EXCLUSIVE: Four workers from different industries have told the Record why they will be taking part in the Scotland Demands Better rally in the Capital this weekend.
Chris Hamilton is a Unite rep at Grangemouth
Scots workers have shared their stories on why they will march through Edinburgh this Saturday to “demand better for our society” from Holyrood and Westminster.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend a rally in the capital where politicians will be called on to take action on the need for decent jobs and improved public services.
The Scotland Demands Better demonstration has been organised by the Poverty Alliance, which represents 400 individual organisations including trade unions, major charities and churches.
“We need to pull on every person from every place across the country to rally together at the Scotland Demands Better March this coming Saturday,” said STUC boss Roz Foyer.
“For too long have the inactions of decision makers been allowed to go unchecked. The people of Scotland are leading the charge in demanding better jobs with better funding for their communities.
“Those same politicians and decision makers will be wanting our vote next May. It would be simply unforgiveable if they continued to ignore the voices of Scotland’s workers. It’s time they heard what we had to say instead of the other way around and listened to our calls for dignity, respect and a decent living”
Before they assemble outside the Scottish Parliament at 11am on Saturday, the Record spoke with four workers from different industries on what they expect from the event.
Chris Hamilton, Grangemouth worker
“I’ve had to say goodbye to many colleagues and friends as they depart on long haul flights with their families in search of work. The reasons are plain – new jobs are not being created whilst others are insecure, wages are stagnate while costs skyrocket, and essential public services unravel.
“It’s vital for everyone to get involved and push for real change, not hollow political point scoring and pledges like we received from Keir Starmer when he promised £200m for Grangemouth in February from the National Wealth Fund.
“That’s why I’m marching, to gain signatures for our ‘Show Us the Money’ campaign, demanding that Labour backs its promises and delivers concrete funding for workers and public services. So, if you see me in the crowd, sign the petition, build solidarity, and let’s turn our frustration into working-class power.”
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Rhianna Ross, retail worker
“Workers, especially retail workers, are fighting tooth and nail for dignity, respect and safety in the workplace. From endemic low pay across the sector to feeling threatened and insecure at our place of work, we cannot ever hope to build a sector free from abuse if we don’t have the political and legislative backing of our politicians.
“We want to see an end to abuse in the workplace and to live decent lives. We want to see pay raised and for our wages to allow us to live with respect and dignity. We want to tell the politicians that we demand better for our society and for our movement.”
Rhianna Ross of the USDAW
Daniel Friel, hospitality worker
“This economy simply doesn’t work for working people and no one knows that better than hospitality workers. For too long, those on poverty pay and insecure contracts have been treated as an afterthought, dismissed by those who show little regard for our welfare.
“But we know change is possible. We know that when working people stand together, we can fight and we can win. Unite Hospitality members at the Village Hotel in Govan have proven exactly that, winning a 10 per cent pay rise backdated for 15 months and an end to zero-hours contracts. Their victory brought dignity, parity, and respect to their workplace but our fight doesn’t end there.
“The power of organised workers, especially the new generation, is real and we’ll be bringing that power to the Scotland Demands Better rally on October 25.”
Kirsty Turkington, social care worker
“Over the last 15 years public services have been decimated. Those of us who work in social care who have been confronted with the sharpest end of austerity.
“Cuts have driven down our conditions, led to job losses and understaffed services, and resulted in a ticking-time-bomb of recruitment and retention issues across the sector. As safety nets vanish, overstretched care and support workers find themselves trying to frantically plug holes on a sinking ship.
“The cost-of-living crisis had seen the price of essentials spiral. However, as a chronically undervalued workforce there is little fat to skim from our income to make ends meet.
“As a workplace representative I hear from colleagues who use foodbanks, take second jobs or excessive overtime just to make ends meet. One colleague recently revealed that another rent rise would result in losing her home – a tragic situation for a frontline homelessness worker.”
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