Prospect is a key player in the joint STUC / Scottish Government's COVID-19 Group. Meetings take place twice a week and we will endeavour to update members on actions and issues we have raised on their behalf after each meeting.

Todays meeting (27th March) was chaired as usual by Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish Governments Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture.

Prospect raised four key issues on behalf of members 

Firstly we raised the continuing reluctance of some workplaces to operate according to Government instructions relating to sending workers home, or where work is essential, to operate systems of safe work. We know that emergency powers have been granted to the Police to close down workplaces, but where possible we want to avoid invoving the police in what should be a discussion between workers and employers. We have asked the Scottish Government to establish a single point of contact for Unions to raise concerns about unsafe working, so that these can be followed up by Scottish Government enforcement rather than police action (which may adversely impact members wages). The Government agrees that it is utterly unacceptable for employers to be putting their staff at risk of death or serious illness, and is looking to set up a scheme of this kind next week. In the meantime please keep ketting us know if you are being asked to work in a danagerous way.

Secondly we have asked the Scottish Government to take strategic decisions about it's air transport requirements, this should be based around medical flights, and essential freight and mail flights. Once these decisions are taken we know that employers will be able to take their own strategic decisions about staffing levels. Members are telling us that employers at airports, in ground handling, air traffic and aircraft maintenance are simply running with pre-outbreak levels of staff, with all the risks that this entails, because they have no idea what they will be asked to provide in terms of service, or when, if ever, they will be asked to provide it. The Scottish Government has promised a direct cal between Prospect and the Transport Secretary to progress this matter.

Thirdly we raised issues about seasonal staff, particularly those in the Heritage Sector, and how they are being impacted by not being eligible for the "furloughing" scheme, and are now not able to access, what for many, are vital summer time jobs. The Scottish Government has indicated that the issue of seasonal workers is one they are working on, because they understand it is a wide cross sectoral issue, and they are looking at a financial package to assist seasonal workers. we will update members as more details become available.

Lastly, following on from yesterdays annoubcement by the Chancellor in respect of support for freelance and other self employed workers, we pressed the Scottish Government to create a financial package which would enable our members to bridge the financial gap between now and the scheme going live in June. The Scottish Government have already started this work, following our intervention earlier in the week. They have indicated it will likely be a very blunt tool, and may simply be short term loans but they recognise the need to get money into peoples pockets so they can pay bills. Again we will keep members informed of developments.

Prospect National Secretary for Scotland, Richard Hardy who represents Prospect on the group said

"I hope this shows you what Prospect is doing for members at the highest level in Scotland and if there are any issues that you feel require urgent attention please bring them to the attention of your reps or full time officers".