March 1987 - Day of Union action
Photograph is courtesy of John Ireland, who is currently based at Lochaber Forest District.
The outcome of a day of action by Forestry Commission foresters nationwide over proposed changes to salary structure. This was the second such day of action - the other had been a few years earlier. Can anyone remember the year?
The concern was over the removal of the overtime allowance built into the Forester’s salary that covered any overtime and time on call such as when on fire duty. There may have been a proposal to allow sanctioned overtime only which did not go down very well.
At the first day of action Jo Meechan was the very able union representative and when all the foresters gathered in front of 231 Corstorphine Road he was able to negotiate an assembly of all the foresters within the tiered meeting room of the top floor (it was originally a bit like a mini amphitheatre).
Readers can visualise hundreds of foresters packed into the room, the majority standing on the tiers, leaving a small area clear in the central low level space. It may have been George Holmes and Derek Rutherford that represented the Management and they elected to use the low level area. Perhaps not the best choice of stance!
A discussion proceeded with Joe putting forward the Forester’s points aided by comments and further questions from his colleagues. There was evidence that these had some effect and new considerations were promised. At one point George Holmes placed a hand on Derek Rutherford’s arm to ensure there were no other concessions on the day. The HQ staff did not invite the foresters in again on the second occasion!
Any other memories from the two days and confirmation or otherwise of names would be very welcome.
A grid of numbers and letters has been placed on the large photograph and so far the following are suggested names:
7:D David Robertson
8-9:B-C Jimmy Davidson? Soils surveying Forester (With hat)
9:C Simon Hodge
14;B-C Tony Cowal?
17:E Keith Black – Training Forester
More names, name corrections and job titles are very welcome.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Groups of people
2:A-B Bill Rayner (Research Forester, Perth, at the time, now retired)
7:D David Anderson (Harvesting Forester, Wales, at the time, now Woodland Officer, Perth Conservancy)
6-7:B Bill Brown ( Chief Forester, Genetics Branch, Research, NRS, at the time, now retired)
10:A-B or 16:B Jim Seaton? (Forester, Fife & Angus FD, at the time, now Estates, FE Scotland )
13:A Colin Morgan (Forester, Ayrshire & Arran FD or just gone to Bedgbury Arboretum at the time, now retired)
I think the previous day of action was in 1983 when I was at Torrachilty. There was at least one, if not two coach loads from the north of Scotland and our bus drivers choice of VHS video was "lewd"! He was asked to "Turn it off" and reminded that we weren't on a rugby or football tour!
We weren't very pleased with the idea of the 'planned' Forest Districts, loss of Chief and Head Foresters autonomy, plus the vexed question of "Key Housing" and Housing Allowance for all Forester grades being dismantled. Now 33 years later Scottish FD appear to be going out of 'fashion' for 'Beats'! ;¬)
My regards, Bill Rayner Comment left on 10 September 2016 at 00:48 by Bill Rayner