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.