Caithness and north Sutherland work highlighted at STUC conference
The work being done to help diversify and grow the Caithness and north Sutherland economy has been highlighted at the STUC conference in Dundee.
Davie Alexander and John Deighan, the chairman and secretary respectively of the Thurso and Wick Trade Union Council (TWTUC), attended the annual event and outlined what is happening in the far north.
“It was quite a good conference and myself and John took the opportunity to catch up with Ryan Morrison of the STUC and tell him about Focus North and what is going on in Caithness and north Sutherland,” said Mr Alexander, who pointed out that TWTUC has been going to the STUC conference for many years.
He added: “The trades council is still very active although we have had no meetings since Covid as it has been difficult to get everyone in the same room at the same time, but we hope to get more active again soon.
“We are involved in many bodies such as Focus North, the Caithness Transport Forum and the Dounreay Stakeholder Group and support initiatives regards the NHS and measures to help boost the Caithness economy,” said Mr Alexander.
He is keen to see more unions becoming part of the TWTUC. “We have tried a few times but some choose not to affiliate and we are disappointed about that,” added Mr Alexander.
The STUC conference was held last month.
Focus North includes various organisations and supports initiatives to generate economic growth and lead the low carbon economy.
Its aims are to grow and diversify a sustainable economy; expand the working population; increase the number of private sector businesses operating locally; and attract investment and provide a healthy, economically stable environment for a growing population.
Its partners include Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NRS Dounreay, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland and UHI North, West and Hebrides.