ATUC media statement on the killing of Anas Al Sharif

Aberdeen TUC unequivocally condemns the unlawful killing of Anas Al Sharif and four other journalists by the apartheid Israeli State. 

This is yet another war crime that will hopefully one day see Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals held to account in the International Criminal Court. 

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), since October 2023, at least 195 innocent journalists and media workers (including 180 Palestinians) have been killed or seriously injured carrying out their professional duties whilst based in Palestine. 

Aberdeen TUC Secretary Kate Ramsden said, “This is a horrific targeted attack on journalists just doing their job. We call upon both our Scottish and UK Governments to condemn these killings and to ensure that there is a thorough investigation by the International Criminal Court into these war crimes committed against journalists and media workers. 

"We believe it is essential that journalists and other media workers are protected from the threats of violence and other crimes. That helps to ensure the protection of freedom of expression for us all."

Counter-protest takes message of solidarity and hope to Peterhead to challenge far right

Aberdeen trades union council activists were joined by Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) and other union and community activists to stand against the far right rally in Peterhead on Saturday 9 August.

In a symbolic protest that demonstrated clear opposition to the far right's racism and messages of hate against vulnerable groups, counter protesters gathered to give out leaflets highlighting that migrants are not to blame for austerity and the cost of living crisis. 

Passers-by were mostly welcoming and willing to hear our own message that it is the richest and government policy to blame for cuts to public services, the problems in the NHS and growing poverty in communities. There are now 150 billionaires in the UK who have amassed more and more wealth as the rest of us have got poorer. They are the ones to be targeted - not vulnerable people fleeing war and oppression in the hopes of safety. 

URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Protest the far right in Peterhead and Aberdeen on Sat 9 Aug

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is making an URGENT CALL TO ACTION to all our delegates, trade union members and associates. We have learned that the far right will be holding demonstrations in Peterhead AND Aberdeen this Saturday 9 August, both at 12 noon. It is imperative that we mobilise against them and challenge their narrative of hate and racism. 

In Peterhead, the so-called Peterhead United has organised a "family friendly" event. They will be condemning council cuts as do we, but will be turning their hatred on the wrong people. We need to turn out in force to tell them and their supporters that it is not the fault of immigrants and other marginalised groups. It is the rich amassing more and more of the wealth that are to blame.

Please join our counter protest in Peterhead and show the far right that we stand united and steadfast to condemn racism in Scotland and across the world. Their rhetoric is designed to justify exploitative economies and attacks on the most vulnerable and we will oppose them at every turn. 

In Aberdeen the target will once again be a hotel that houses refugees and asylum seekers. This is shameful. We must challenge their hateful presence and their attacks on vulnerable people. If you can't make it to Peterhead please join the counter protest in Aberdeen.

Please URGENTLY pass this information on to your branches also and urge your members and activists to mobilise to one of these counter protests. It has never been more important to stand up and be counted!

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President and delegates attended a moving memorial service commemorating the 37^th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident.

Laying a wreath on behalf of ATUC, at the Piper Alpha memorial, in the Memorial Gardens in Hazelhead Park, President, Tommy Campbell said, "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988."

He added, however, that as we remember all those who died we must never forget that this offshore accident could have been avoided as it was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

 

Tommy warned that the oil and gas industry is still driven by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to further increase the massive profits of the offshore oil and gas Operators.

 

"When oil and gas Operators prioritise fiscal matters above the health and safety of offshore workers, the devastatingly fatal Piper Alpha disaster serves as a haunting reminder as to the consequences of these decisions with devastatingly catastrophic consequences for the offshore workforce, their families and their communities. 

ATUC solidarity actions with comrades in struggle

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates were proud to stand in solidarity with trade union and community actions over recent weeks. 

On 12 June, delegates were proud to take ATUC's banner to Edinburgh to support our UNISON Enable colleagues in their fight for decent wages for Enable workers who support some of our most vulnerable citizens. 

We marched down the Royal Mile with UNISON members and supporters to Holyrood to demand the Scottish Government ensures Enable can afford to pay their skilled staff properly for their essential work.

Kate Ramsden, Joint Secretary said: "This dispute highlights the complete disconnect between the Scottish Government’s rhetoric and the situation in care on the ground.

ATUC joins fight against draconian social care cuts

Members of ATUC members in affiliated unions again joined community groups including “Disabled People against the Cuts” and local people affected by the cuts, to lobby the Aberdeenshire Integrated Joint Board (IJB) meeting at Woodhill House on 28 May.

This is the latest in a series of protests against cuts in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council, where much of social care is under threat.

Very few councillors came to meet the demonstrators, demanding that services to the most vulnerable in our communities are not targeted for draconian cuts.  Instead, with some honourable exceptions, they scurried through internal corridors to miss those of us campaigning to save jobs and services.

They then voted through a number of cuts that will impact on both staff and the people who depend on the services. 

Unions have condemned the to the most vulnerable in our communities and the attacks, especially on women workers and pledged that the campaign will continue to defend jobs and services. Outsourcing of home care will mean redundancies and cuts to pay, and all the evidence shows that private companies provide poorer services. Cuts to staffing in residential homes will leave residents vulnerable and a reduction in day care services for adults with learning disabilities will leave many with nowhere to go.

ATUC joins climate activists and trade unionists at Westminster

ATUC delegate and Exec member, Steve Gray joined climate activists and trade unions as they rallied outside Parliament on 14 May to demand the Government deliver an emergency support package for oil and gas workers at the Spending Review next month.

The event was organised by Platform and supported by Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group as part of a year of trade union climate action. Click here for their website and resources.

Click HERE for more details of the event.

Speaking on behalf of ATUC Steve gave the following speech:

"I am here today to offer solidarity from the Aberdeen Trades Union Council which since 1868 has drawn together the workplace reps across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire north east Scotland to fight for workers' rights and social justice both at home and internationally.   

"The Just Transition Campaign for North Sea workers and their communities is story of greed, power and corruption set against community solidarity, determination, love and hope.