• Dundee MSPs ‘In The Pink’

    24Sep

     

     

    Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick are joining forces with Breast Cancer Campaign for its award winning fundraising event, wear it pink, on Friday 31 October 2008.

     

    This year’s theme is ‘dare to wear’ and both MSPs are urging residents, young and old to get their craziest pink outfits on. Shona and Joe are pictured today wearing a pink lab coat to represent the importance of breast cancer research.

     

    Taking part in wear it pink couldn’t be easier. Whether you are in an office, at school, or simply popping to the shops, on 31 October donate £2 and wear an item of pink, the more daring the better! Your donation will allow Campaign to continue funding innovative world class research across the UK.

     

    Shona Robison MSP says ““Every year over 4,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with breast cancer. Like many others, I know people who have lost friends and family members to breast cancer. Both Joe and I would like to encourage everyone in Dundee and throughout the country to support wear it pink on October 31, to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research.”

     

    To help Campaign reach this year’s target of £3.5 million, take part in the UK’s original and best pink day.  Call freephone 0800 107 3104 or visit www.wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now.

  • Dundee MSPs Welcome End of NHS Hospitals’ Car Park Charges

    24Sep

    Dundee’s SNP MSPs today gave an enthusiastic welcome to the announcement by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon that car parking charges at hospitals across Scotland will be abolished from December 31st.

    They added their voice to the Health Secretary’s calls for boards with PFI deals, signed under previous Labour administrations, to work with contractors to reduce the charges at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells in Dundee.

    Joe Fitzpatrick SNP MSP for Dundee West where as a result of a PFI deal for car parking charges will remain in place at Ninewells said;

    “This is a welcome announcement for the rest of Scotland but serves to highlight the problems faced at Ninewells in Dundee, where as a result of the use of a private finance deal for carparking the charges will remain and serves to highlight the problems of the PFI deals pushed forward by previous Labour administrations and Health Ministers.

    “Along with those who use and work at Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary people in Dundee will continue to pay these charges and I welcome the Health Secretary’s efforts to urge these hospitals to take action to reduce their charges.”

    “The abolition of car parking charges in Scotland’s other hospital car parks is excellent news and shows the SNP’s commitment to an NHS that is free.

    “With parking and prescription charges now on the way out this is a good day for all those who use the NHS and who work in the NHS.

    “Charging those who work in our NHS, who need treatment in the NHS or who are visiting loved ones was grossly unfair and has caused outrage across Scotland.   The £3 cap has made a big difference and abolishing charges at the end of the year will bring a great start to the New Year for the NHS.”

    “I know employees and trade unions as well as patients and visitors have opposed these charges and am sure this news will be well received.

    “The SNP has supported those who have campaigned against the charges and I am pleased Nicola Sturgeon has been able to act to lift this tax on the sick, their carers and their families.”

  • MSPs call for support for Dovetail Enterprises

    12Sep

    SNP politicians say they are “optimistic” about Dovetail Enterprises, which employs a largely disabled workforce to produce beds, furniture and doors at its factory on Dunsinane Avenue. Stewart Hosie MP, MSPs Joe Fitzpatrick and Shona Robison and Councillors Stewart Hunter and Jimmy Black met Managing Director Gavin Strachan to discuss press reports of redundancies due to the credit crunch.

    Ms Robison said, “It’s clear that the city needs to get behind Dovetail. Politicians from all parties and public bodies should now be thinking about what they can do to support this excellent company to bring in new orders and secure the future.”

    Dundee West MP Stewart Hosie said, “We were greatly encouraged to hear that as yet there have been no redundancies at Dovetail, and that management are taking a vigorous approach to bringing in new orders and seeking new areas of business for the company.

    “We were impressed by the factory itself, which is state of the art, and we will be returning to visit the factory floor in the near future to see the workforce in action.”

    Joe Fitzpatrick said, “Much of Dovetail’s business comes from construction and tourism. The global credit crunch has brought a slowdown in orders from these sectors. As a responsible employer Dovetail is keeping its workforce informed about the action it plans to take to ensure the company remains in sound financial health.”

    Shona Robison said she had been approached by members of the workforce concerned that their jobs might be at risk. “I obtained assurances from Mr Strachan that the workforce would be kept fully informed of developments, and that everything would be done to avoid the need for redundancies. Having said that, six redundancies are under consideration and the company has begun the formal consultation process.

    “It’s clear that Dovetail are ready to look outside their traditional markets and they are keen to boost their retail business in beds and furniture.”

    One of the issues under scrutiny was the UK Government’s WORKSTEP programme which supports disabled workers in employment. Stewart Hosie said, “Our information is that financial support to Dovetail under this programme has not increased since 2004. I’ll be writing to the Minister, Anne McGuire MP, to ask her if there is any action she can take to bring this grant up to date.”

    “It’s quite clear that Dovetail’s beds, mattresses and furniture are quality items which will last for years,” said Joe Fitzpatrick. “The factory showroom’s a wee bit off the beaten track and some people don’t know it’s there. But for anyone fitting out bedrooms in their home, it’s well worth a look.”

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