"Stand up, Speak out, Unite against Racism" at the St Andrew's Day March and Rally 29 Nov

Please join us at our Aberdeen St Andrew's Day march and rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 29 November. 

The family friendly event, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will gather in Rubislaw Terrace at 11am to march off at 11.30, down Union Street to a rally at Union Terrace Gardens, opposite HMT. 

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President, who will chair the rally urged affiliates to come along with their families, friends and neighbours. 

He said, "This year's march and rally comes at a time where the far right are targeting asylum seekers and refugees in our communities, spouting their messages of hate. 

"Week on week ATUC joins with community and political activists to stand against far right protests and say, "Not in our name!"

Please get along to this march and rally. Bring your banners and placards and and stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. 

Let's give a clear message from our trade union movement that we will "Stand up, Speak out and Unite against Racism"

The rally will hear from speakers from political parties and community groups all united in our opposition to racism and attacks on asylum seekers, migrants and other vulnerable groups. 

ATUC delegates join thousands marching for better in Edinburgh

Aberdeen Trades Union Council joined thousands of trade unionists and community activists on the Scotland Demands Better march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 October.

A packed bus took activists from Aberdeen to give a clear message to the Scottish and UK Governments that politicians make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper.We demanded better jobs, better benefits and better investment for life's essentials.

The march set off from outside the Scottish Parliament, marched up the Royal Mile and through the centre of Edinburgh. It made a colourful display with banners and flags from many trade unions and trade union councils as well as a wide range of anti-poverty and community groups. Many Palestinian flags were also flown on the march, with calls to end the genocide and the occupation and for a free Palestine.

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.

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.

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.

International Workers' Day - May Day Rally 2025

ATUC May Day Rally, Aberdeen 2025

Speech given by ATUC President, Tommy Campbell at the Aberdeen May Day rally Saturday 3rd May 2025

International Workers Day (May Day) is the time each year  when we celebrate the links between workers across our world.  

International Workers Day was established in July 1889 at a worldwide meeting of Trade Union and Labour Federations in Paris. It was agreed to hold the first International Workers Day on 1st May 1890 in  recognition of the launch of the campaign for an eight hour working day on 1st May 1986  by American Trade Unionists which suffered a major violent reaction by the bosses including the killing and  imprisonment of workers  who went on strike to achieve their demands.

There was also a major miscarriage of justice with the  execution of four workers  who were falsely accused of killing police officers in a bomb attack in Chicago.  The international Trade Union movement since has been demonstrating each year on May Day so this is the 135th anniversary of Aberdeen TUC’s annual May Day March.

The theme of our May Day march and rally  event this year  is Workers Rights and Human Rights  and this has never been more important. The fundamental message of May Day is for peace,  prosperity and  friendship between workers of all backgrounds and nationalities and this is needed more strongly now  than ever before.

The ATUC  strives  for  unity and solidarity between workers  and this is absolutely critical, especially given the  wars being raged in many countries around our world.

It is for this reason that we offer support to all refugees fleeing war in their own countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen and  Sudan.

The ATUC fully supports the International Solidarity and boycott campaign work of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Committee activists in Aberdeen against  the Apartheid Israeli government who continue with their  war crime of Genocide  committed against innocent adults and children in Palestine. The only war that should exist is a war on inequality, hatred , poverty and ill health.

In Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire  workers & their families, social security benefit claimants and pensioners  also face an intensifying cost-of-living crisis in addition to severe cuts in our public services and our NHS. Energy bills are now rising much faster than workers  wages. We are witnessing  increased levels of poverty and hardship  because the super  rich are getting richer at the expense of workers, benefit claimants and pensioners.

The scandal of Aberdeen City Council threatening its employees with fire and rehire  underlines why we need major changes in employment laws that support and protect workers rights.

This is why the Aberdeen TUC  will always provide  its support and solidarity to workers   in dispute with their  employers and to all those  fighting any form of injustice in their workplaces or in their communities whether that be in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire or elsewhere in our world.

Nelson Mandela had this to say:

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.  Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is created by humans and therefore can be removed by the actions of human beings.”

