STUC to address SNP conference

The SNP have invited the leader of Scotland’s trade unions to speak at its party conference for the first time.

Grahame Smith, who is general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), will speak during the party’s debate on the UK Government’s plans to reform employment law to restrict the influence of trade unions.

The speech in Aberdeen on Saturday will mark the first time the head of the trade union movement in Scotland has been invited to address the conference in the party’s history.

RELATED CONTENT

Trade union reforms to be debated

Scottish ministers urged to oppose UK trade union reforms

Although more usually associated with the Labour party, the SNP Trade Union group has swelled to 16,000 members since the referendum on independence last year.

Earlier this year Nicola Sturgeon signed a memorandum of understanding with the STUC to oppose ‘austerity’.

Smith said the opportunity to speak at conference marked a “constructive relationship” with the party.

“The fact that I am speaking on the debate on the Trade Union Bill demonstrates that a key aspect of that relationship is the Scottish Government’s work to take forward the Fair Work agenda, champion good workplace relations and support the role of trade unions. This is in stark contrast to the approach of the UK Government,” he said.

The conference motion accuses the UK Government reforms of representing an “ideological attack against the largest part of civic society, are unnecessary, and are in contravention of human rights”. 

Last week Smith told the Scottish Greens' conference he would break the the new trade union laws if they were enacted. There was "no way" he would comply with plans to identify picket organisers by making them wear an armband, he said.