May Day celebrates workers 100 years on from General Strike

ATUC's May Day march made a colourful sight as hundreds of trade unionists and community activists, banners and flags aloft, wended their way down Union Street to celebrate International Workers Day.

Led by the excellent Granite City Pipes and Drums, marchers were watched and applauded by passers-by as they made their way to a rally at Union Terrace, where they were met by the Guarana Drummers' uplifting beats.

There speakers highlighted the challenges workers face in this day and age and called for collective action and solidarity with workers across the UK and around the world. 

Our main speaker was outgoing socialist MSP, Mercedes Villalba who reflected on the theme of the May Day celebrations - the General Strike 100 years ago and the lessons to be learned from it. 

Mercedes said, "In one of my final acts in the Scottish Parliament, I laid a motion marking the centenary of the General Strike, because too often our parliament does not represent our class and our history of struggle. 

Mercedes Villalba

"Close to two million workers up and down the UK came out in solidarity with the miners' union - transport workers, printers, dockers, labourers and many more all demanding, "not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day!"

"In 2026, with rising prices and the rise of 'always on' and 'hustle' working culture, that demand is just as relevant now as it was then."

She led the crowd in the chant, "Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day!

More photos below

Report from CND Northeast Scotland/ Campaigning for Peace Stop the Nuclear Nightmare

ATUC wishes to apologise to CND/Campaigning for Peace for failing to include their article in our Annual Report. We are very fortunate to work in close partnership with CND/Campaigning for Peace and we are delighted to publish their article in full below.

Stop the nuclear nightmare

The world has rarely been more dangerous, and we have been doing our bit to combat this madness.

We have supported SPSC Aberdeen's protests, including those at Barclays Bank, the army recruitment office, and anti-imperialist protests concerning the attacks on Iran and Venezuela.

We have also provided speakers at events organised by ATUC, namely the May Day and St Andrews Day rallies.

We are also part of the local ant-fascist alliance and had a speaker at a protest of environmentalists against the Rosebank oil and gas field.

We have had two public meetings one on the Alternative Defence review and the other on Venezuela.

We have held stalls with Food not Bombs during the Summer and during the winter have held stalls at University of Aberdeen and one at Robert Gordons University.

Jonathan Russell

We have two of our local activists on the Scottish CND National Executive and attended the SCND conference ‘Stop the Nuclear Nightmare’ in Glasgow. We organised a well attended coach with the help of funding by ATUC down to a national protest at the Faslane naval base where Britain's nuclear weapons are stationed.

We are affiliated to Stop the War, UK CND, the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), Scientists for Global Responsibility, World Beyond War and the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign.

Jonathan Russell 17^th March 2026  

ATUC remembers the dead and pledges to fight for the living at moving IWMD service

Aberdeen Trades Union Council hosted a moving International Workers Memorial Day service in the beautiful setting of the Persley Walled Gardens in Aberdeen on 28 April.

It was one of several in Aberdeen, including the Action on Asbestos charity’s International Workers Memorial Day service in Johnston Gardens, where a plaque was unveiled dedicated to the memory of our late ATUC President, Graeme Farquhar.

Aberdeen City Council also held an IWMD  service in Duthie Park when the flag there was lowered to half mast. (Photos of both these events are below.)

Chaired by ATUC President, Tommy Campbell, our ATUC event began with a minute’s silence to mourn all those who have lost their lives through their work, in this country and around the world.

We pledged to continue our fight to ensure that no one else is killed, injured or made ill at their work. In this country that means fighting for better Health and Safety legislation and enforcement. Across the world it means demanding that international law is observed in areas of conflict and countries flouting that held accountable by the international community. It also means ensuring that workers rights to safe and healthy workplaces are enforced internationally.

This year's theme focussed on mental health at work and suicide prevention.

Dignity at work must recognise additional challenges for women

Kate Ramsden

Congress slammed the disgrace that in the 21st century, toilet and welfare facilities are still not readily available to train drivers and other transport and logistics workers. STUC will convene a round table discussion to strategise for improvements.

This will specifically consider the particular issues facing women, such as pregnancy, menstruation and the menopause, as mover, ASLEF accepted the ATUC amendment calling for this.

Seconding, Kate Ramsden told delegates that it isn’t acceptable for any worker to have to suppress their need for the loo or use unsuitable containers.

“But clearly women’s needs for proper and readily available toilet facilities have to take into account additional considerations based on our biology.