Join us at the St Andrew's Day march to stand against fascism and in solidarity with Palestine

Please join us at our Aberdeen St Andrew's Day march and rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 30 November. Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, we will gather in Rubislaw Terrace at 11am to march up Union Street and Union Terrace Gardens, and rally in the Castlegate at 12 noon. 

This year's march and rally will stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. However it will have a focus on Gaza, wider Palestine and Lebanon, where the racist and apartheid Israeli government continues its brutal assaults, breaching international law and committing war crimes.

Laura McDonald, ATUC Exec member, who will be chairing the rally said: "The St Andrew's Day march and rally highlights Aberdeen and the North East’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity, solidarity with refugees, and the rejection of far-right ideologies. It brings together trade unions, community groups, activists, and individuals to stand united against racism, discrimination, and xenophobia. 

Uplifting show of unity and solidarity at the Rally Against Hate

Aberdeen Trades Union Council was proud to be one of the organisers, along with an anti-fascist alliance of local left groups, of the Rally against Hate in Aberdeen's Castlegate on Saturday 7 September. 

The expected presence of the far right, with their messages of division and hate didn't materialise and those far right protesters that turned up in Glasgow's George Square were completely outnumbered by thousands of anti-racism, anti-fascism protesters.

Our Aberdeen event was an uplifting show of unity against the far right. With a mix of music, speeches, poetry and chanting, the event celebrated solidarity and inclusivity. All were welcome, all came along from all faiths and none and from across different communities. 

Children made posters with messages of hope and love. Food not bombs gave out free vegan food to anyone who wanted it. The Melting Pot - a band that is a living example of inclusivity - kicked us off with their set of songs promoting messages of collective action and hope for the future, including a rendition of "We shall overcome," for the people of Palestine and Gaza. We also heard great sets from musicians, Fred and JC Bigfoot. And of course the wonderful Guarana Drummers had us tapping our feet and clapping along - and ended the rally on an upbeat note with a conga.

Join us to rally against hate and division and for unity across our communities

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has joined with other local anti-fascist and community organisations to organise a Rally against Hate on Saturday 7 Sept at 12 noon in the Castlegate, Aberdeen. 

The rally is being held to promote inclusion and solidarity within Aberdeen and the North East and to combat the rising threat of the far right, who we have heard may be in Aberdeen that day.

Vice president, Kathleen Kennedy who has been chairing the organising meetings said, “It has never been more important to stand up against those who would divide us as we continue our struggle for equality and justice for all.

"We would ask all our delegates to attend this important event if you can. We would also encourage all trade union branches to write out to each of their members urging them to come along and join us.

“The event will be a celebration of unity across our community and will have music and poetry as well as speeches, and food and children's craft activities.

“Please join us and show racists and fascists that Aberdeen and the North East is a welcoming and inclusive community and we will not be divided by hate.”

May Day March and Rally - standing in solidarity with comrades in struggle

Aberdeen Trades Union Council's May Day march and rally had a focus on the terrible situation in Gaza where thousands of innocent civilians, including at least 15,000 children, with many more missing, have been slaughtered by Israeli bombardment.

This took centre stage as Palestine solidarity protesters swelled the numbers on the march, some from the outset, some from their BDS action outside Barclays. A massive Palestinian flag was carried along Union Street, highlighting the support from the trade union movement for Gaza and Palestine, even as we witness the terrible genocide by Israel.

Led by the Guarana Drummers and the ATUC banner, community groups like Friends of St Fittick's Park and many trade unions were also represented, their placards held proud and their banners flying high. Passersby stopped to watch and clap as the colourful procession passed by.

A rally in the Castlegate was chaired by Vice-president Kathleen Kennedy and heard from several trade union speakers as well as from community activists and Palestine protesters. 

Come along to the St Andrew's Day rally on 25 November and join the fight against racism and fascism

Please join us at our St Andrew's Day rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 25 November from 12 noon.

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, it will begin in the Castlegate before moving into the Anatomy Rooms, depending on the weather. The rally will hear from a packed line up of speakers, along with music and poetry.

