Voices from the frontline: Day two of the STUC

The second day of the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress heard from workers on the frontline.

Violence at work experienced by transport workers and others. The challenges faced by young workers, and exploitation of migrant workers were all discussed alongside the call for a standing commission on health and safety reporting to the Scottish Government. 

From the perspective of Scotland’s workforce Fair Work policy appears to all too often to fail Scotland’s workers. 

Early in the day Owen Reidy of the Irish Congress of Trade Union complemented the STUC on the way that it at appropriate junctures discussed questions relating to Scotland’s Constitutional future. Something he hoped that Irish trade unionists could learn from. 

Later Congress heard from Susan Fitzgerald of Unite about the future of the Alexander Dennis bus builders in Falkirk and Larbert. With workers from the plants in the hall there a strong view that bus building must remain part of an expanded manufacturing reality. 

Roz Foyer (pictured) made her address to Congress. She made clear that politicians need to understand who they work for. That appropriate taxation is needed to support the more equitable society that we want to be part of and that we need a new funding system for local government that allows it to flourish. 

It was into the this context that John Swinney stepped. His involvement in the Congress navigated this dual roles of First Minister and leader of the SNP. 

Mr Swinney’s call for the right of Scotland’s people to decided on Scotland’s future was listened to politely. His assertion that he will have nothing to do with Reform if re-elected to Holyrood was given a fair hearing. 

There was less sympathy for the degree to which the just transition feels just. The trade union movement wants to see an industrial strategy for the country that sees workers benefit from a meaningful economy. 

It is clear that there is a lot to be done on the other side of the election. The STUC and the trade union movement will need to make wise use of the alliances it is creating with politicians of a variety of parties if it is to make progress on its agenda for a better Scotland.

Published 21 April 2026