ATUC activists join thousands to protest "dirty data centres"

ATUC delegates and supporters travelled to Edinburgh on Saturday 14 November, to join 75 organisations and community groups in opposing Data AI Centres. 

They joined around 6,000 protesters to march down the Royal Mile to a rally outside the Scottish Parliament. 

The Edinburgh March and Rally was part of a Europe wide wave of protests to “Stop Dirty Data Centres”, with over 70 demonstrations taking place in 15 countries this month. It was organised by a coalition of groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Action to Protect Rural Scotland and numerous local campaign groups protesting data centres, including in Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh, Larbert and more.

Marchers brought a wide variety of different concerns around AI data centres, in addition to highly publicised environmental impacts.

Join the St Andrew's Day march and rally and stand in solidarity against the far right

Please join us at our Aberdeen St Andrew's Day march and rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 28 November. 

The family friendly event, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will gather in Alford Place at 11am to march off at 11.30, down Union Street to a rally at Union Terrace plaza opposite HMT. We will be led by the Granite City Pipe Band.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President, who will chair the rally urged affiliates to come along with their families, friends, work colleagues and neighbours. 

He said, "In a year where racism and far-right intimidation have been impossible to ignore, it’s more important than ever that we stand together against hate and division. 

"ATUC has stood together for decades at St Andrew's Day events, alongside community and political activists against racism and fascism to say, "Not in our name!" It has never been more important, as we see the rise of the far right locally and across the world."

Please get along to this march and rally. Bring your banners and placards and and stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. 

ATUC President lays wreath at Annual Remembrance Day service

Steve Clunes and 
Tommy Campbell

ATUC President Tommy Campbell joined civic leaders, representatives of the armed forces and members of the public at the Armistice Day Remembrance Service in Aberdeen on Sunday 8 November. 

Aberdeen citizens lined the streets as the procession marched to the city War Memorial on School Hill.

Tommy laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the Trades Union Council.  He was joined by Unite Retired member Steve Clunes who laid a wreath on behalf of Unite.

A two minute silence allowed attendees to reflect on the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and all those affected by conflict around the world, and why we should all work for a more peaceful world.

STUC Women's Conference report - Connection, Collaboration & Community

STUC Women's Committee 2025-26

#STUCwomen26 Kate Ramsden was ATUC’s sole delegate  once again to STUC Women’s Conference 2026, held on 21-22 October in the Caird Hall, Dundee with the theme of Connection, Collaboration & Community.

Kate has been a member of STUC Women’s Committee in one of two Trades Union Council seats for the past three years. She was re-elected unopposed for a further term. This is her report.

Ably chaired by Women's Committee Chair, Tara Lillis, the 99th Women's Conference again debated motions directly relevant to women's lives and their livelihoods, recognising that women are disadvantaged because of our sex. Delegates debated 29 motions in total relating to Work, Trade Union Organisation, and Employment Right and Discrimination; Women’s Health, Wellbeing, and Public Services: Equality; Harassment and Violence against Women, concluding with an International Section recognising the disproportionate impact of war and conflict on women and girls. Conference also heard from a number of speakers, including ATUC consultative member, Mercedes Villalba, who gave the trade welcome on behalf of Dundee Trades Council, Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary and Jenny Douglas, STUC President.

A Panel discussion considered Community Building and Building Solidarity, especially against the far right; and two workshops looked at Stories from the Past & Hopes for the Future, in preparation for the centenary of STUC Women's Conference next year; and Women's Occupational Health & Safety, which followed a presentation from Close the Gap.

ATUC represented at momentous events remembering history of struggle

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council has been represented at a number of Scottish and UK events over recent weeks by President Tommy Campbell and Joint Secretary, Kate Ramsden.

Over the weekend of 3^rd and 4^th October  Tommy attended the celebration of the defeat of Mosley’s Fascist Blackshirts in the East End of London known as the Battle of Cable Street.

Tommy said, "The defeat was possible because of the organising undertaken by trade unionists, political and community  activists that created a unity of purpose to primarily to defend and  protect the Jewish community from the antisemitic hate espoused by the fascist Blackshirts.   

"That unity was essential because anti-fascists and people of good conscience  fully understood that an attack on the Jewish community was an attack on all other  working-class communities in the East End of London and across the UK."

Then on 9 October, Kate and Tommy attended the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela Statue in Glasgow's Nelson Mandela Place. 

ATUC stands in solidarity with Unite Pilgrim workers in Enniskillen

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delivered  a message of solidarity and support when our President, Tommy Campbell joined the picket line on Thursday 17 Sept in his home town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

Workers are striking for a decent pay increase and an end to the current regime where morning shift workers are the only shift workers not getting fully paid breaks. The lowest paid workers receive an hourly rate of £12.82 - only eleven pence above the minimum wage. Pilgrims Europe's latest reported after-tax profit was £128 million.

The site produces a range of leading UK and Irish food brands including including Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages, Mr Brains Pork Faggots, Denny sausages (Republic of Ireland), Rollover sausages (sold at football grounds) and vegan sausages. Fridge raiders are one of the most successful Pilgrims products and are targeted at lunchboxes and for younger consumers. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, "Pilgrims is a hugely profitable company making massive profits while its workers earn just pennies above the bare legal minimum. It can easily make its workers a fair offer but is choosing not to.

“Our members are determined to win an improved deal - they have the total support of Unite for as long as it takes to achieve that."

Fermanagh TUC and Aberdeen TUC have developed formal links over the past few years.

Tommy urged, "It would be appreciated if your Trade Union branch sent a message of solidarity and support to the Pilgrim’s workers now on an all out strike."

World suicide prevention day ceremony urges, "Start the conversation"

Photo by Norman Adams, ACC photographer

A moving ceremony on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September, at the Choose Life memorial tree in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, remembered all those who have lost their lives to suicide. 

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, and chaired by President, Tommy Campbell, representatives of ATUC and unions were joined by Aberdeen's Lord Provost, David Cameron, to lay wreaths in memory of those lost to suicide and to demand action to address the causes and symptoms of poor mental health.

Tommy said: "It's very important that we all work together to prevent suicide. As part of World Suicide Prevention Day we wish to create awareness that suicide is preventable and by bringing people together we can show our support for all those affected by suicide. 

"Each  of us has a positive and helpful role to play in creating a society where everyone can be  supported and able to talk about their mental health."

There were  kind words of compassion from the Lord Provost, Jonathan Christie, Aberdeen City Council GMB shop steward, Kyle Griffiths Bilfinger Offshore Workers Unite shop steward, Kate Ramsden UNISON Rep and ATUC Joint Secretary and Gordon Walters, Aberdeen City Council  Unite Branch Chair, in memory of friends and work colleagues who were lost to suicide.