Scotland Demands Better - book your seat for Edinburgh demo on 25 October

Working people are suffering across Scotland, and are crying out for a decent income, decent pay, decent work, and a decent future for their families.  The Scottish TUC and the Poverty Alliance are demanding change, and tens of thousands will come together on Saturday October 25 in Edinburgh under the banner of "Scotland Demands Better". 

Aberdeen TUC is doing our bit to support this, and is putting on transport. We are calling on all our affiliates to publicise this vital event to all their members. We are looking for names and emails of anyone who wants a space on the free coaches (leaving 7am, returning by 6pm) - email to secretary@atuc.org.uk by 17 October.  Bring your branch banner too!

Kate Ramsden, joint secretary of ATUC spoke at the recent public meeting "Aberdeen Demands Better". The well-attended event also heard from Fiona Young, Community Development Worker, Tillydrone Community Flat and Rev. Peter Johnstone, Church of Scotland. Sai Shraddha Viswanathan, President, NUS Scotland chaired the meeting.

Kate's speech in full is posted below.

On World Suicide Prevention Day ATUC remembers those lost but pledges action on prevention

Aberdeen TUC laid a wreath at the Choose Life memorial tree at 11.00am on Wednesday 10^th September in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Organised by ATUC, affiliates from Unite and GMB branches also laid wreaths to remember all those lost to suicide. Those present included a representative of Aberdeen City Council and relatives bereaved by suicide.

Following a minute's silence, ATUC President, Tommy Campbell highlighted the need to promote open, friendly  and compassionate conversations about mental health and encourage people to reach out for help.

Scotland Demands Better - and so does Aberdeen

Scotland Demands Better, supported by the STUC, believes that change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. They have called a march in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 October. 

To build for this big national event, a series of public meetings have been arranged.

The "Scotland Demands Better" Aberdeen public meeting is on 23^rd of September from 7-8.30pm at Devana Parish Church on Fonthill Road. It's a fully accessible venue and is pretty central.  As well as ATUC, on the panel will also be representation from Cfine (Fiona Rae), Shmu (speaker TBC), and the Church of Scotland (Rev. Peter Johnson).  Graphics are attached.

Please note we are planning to arrange coaches to take people from Aberdeen to that march. We would ask all delegates to pass on this information to branch activists and members and to encourage support for this national event.  Please also ask your branches to consider a donation to the cost of the bus and let ATUC know how many seats are needed on the bus. Aberdeenshire UNISON has already pledged to donate. We call on other branches to do the same.