STUC to hold own independence consultation

THE Scottish Trades Union Congress has said that debate around the independence referendum is “too important” to be left to politicians as it called for a wider discussion in the run-up to the 2014 vote.

• STUC plans to launch its own consultation of independence

• Scottish Government’s consulation process is flawed, says union

Members of trade unions in Scotland are being urged to back a consultation over the summer along with other civic and community organisations .

The STUC wants to consider how Scotland can deliver economic “justice”, equality, industrial democracy and social protection.

Speaking before an address to members in Inverness, STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said: “The increasingly febrile debate on Scotland’s constitutional future and two flawed consultation processes prove that the referendum question is too important to be left to the politicians.

“That is why STUC is launching a major consultation over the summer and early autumn which will involve our own members as well as Scotland’s communities in asking the questions that matter.

“What Scotland do we want to see and what is the best way to get it?”