Latest news with #GMBScotland
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Poll reveals 'confidence collapsing' SNP can usher in clean energy jobs as oil and gas declines
The transition from fossil fuels to green energy is a serious challenge that needs serious people in charge (Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Only one in five Scots believe the energy transition away from oil and gas will create jobs, a new poll has revealed. The nationwide survey, conducted by YouGov for the GMB and Prospect trade unions, shows that Scots have more at stake in the drive to cut emissions than anywhere else in the UK, but share far less confidence it will deliver economic or climate benefits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The transition from fossil fuels to green energy is a serious challenge (Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images The UK and Scottish governments have insisted that a just transition will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in clean technologies for former oil and gas workers as the industry declines, but the poll of 2,100 people across the UK reveals most Scots are unconvinced. The survey suggests that 17 per cent of Scots work in the energy sector or know someone who does - a far higher proportion than anywhere else in the UK. But less than half, 47 per cent, feel positive about the transition from oil and gas to renewable energy - lower than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - while 21 per cent feel negative, more than any of the other home nations. Almost one in three fear the energy transition will cost jobs in Scotland, also the highest proportion across the UK and almost three times the proportion in England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Only 17 per cent of Scots think the transition will increase job opportunities, the lowest level of optimism across the country. Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said: 'Experienced and skilled workers across oil and gas know better than anyone what the scale of this transition will demand and what is at stake. GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour | Andrew Cawley 'Promises of green jobs tomorrow mean nothing when real jobs are being lost today and, so far, this transition has been something done to our workers and their communities not with them. 'These workers understand change and know how to make it happen but their expert voice has been drowned out by the din of politicians and campaigners making a noise instead of a plan. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad READ MORE: Rosebank and other North Sea oil and gas fields could be given green light under new guidelines 'The insight and expertise of workers must be front and centre in this transition and, if it is not, this transition will fail.' Prospect general secretary, Mike Clancy, added: 'The government have raised the ambition on energy policy, which is welcome. 'Now they need to be bigger and bolder when it comes to energy jobs and put energy workers at the heart of this agenda.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government is also under increasing pressure to reverse its ban on new nuclear power as the construction of new small modular reactors in England is poised to create thousands of well-paid jobs and apprenticeships. Scottish Labour net zero spokesperson, Sarah Boyack, said: 'Scotland can be a global clean energy superpower, but both the Tories and the SNP have been squandering this opportunity. Scottish Labour's Sarah Boyack 'Under the SNP green jobs targets have been missed, supply chain jobs have been sent abroad, our seabeds have been sold off on the cheap, and just transition funding has been frittered away with little to show for it.' Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesperson, Douglas Lumsden, said: 'With the SNP repeatedly missing their own emissions targets, it's little wonder public confidence is collapsing in their ability to deliver the renewable jobs they keep promising. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Warm words on green jobs are cold comfort to the thousands of skilled oil and gas workers who have been chucked on the scrapheap by both Labour and the SNP.' Climate Action and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'We're clear in our support for a just transition for Scotland's valued oil and gas sector, which recognises the maturity of the North Sea basin and is in line with our climate change commitments. 'Communities, workers, and trade unions are at the heart of Scotland's renewable energy transition, and we are committed to ensuring local voices are central to any decisions we take, this includes the voices of the workforce within our oil and gas industry. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the North East's transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Donald Trump whisky tariffs 'bad for business' as President urged to reconsider ahead of Scotland visit
