Seasons Greetings from Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Seasons Greetings to all from ATUC Officers, Delegates and Affiliates.

Have a good Christmas, a great New Year, a happy holiday and be ready for the challenges that 2017 will no doubt bring. Best wishes to all our union members providing essential services over the Festive period.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the ATUC in the past year and we look forward to continuing these partnerships and collaborations in the new year.

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council regarding the Motion debated by Aberdeen City Council on 14th December 2016

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has written to all Aberdeen City Councillors regarding a motion that was debated on 14th December at the council meeting. See text of the motion below.

We are delighted to report that an amendment was tabled and approved, removing points 3 and 4 of the motion following this statement from the ATUC and representations by other interested parties. ATUC of course fully supports the remainder of the motion and is proud to condemn and work to oppose racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

However we defend the rights of individuals and organisations like our own to take part in legitimate, lawful protest - including the support of boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions campaigns against states that breach human rights. We are proud that Aberdeen City Council has supported this right.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East - Report of Rally

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Castlgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

 However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

  To see more photos from the event go to our Facebook Album.

Next ATUC Delegates' Meeting on Wed 7th December at 7.30pm. Please come along.

The next ATUC Delegates' meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2016 at 7.30pm in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. All delegates and associates are warmly invited to attend.

Our speaker at this month's meeting will be from Grampian Credit Union.We then have our usual packed agenda, which this month includes a preliminary consideration of motions and delegates for next year's STUC Congress. We also have an updated report on the plans for the 150th Anniversary celebrations for the ATUC in 2018.

ATUC President, Kate Ramsden said, "We are hoping for our usual good turn-out at the meeting as we come to the end of 2016 and look towards the New Year.

 "I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our delegates, affiliates, associates and all those who read this blog, "Greetings of the Season" and all our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. This goes out especially to our union members delivering essential services over the holiday period."

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Gallowgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.  However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are invited to attend an event to commemorate and honour the Aberdonian International Brigaders on the 80th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades.

The event will be held in the Town House, Broad Street , Aberdeen on Friday 25th November at 7pm to 9pm.

There will be presentations from relatives of the International Brigaders as follows --

Bob Cooney’s nephew Councillor Neil Cooney – an outline of the anti-fascist struggle in Aberdeen that lead up to the nineteen local men going to defend democracy and fight Fascism in Spain

John Londragan’s grand-daughter Nina Londragan – an outline of the lives of the five Aberdonians who died defending democracy and fighting Fascism on the battlefields of Spain

In addition Davy Kettyles , a senior Organiser with Unite in Ireland will give an outline on the role of the Irish International Brigaders who formed the Connolly Column in Spain many of whom also sacrificed their lives defending democracy and fighting Fascism in Spain.

There will also be poetry and songs throughout the evening.

This event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Morning Star Supports Group and the affiliated Unions of Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are very welcome to attend.

¡NO PASARÁN!

Annual Report 2016 Adverts / Sponsorship

It's that time of year again, and the ATUC are looking for organisations to help sponsor our 2016 annual report, to be published next year, by taking out adverts to be included in the publication.

Organisations taking adverts in this way allow us to produce the well respected Annual Report each year which is distributed to trade union and other organisations, as well as being made available at the annual STUC conference.  It's a great way to get your branch or organisation noticed, as well as helping us to cover the costs of producing the report.

Annual Report advert costs are as follows:

• Full-page colour - £200.00
• Full-page black & white - £100.00
• Half-page black & white - £50.00

To make it even easier you can now submit your annual report advert request online, including uploading your copy ready artwork/poster.  We'll then invoice you for the selected amount.

Just complete our online form.

Celebrating diversity in the North East of Scotland - Aberdeen's St Andrew's Day March and Rally on Saturday 26th November

This year's St Andrew's Day March and Rally in Aberdeen will be held on Saturday 26th November and will celebrate diversity in the North East of Scotland.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has joined forces with #WeAreAberdeen, a new campaign in the North East of Scotland to bring people and communities together to respond to the recent rise of intolerance across the UK.