“Menstruation, pregnancy and menopause all add to women’s needs to have regular access to hygienic toilet facilities and exacerbate the risks for us if these are not made available.”

She called for women to be in the room when the trade unions meet to coordinate their campaign.

ATUC leads way on welfare not warfare

Fred Bayer

In what was a fairly momentous decision, Congress backed a composite motion from Glasgow and Aberdeen Trade Union Councils to oppose the UK Labour government’s plans for increased defence spending and to campaign for public services to be prioritised.

A card vote followed an excellent debate when the issues were fully aired. However delegates confirmed that war and the economic forces behind it can never be in the interests of our class.

It aligned with the TUC Congress in giving the government a clear message from the Scottish trade union movement that we oppose increases in defence spending to the detriment of our members in public services.

Seconding, ATUC’s Fred Bayer told Congress that the moral case against rearmament and the arms sector more generally is pretty well understood.

“It is a sector that exists for no purpose other than to destroy human life and the products of human labour,” slammed Fred.

The argument that defence expenditure grows the economy, creates jobs and boosts union membership is a myth, he added, pointing to research that shows every pound spent on arms generates only half as many jobs as every pound spent on education, health, and environment.

“In other words, every pound we waste on this rearmament exercise is actively costing us jobs and shrinking the economy, compared to if that money was instead invested in our public services and infrastructure.

“The IPPR has warned that unless they reverse course on this, Scotland will lose another 20,000 jobs in local government in the next 3 years.

“Rearmament is just yet another anti-worker, anti-social, element of this appalling Labour government’s hare-brained policy,” Fred warned.

Congress agreed and supported the motion on a card vote 625 to 512.

Beware the public sector reform strategy

Amy Snell

Public services were at the forefront of the afternoon’s debates and delegates slammed the Scottish Government’s public sector reform strategy which is a clear threat to public services and especially council services.

Seconding the composite from PCS and ATUC, Amy Snell told Congress that the strategy is about saving money by reducing the workforce, shifting services out of the public sector and centralising.

“We are told this is all about prevention. But where is the serious action on poverty, on long term underfunding, or the reason demand is rising in the first place?”

She called for a strategy “that starts with workers, not cuts. One that fixes the real problem, underfunding, lack of resources, broken systems,” and called on Congress to stand with workers and for the future of our public services.

Let's keep our Promise to children in care

Kate Ramsden

Congress backed a comprehensive strategy to address cuts and outsourcing in our Scottish public services.

Kate Ramsden spoke to ATUC’s amendment calling for the Scottish Government to end profit in children’s residential care, in line with the Promise Scotland.

She pointed out that a report from the Common Weal Care Reform Group found that £10.2 million is being extracted in private profit from children’s residential care.

“It can be done,” said Kate. “The Common Weal paper has shown how and Wales has passed legislation to take profit out of children’s care.

“Let’s give the Government a clear message that it cannot allow profit to be made on the backs of our most vulnerable children.”

Better buses now, says Congress

Amy Snell

The STUC will campaign for buses to come back into municipal ownership and for investment in green bus manufacturing in Scotland, as delegates backed Unite’s call.

Seconding the motion ATUC’s Amy Snell said that services must be based on what our communities need and not what is deemed commercially viable.

“We must make sure that work is done to protect our rural communities,” warned Amy, adding that many rural bus services are infrequent and unreliable but are the only transport available.

“We need decent, robust and reliable public transport which serves the whole of Scotland!” she said.

Despite ATUC opposition delegates vote for biennial Congress

Fred Bayer

ATUC’s Fred Bayer joined the wide ranging constitutional debate, as Congress, on a card vote, supported the General Council’s constitutional amendment with over two-thirds of the vote. This reversed last year’s decision and means that from now on Congress and Equalities Conferences will be every two years albeit with some strengthening of rights.

This is predicated on saving expense and staff time with a plan to redirect both to implementing Congress decisions and a more incisive campaigning focus.

The concerns about a democratic deficit were rejected by a majority of unions.

Opposing the amendments, Fred pointed out that the changes proposed were philosophically incoherent.

“As a trade union we oppose cuts. We should resource the STUC properly to keep delivering Annual Conference and the other campaigning events that have been described.”

X's coat on a shoogly peg

Fred Bayer

Fred was also in action in the debate about affiliates use of X, formally Twitter.

It was once again condemned by STUC Congress as a platform for misinformation, misogyny and extreme content. However, the movers, SSTA, agreed to remit the motion to enable the General Council to consider further the practicalities.