The First Minister is being urged to appeal to the US President to end tariffs on Scotch whisky when the pair meet next week. John Swinney must tell Donald Trump about the damage the President's trade tariffs are doing to the Scotch whisky industry, a leading trade union has said. The GMB is urging the First Minister to raise the matter with the Republican leader when they meet in Aberdeen in the coming days. Trump, who does not drink, will separately meet Swinney and prime minister Keir Starmer when he makes a private visit to Scotland this weekend to visit his two five-star golf courses in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland senior organiser, said the US president's visit to his courses at Turnberry, where a round can cost £1000, and Aberdeen is the perfect opportunity to tell him US import tariffs on Scotch will not only hit one of Scotland's most important industries but threaten the success of his resorts. He said: 'Donald Trump insists he is a businessman above all and must be made to understand why tariffs on our whisky are bad for his business. Scotch is a crucial part of our economy and, if our economy suffers, his golf courses will suffer. "Golfers from around the world are spending a huge amount of money to visit his luxury resorts and they want to visit a successful, prosperous country and that means protecting our whisky industry.' Scotch whisky accounts for three quarters of Scottish food and drink exports and about a quarter across the UK creating more than 40,000 jobs in Scotland. The industry is also a huge tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors. The US imported almost £1billion of Scotch last year and is a crucial international market for the industry but companies, including Diageo, Scotland's biggest whisky producer, have warned US tariffs could slash profits by hundreds of millions of pounds. Deavy added: "The US spends more on imported Scotch than any other country and there will never be a better moment to persuade Donald Trump to return to zero-tariffs on whisky. He has family ties here, investments here and must be urged to protect jobs here. "There will never be a better moment for John Swinney and Keir Starmer to protect our whisky industry and its thousands of skilled, well-paid jobs." The US previously imposed a 25 per cent tariff on whisky between October 2019 and March 2021. It caused a 25 per cent fall in scotch exports to the US during the last three months of 2019. More than £600m of exports were lost in total, about £1m a day, over the 18-month period. The US market is worth about £971million to the Scotch whisky industry, while salmon is worth £225million in exports.
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Frontline care workers should be free of intimidation and fear no matter the time of day
Record View says nobody should have to put up with the threats and violence experienced by female care staff. It's alarming that so many female care workers feel intimidated when going to and from work. GMB Scotland's survey reveals hundreds of women are in fear of abuse or assault when visiting homes at night or in the early morning. Half of those surveyed have been victims of intimidation, abuse or violence while doing their jobs. Some said they had fireworks thrown at them and had been leered at by creepy and sinister men. No one should have to put up with behaviour like this when they go to their work. Not least these vital frontline workers who so many people up and down the country depend on. That so many workers – around nine out of every 10 – feel scared when going to and from work at certain times of the day is clearly unacceptable. Our story covers the plight of workers in Scotland's biggest city but it will reflect the experience of carer staff elsewhere. The union has called for double-staffing on high risk visits, having pool cars across the city and extra cover after 6pm. It has also warned of the stress most women feel working alone at certain times of the day and how it is taking a toll on their mental health. Bosses and Glasgow City Council should consider the measures proposed by the union and if they are likely to help, implement them as soon as possible. These valued frontline workers should be free of intimidation and fear no matter what time of day they go to work. If not, many are likely to quit their jobs and where would that leave Scotland's care sector? Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Our high streets must be revived It would be wrong to blame any political party for the decline of our town centres. At one time our high streets were bustling at the weekends and during public holidays. People would buy whatever they needed in shops and our town centres were full of life. It helped foster a real sense of pride and community in our local areas. Sadly, those days are gone and too many retail units lie empty. Shopping habits have changed. This is mostly due to online shopping and out-of-town malls rather than political neglect. But Holyrood should do what it can to help our high streets because no one wants to see the heart of their community become a ghost town.