Marchers should gather at 11am in the St Nicholas Kirkyard, Union Street, Aberdeen to march off at 11.30am for a rally in the Castlegate at 12 noon.

Click here for a poster

Kate Ramsden, President of the ATUC said, "We are delighted to be working with #WeAreAberdeen to celebrate the diversity of our communities in the North East of Scotland.

ATUC issues statement about the Brand Israel Shalom event

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has issued the following statement about the Shalom - A taste of Israel event organised by the Confederation of Friends of Israel Scotland and StandWithUs UK at the Aberdeen Hilton Treetops Hotel on Wed 2nd November.

"Aberdeen Trades Union Council condemns the decision by the Aberdeen Hilton Treetops Hotel to host a "Shalom - A Taste of Israel" event, on 2nd November 2016 organised by the Confederation of Friends of Israel Scotland and StandWithUs UK.

Although it is dressed up as a cultural event, we believe the "Taste of Israel" event is nothing more than an explicit attempt to whitewash the crimes of the Israeli state. The organisers of the event have strong links with the state of Israel.  For example, StandWithUs UK work in close partnership with the Israeli embassy to counter pro-Palestinian advocacy and campaigning work.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has a strong legacy of fighting for the rights of the Palestinian people and opposing their oppression and occupation by the State of Israel.

We support the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign's call on politicians of all parties to boycott this event and have urged our members to join the protest."

Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "ATUC has a proud history of standing up for human rights and against oppression and occupation. We are fully behind the Palestinian call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and we call on Aberdeen Hilton Treetops Hotel to cancel this Brand Israel event."

Sign the petiton against the "Brand Israel" Shalom event in Aberdeen and write to your MPs and MSPs

Following on from our previous post (see below), SPSC Aberdeen has started a petition to urge the Hilton Treetops Hotel to cancel the  “Shalom – A Taste of Israel” event, organised by the Confederation of Friends of Israel Scotland and StandWithUs UK, on Wednesday November 2^nd.

Please sign the Coordin8 letter here: http://bit.ly/2eOWiFW

Please also send a letter to Aberdeenshire MPs and MSPs, asking them to support Palestinian rights and oppose the 'Brand Israel' event: http://bit.ly/2dQJrGD

If the event is not cancelled the demo will go ahead on Wednesday 2nd November at 6pm, Hilton Treetops Hotel, Aberdeen (161 Springfield Road) Please get along if you can.

Please also sign both letters and share as widely as possible!!

Protest Brand Israel Shalom Festival

Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Aberdeen is calling for a protest against the International Shalom Festival on 2nd November from 6-8pm at the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel.

The event is partly organised/funded by the Israeli Embassy to counter advocacy and campaigning work in support of Palestinian rights and has been described by SPSC as "no more than an explicit attempt to whitewash the crimes of the Israeli state," and "another PR stunt for apartheid Israel."

If any delegates or associates can get along to join the protest before the ATUC Meeting at 7.30pm that same night, please get along and oppose the whitewash of human rights abuses in Aberdeen.

Click here for more information

Next ATUC Delegates' Meeting on Wed 2nd November at 7.30pm. Please get along.

The next ATUC Delegates' meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 November 2016 at 7.30pm in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

In addition to the usual packed Agenda, the short film "Nae Pasaran" will be shown. This tells the story of group of former factory workers in a small town in Scotland. They are reunited to tell the story of how they played their part in standing up to the military coup in Chile in 1974 while carrying out their job. The ATUC played a small part in backing the film through a donation to the funding of it.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "It was an amazing act of solidarity by Scottish workers to oppose the coup in Chile. The film is well worth a watch."

There will also be discussed the arrangements for St Andrew day parade and rally including the 80th Anniversary commemoration events for the Spanish Civil war. We hope as many Delegates as possible can attend.

Sign Hope not Hate's petition to keep nazi band out of Scotland

UPDATE: The concert was cancelled after huge outcry of protest against it taking place.

We have just heard that on Saturday 22nd October over 500 nazis will descend on a club in Falkirk to hear America’s most notorious white power band, Bound for Glory. It is scheduled to begin at 2pm and last till 10pm.

