The North East Branches were delighted to welcome Kerry Macallan (centre) from Norwegian trade union Fagforbundet to talk about about working life in Norway and to hear about the challenges facing trade unions in Scotland.
Lyndsey Wallace, local organiser, who had a role in organising the event on Thursday 12th June, at the Aberdeen Resource Centre said,
“Kerry was born in Aberdeen and moved to Norway when she was just 20 years old, so has spent all of her career in Norway.
“She explained there are many similarities between work life and trade unionism here in Scotland and in Norway—namely the fundamental employee rights that trade unions have fought for that are still relevant today—paid annual leave, maternity and paternity rights, a minimum wage, health & safety standards in a workplace, paid overtime, paid sick leave, equal rights… The list goes on and on!
“It is also the case in Norway, as it is here, that some people do not recognise the hard work and perseverance of trade unions and its selfless members to stand up and fight for these rights.
“As is the case in Scotland—some workers in Norway take them for granted and forget that without a strong trade union to continue to negotiate good terms and conditions, we could lose them.
“Encourage your colleagues to join UNISON today, so we can continue to have a strong trade union for us and future generations,” said Lyndsey.