Call for all workers, families and friends to join the May Day March and Rally for International Workers' Day on 4th May

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is calling on North East citizens, workers, families and friends to join us on Saturday 4th May at the 2019 May Day March and Rally to celebrate International Workers' Day.

Marchers will gather at Rubislaw Terrace at 11.00am, to march off at 11.30am down Union Street, led by the uplifting beats of the Guarana Drummers. A rally will be held in the Castlegate from 12.15pm. 

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon said that May Day has never been more important, as we fight to retain the rights won in struggle by trade unionists of the past, including our right to paid time off,  sick leave, decent pay and proper health and safety at work.

Poem read by Tommy Campbell at the International Workers' Memorial Day Service

Tommy Campbell reading thei poem

I chose to look the other way

by Don Merrell

I could have saved a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care,

I had the time, and I was there.

But I didn’t want to seem a fool,

Or argue over a safety rule.

I knew he’d done the job before,

If I called it wrong, he might get sore.

The chances didn’t seem that bad,

I’ve done the same, he knew I had.

So I shook my head and walked on by,

He knew the risks as well as I.

He took the chance, I closed an eye,

And with that act, I let him die.

I could have save a life that day,

But I chose to look the other way.

Now every time I see his wife,

I’ll know I should have saved his life.

Sun shines on a moving Workers' Memorial Day Ceremony that pledges to "Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living"

The sun shone on a moving ceremony in the beautiful Persley Memorial Garden in Aberdeen on Sunday 28^th April, to commemorate International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Trade unionists and politicians joined together to remember the dead, fight for the living, as wreaths were laid by the provost of Aberdeen City, Councillor Barney Crockett, and the provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Bill Howatson, as well as by Donna Clark for Aberdeen Trades Union Council.  (see photo)

This was just one such event held all over the world to press for proper Health and Safety laws to be implemented to prevent deaths, injuries and ill-health in the future.

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon welcomed those present and reminded us that Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland are no strangers to workplace tragedy. 

“This year we commemorate the 31st anniversary of Piper Alpha, when 167 workers were killed as a result of health and safety failures.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates to the fore at STUC Congress

Kathleen Kennedy

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates were all in action at the 122nd STUC Congress in Dundee from 15th to 17th April.

The ATUC had submitted three motions - on meaningful disability statistics, on additional support for learning needs in schools and on climate change resilience.

Delegates also submitted two emergency motions on helicopter safety and the Kurdish hunger strikers.

Kathleen Kennedy seconded a composite motion that included the ATUC motion on disability statistics.

Kathleen told Congress it’s time to make employers accountable for their treatment of disabled workers.

“We must encourage employers in both the public and the private sector to engage with the voluntary publication of statistics.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council statement on cuts to local government

"Aberdeen Trades Union Council is appalled at the news that 5000 local authority jobs have been cut in the north of Scotland in the past decade, with 329 full-time posts cut in Aberdeen City alone between 2017 and 2019.

"Echoing the words of Unite's Tommy Campbell in yesterday's Press and Journal, "Although the workforce has been reduced, the workload has certainly not reduced."

"There is a pressing need to address issues faced by workers regarding pressures and stress and for greater staff support in the face of increased strain on mental health and pressure at work, especially when the need for essential services local authorities provide is only growing.

"Ahead of International Workers' Memorial Day on the 28th April, ATUC reaffirms that we stand with workers and communities in resisting attacks on services being imposed at UK, Scottish and local level."

Click here to read the article

ATUC message of condolence and solidarity to the people of Sri Lanka

Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones or have been caughts up in the terrible terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.

Once again we have seen innocent people, this time from the Christian community, targeted with violence whilst practising their religion. Our hearts go out to all those affected.

It is tragic that, so soon after the massacre in Christchurch, we are posting another message of condolence, this time for our Christian brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.

We stand in solidarity with all victims of terrorism and hate crime, and we reaffirm that there is no place for such hatred in the world. We again pledge to work with people of all nationalities and religions to stand against hate crime in all its forms and for a society built on hope, love and tolerance, which values all people equally.

Land Day demo calls on HSBC to divest from Caterpillar

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates joined Aberdeen Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Land Day with a demo outside HSBC.

This aimed to alert customers to HSBC's complicity in Israeli war crimes.

HSBC is a major shareholder in Caterpillar, a company that sells bulldozers to Israeli military, which then uses the equipment to destroy Palestinian homes and infrastructure.

Tell HSBC to divest from Caterpillar!

 Read more at War on Want

Find out more about Land Day