Scottish unions fight privatisation of water

(26 March 2006) The Scottish parts of Unison, Amicus, GMB and TGWU have joined hands to stop the privatisation of Scottish Water. They have proposed plans on how to develop public water and waste services for the future. The unions also oppose the option of so-called mutualisation which is a way to hand over the water system to international financial equity groups. The unions argue for a democratisation of the company and compare with international models. To read more see Unison press release below and the Scottish water unions publication attached.

Embargo: For immediate release Date: 22 March 2007

UNISON fights fight water privatisation - at home and abroad

UNISON, Scotland's largest water union, is using World Water Day today to draw attention to the threat of water privatisation at home and abroad. The union will be supporting the launch today, by the STUC and the water industry unions, of a discussion paper, It's Scotland's Water. This outlines options for the development of Scotland's public water and sewerage services. It places the anti-privatisation campaign in Scotland into its international context and sets out the impact privatisation would have on one of Scotland's most important assets - its water supply.

It also attacks privatisation's Trojan horse - mutualisation. The paper explains why in a capital intensive industry the mutual option would simply lead to the handing over of Scotland's water to international financial institutions and exporting Scottish jobs to private companies outwith the country. The paper also sets out options for turning Scottish Water away from a market model towards a more democratic public service, using international examples to show how this could deliver a more efficient and accountable service.

UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said: “World Water Day is an opportunity to express our solidarity with those in the developing world facing a water crisis exacerbated by the activities of the water privatisation lobby. And recognising the threat nearer home to a vital public service and to one of Scotland's greatest assets”. UNISON is also supporting other activities today.

- A showing of the film Drowned Out at the Edinburgh Filmhouse followed by a debate on water organised by the World Development Movement. Dave Watson will set out UNISON's position.

- Supporting an advert in the European Voice newspaper calling on the EU Commission to introduce ‘smart aid' policies. In relation to water and sanitation, this should mean that the EU:

-* Stops using aid money to facilitate private sector involvement.

-* Drops requests for market access within trade talks.

-* Greatly increases aid and public investment in the sector.

-* Supports the development of strong public utilities in the Global South through ‘public-public partnerships' that enable the exchange of expertise between public providers, working hand-in-hand with local communities - Circulation of a leaflet Mutualisation is Privatisation. www.unison-scotland.org.uk ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Dave Watson (Scottish Organiser) 0870 7777 006 (w) 07958 122 409 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0870 7777 006(w) 0771 558 3729(m)