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
Hundreds of Scots carers tell of terror working alone at night in Glasgow
A union is demanding an end to visits at night without proper back-up for staff. Hundreds of home care workers in Glasgow have revealed their terror when working alone at night. A survey of hundreds of female staff visiting homes at night or in the early morning has exposed their fear of abuse and assault. The poll by the GMB Scotland union revealed 89 per cent of the women felt scared while working alone and almost half had endured intimidation, abuse or violence carrying out their jobs. The union warned the stress of working alone is taking a toll on home carers' mental health and urged management to take action to ease the risks. Frances Stojilkovic, GMB Scotland's home care convenor at Glasgow City Council, said the workforce, who are almost all women, should no longer be asked to make visits alone at night without effective back-up. She said: 'No one should be expected to go to work feeling afraid and return home relieved to be safe again. 'These workers are providing lifeline support for some of our most vulnerable people. They deserve every possible protection. They need better protection and support and they need it urgently.' GMB is calling for double-staffing for care workers on high-risk visits, having pool cars across the city to provide reassurance and, if necessary, transport, and additional co-ordinator cover after 6pm. More than 240 home care staff took part in the poll with nine out of 10 revealing they felt afraid while making visits at night or early in the morning. They said common causes of fear and anxiety include gangs of young men gathered in doorways, intimidating and masked youths on bikes, and men –often drunk or on drugs – following or approaching them. One worker said: 'I've had teenagers throwing fireworks at me, shouting abuse, and men will just stand and stare at you from top to bottom. 'Or they won't move out of the way when you are trying to get past them into a close. I was waiting for a bus home one night and a man just wouldn't leave me alone. 'There was no one else in sight. It's not just at night, the streets on winter mornings are just as dark and just as deserted. I've been followed, leered at, chased.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A care worker told how a client took her phone during one visit before carrying out a sex act. She had to plead for her phone before rushing out. Another recalled how she was parked at traffic lights at 7.30am in a quiet street when a man tried to break her car window with a screwdriver. A third said: 'I was waiting in my car to go into flats one night and a gang started banging on the roof and shaking the car. I was terrified. 'Once, I walked out of a lift and into the middle of a drug deal. You just feel relieved to get home in one piece.' The union said home care workers have been alarmed by recent incidents and are fearful walking between addresses in neighbourhoods where street lighting is often inadequate and CCTV cameras are non-existent or broken. A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: 'The safety of all our staff is of paramount importance and is discussed regularly with trade union colleagues. The details of this survey – which less than 10 per cent of the homecare workforce responded to – has not been shared with homecare senior management. 'While the majority of our homecare staff live in the streets and the communities they work, we have a range of policies in place to ensure lone workers are safe in their working environment – including mobile phones, monitoring from a designated team, and contact with a co-ordinator throughout the working period. 'The service frequently undertakes risk assessments and recently pioneered an emergency alert so carers can call on emergency services or support teams.'
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Firm commits to delivering 1,200 jobs at former coal terminal
The agreement will underpin the company's plans to produce specialised subsea high voltage cables capable of transporting electricity generated by offshore wind farms in the UK and abroad. Executives and union leaders met in Glasgow to finalise the agreement as GMB, one of the biggest unions across the UK energy sector, urged UK and Scottish ministers to help accelerate the development. GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said the ground-breaking agreement shows how the voice of workers and their communities can be harnessed to help create new jobs in green energy. A future look at the HDVC manufacturing site at Hunterston (Image: XLCC) She said: 'Too many workers believe the transition to renewables is being done to them, not with them. 'That must change and this agreement shows how. The voice of workers must shape industrial strategy and energy policies if our country is ever to turn talk into jobs. 'Only genuine and effective cooperation between industry, unions, and governments can help deliver the transformation needed in our manufacturing supply chains. 'We share the ambition of XLCC to create good, unionised jobs in Ayrshire and hope innovative agreements like this can be a template to help secure a new industrial future.' READ MORE: GMB said the UK Government's promise to create 650,000 new high-quality jobs will rest on harnessing the combined strength of industry and workers, and urged governments on both sides of the border to support the proposed cable plant at Hunterston. The agreement details how the business and union will work together to campaign for the development while building industry-leading industrial relations. The agreement is intended to pave the way to a full recognition agreement with collective bargaining as the workforce grows. XLCC chief executive Ian Douglas said: "This agreement is a significant step forward as we work to establish a new UK-based supply chain for HVDC subsea cable manufacturing. 'Our investment at Hunterston will create up to 1,200 skilled jobs and place Ayrshire at the heart of the UK's energy transition. This is a truly transformative opportunity for community and country. 'We're proud to be working in partnership with GMB to ensure these jobs offer long-term, high-quality opportunities in a growing global industry.'