This has been changed from the original plan to hold the gig in Edinburgh.

This will be the largest white power concert ever to take place in Scotland. Coming only a month after police ‘allowed’ an Ian Stuart Donaldson gig in Cambridgeshire, attended by over 600 skinheads, it reflects a resurgence in interest in nazi music in the UK.

But we can stop this.

HOPE not hate is calling on the Home Secretary to refuse the band members entry to UK and for the Scottish Government to ban the gig. Sign the petition Please also write to your local MP and ask them to intervene. Bound for Glory (BFG) is the world’s leading white power band. The band members have a long history in the neo-Nazi movement, including active involvement with the two most notorious and hardline nazi networks, Hammerskins Nation and Blood and Honour.  BFG is dedicated to spreading its message of hate message overseas – after a previous attempt to play in the UK failed during the 1990s, the leader singer blamed a ‘Jewish-controlled government’. The band boasts: “All our music has a racial theme that is 100% White”. Stop these haters from playing in Scotland. Please sign the petiton to Home Secretary, Amber Rudd and write to your MP.

Huntly meets Syria Night Saturday 15th Oct. All welcome

Please get along if you can to Huntly meets Syria, a ceilidh on 15 Oct at 7pm, in Stewart's Hall, Huntly to welcome the 50 refugees who have been relocated in Aberdeenshire

There will be people of all ages there and so everyone is welcome - tickets are £7, with the money going to the Syrian new Scots, but free for under 16s. The entry fee can be waived in exchange for bringing a dish on the night. This must be either halal or vegetarian - please phone me in advance if you want to cook something!

Organisers, Deveron Arts are also looking for any volunteers to donate raffle prizes and help out on the night.

More info here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huntly-meets-syria-tickets-28397534791https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huntly-meets-syria-tickets-28397534791

Fight against zero hours, zero rights, zero respect workplaces.

Young Unite activist, Chris Trestrail has organised Aberdeen's first Better Than Zero meeting on 30th September in the Belmont Cinema at 6.30pm.

Chris said, "This is a real chance for us to grow a solid and active socialist youth movement in the city. Please come along and join us to plan local events."  

Chris added, "The Better than Zero campaign is a group of young trade unionists, precarious workers and creative campaigners who are fed up of bad bosses who think they’re beyond reproach. We want to fight back against the bullies, and use the skills in a collective project against zero hours, zero rights and zero respect workplaces."

Click here for Facebook page

Next ATUC delegates meeting will be held on Wed 7th September. All delegates and associates are welcome

The next ATUC Delegates meeting will take place on Wed 7th September 2016 at 7.30pm, in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "We have the usual packed agenda, with two speakers. Renee Slater will be addressing delegates on the harbour development at Nigg Bay. Fiona Napier, of SPSC will seek support for the SPSC Aberdeen member and friend of the ATUC, Ally Coutts, who is due to appear in court on 9th Sept in connection with alleged offences whilst protesting against the Jericho staff in Union Square. See post below for further information.

"Other agenda items include the 150th Anniversary of ATUC events in 2018, the 80th Anniversary of Spanish Civil War events/commemoration as well as the St Andrews Day March and Rally 2016 and the ATUC Annual Report 2016."

"We hope to see as many delegates there as possible and visitors are also welcome," added Kate

We need your support: Stand up for the right to free speech, September 9th, 10am outside Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Aberdeen Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign is calling on trade unionists and concerned citizens to stand up for the right to free speech, and come along and support activist Ally Coutts on Friday September 9th, at 10am outside Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

 Aberdeen resident and human rights campaigner, Ally was arrested, detained for 7 hours and charged with “Acting in a racially aggravated manner with intent to cause distress and alarm" for simply saying “Viva Palestina” next to the Jericho Cosmetics stall in Union Square, Aberdeen.

