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 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.

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

AUKUS pact makes world more dangerous

Congress backed ATUC’s call to condemn the Tory government’s 2022 AUKUS pact for the provision of nuclear submarines for Australia and mandating an increased military presence by Britain and the US in disputed waters.

The motion from Aberdeen Trades Union Council was opposed by some unions concerned with the employment of their members. However it was supported by the STUC General Council and was passed on a card vote.

Moving the motion, ATUC delegate Mike Martin explained that AUKUS is a military partnership between the UK, the US and Australia, that was signed in September 2021. Billed as ‘a landmark defence and security partnership’, its key military focus centres on ‘the development of joint capabilities and technology sharing’, deeper integration of security and defence-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains.

Congress supports Ukraine but votes down composite motion

ATUC’s motion on Ukraine was merged into a Composite with motions from other affiliates. It called for an end to the supply of weaponry and for peace negotiations. However it was opposed by the STUC General Council who issued a counterposed  “Statement on Ukraine”.

The statement agreed the need for peace talks but did not believe that these could effectively take place if support for Ukraine was withdrawn as “implied by Composite Q”

On a show of hands the Composite was defeated, albeit with a substantial minority in favour.

Moving the composite, ATUC’s Mike Martin reminded delegates that on 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a military intervention into Ukraine, marking a serious escalation of the civil war in Eastern Ukraine which broke out in early 2014.

“We oppose the unilateral use of force against any sovereign state in contravention of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Hiroshima Day - join the memorial event on 6 Aug and give peace a chance

 Aberdeen will commemorate Hiroshima Day,  on 6th August from 2-4pm outside Marischal College. 

All ATUC affiliates, delegates, families and friends are invited to attend.

Click here for the Facebook event

Organised by CND North East, the event is entitled "Give Peace a Chance".

Hiroshima Day is observed yearly on August 6 in memory of the fateful day and of those who lost their lives. It is also held to promote peace politics against war.

Join our May Day March and Rally on Saturday 7th May and call for peace and prosperity for all

PEACE & PROSPERITY FOR ALL

 

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY

MAY DAY MARCH AND RALLY

SATURDAY 7^TH MAY 2022

Gather at Rubislaw Terrace (just off Albyn Place) from 11.00am

March leaves at 11.30am for a Rally in the Castlegate at 12.00 noon

 All welcome,  bring your banners & placards. There will be a  pipe band, drummers , songs, speeches and poetry.

 

Come and join the peace and solidarity protest in Aberdeen on Sunday 6th March at 4pm

 CND NE Scotland and Aberdeen Social Centre are co-hosting a peace and solidarity protest on Sunday 6th March at 4pm in Broad Street, Aberdeen.

All ATUC delegates and affiliates, friends and families are urged to come along to show solidarity with victims of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to call for peace in Ukraine.

 

Find out more at the Facebook event

Scottish CND unequivocally condemns Russia's military actions in Ukraine and the threat to use nuclear weapons. 

 

The international community must stand united in ensuring that we protect and support civilians, and Scotland must strongly reject the violations of international law by Russia and the disregard for Ukraine's sovereignty as an independent state. 

 

For the UK to apply the use of force, individually or through NATO, would escalate conflict and increase the likelihood of nuclear misadventure through weapons use or involving the 15 nuclear power stations in Ukraine. We urge respect for international humanitarian and human rights law and accession, and compliance with international treaties to reduce nuclear weapons risks, including the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 

 

Nuclear weapons do not deter conflict but make the world more dangerous, elevating the risk of a massive humanitarian catastrophe. We ask people in Scotland to help find ways of providing humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine and of enhancing dialogue with people in the Ukraine and Russia.

ATUC Statement in solidarity with Palestinian comrades

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) strongly condemns illegal state-sanctioned attempts to forcibly expel Palestinian families from their homes in Sheik Jarrah, to allow them to be occupied by Israeli illegal settlers. 

The actions of the Israeli state demonstrate that the ‘Nakba’ (Catastrophe) of 1948, when 700 000 Palestinians were driven from their homes and became refugees, is still happening today.

The military provocations and violence taking place in Al Aqsa and now Gaza are not isolated events, but are instead just the latest examples of the oppression and aggression faced daily by the Palestinian population living either under a brutal military occupation in Gaza and West
Bank, or as second-class citizens within Israel.

The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
Anas Sarwar MSP, and the Scottish Green Party have all strongly condemned Israel’s violence
and aggression and gross breaches of international law, and ATUC calls on elected officials
across Scotland to do the same.

The lack of action by the UK government in holding Israel to account in any meaningful way is
unacceptable and we call for an immediate halt to UK arms sales to Israel as a first step.

ATUC stands in solidarity with our Palestinian comrades, and we recognise and fully support the
role of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign in compelling Israel to adhere to
international law.

ATUC statement on Victory in Europe Day 8th May 2021

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) sends friendly greetings to all workers on Victory in
Europe Day.

ATUC remembers the heroism of all peoples across the world who helped defeat fascism in the
Second World War.

Women, men, children of all ages and races stood together united against the evil fascist
ideology.

ATUC wishes to pay particular attention to the contribution of the resistance movements in the
occupied countries, the military and civil contribution of the Soviet Union, and the labour
movement at home, in particular women workers who played their part in destroying fascism
and bringing peace to Europe.

We honour and remember them forever by campaigning in favour of peace, and against racism
and fascism in all of its forms.

Hope not hate.

Take One Action 2020 Film Festival

This year's Take One Action film festival runs from 16th-27th September, with tickets on sale on a "pay what you can" basis.

