150,000 local government workers in Scotland are being balloted to see if they accept an improved pay offer of 3% following two one-day strikes.

Scottish Water workers are being balloted on industrial action after the employer imposed a below inflation pay rise which had not been agreed.

 As the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) opened today in Manila, at least 5000 workers from the Philippines and other countries in every region of the world came together in one of the broadest labor mobilizations ever organized in the entire history of the global trade union movement.

 

New Scientist's Fred Pearce has a new column, Greenwash, in the Guardian. The second of them takes on "clean coal".

"In Putney, in southwest London, there is a branch of the International Energy Agency that used to be called the Coal Research Centre. It's changed its name – to the Clean Coal Centre. Thanks to its 'industrial sponsors' it is able to 'provide unbiased information on the sustainable use of coal worldwide.' Right. Like the fact there isn't any?"

GLASGOW event - Saturday 1st November 1-5pm.  CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G2
3JD

EDINBURGH event - Sunday 2 November 7.00–9.30pm. ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HA

Free films and discussions bringing together representatives of community & activist groups - including local groups from Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Manchester - to share their experience of community-based engagement in the planning processes of urban regeneration and the built environment.

Residents living under flight paths join forces with climate action group, AirportWatch and Plane Stupid Scotland to take part in street carnival as BAA open ‘Skyhub’ an extension of Glasgow Airport

 Media across the UK covers up any newsworthy incidents relating to football violence. Is this censorship necessary?

Further gentrification of the "near East End" of Glasgow as market traders are to be pushed out of Shipbank Lane to make way for expansion of the "cultural quarter" around Briggait.

The artists there were pushed out of King Street to make way for expansion of the Merchant City south of Argyle St and there's already been informed speculation that rents there are set to rise steeply after initial leases expire.

The report says "The market, ... is seen as having a detrimental impact on the Merchant City", despite it being quarter of a mile away. Traders protested outside the City Chambers during the meeting.

• Scotsman (no coverage from the embedded journalists at the Herald; funny that)

"In the States, if police burst into your house, kicking down doors and swearing at you, you would call your lawyer and file a lawsuit. Here, there are no lawyers. Their resources are limited, so they plant IEDs (improvised explosive devices) instead."