Seconding the motion, ATUC’s Fred Bayer said, “We do not use X, X uses us. Our data, our time, our content. It’s time we stop spending our time and energy creating profit for a fascist.”

Scotland must pursue foreign policy based on peace

 

Kate Ramsden

Congress condemned the complicity of our UK and Scottish government in the growing international crisis.

It called for Scotland to pursue a foreign policy based on peace, international solidarity and respect for sovereignty and set out clear calls to action on both Venezuela and the Middle East.
Supporting, ATUC’s Kate Ramsden said that at the minute international law is being ridden roughshod over, primarily by the US and Israel, leading to a real threat of world disorder.
“They seem able to do this with utter impunity,” said Kate, “Aided and abetted by the UK and Scottish Government.”
She pointed out that Prestwick Airport has been repeatedly used by US military aircraft heading to bases across the Middle East.
“Yet Prestwick Airport belongs to the Scottish government. It’s in public hands. There is no excuse for that airport being used to support an illegal war.
“No nation has the right to interfere in the sovereign affairs of another. That’s a given,” said Kate.
Link to sign petition against use of Prestwick Airport for US military support.
https://www.change.org/p/no-us-airforce-at-scottish-airports

ATUC at Congress 2026

Aberdeen Trades Union Council was represented at STUC Congress in Dundee from 20-22 April 2026 by Kate Ramsden, Fred Bayer and Amy Snell, all of whom were at the podium during the three days of Congress.

Both ATUC motions were composited. Comp G on Military Spending, which included both our motion and a motion from Glasgow Trade Union Council was the best debate of Congress as two of the big affiliates, Unite and the GMB spoke and voted against it. Fred Bayer seconded the Composite on our behalf.

Our second motion condemning the Scottish Government's Public Sector Reform Strategy was composited with a PCS motion and Amy Snell seconded it for ATUC.

Kate Ramsden spoke to both our amendments. The first, demanding that marketisation is removed from children's residential care, was included in a wide ranging Composite on public services.

The second, on dignity for train drivers, threw a focus on the additional challenges for women train drivers because of our biology, was accepted by ASLEF and Kate seconded the amended motion.

Fred also spoke against the constitutional amendment seeking to restrict Congress and Equality Conferences to once every two years, in line with ATUC's policy to oppose.

Fred then supported an SSTA motion condemning X and calling on affiliates to stop using it. The motion was then remitted.

Kate joined the debate on Comp R on the international crisis, condemning the complicity of our UK and Scottish government in the growing international crisis.

Celebrate International Workers Day at our May Day march, rally and social for Cuba

We are urging all delegates, union members, families and friends to join our May Day March and Rally on Saturday 2 May to celebrate International Workers Day.

Note new gathering point. Gather in Alford Place from 11am to march along Union Street to Union Terrace Gardens for a rally with a range of political and community speakers.

The march will be a family friendly event led by the Granite City Pipes and Drums; and branches and community activists are urged to bring along their placards, banners and flags.

100 years on from the General Strike of 1926 we gather to celebrate our achievements but also to learn lessons from the intervening years and to recommit to fight for workers' rights both here and across the world.

The Rally will be followed by a social, free to attend with raffle on the day and taking donations in aid of Cuba Vive (https://cubavive.org.uk/) Organised by ATUC and partners it will be held from 2-4pm in the Scottish Embassy on Trinity St (Opposite the train station) There will be live music from Callum Michael and the event is open  to all. Come and have a bit of fun after the serious politics.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said, "International Workers Day or May Day is a chance for the labour movement across the world to celebrate the core values that trade unionists stand for.

"Workers today continue to face threats on all fronts; global conflicts, ongoing structural racism and the rise of the far right, ever growing inequality and the climate crisis.

"On May Day we remember we are part of a global movement and our collective power is our greatest strength. One hundred years on from the 1926 General Strike against pay cuts, there are still the same issues of pay cuts to be opposed, coupled with other huge injustices and inequalities to be eradicated. 

"Too many people stuck on poverty wages, too many women denied equal pay, too many people in our ethnic minority communities whose lives are blighted by discrimination and disadvantage, too many unemployed and millions of workers, especially young workers, suffering the curse of zero hours contracts."

