Cumbernauld’s ‘Woolies Workers’ Compensated
- Mark Griffin welcomes settlement for Cumbernauld workers, but raises concerns about level of fairness.
Mark Griffin MSP has welcomed the news that former Woolworths employees, who worked in the Cumbernauld store in Antonine Centre, are entitled to compensation.
The Trade Union Usdaw, who has been fighting hard for a settlement for ‘Woolies Workers’ was successful last week, with an award of £67.8 million being granted to 24,000 former workers across the country.
However Mr Griffin has expressed his outrage at the fact that staff who worked in Woolworths stores with less than 20 employees will be entitled to nothing, as they are not classed as having been made ‘mass redundant’.
Mark said:
"I would like to congratulate Usdaw and all campaigners who have fought to get a settlement for former Woolworths employees and welcome the fact that the former staff at the Cumbernauld store will be compensated. However it is an absolute disgrace that their fellow employees, who happened to work in smaller stores, will not receive a penny.
"Red tape and legal loopholes should not stand in the way of fairness for these workers.
"I am pleased that Usdaw will likely appeal this decision. We need justice and fairness for all of the workers who lost their jobs."John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, added:
"We are taking further expert legal advice and it is highly likely we will appeal against this part of the judgment."
Mark Pleased by Council Decision on Car Parking Charges
Mark Griffin MSP and Cumbernauld and Kilsyth’s Labour Councillors, have hailed the decision of North Lanarkshire Council to put a halt to all proposed car parking charges in the area.
The issue will not be reviewed until at least 2014/15, when the Council will get its funding settlement from the Scottish Government.
Commenting on the decision, Mark said:
"I am pleased the Council have taken this decision.
"Town centre car parking charges were considered to avoid commuters clogging up parking for local shoppers, but the new car parks being built will help alleviate this.
"When wages are being frozen, hours being reduced and large numbers of people unemployed and possibly travelling to job interviews, it is only appropriate that the Labour-run Council take this into account when considering their consultation on car park charging.
"Commuters are in the process of being hit by 6% rail fare increase, which the SNP Government has failed to stop. I don't want to see additional burdens placed on people at a time when families are struggling with household bills. I am glad the Council have shown leadership on this issue and acted in the way they have."
In a collective statement, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth’s Labour Councillors added:
"It is a difficult financial time for the Council, but people across the area are facing even greater challenges. It is important that the local authority does all it can to ease some of the pressure on families who are finding it difficult to pay bills and not add to it.
"North Lanarkshire Council have looked at the issue of car parking charges and have put the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth first."
Parliamentarians and Councillors Unite With Forum Over Health Cuts
Labour Councillors and Parliamentarians in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth have joined forces with Cumbernauld Community Forum in a move that increases pressure on the Scottish Government to improve health services in the area, and return services which have already been cut.
Councillors Bob Chadha, Barry McCulloch and Stephen Grant, and Gregg McClymont MP, stood shoulder to shoulder with Community Forum members on Saturday 14 January as they collected support for their petition. This is the second petition to be established, with Mark Griffin MSP’s petition already gaining the support of over 1000 local people.
Mark said:
"I am pleased that the Community Forum has put together a petition. The more people we have fighting against these unfair cuts the better.
"Over 1000 people signed my petition at the tail end of last year and the fact that more have now shown their support for the Community Forum’s petition is heartening.
"The Scottish Government has given a raw deal to the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. No minor injuries unit; no new health centre for Carrickstone and Craigmarloch; reduced operating times for the out-of-hours service; x-ray services cut, and a reduction in our treatment rooms.
"SNP Councillors and MSPs must get off their hands and urge the Health Secretary to intervene to get our vital health services restored.
Gregg McClymont, MP for Cumbernauld Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East added:
"I’m backing the Cumbernauld Community Council petition to Nicola Sturgeon.
"It’s time the Scottish Government protected Cumbernauld’s Health services. Since the SNP came into power five years ago, we have lost our local X-ray services and saw a reduction in the numbers of local treatment rooms, as well as a cut in their opening hours. In short, local health services have got worse under the SNP."
Holy Cross Visit Parliament
Pupils from Holy Cross Primary School in Croy visited Parliament on Thursday 12 January.
Mark Griffin MSP met the group during their visit.
Mark said:
"I was pleased that pupils from Holy Cross visited the Scottish Parliament.
"It is excellent that young people in our community are taking an active interest in politics and the functions of Parliament. I hope they enjoyed their day."
Mark Outlines True Cost of ScotRail Hike
In light of the news ScotRail is to increase train fares by 6% from January, Mark Griffin MSP has outlined the true cost to local commuters, and is urging people to sign up to Scottish Labour’s online campaign to stop the SNP rolling out plans which will be detrimental to those who travel by rail.
Mark said:
"The SNP Government is already planning on cutting train numbers and increasing journey times. Now rail users will be forced to pay higher fares too.
"If travelling at peak time from Cumbernauld to Glasgow, the fare will increase by 40 pence if a return ticket has been purchased. A Croy to Edinburgh return ticket at peak times will increase by over £1. If local people are travelling to either city on a daily basis, as many do for work, then this increase will seriously hit their pockets.
"Pressure is placed on commuters to dump their cars and use public transportation more, but there is little incentive when the prices keep increasing.
"I urge anyone who is concerned by the proposed changes to contact my office on 01236 423 555."
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