade union who successfully negotiated on behalf of workers.
In 2022, Unite and Unison successfully negotiated a 5% pay rise for all police staff in Scotland.
Give an example of a trade union who were successful after taking industrial action.
In 2022, strikes from bin workers in Glasgow proved to be successful as GMB trade union members were offered and accepted a 10% pay rise from COSLA.
What percentage of women were elected after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?
45%
What percentage of ethnic minorities were elected after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?
4.7%
What three main political parties have had female leaders?
Ruth Davidson - Scottish Conservatives
Kezia Dugdale - Scottish Labour
Nicola Sturgeon - The SNP
Who is the only current female party leader in Scotland?
Lorna Slater - Scottish Greens
How many Scottish Conservative MSPs are female?
25%
How many current MSPs have an ethnic minority background?
6
Who was the first female First Minister?
Nicola Sturgeon
Who is the first ethnic minority First Minister?
Humza Yousaf
What political parties had had LGBT+ leaders?
Scottish Conservatives
Scottish Labour
Scottish Greens
How many openly transgender MSPs are there?
0
How many permanent wheelchair users has there been in the parliament’s history?
1