Daily Record special: letters from nursery nurses
I WAS one of those who attended the Scottish Parliament demonstration in support of the SSP's motion for a national pay claim.
My colleagues and I travelled the length and breadth of the country to seek assurances and leadership from our political leaders.
An invitation was given to all MSPs to meet informally with us after the motion. Unfortunately, not one Labour MSP attended the gathering.
Why treat Scotland's professionals with such contempt?
I believe Jack McConnell is making a fundamental error in stating that it is a matter for UNISON and our employer, COSLA, to sort it out.
This is an employer that recently branded nursery nurses scandalous and unforgivable.
If McConnell wants to preserve a quality pre-school education, where children are cherished, nurtured and educated, why does he continue to neglect and pour scorn on the workers who implement it?
Trish O'Brien,nursery nurse

Finnish nutritional author Kaisa Isatola, Shionna Baird MSP,
Tommy Sheridan MSP, Marion Davis, One Plus Scotland, and Sean Scanlon, Scottish Youth Parliament

Dundee Evening Telegraph
A fresh bid to introduce legislation to provide nutritionally-balanced free school meals for every pupil in Scotland was launched in Dundee today, where the city council leads the way in trying to wean children off junk foods, writes James Rougvie.
Although the last Bill foundered two years ago, there is now growing cross-party support for the measure, which would cost £170 million a year to feed Scotland’s 750,000 pupils.
Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan said that in the two years, since the last attempt at legislation, the health of the nation’s children had worsened and free school meals would be an investment in health.

BBC News Online
First minister Jack McConnell has hinted at the possibility of a national review of pay and conditions for those who work with pre-school age children.
During question time, Mr McConnell said he would not bow to pressure by Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan and personally intervene in the nursery nurses' strike, which is in its third week.

Evening Times
A NEW campaign began today to introduce free school meals for all Scottish pupils.
Tommy Sheridan's Scottish Socialist Party launched a publicity campaign in Glasgow as the party prepared to introduce another Bill calling on the Scottish Parliament to pass legislation making it a right for all pupils to get the free meals.

BBC News Online
The Scottish Socialist Party has relaunched a bill to provide free school meals for all.
Similar measures were thrown out in the past, but the party said the legislation would be an investment in the future health of Scottish children.
Critics said there was a greater need for Scottish Executive resources to be targeted elsewhere.
The SSP said all of Scotland's 750,000 children were entitled to a free and nutritious lunch.
Socialist MSP Frances Curran said: "All of the health statistics make it clear that if we do not do something now then the future generations are going to be in very bad health and they will also be dying younger.
"We also think that as an anti-poverty measure it is one of the most important measures we can take."

Demonstration - Thursday 18 March 11.30 a.m.
Scottish Parliament
Lawnmarket
Royal Mile
Edinburgh
Scotland

Lobby Jack McConnell at the Scottish Parliament
The protest is scheduled just before First Minister’s Question Time

Blunket’s Shame - End McConnell’s Silence

BBC: Hunger strike protest planned

Supporters of three Kurdish asylum seekers on hunger strike are due to stage protests outside the Scottish parliament and the Home Office...

Friends of the men said they had recently agreed to take more fluids after being bolstered by "widespread support".

Their condition is described as "slightly improved" and "serious but comparatively stable".

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie and general secretary of the STUC Bill Speirs, have all voiced support.

The Guardian: Kurds' plight grips Scotland

Church leaders, campaigners and politicians call on executive to defy Home Office and prevent deportation of three hunger strikers

Carolyn Leckie of the Scottish Socialist party has tried, unsuccessfully, to force Holyrood to address the men's plight. "I am speechless because I cannot come to terms with the barbarity and depravity of it all," she says.

"It is about political cowardice and the executive's unwillingness to stick their neck out on political issues. I think Jack McConnell and the Scottish executive are hiding behind the devolution settlement.

"This is important to the Scottish people. It is about what sort of country we want to live in. What sort of values do we want to impart to our children?"

The Herald: Anger over Extension to Dungavel

THE long-running political row over locking up asylum seekers in Scotland reignited yesterday as the Home Office confirmed it was expanding Dungavel detention centre.
Rosie Kane, the Scottish Socialist MSP who took two asylum seekers from the centre into her home, said: "Dungavel has been damned and damned again. For the Home Office to have the brass neck to expand it is just to spit in the face of all concerned."

Scotsman: Fresh outcry over plans to expand Dungavel centre

Peter Campbell, a member of the Pollokshaws Road branch of the Scottish Socialist Party, has been remanded in custody for 40 days, over charges relating to protests against the eviction of protestors who had occupied Govanhill swimming pool in Glasgow, which was under threat of closure. Messages of support can be sent to:

Peter Campbell 84820 (this number is important)
HM Prison
Barlinnie
Glasgow G33 3QZ