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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scale of arts sector abuse, bullying and harassment exposed
The Scottish Trade Union Congress study more found that one in three had not been paid for freelance work they had carried out, 69 per cent had experiences of being paid late and 83 per cent had a seen a real-terms fall in their earnings in recent years. Read more: Its report into the research highlights widespread concerns over the behaviour of individuals, including unwanted sexual advances, physical assault, 'yelling and swearing at staff' and the 'mistreatment of freelance artists to the point of tears.' The STUC said its findings suggested that organisations had been "slow to act" when concerns had been raised by workers, adding that it had received accounts of organisations "prioritising their own reputation or fear of legal action over supporting those who experienced harassment or bullying." The report on 'worker exploitation' also found that almost a third of arts-industry workers had signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) asking them not to talk about work. The STUC said there was a 'clear indication' that these agreements were being used to discourage or prevent individuals from reporting unethical or inappropriate conduct. Other key findings included 46 per cent of workers losing work or pay after falling ill, or taken maternity or bereavement leave. Almost three quarters of those surveyed said had rarely or never had access to a clear and accessible complaints and appeal process when carrying out freelance work. The STUC said the report made it 'abundantly clear' that, despite the Scottish Government's commitment to the country being a leading 'fair work' nation, the rights of arts industry workers were being 'ridden roughshod' by shoddy employers and poor employment practices The report urges the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to agree minimum terms and conditions people on freelance contracts should expect, and for Creative Scotland to get a specific remit in future to support artists and workers, and monitor and enforce 'bad working practices.' Just over 800 creative industries workers were surveyed in March and April of this year. The report found 53 of them had experienced or seen bullying, abuse or sexual harassment at work. The research states: 'Respondents described direct instances of sexual harassment, including unwanted sexual advances, being offered work in exchange for sexual favours, sexual and derogatory remarks on set, and physical assault. 'Bullying behaviour was also prevalent, ranging from yelling and swearing at staff, mistreatment of freelance artists to the point of tears, threats of disclosing confidential information, manipulation of governance procedures, and intimidation. 'Some instances highlighted the abuse of power by individuals in leadership positions, such as heads of organisations and directors.' One respondent said: 'I have worked for many years and several times I have either been offered work in exchange for sexual favours or witnessed similar situations with other people.' Another said: 'I have personally witnessed employees being yelled and sworn at by the director of a publicly funded arts organisation where I worked as an employee. I have also personally witnessed visiting freelance artists being mistreated to the point of tears in the same organisation. 'I have also heard of staff being throttled and yelled at by a director at another publicly funded arts organisation.' STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: 'Fair work means fair work. It doesn't mean, as our report found, hundreds of workers being subject to bullying, sexual harassment and abuse within a sector built upon precarity and inequality. 'The Scottish Government must take seriously our findings and hear the voices of Scotland's creative workers if we are to protect and enhance their livelihoods. 'We all want to make fair work a reality but that cannot be done whilst the rights of creative workers continue to be ridden roughshod by shoddy employers and poor employment practices.' Musicians' Union regional organiser Caroline Sewell said: 'Whilst this report will read as somewhat shocking for many, sadly there won't be many surprises for those working in the creative industries in Scotland who are acutely aware of these issues which this report holds up to the light. 'It is clear from the findings of this report that freelance musicians, and other creative workers are being routinely undervalued, underpaid, and mistreated in an industry that simply could not function without them.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Artists Union said: 'We knew from our own surveys, and ongoing casework, that freelance artists in the visual arts and applied arts sectors have been experiencing significant exploitation and discrimination. 'We had hoped that other parts of the arts and culture sectors were faring a bit better - however as the report shows it is a bleak picture across the board. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome at work. Everyone should be standing up against bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination in our workplaces. 'It is vitally important that freelance workers are given the same protections as employed workers."
