TIME TO ADDRESS OUTSOURCING OF SCOTTISH JOBS

This month I have asked a range of questions to the Commission calling for them to make steps to deter the outraegous type of outsourcing that is leading the loss of 120 jobs at Young’s langoustine shelling plant in Annan, Dumfries. In light of Young’s decision to move shelling activities to Thailand, I have asked the Commission to address the issue of whether Young’s still have the right to call their Scampi “Scottish”. I am also calling on the Commission to take steps to discourage firms from shipping food half way around the world and back again; a practise that results in thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

HELP STOP BURBERRY BREAKING OUR HEARTS

Along with some of my European colleagues including MEPs Glenys Kinnock & Eluned Morgan, I recently took part in the international campaign against Burberry’s proposal to move 300 jobs from South Wales to China. With a date of 14 February, a petition was signed calling upon Burberry to “Stop breaking our hearts.” The proposed Burberry move would see more than 300 loyal and hardworking staff lose their jobs at a time when the company’s sales are soaring and profits are strong.

FIGHT TO MAINTAIN UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICES

Labour MEPs are trying to radically alter European Commission proposals to liberalise postal services across the EU. The effects of the 2006 liberalisation in the UK were recently captured in comments from the Chief Executive of Royal Mail who warned that universal service provision in the UK is under threat, and now the Commission wishes to replicate this model across the EU. My Labour colleague Stephen Hughes, who is drafting a key report in the Employment Committee, and Brian Simpson who is the Socialist in charge of postal services policy in the Transport Committee, are fighting to ensure that universal postal provision, especially in rural areas, is maintained.

CAMPAIGNING FOR GENDER EQUALITY ACROSS EUROPE

Last month in the Strasbourg plenary session, along with my Labour colleagues I voted in favour of a report highlighting key areas of concern regarding gender equality in Turkey. The report emphasises that respecting human rights, including women’s rights, is a condition ‘sine qua non’ for Turkey’s membership of the EU. In backing this report, we are calling for “full and effective implementation of the Community policy in the field of women’s rights, particularly in the poorer regions of the country”. We are also campaigning for further gender equality within the broader EU, and last month the Socialist Party in Europe held events to draw people’s attention to the fact that European women earn, on average, 15% less than their male counterparts. Despite long standing legislation this discrimination continues. It is time the European Commission and the EU governments took concrete and effective actions in order to close the gender gap.

TRADE UNION RAISES PROFILE IN BRUSSELS

Last month I had the pleasure of hosting a delegation of the TGWU International Committee at the European Parliament in Brussels. The delegation met with MEPs who work on social, transport and employment issues as well as Commission officials, the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels and the then Secretary General of the European Parliament - Julian Priestly. These meetings gave the delegation the opportunity to find out more about the workings of the European Institutions and, in particular, in what way Trade Unions can have a voice in Europe at the early stages of policy development, where interest groups can have a real impact. I believe the delegation found the visit very rewarding and I would encourage other Trade Unions to consider similar visits.

RETURN TO LATEST AND PREVIOUS TU MATTERS