This is another crucial year in the fight against racism and fascism. The racist UK Government immigration policy and rhetoric is going from bad to worse. On top of that we face a cost of living crisis and attacks on pay that disproportionately affect equalities groups including Black workers and disabled people. 

We also stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, as Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, with the massacre of over 11,000 civilians, including almost 5,000 children. Alongside Israel's denial of food, water, fuel and medicines, this collective punishment constitutes a war crime and Israel must be held to account.

Please join us and be part of the fight against racism and fascism and for a more just, more equal world.

March calls for halt to fossil fuels and just transition

 ATUC Exec member and Aberdeenshire UNISON Green Champion, Steve Gray joined climate campaigners who marched through Edinburgh on Saturday 16 Sept to demand the UK and Scottish Governments develop a plan for a fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels. 

The march was one of 650 actions taking place around the world with millions of people involved this weekend ahead of a UN Climate Ambition Summit of world leaders in New York next week. 

Steve said, "It was very encouraging to hear and see so many campaigners speaking out with empathy and energy in support of the workers in the fossil fuel industries who need the Government support for a just transition now. Also to see the Save Saint Fitticks Park Campaign at the front of the march."

The protestors demanded action to phase out oil and gas in the UK including a halt to controversial projects like the Rosebank oil field and a new gas-fired power station in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. 

They called for a fair and fast transition for the workers and the communities most affected by the move away from fossil fuels and these people should be at the heart of planning this transition to ensure it meets their needs.  

Steve Gray addresses climate rally in Edinburgh and calls for action on climate change

Photo by Neil Hanna, Friends of the Earth

ATUC Exec member and Aberdeenshire UNISON Green Champion, Steve Gray joined climate campaigners who marched through Edinburgh on Saturday 16 Sept to demand the UK and Scottish Governments develop a plan for a fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels. 

Here is the text of the speech he made at the event:

"Thank you for the opportunity to march with you in solidarity for a Just Transition for the Fossil Workers and their communities.

Since its founding in 1868 the ATUC has organised and participated in many social justice and workplace campaigns at local, national and international levels.

The Scottish Government are conducting another consultation and its on the North East Scotland Transition Fund. The people of the North East Scotland need in person visits and meetings from the Scottish and UK Governments not online consultations which most people are not even aware. These meetings need be with a range of communities from Elgin to Fraserburgh to Aberdeen to Dundee.

The people of Scotland need deeds not words. The cost of living crisis cuts deeply here and failing to fairly fund Local Government is making the crisis worse.

When Local Government workers go on strike in the coming weeks they are fighting not just to pay their bills and feed their families but to save the services we all rely on. Please support these workers!

Come along to the May Day march for "services not cuts, for our children's future!"

Please join us at our Aberdeen Trades Union Council May Day march and rally on Saturday 29th April to celebrate International Workers' Day.

Marchers will gather at Rubislaw Terrace at 11.00am, to march off at 11.30am down Union Street, led by the uplifting strains of a pipe band and the beats of the Guarana Drummers. A rally will be held in the Castlegate from 12 noon. 

Our theme this year is "Services not cuts, for our children's future."

ATUC president, Graeme Farquhar said, "Our march and rally this year comes at a time when communities in Aberdeen are fighting to protect against libraries and pools closures, facilities that are critical to the wellbeing of children and our most vulnerable, and essential for a decent society.

"We will hear from representatives of these community groups spearheading the campaigns to protect these services, calling on the council to re-open libraries and save pools. 

"We will also hear from the trade unions making their own stands to protect their members pay and conditions as the cost of living rises, plunging more and more working people into poverty."

Graeme called on Trade Unions, Community Groups, friends and families to come and join us with banners and placards, to give a clear message, "No to cuts!"

ATUC protests cost of living crisis and demands rich pay their fair share

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates were out on the streets protesting cost of living rises that are crippling working people and forcing the poorest to choose between eating and heating their homes.

Whilst president Graeme Farquhar took the ATUC banner to London and joined Kate Ramsden, Kathleen Kennedy, Andrew Burns and 100,000 other marchers on the TUC "We demand better" march and rally, other delegates were at a stall in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen, making the arguments locally for action to deal with the crisis.