Take One Action nurtures communal exploration of the stories, ideas and questions at the heart of positive social change. Through film screenings, conversation and enquiry, we bring people together to inspire a fairer, more sustainable and more fulfilling world, in Scotland and beyond our borders.

From freedom of the press to prison reform, from labour rights in the garment industry to indigenous rights and climate justice our programme offers a much-needed opportunity to connect with some of our planets most pressing issues - and to (re-)connect with our power to be the change.

See the trailer here, or go direct to their website for more information at https://www.takeoneaction.org.uk/events/

Join the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre - lest we forget

Hasan Hasanovic

Next week marks the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, which saw the killing of 8000 Bosnian Muslims. Commemorations will take place around the world to mark this anniversary, a reminder of how quickly division and prejudice can turn into killing and genocide.  The lessons of the past must not be forgotten. 

ATUC is urging all our delegates and affiliates to join the commemoration organised by Interfaith Scotland in partnership with Remembering Srebrenica Scotland. This will be an online engagement event on 8 July 2020 at 4 pm on the 25th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. The guest speaker will be the survivor and acclaimed author, Hasan Hasanovic.

Hasan was 19 when the town of Srebrenica fell to Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995. He endured a 100 kilometre march through hostile terrain to escape the massacre that took the lives of around 8000 Muslim men and boys, including his brother and father. 

‘I want to speak to people and share my story because my heart speaks.  And now, finally someone is listening’

Contact admin@interfaithscotland.org to register and receive joining instructions or alternatively sign up with our Google form https://forms.gle/TztK3X8bEhiLxFEz6

Hiroshima Memorial Service. Lest we forget. All welcome to attend

The 2018 Hiroshima Memorial Service will be held on Sunday 5th August 12noon until 2pm in Union Terrace, Aberdeen. All are welcome to attend.

The Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6th in 1945. It was much smaller than the Atomic bombs we have now but its effects were still devastating.

The event has been organised by Aberdeen Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). They organise an annual memorial to remember those who were killed and injured by the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the one that took place two days later in Nagasaki.

The event is also held to remind us all of the potential horrors of nuclear war. A CND peace sign will be created from flowers and there will be speeches, music and poetry.

ATUC has always supported this memorial event. Please get along if you can.

Click here for more information

Invitation to the Hiroshima Memorial Day ceremony in Aberdeen on 6th August

The Hiroshima Memorial Day ceremony in Aberdeen will be held on  Sun 6th August at 12pm in Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen.

 

Organised by Aberdeen Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), all are welcome to attend.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is held each year on August 6th, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

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.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally welcomes refugees in the spirit of our compassion and shared humanity

Around two hundred trade unionists, politicians and members of faith and community groups joined together at the Aberdeen St Andrew’s Day March and Rally on 28^th November to give a clear and unequivocal message that  in the name of our shared humanity, refugees are welcome here in the North East of Scotland – racism and fascism are not!

As the march snaked down Union Street to the rhythm of the Guarana Drummers, passers by again stopped to watch the colourful procession created by the banners of trade unions and community groups,  led as always by the red and white banner of the ATUC.

At the rally in the Castlegate, speaker after speaker spoke passionately about our shared humanity with all those fleeing war, poverty and oppression.

Arms to renewables

Delegates to the ATUC meeting on 3rd June unanimously pledged to campaign for the UK Government to transfer support and finance from the arms industry, to the renewable energy and low-carbon technology sectors.

The ATUC has also raised this issue with the STUC and has called on the General Council to press the UK government to support individuals and communities affected by such changes during the transition period.

Kate Ramsden, Vice President said, "The arms trade has a devastating impact on human rights and security, as well as damaging economic development through the diversion of resources.

"The UK government is sending a message of support to many of the world's most repressive regimes when it promotes and sells weaponry to them.

"The ATUC has already joined the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in condemning UK arms sales to Israel and has called for these to cease."

ATUC pledges support for refugees

In keeping with our commitment to international solidarity, delegates attending the ATUC meeting on 2nd September pledged support for refugees fleeing war torn countries like Syria and condemned the uncaring approach of this Tory Government.

The ATUC is calling on all delegates, associates and affiliated trade unions to do what they can to support the local group Aberdeen Solidarity with Refugees which has been collecting donations of clothes, bedding and other essentials to take to Calais.

Join the Aberdeen Hiroshima Memorial on 6th August on the River Dee

Aberdeen and District CND will be hosting this years Hiroshima Memorial on Thursday August 6th. The Hiroshima Memorial takes place at 8.30pm at the Fishermans Hut on the River Dee in between Duthie Park and the Bridge of Dee. All are welcome to attend.

Jonathan Russell, Chair of Aberdeen and District CND said, "We have speakers, poetry and songs and following a minutes silence we will release 200 lanterns down the River Dee in comemoration of the people who died following the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years ago.

"This is a very special event and you are welcome along."

Click here for more information

Hope to see you there

We must fight against racism and fascism and demand justice and humanity for all oppressed peoples.

The St Andrew’s Day Rally on 29^th November praised  Aberdeen’s courageous actions 30 years ago when it gave the freedom of the City to Nelson Mandela. However, speaker after speaker warned that there is no room for complacency in the North East  -  racism and the far right are still with us and we must all challenge them wherever they raise their ugly heads.

Politicians, trade unionists and community activists had earlier marched along Union Street from St Nicholas Churchyard, led by the upbeat rhythms of the Guarana Drummers, and fuelled by a commitment to fight for social justice and humanity and against racism and fascism not only in the North East but across the world. Christmas shoppers once again stopped to watch the colourful display of banners and flags.