Jericho Cosmetics sell products derived from minerals illegally extracted from occupied Palestinian territories surrounding the Dead Sea. The extraction and commercialisation of resources from an occupied territory by the occupant is prohibited by UN resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention (http://www.cjpme.org/fs_146). Notably, Palestinians have no access to such resources - the exclusive access of resources to a section of the population based on ethnicity amounts to apartheid as defined by the UN.

Say No to Jericho's Stolen Resources - Sign the petition today

Please sign and share this online petition at 38 Degrees from Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign SPSC Aberdeen, calling on Union Square and Trinity Centre to distance themselves from the theft of resources and human right abuses by removing Jericho Cosmetics stalls from their premises.

The Dead Sea products company Jericho Cosmetics trades from stalls in Aberdeen’s Union Square and Trinity Centre. Their products are made with minerals illegally extracted by Israeli authorities from occupied Palestinian territories surrounding the Dead Sea.

For the past few months, SPSC Aberdeen has been campaigning against the stalls by leafleting Saturday shoppers and  urging them to boycott Jericho cosmetics.

Campaigns in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh have resulted in the closure of Dead Sea cosmetics stalls in shopping centres across Scotland. Let's make sure Aberdeen follows!

Please sign and share widely: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/say-no-to-jericho-s-stolen-resources-1

ATUC sends support and solidarity to Unite and RMT in their 48 hour strike to protect pay and conditions for Wood Group offshore workers.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council send support and solidarity once again to our Unite and RMT colleagues in the North Sea offshore oil and gas sector who have begun a 48-hour strike today after company managers rejected an offer from trade unions.

The Unite website has the following statement about the action.

"Workers in the trade unions Unite and RMT will go ahead with the planned stoppage as part of an ongoing dispute with employers Wood Group. The workers are facing a massive cut in pay and allowances of up to 30 per cent.

In last-minute meetings this week, unions had offered to suspend the strike if the company agreed to remove their current proposal in full to allow for further consultation and negotiation. The company refused.

Unite regional officer John Boland said: “We are extremely disappointed that Wood Group has decided to continue its attack on the pay and allowances of offshore workers. We repeat our call for proper consultation and negotiation.

“Industrial action is always a last resort and throughout this dispute we have constructively sought to find a resolution. We need to look forward and work towards a sustainable solution.

Commemorate Hiroshima at the Aberdeen CND gathering in Union Terrace Gardens on Sat 6th August at 2pm.

This year Aberdeen Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) will be holding their annual gathering to commemorate Hiroshima Day on Saturday 6th August at 2.00pm, in Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen. 

The rules of the garden do not allow  organised speakers but there will be two minutes silence at 2.30pm when, weather permitting, those attending and able, will be asked to lie down.

One of the organisers, Jonathan Russell said, "We encourage you all to come along with your family and remember the families who died on that day in 1945. 

"Bring flowers and candles so that we can make a peace symbol. 

"Come along with musical instruments to play appropriate music and a picnic so that you can sit awhile afterwards."

For further information click here to go to the Facebook page.

Local trade unionists gear up to take Unions into Schools

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Ten trade unionists from four unions six local union branches attended the STUC's Unions into Schools Training in Aberdeen on Saturday 30th July.

Tutored by Terry Anderson, the lively ATUC organised training session equipped the activists to go into schools and provide training on such trade union issues as employment rights and equality in the workplace.

Branch chair, Kate Ramsden said, "It was an excellent session which looked at the background to the STUC's Unions into Schools programme and the many successes it has had in terms of informing young people about the benefits of trade unionism and encouraging their participation.

"The STUC materials are up to date and relevant and we are all looking forward to getting involved in providing this input to local schools.

"With huge thanks to Laura McDonald for organising the event, to Brian Carroll for the venue and to Terry Anderson for his excellent tutoring. Thanks also to Pauline Walker at the STUC for facilitating the programme."

Click here to find out more on the STUC Unions into Schools webpage

ATUC sends support and solidarity to Unite and RMT Wood Group members who have voted overwhelmingly for strike action

Aberdeen Trade Union Council is sending messages of support and solidarity to our colleagues in Unite and RMT working for the Wood Group across Shell operated assets.