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scots union boss Roz Foyer in second home 'hypocrisy' row
The union boss was said to be the owner of a flat in Edinburgh, a terraced house in Glasgow, a Spanish flat which she rents out for £1,000 a week and a holiday cottage on Jura She also owns a four-bedroom family home in the leafy suburbs of north-west Glasgow, and a plot of undeveloped land. Ms Foyer, who earns up to £100,000 a year, has publicly blaming second home owners for exacerbating the housing and cost-of-living crisis. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay (Image: Jane Barlow) Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has questioned how she can continue in her role. He said: 'Scotland's leading trade unionist appears to have been more inspired by Donald Trump than Jimmy Reid. 'To secretly build a £1million property empire while railing against the supposed sin of second home ownership is hilariously hypocritical. 'Just another example of Scotland's self-righteous socialist establishment telling the rest of us how to behave – while doing the complete opposite.' He added: 'How Roz Foyer thinks she can continue in her role as self-styled workers' champion is a mystery and I expect her comrades might have something to say about it.' Mr Findlay joked on Friday that Ms Foyer shared his party's values of working hard and reaping the rewards – and invited her to defect to his party. Ms Foyer was the first woman appointed to the top trade union job in Scotland and represents 500,000 workers. READ MORE: STUC general secretary accused of 'champagne socialism' over second home Roz Foyer: It's 'Awful April' and the cost of living crisis continues She has repeatedly spoken out about the impact second homes have on communities amid Scotland's 'housing emergency'. In July 2023, she called for a 300 per cent council tax premium on second and empty homes to tackle homelessness. Months later, she said: 'Scotland is facing a simultaneous housing and cost-of-living crisis putting an unbearable strain on working people.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Calls for 'second homes' row union leader to quit as MoS reveals she has FIVE houses (and a £100k plot of land!)
The top union boss at the centre of a 'second homes' hypocrisy storm is facing calls to resign after it emerged she is sitting on a property empire worth £1MILLION. The Mail on Sunday can reveal Roz Foyer – who has repeatedly condemned second home ownership – has a total of FIVE houses, as well as a £100,000 plot of land. In a dramatic escalation of the hypocrisy row which has engulfed the general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), The Mail on Sunday has discovered two further properties in her portfolio. They include a flat in Edinburgh, a terraced house in Glasgow and a plot of unused land which she bought just three months ago. It comes after we revealed Ms Foyer, who earns up to £100,000 a year, has a Spanish flat which she rents out for £1,000 a week AND a holiday cottage on Jura, as well as her four-bedroom family home in the leafy suburbs of north-west Glasgow. That is despite Ms Foyer publicly blaming second home owners for exacerbating the housing and cost-of-living crisis. Now, amid a huge backlash which has seen the trade unionist branded a 'champagne socialist' and 'a sangria-sipping one too', she faces growing pressure to resign. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has questioned how she can continue in her role. He said: 'Scotland's leading trade unionist appears to have been more inspired by Donald Trump than Jimmy Reid. 'To secretly build a £1million property empire while railing against the supposed sin of second home ownership is hilariously hypocritical. Just another example of Scotland's self-righteous socialist establishment telling the rest of us how to behave – while doing the complete opposite. 'How Roz Foyer thinks she can continue in her role as self-styled workers' champion is a mystery and I expect her comrades might have something to say about it.' It comes after Mr Findlay joked on Friday that she clearly shared his party's values of working hard and reaping the rewards – and invited her to defect to his party. Ms Foyer was the first woman appointed to the top trade union job in Scotland and represents 500,000 workers. She has repeatedly spoken out about the impact second homes have on communities amid Scotland's 'housing emergency'. In July 2023, she called for a 300 per cent council tax premium on second and empty homes to tackle homelessness. Months later, she said: 'Scotland is facing a simultaneous housing and cost-of-living crisis putting an unbearable strain on working people. 