The Bill, to be debated in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, would see Council Tax in Scotland replaced by a more equitable Service Tax. It has been welcomed by anti-poverty campaigners, pensioners organisations, trade unions and others.

RMT Scotland regional organiser Phil McGarry, who will join Tommy Sheridan at a Glasgow press conference this morning (Monday), said: "RMT is proud to support Tommy Sheridan's Bill in the interests of a fairer, more equal Scotland.

"Our members will be marching alongside other unions and campaigning organisations through Edinburgh on Wednesday lunchtime to demonstrate the breadth of support for this important initiative."

Tommy Sheridan MSP said: "This Bill represents a great opportunity for the Scottish Parliament to make a real difference to the lives and disposable incomes of the low-paid and pensioners in Scotland.

"This would be a progressive tax where the less an individual earns, the less they pay. When you realise that the average skilled wage in Scotland earns £25,000 and that three-quarters of pensioners have an annual income of less than £10,000 a year, you see that the proposed system is aimed firmly at those at the lower end of the earnings scale."

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "It's time to tax workers less and the wealthy more. Redistribution of income is a highly laudable objective which RMT supports and that's exactly what this Bill delivers."

[ends]

Note to editors: (i) Today's (Monday) press conference will be held at the Glasgow offices of the Fire Brigades Union, 52 St Enoch Square, at 11am.

(ii) Wednesday's demonstration in support of Tommy Sheridan's Bill assembles outside Edinburgh City Chambers at noon on February 1 before marching to the Scottish Parliament for a 2pm rally.