Almost 400 members of Unite and RMT unions working for Wood Group across eight Shell oil and gas platforms in the North Sea will be striking for the first time in a generation in a dispute over 30 per cent pay cuts and changes to allowances, it was announced today (Monday 18 July).

The first 24-hour stoppage will take place on 26 July, this will be followed by a series of other stoppages over the following weeks.

- See more at: http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/listofregions/scotland/latestnews/north-sea-oil-and-gas-workers-to-strike-for-the-first-time-in-a-generation/#sthash.1uw7CojI.dpuf

A ballot of Wood Group employees coordinated between the two unions has returned with a massive majority supporting industrial action.

The ballot results from both unions are well over the 50% turnout threshold and have huge majorities in support of industrial action in the form of strike and action short of strike. In the case of Unite 99.1% voted in favour of industrial action while 98.5% of RMT members voted to support industrial action.

The first 24 hour stoppage will take place on 26th July followed by a series of other stoppages over the following weeks.

John Boland, Unite Regional Officer said; “Despite the best efforts of the full time officials and workforce shop stewards to broker a deal with the company, talks have failed to find an acceptable deal for the workforce. We now find ourselves forced down the route of industrial action".


"That said, we remain available for talks should the company wish to consider an alternative offer. However, any talks must respect the workers and especially with regards to exercising their democratic rights in a dispute situation. Therefore the move by Shell to engage a scab labour workforce through various agencies to cover any potential industrial action is extremely disturbing.”


Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organiser said; “After two rounds of redundancy, the imposition of an additional 4 to 5 weeks of work annually, forced to work a 3:3 rota, the increase in workload, and the restrictions on leave, this battered and bruised workforce are being told they have to accept all of this with a reduction in salary of anything from 10 to 30%. The workforce message is clear, ‘Enough is Enough’ and it’s little wonder we find ourselves in this situation.”

Unite and RMT are members of the Offshore Coordinating Group of trade unions.

LAJEE TO ABERDEEN: A CELEBRATION OF PALESTINIAN CULTURAL RESISTANCE

Join us on Tuesday 19th July at 6pm at Queens Cross Church, Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB10 1YN  in welcoming Lajee Center to Scotland.


Coming from Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, 21 Palestinian youths will be performing traditional dabke dance and speaking about their life and work in Aida Camp and Palestine.

Lajee Center is bringing over a wonderful group of young artists, dancers, musicians, photographers and film-makers - this is their opportunity to share their stories, life and struggle under occupation with Aberdeen. 

Please come along, listen, learn, enjoy, and support freedom for Palestine!

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has donated to sponsor this event in Aberdeen. 

ALL WELCOME!

Suggested donations £10/£5 (unwaged/student)

Next ATUC Delegates Meeting Wed 6th July 2016

The next ATUC Delegates meeting will take place on Wed 6th July 2016 at 7.30pm, in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "We have the usual packed agenda covering the 150th Anniversary of ATUC events in 2018, the 80th Anniversary of Spanish Civil War events/commemoration as well as the St Andrews Day March and Rally 2016 and the ATUC Annual Report 2016."

Please note that Fiona Napier from Aberdeen SPSC will speak on the Lajee Centre visit as well as the BDS Campaign in respect of the Jericho stalls in the Aberdeen Shopping Malls.

"We hope to see as many delegates there as possible and visitors are also welcome," added Kate

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) in the aftermath of the EU Referendum result

With thanks to Renee Slater for the image

ATUC has been deeply concerned at much of the tone of the EU Referendum debate, which, at its worst has been typified by hatred, vitriol and misinformation which has done a huge disservice to our democracy and values. We deplore the demonisation of migrants and the attempts to undermine the value of immigration to our society which has dominated much of the debate.

Since the vote to leave, we have seen a rise in racist violence, threats and intimidation across the country but also in Scotland and in the North East. We condemn this entirely. We wish to make it clear that the ATUC rejects racism in all its ugly forms and will oppose all those who fuel it.

In the North East of Scotland we have a proud history of welcoming those fleeing oppression, violence and poverty and the ATUC will continue to support immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.