'Second homes and short-term lets can have significantly negative impacts on communities, exacerbating these crises as well as undermining the local economy.' And in February 2024 she highlighted the number of empty properties and second homes in the Highlands, saying workers there faced 'an acute housing crisis'. But an investigation by The Mail on Sunday last week revealed Ms Foyer owns a property on the Isle of Jura with her husband, fellow union official Simon Macfarlane, which is valued at around £150,000. It comes after Holyrood last month heard how a proliferation of holiday homes was making life harder for public sector workers in Scotland – the very people that Ms Foyer claims to represent. Ms Foyer and Mr Macfarlane – a regional manager for the Unison union – are understood to spend most of their time with their two daughters at their Glasgow residence, which cost the family £280,111 in 2015. However, yesterday, the Scottish Daily Mail also revealed Ms Foyer has a holiday home in Spain that is worth around £125,000. Situated in the quaint harbour town of Puerto de Mazarrón in Murcia, the three-bedroomed apartment boasts a private balcony with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and access to two communal pools. While they are not using the flat, Ms Foyer rents it out. A week's stay from June 18 to June 25 this year would cost around £920. Now, The Mail on Sunday can reveal Ms Foyer owns a further TWO properties. Official records show the trade union boss bought a terraced new-build in Glasgow in 2016 for £145,000. Additionally, she owns a 'light' and 'well-presented' two bedroom flat in Scotland's capital, which was bought last year for £240,000. Property brochures say the flat is in an 'ideal' and 'vibrant' location and has 'access to a residents' swimming pool, gym and sauna, a leafy view over a shared courtyard garden, and a secured and gated residents' car park'. The Mail on Sunday understands the properties are occupied by close friends and family. However, in a move which suggests the union official may be looking to expand her property empire even further, Ms Foyer purchased a plot of land in Glasgow for £100,000 in February. Ms Foyer last night defended her five homes, saying: 'I'm proud that the STUC has pushed for and secured a doubling of council tax on second homes and we remain committed to arguing for a proportional property tax. 'I can look in the mirror knowing that I'm actively arguing to increase my fair share to society. 'Fighting every day for fairer taxation and to spread wealth throughout the country brings its critics. 'As a woman from a working- class background, I won't be made to feel ashamed for legitimately owning property that my family and I, like of thousands of families across Scotland, have worked tirelessly for.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Scots union boss has THIRD home - this time in Spain - despite condemning 'negative' effects of second homes
The second home hypocrisy scandal surrounding Scotland's top union boss deepened as it was revealed she owns a THIRD home in Spain. Roz Foyer - who has publicaly CONDEMNED the scourge of multiple home ownership - rents her luxury three-bedroomed apartment out for over £1,000 a week, the Mail can reveal. It comes after Ms Foyer, the general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), was last week accused of being a hypocrite after it emerged she owned homes in Glasgow and the idyllic isle of Jura. Ms Foyer, who earns up to £100,000 a year, has blamed second home owners for exacerbating the housing and cost-of-living crisis. Last week, the Mail on Sunday revealed she owned a holiday cottage on the Isle of Jura, as well as her four-bedroom family home in the leafy suburbs of the north-west of Glasgow. Now, Ms Foyer is under growing pressure to consider her position as head of the STUC, an umbrella body which oversees a coalition of 40 trade unions. Ms Foyer rents out the tastefully decorated three-bedroom apartment in sunny southern Spain. A week's stay from June 18 to June 25 this year would cost around £920. Situated in an apartment block in the quaint harbour town of Puerto de Mazarrón, the flat boasts a private balcony with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea. Although the beautiful Isla beach is just 950 yards from the property, the two well-kept communal swimming pools are even closer-by, should guests like to take a dip to cool off. The revelation comes as Europe is grappling with a housing crisis due to rising house prices and an influx of foreign buyers, prompting the minority socialist Spanish Government to push ahead with a 100 per cent property tax on second homes bought by non-EU member residents. Earlier this month Holyrood heard how a proliferation of holiday homes was making life harder for public sector workers here in Scotland - the very people that Ms Foyer claims to represent. Last night, Scottish Conservative finance and local government spokesman Craig Hoy said: 'After raging against the evils of second home ownership it was staggering to discover Roz Foyer herself had an island bolthole in Scotland in addition to her main residence. 'News that she has a third home in Spain simply beggars belief and highlights the levels of hypocrisy among left-wing union leaders. 