Join us on 28th April to "Remember the dead, Fight for the living"

All trade unionists, community activists, families and friends, especially those who have lost loved ones to an industrial accident or industrial disease are invited to attend the International Workers Memorial Day 2026 events below.                                        

The Aberdeen Trades Union Council International Workers' Memorial Day wreath laying service will be held on Tuesday 28 April at 1pm in the Persley Walled Garden, Mugiemoss Road, Aberdeen AB21 9WH.  

The International Workers’ Memorial Day theme is to "remember the dead, fight for the living."

Tommy Campbell, Aberdeen TUC President said, "On International Workers Memorial Day we pay our respects and remember all those who have lost their lives through a workplace accident or an industrial related disease.

"Whilst we will always remember the dead, we reiterate our fundamental right and duty to fight for the living by ensuring that all workplaces are safe and healthier to work in."

ATUC Statement on Israel’s latest airstrikes on Lebanon

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) joins the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amnesty International in condemning the Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which have continued even after the Pakistan brokered ceasefire in the Middle East on 8 April.

These strikes, the heaviest since Israel began this attack on Lebanon, have killed over 300 civilians, adding to the total dead in Lebanon of at least 1,739 with almost 6,000 wounded and over 1,000,000 displaced.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said: “The carnage we are seeing in Lebanon at the hands of the apartheid state of Israel is horrifying, with civilians and civilian structures bearing the brunt of Israel’s assault. Coming so soon after a ceasefire agreement makes it even more shocking. Once again Israel is being allowed to act with complete impunity while ordinary civilians pay the price.”

Kate Ramsden, ATUC Secretary added: “The latest strikes on Lebanon, in what Israel military refer to as Operation “Eternal Darkness”, continue Israel’s appalling track record of carrying out unlawful attacks – first in Gaza, where its murders of civilians, including children, health workers and journalists continue, despite the ceasefire there, and now in Lebanon.

“Israel’s complete disregard for international law and callous disdain for the lives of civilians including children must be ended and Israel held to account for its flagrant and continued breaches of international humanitarian law”

ATUC calls for the UK government to immediately halt the transfer of any weapons or military support to Israel, as we have done throughout the Gaza genocide. It calls on the Scottish Government to withdraw support for any companies complicit in supporting Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Palestine and its genocide in Gaza.

10 April 2026

ATUC lays wreath to remember lives lost in the Bond Helicopter crash

Tommy Campbell, President of Aberdeen Trades Union Council. along with Offshore Workers' and Trade Union representatives laid wreaths at the  Bond helicopter accident memorial in Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen on Wednesday 1st April 2026, where mourners gathered to mark the seventeenth anniversary of the Bond offshore helicopter fatal accident off the coast of Peterhead.

Tommy said: "Our thoughts are still with the families, work colleagues and friends who lost loved ones and are still affected by this horrific fatal helicopter accident. 

"The accident has had a catastrophic effect on the local community and is not the only fatal helicopter crash to have occurred over the recent past. 

"It should never be forgotten that the helicopter operator was supposed to replace part of the gearbox just a week before this fatal accident. They failed to carry out this necessary replacement due to a  lack of communication with the aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter. 

Aberdeen stands with Cuba against US imperialism

Members of Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) and the North East Morning Star Readers and Supporters Group along with comrades and community activists stood in solidarity with Cuba on Saturday 21 March as part of a global day of action, called by Cuba Solidarity Campaign.

It marked the day that the Nuestra América Convoy for Cuba arrived in Havana carrying humanitarian aid and formed one part of an International Caravan against the tightening of the US blockade, to speak out against the collective punishment of the Cuban people by the Trump administration.

Activists gathered in St Nicholas Square giving out leaflets and encouraging passers-by to donate to Cuba Vive – Let Cuba Live – which provides medical and humanitarian aid to Cuba. £60 was passed on to Cuba Vive as a result. 

To donate please click HERE

Kate Ramsden, ATUC joint-secretary said: “At a time when US sanctions are ratcheting up the pressure on Cuba, visible solidarity from around the world matters more than ever. We will be one of many solidarity actions across Scotland, the UK and the world to show that Cuba is not alone.

Celebrating the collective power of women

Women and men celebrated International Women's Day in Aberdeen with poetry and song by and about women, their achievements and their activism. 

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council and the North East Morning Star Readers and Supporters Group, the event, held on Sunday 8 March, also showcased the Morning Star's poetry anthology, "Who We Are". 

Chaired by Kate Ramsden, ATUC joint-secretary, women brought along their own inspiring poetry to read, or read compelling poems by other women from across the world, including many from the Morning Star anthology. 

