Instead, they will insist that every worker be given the right to play a full role in any decision to downsize or restructure. The renewed calls for greater union rights come on the back of last week's job losses in the electronics sector. Computer manufacturer Compaq announced that it planned to cut 700 jobs at its plant in Erskine, Renfrewshire, through a restructuring of its business. There are also growing fears for the safety thousands of jobs at Motorola's electronics plants in West Lothian. The company has already shed 22,000 jobs from its worldwide operations due to a downturn in the microchip market and there is strong speculation that the Scottish jobs are on the line.
Union leaders are also concerned about job losses in Scotland's manufacturing sector.
In the past 12 months alone the two biggest manufacturing unions have lost 10,000 Scottish members due to closures and cutbacks. Penguins back on parade Links to more Scotland stories are at the foot of the page.