'She's not just a champagne socialist she's a sangria-sipping one too.' Trade unionist Ms Foyer was the first woman in 2020 to be appointed to the top job in Scotland, representing 500,000 workers and has repeatedly spoken out about the negative impact second homes have on communities. In July 2023 she said that there should be a 300 per cent council tax premium on second and empty homes to tackle homelessness in Scotland. Months later, in December, she said: 'Scotland is facing a simultaneous housing crisis, a public sector funding crisis and a cost-of-living crisis putting an unbearable strain on working people. 'Second homes and short-term lets can have significantly negative impacts on communities, exacerbating these crises as well as undermining the local economy.' And in February 2024, in a newspaper column, Ms Foyer highlighted the number of long term empty properties and second homes in the Highlands. She wrote that 'workers in the Highlands are facing an acute housing crisis'. Ms Foyer co-owns her property on Jura with husband, fellow trade union official Simon Macfarlane, which they bought for £45,000 in 2012. The pretty cottage enjoys a lovely spot on Jura which is known as one of Europe's 'last lost wildernesses' and boasts a small population of around 220. Similar properties on Jura are valued at around £150,000. Ms Foyer and Mr Macfarlane - who is a regional manager for trade union Unison - are understood to spend most of their time with their two daughters at their residence on a private estate in Glasgow, which cost the family £280,111 in 2015. The Spanish home is in the Murcia region of Spain, close to Alicante. Title deeds show Ms Foyer and Mr Macfarlane purchased the home in August 2021 - just months after Ms Foyer was appointed the General Secretary of the STUC. Locals say the family have been seen enjoying trips around the town and walking along the harbour. While they are not using the flat, Ms Foyer rents it out on holiday letting sites under the banner: 'Stunning 3-Bed Apartment in Puerto De Mazarrón'. At almost 1000 square foot, the property is said to 'offer a spacious layout' and can house up to six guests in its two double bedrooms and one twin room - although it 'will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties'. One review left in April hailed the apartment's 'perfect location', 'large kitchen' and 'beautiful huge terrace', however one guest lamented the fact there were no beds or shade around the pools and no air conditioning in the bedrooms. The socialist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that foreign buyers - such as Ms Foyer - have purchased thousands of properties 'not to live in, but to make money from them which, in the context of the shortage that we are in, we obviously cannot allow'. He has presented a Bill to the Spanish parliament in the hope to impose a 100 per cent property tax on British and other non-EU citizens purchasing holiday homes, as well as an increase of VAT on short-term rentals. Meanwhile the issue of second home ownership in the Scottish Highlands and Islands was debated in the Scottish parliament earlier this month during a motion brought by Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens. The discussion heard concerns that a high concentration of second homes has caused house prices and rents to rocket and reduced the housing supply for local people. Scottish Labour MSP Carol Mochan said holiday homes were making it harder to recruit and retain public sector workers. She said: 'A lack of affordable housing affects not only individuals and communities but local businesses that want to attract workers. Very importantly, a lack of affordable housing also affects the recruitment of public sector workers.' She continued: 'I have strong evidence of that from the Borders area of my South Scotland region. 'Trade unions have told me that people are not coming to work in the area or are having to travel a long distance, which sometimes involves a journey of an hour or more, to get to their work. 'That is not sustainable. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has heard compelling evidence on the issue, in oral evidence and on a visit to the islands. 'The health boards have described the situation as a crisis for service delivery. It is a very important issue.' STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer defended owning a second and third home. She said: 'I'm proud that the STUC has pushed for and secured a doubling of council tax on second homes and we remain committed to arguing for a proportional property tax. 'I can look in the mirror knowing that I'm actively arguing to increase my fair share to society. 'Fighting every day for fairer taxation and to spread wealth throughout the country brings its critics. 'As a woman from a working-class background, I won't be made to feel ashamed for legitimately owning property that my family and I, like of thousands of families across Scotland, have worked tirelessly for.'