Kate said; "It was a very uplifting event with poems that made us laugh and cry and which spoke powerfully of women's lives and experiences, their oppression and their resilience. What better way to celebrate International Women's Day?

"We also heard from the men but on the proviso that all the poems were penned by women. They were and they read them movingly and with reference to the important and influential women in their lives"

Music was provided by musicians from Aberdeen based band, Melting Pot who performed songs about women's lives before accompanying all those present in a rousing rendition of Bread and Roses.

Proceeds from the nine poetry books sold will go to the Morning Star Fighting fund. Thanks to Melting Pot and to all the sisters and brothers that came along. 

ATUC stands in solidarity with BrewDog workers demanding transparency

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates joined Unite Hospitality workers as they staged a demonstration at the BrewDog Bar at Union Square in Aberdeen city centre on Wednesday 25th February.

The demonstration was called in response to the treatment of workers before and during the ongoing sale process at BrewDog, amid reports that the company is being prepared for sale to the highest bidder.

The dispute centres on the lack of consultation, the abandonment of the real living wage, widespread bar closures, and the slashing of contracted hours — all of which have left workers paying the price for decisions taken at the top of the business.

Recent press coverage has confirmed that BrewDog is exploring options for the future of the company, including a potential sale, following years of cuts, closures and worker uncertainty.

Affiliations and Annual Reports Due for 2026

▶ ATUC Trade Union Affiliations

Thanks to your support the ATUC continued its work throughout last year with a large number of events, demos and attendance to support striking workers!  We very much hope your trade union will support us once again by affiliating this year as well

We can only exist because trade union branches support us, and whether your branch has been a long time affiliate, or you wish to join us for the first time this year, we’d be very happy for your support.

If your branch already affiliates, but you know of other branches or unions who don’t then please send this email on to them – spread the word!

▶ Annual Report Adverts & Articles!

It's that time of year again, and the ATUC are looking for organisations to help sponsor our annual report, to be published in the new year, by taking out adverts to be included in the publication. You can view last year’s report as well.

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.

We would also like to encourage all our affiliates and associate organisations to provide a report on your work over this year.

Celebrating the collective power of women with poetry and song on International Women's Day

Poster by Morag Lawrence

 Join us to celebrate International Women's Day in Aberdeen on 8 March 11.30-1pm, with poetry and music by and for women. 

The event, which will be held in the ATUC, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen, has been organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council in association with the Aberdeen Morning Star Readers and Supporters Group. 

It is open to both men and women and will hear poetry from women and men celebrating the role of women in communities and political activism. It will also showcase the new Morning Star poetry anthology, Who We Are.

Music will also feature at what promises to be an uplifting event celebrating women's voices and women's power.

Please do come along and join us.

What is International Women's Day (IWD)?
IWD is celebrated annually on March 8.  It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for advancing gender equality.

IWD has been around for well over a century, with the first IWD marked in 1911.

In 2026, IWD marks an extraordinary milestone: 115 years of collective action, advocacy, and progress toward sex equality. For more than a century, IWD has helped drive transformative change. Each generation has built on the courage of those before it, pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible.

Looking forward to welcoming you to this event. Please come and celebrate the collective power of women in creating change.

Thank you to all workers providing vital services in the worst snow in a decade

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) wishes to thank all the workers in Aberdeen City and across Aberdeenshire that went above and beyond in the Wintery conditions earlier in January to protect the citizens of the North East - especially the most vulnerable.

This is when the absolute value of public services and the workers who provide them is laid bare. We have heard many stories of NHS staff's valiant efforts to get into hospitals and health centres, carers going the extra mile to ensure vulnerable older people are not left isolated, the workers who plough the roads and pavements, out in all weathers, the emergency service workers braving the elements, and many many more. We thank all of you.

We recognise that the situation was made even more challenging by the cuts that councils and other public services have faced over 15 years of austerity. We have written to Aberdeen City Council to express our concerns at some of the unreasonable demands made on some, mainly low paid women workers, to get into their work when other colleagues were able to stay at home. 

With climate change we are likely to see more such severe weather events. Aberdeen Trades Union Council calls on all employers to ensure their workers are kept safe in providing services at these times and that the impact of cuts is identified to the Scottish Government to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

ATUC and individual trade unions will continue to campaign for properly funded public services, for the health and safety of the workforce and for the benefit of the citizens of the North East of Scotland.