THE SNP and Labour are both under pressure to sign up to a list of General Election pledges which calls for employment and immigration laws to be devolved to Scotland.
The SNP are facing internal pressure from their largest affiliated body – the SNP Trade Union Group (SNPTUG) – to back the list drawn up by the Scottish Trades Union Congress.
The STUC represents more than half a million trade unionists in Scotland and has called on all General Election candidates to sign up to six policy pledges. These are:
- Strengthening workers' rights by repealing the Tories’ anti-trade union laws.
- Investing in public services to increase budgets in key areas.
- Investing “tens of billions” in the green economy to create new jobs.
- Introduce a wealth tax, among other measures, to redistribute income.
- Devolving powers to Scotland, including over employment law and immigration.
- Supporting Palestine by recognising it as a state and ending arms sales to Israel.
STUC’s general secretary Roz Foyer said: “There can be no half-measures from candidates; if they seek our vote they must pledge their support.”
The SNP did not respond to The National when asked if they would be backing the STUC pledges.
However, they are facing internal pressure from the SNPTUG, whose national secretary Simon Barrow said: "What the STUC is demanding on workers' rights, public services, investing in the green economy, taxing wealth, substantial powers for Scotland and active internationalism chimes exactly with what SNP trade unionists are asking of our party.”
He added: "With Labour largely abandoning working people, those on benefits and people at the rough end of austerity, the SNP needs to position itself – with governing actions as well as campaigning words – as a natural home for trade unionists and all who wish to see Scotland decide its future in favour of progressive change, the redistribution of wealth, and a sustainable green economy." Labour were also asked if they would be backing the STUC pledges.
Responding, shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray did not give a straight answer but instead listed some areas where Labour policy and the STUC are aligned, such as on a New Deal for Working People.
Notably, he failed to support either devolution of more powers to the Holyrood Parliament or ending arms sales to Israel.
Murray said: “Labour will deliver the greatest transfer of power and money to working people in a generation, strengthening workers’ rights, boosting funding for public services and creating thousands of green jobs.
“Our transformative New Deal for Working People will deliver a pay rise for more than 200,000 of the lowest paid workers, end fire and rehire, ban exploitative zero hour contracts, and expand day one rights.
“Labour will end Tory austerity and provide public services with a much-needed funding boost – paid for through a windfall tax on oil and gas giants, action on tax avoidance, an end to private school tax breaks, and the closure of non-dom loopholes.”
He added: “From lower bills to higher pay to renewed public services, Labour is ready to deliver the change that Scotland needs.”
Green MSP Maggie Chapman said the STUC pledges had her “wholehearted support”, and urged Labour candidates to engage.
She went on: "This is a time for change, and for solidarity. The next five years will be crucial if we are to tackle the climate emergency, build a more equal society and move away from the failed economic policies that have stretched millions of households and families to breaking point.
"We could be weeks away from a Labour government, but what Sir Keir Starmer is offering is completely insufficient. I hope that every Labour candidate engages properly with the STUC and these pledges, and that radical policies like this play a central role in the years ahead."
You can find more detail on the STUC's six pledges here.