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Hypocrisy of a 'champagne' socialist! Top Scots union baron has holiday home on idyllic Jura - despite condemning 'negative' effects of second homes
Scotland's most senior union boss is at the centre of a major hypocrisy row over her ownership of a second home. The Mail can reveal that Roz Foyer, the General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), owns two houses – despite publicly condemning the scourge of second homes. Ms Foyer, who earns up to £100,000 a year, has blamed second home ownership for exacerbating Scotland's housing and cost-of-living crisis. Now an investigation by this newspaper has sparked accusations of blatant 'hypocrisy' by the top union official – who oversees a coalition of 40 trade bodies across the country. We can reveal that Ms Foyer and her husband have a holiday cottage on the idyllic Isle of Jura, as well as their four-bedroom family home in the leafy suburbs of the north-west of Glasgow. The pretty two-storey stone-built island home, which is believed to be worth around £150,000, is situated in a tiny hamlet just a few miles from where George Orwell famously wrote his dystopian novel 1984. Earlier this month a Labour MSP told a Holyrood debate that a proliferation of holiday homes was making life harder for public sector workers – the very people that Ms Foyer claims to represent. Last night Scottish Conservative finance and local government spokesman Craig Hoy blasted Ms Foyer's double standards. He said: 'Hypocrisy is the religion of champagne socialism. We look forward to Roz Foyer's condemnation of Roz Foyer.' Stalwart trade unionist Ms Foyer was appointed to the top job in Scotland, representing 500,000 workers, in 2020. As the first woman appointed to the position in the collective's long history, she pledged to help tackle the stereotype of unions being only for blue-collar men and revealed her mission to amplify the 'working class' voice. Ms Foyer has repeatedly spoken out about the negative impact second homes have on communities. Defending the STUC's policy position set out in July 2023, that there should be a 300 per cent council tax premium on second and empty homes to tackle homelessness in Scotland, Ms Foyer wrote that it was time that the wealth in Scotland was shared. She said: 'We cannot ever hope to solve the chronic lack of housing, with the unforgivable levels of homelessness throughout the country, if the Scottish Government continues down this path of reinforcing rentierism. 'A premium on council tax for homes that are not in use, second homes and short-term lets would provide vital extra resources for local authorities, helping incentivise homes into use, raise revenue and bring down rents in the long term.' Months later, in December, she appeared to go further with her criticism of second home owners when she welcomed new Scottish legislation which gave councils the power to double council tax on second homes. She said: 'Scotland is facing a simultaneous housing crisis, a public sector funding crisis and a cost-of-living crisis putting an unbearable strain on working people. 'Second homes and short-term lets can have significantly negative impacts on communities, exacerbating these crises as well as undermining the local economy.' And in February 2024, in a newspaper column, Ms Foyer highlighted the number of long-term empty properties and second homes in the Highlands. She wrote that 'workers in the Highlands are facing an acute housing crisis' before adding that figures from the Scottish Government showed that there had been a nearly 670 per cent increase in long-term empty properties in the Highlands. However, despite admitting that second homes cause serious problems for rural communities, title deeds obtained by The Mail show that Ms Foyer bought a property on Jura with her husband, fellow trade union official Simon Macfarlane, for £45,000 in 2012. The pretty cottage enjoys a lovely spot on Jura which is known as one of Europe's 'last lost wildernesses' and boasts a small population of around 220. Similar properties on Jura have been recently valued at around £150,000. Ms Foyer and her husband, Mr Macfarlane – who is a regional manager for trade union Unison – are understood to spend most of their time with their two daughters at their residence on a private estate near Maryhill in Glasgow, which cost the family £280,111 in 2015. They visit the remote island, known for its peaty whisky, for family holidays, and are believed to have taken a trip as recently as last month. Locals have seen Ms Foyer and her family enjoying long strolls down Jura's beaches. Despite living in Glasgow, Ms Foyer is even part of the Isle of Jura Community Group on Facebook and has offered out old wellies and jigsaws to residents. The issue of second homes was debated in the Scottish parliament earlier this month during a motion brought by Ross Greer of the Scottish Greens. The discussion heard concerns that a high concentration of second homes has caused house prices and rents to rocket and reduced the housing supply for local people. Scottish Labour MSP Carol Mochan said that holiday homes were making it harder to recruit and retain public sector workers. She said: 'A lack of affordable housing affects not only individuals and communities but local businesses that want to attract workers. 'Very importantly, a lack of affordable housing also affects the recruitment of public sector workers.' She continued: 'I have strong evidence of that from the Borders area of my South Scotland region. 'Trade unions have told me that people are not coming to work in the area or are having to travel a long distance, which sometimes involves a journey of an hour or more, to get to their work. 'That is not sustainable. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has heard compelling evidence on the issue, in oral evidence and on a visit to the islands. 'The health boards have described the situation as a crisis for service delivery. It is a very important issue.' However, a spokesman for the STUC last night said: 'The General Secretary has been transparent and clear on our position of increased taxation for those with assets. 'She fully supports that policy and, as such, willingly advocates and holds herself accountable for the additional taxation it would incur.'