Graeme said, "It was an uplifting event and great to march with so many like minded people.

"It was also great to see so many women in the leadership of our union movement."

St Andrew's Day Online Rally - Join us on 27th November at 12 noon

Please join us on Saturday 27th November 2021 for our annual St Andrew's Day rally against racism and fascism, being held online once again this year.

The event will take place from 12 noon until 1.15pm. You can join us from our Facebook event by clicking HERE

It will be chaired by ATUC Executive member, Fiona Napier and will hear from trade unionists from local branches as well as speakers from further afield, representing Aberdeen Trades Union Council's commitment to international solidarity in the fight against racism and fascism. We will also have some music and poetry in the mix so it promises to be a lively and interesting event.

ATUC president, Graeme Farquhar, who will be opening the event said: "Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland has a proud history of opposing racism and fascism and of international solidarity.

"We are proud to see this tradition  continue as we welcome refugees and asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan as well as migrants from many other countries and other parts of Scotland and the UK.

"But we must be constantly vigilant as we see attempts including by this UK Tory government, to demonise migrants and asylum seekers and to sow division. 

"Like the STUC event, our rally today will underline our commitment to root out racism and fascism in all its forms and to send the message loud and clear. Refugees are welcome here."

COP26 - Bus to Glasgow rally, Sat 6th Nov

 On Saturday November 6^th ATUC and UNISON Aberdeenshire will be providing bus transport for trade unionists and other local activists to join the COP 26 rally in Glasgow from 11am to 4.30 pm. 

The bus will leave from  Inverurie market place at 7am and will pick up along the way, including Albyn Place Aberdeen at 7.30am. Buses will return the same day, aiming to be back for 9pm.

For more information and to book a place on the bus please email secretary@atuc.org.uk by 5pm on Friday 22nd October

Find out more about the demo and the bloc participating here.

Pre COP 26 Protest Rally in Aberdeen

On Saturday 23rd October, a coalition of local groups and organisations are planning a pre-COP 26 protest rally from 11.45 am to 2.30pm pm in Marischal Square with a host of speakers, musical entertainment and food by Food not Bombs. Read more HERE

St Andrew's Day Live Online Event 2020

Although this year, we weren't able to organise our usual St Andrews Day march and rally along Union Street in Aberdeen, we were able to have a fantastic online live event, instead!

With a theme of standing against racism and fascism, a superb line-up of speakers, and some fantastic music and poetry by some very talented artists, the event was a great success.  Don't worry if you missed out though - you can watch it again online here:

Join the St Andrew's Day Rally on Sat 30th Nov in Aberdeen Please note the march has been cancelled

Please come along and join Aberdeen Trades Union Council, trade unionists and community groups on Saturday 30th November for our annual St Andrew's Day  rally to show your opposition to racism and fascism and to call for a society that values equality and celebrates diversity.

Please note - the march has been cancelled so please assemble at the Castlegate at 12 noon, weather permitting, for a rally with a range of speakers from the trade union movement and civic society.

Refreshments will be provided the ATUC premises at 22a Adelphi after the event. In the event of poor weather the rally will be held in the ATUC premises.

All are welcome. This will be a family friendly event.

ATUC urges affiliates to attend Grampian Pride on 25th May

Aberdeen Trades Union Council urges all affiliates and their families to join the second annual Grampian Pride parade on the 25th May 2019 in Aberdeen.

The parade will head down Union Street from Albyn Place at 10:30am and end at the Castlegate, where there will be entertainment.

Most of our Trade Union affiliates locally are actively involved in supporting Grampian Pride, and the struggle for LGBT+ rights both here and around the world.

Sasha Brydon, ATUC President said "Grampian Pride was such an excellent and vibrant event last year, with many community groups and unions taking part, and we hope to see an even greater turnout this year."

Fiona Napier, ATUC Secretary said "The TUC have just released the results of their first major study into LGBT+ sexual harassment at work in the UK, and the findings are shocking, with 68% reporting experiencing harassment in the workplace.

"This just demonstrates why events such as Pride are necessary to challenge such prejudice and stand in solidarity with our LGBT+ community."

For more information go to the Grampian Pride website.