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Government and unions 'partners' SNP and Labour bid to woo unions
(about 3 hours later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has set out his vision for working with Scotland's unions as "social partners". First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Wendy Alexander have gone head-to-head at the STUC in a bid to woo Scotland's unions.
His comments came in the first address to the STUC by an SNP first minister. Mr Salmond set out his vision for working with them as "social partners" in the first address to the STUC by an SNP first minister.
Mr Salmond said the two parties shared a common interest in areas such as council house building and fire control room centralisation. In a separate speech, Ms Alexander accused the Scots government of giving special access to big business.
However, union leaders hit out last week at a decision by the government to extend the ScotRail contract, without detailed consultation with them. Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke at the event, in Inverness, on Monday.
Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander is also addressing the congress, in Inverness later. Mr Salmond said his administration and unions shared a common interest in areas such as council house building, and attacked Mr Brown's comments that Scotland could have bigger clout on the world stage as part of the UK.
Mr Salmond attacked comments made by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his speech at the gathering on Monday that Scotland could have bigger clout on the world stage as part of the United Kingdom. But the first minister's speech came after unions last week hit out at a government failure to consult with them before deciding to extend the ScotRail contract for three years.
'Pick and mix' We don't need a special access government in Scotland that favours its friends Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader
"The contribution I would like to see Scotland make is a contribution to international peacekeeping and a reconciliation of differences, not to illegal invasions of Iraq or anywhere else," said the first minister. "The contribution I would like to see Scotland make is a contribution to international peacekeeping and a reconciliation of differences, not to illegal invasions of Iraq or anywhere else," said Mr Salmond.
"It may be a substantial contribution to the world to have Europe's largest concentration of weapons of mass destruction in one of the most beautiful areas of our country."It may be a substantial contribution to the world to have Europe's largest concentration of weapons of mass destruction in one of the most beautiful areas of our country.
"But it doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it a positive.""But it doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it a positive."
Ministers said the controversial decision to extend the First ScotRail franchise by three years, until 2014, would bring quicker service improvements and came after an exceptional performance by the operator.
Mr Salmond went on to tell the congress that Scotland trained and educated more people than south of the border.Mr Salmond went on to tell the congress that Scotland trained and educated more people than south of the border.
He added: "The most important thing about our training statistics is that there is a 68% completion rate in Scotland and only a 53% completion rate south of the border. He added: "The most important thing about our training statistics is that there is a 68% completion rate in Scotland and only a 53% completion rate south of the border."
"It's quality as well as quantity." In her STUC speech later, Ms Alexander accused the Scottish Government of favouring big business friends.
Meanwhile, the SNP's stance against nuclear energy received a rebuff after congress earlier passed a motion calling for a "balanced" energy strategy which would include coal, nuclear, oil, gas and renewables. "In Alex Salmond's Scotland, some people are indeed more equal than others," she said.Congress called for a "balanced" energy strategy to include nuclear
"The Trump Organisation, Macdonald Hotels in Aviemore, ScottishPower - all big businesses with a special pass to the corridors of SNP power."
Emphasising Labour's historic union links, she told delegates: "We don't need a special access government in Scotland that favours its friends.
"Scotland should have a government that governs for all - and gives access to all.
"The Labour party does not just preach that, we also practise it."
Meanwhile, the SNP's stance against nuclear energy received a rebuff after congress passed a motion calling for a "balanced" energy strategy which would include coal, nuclear, oil, gas and renewables.
John Quigley of the Unite union said the Scottish Government's decision to adopt a "pick and mix" approach to low carbon-emitting energy sources was negligent and irresponsible.John Quigley of the Unite union said the Scottish Government's decision to adopt a "pick and mix" approach to low carbon-emitting energy sources was negligent and irresponsible.
Mr Salmond argued Scotland had a competitive advantage in renewable energy - with 25% of Europe's potential for marine renewables.Mr Salmond argued Scotland had a competitive advantage in renewable energy - with 25% of Europe's potential for marine renewables.