Major Scottish union moves to back independence

One of Scotland’s biggest unions has become the first to back the campaign for independence ahead of the country’s September vote.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents 30,000 civil servants in Scotland, will make the announcement at its annual meeting in Glasgow this week, national newspaper, Herald Scotland, cited insiders as saying on Friday.

The announcement marks the first from a major union to unofficially back the YES-campaign, while providing a boost to the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) currency and economic plans, the agency added.

Union members will now poll workplace branches on whether the union should remain neutral in the debate or back a Yes- or No-vote.

Members of the SNP are also expected to present their case for supporting independence at the union gathering.

The poll of 1,005 people by Survation, published on Thursday, showed 38-percent support for pro-independence campaign, up from 32 percent in January.

The poll also shows only if a small portion of Scotland’s four million voters change their minds, the scales will tip in favor of breaking away from the UK after more than 300 years of political union.

This comes despite growing arguments between Edinburgh and London over the biggest obstacles of post-independence, including sealing a formal deal to share the pound with the UK.

Scotland will have its independence day on 24 March, 2016, if Scottish people vote to break away from the UK in a referendum on 18 September, 2014.