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

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."

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 our May Day March and Rally for Workers Rights and Human Rights

All are welcome to attend the ATUC’s  annual May Day March and Rally on Saturday 3^rd May 2025. Bring your flags, banners and placards.

Gather from 11.00am on Rubislaw Terrace. The march will set off at 11.30am onto Union Street via Union Terrace and Schoolhill to Broad Street .

The Rally will be held outside Marischal College from 12 noon, with music, poetry and speakers from Trade Unions and progressive organisations. This is a family friendly event with food available and activities for children.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said, "At a time when we see attacks on workers' rights and human rights here and across the world, we will be coming together as trade unionists and campaigners, to show solidarity with workers and citizens in struggle here and across the world. 

"We are united in our fight for dignity and respect for all workers and the rights of citizens ere and internationally. Our speakers will focus on all these struggles, including no fire and rehire, no social care cuts, a proper just transition, get me home safely campaign, international workers’ rights and peace including Palestinian rights, an end to poverty and pensioner poverty and no to public service cuts, including the crisis in health, and universities.

"Please join us in our fight for social justice and make this a march to remember."

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. 

Join us at our May Day march and rally on 4 May

Please join us at our Aberdeen Trades Union Council May Day march and rally on Saturday 4th May 2024 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 beats of the Guarana Drummers. 

In a change of route, the march will then proceed down Union Terrace and up Schoolhill to Broad Street.

A rally will be held in the Castlegate from 12 noon where we will hear from a range of speakers from trade unions and community groups.

ATUC Vice President, Kathleen Kennedy, who aill chair the rally said, "As councils again face unprecedented cuts to their budgets, and citizens of the North East struggle with the cost of living crisis, it has never been more important that we stand together in solidarity.

"Workers face cuts to terms and conditions and increasing pressures in the workplace and at the same time, communities are faced with the impact of cuts that will undermine their living standards and quality of life. 

"It has never been more important to support all these struggles. They are all linked and collective action is our strength. A win for one is a win for all."

May day march demands services not cuts for our children's future

Over 100 trade unionists, politicians and community representatives joined the ATUC organised May Day March and Rally on Sat 29 April in Aberdeen.

Community groups out were out in force standing up against closures of libraries and pools in Aberdeen, against the loss of green space and to save Insch community hospital. Marching alongside trade unions on International Workers’ Day.

As always the march along Union St with a pipe band at its head, turned the heads of shoppers and passers-by, who stopped to clap or cheer as the marchers passed by. It was a colourful and lively procession as the marchers called out chants and the uplifting beats of the Guarana Drummers brought up the rear.

Graeme Farquhar

Chairing the rally in the Castlegate, ATUC President, Graeme Farquhar said, "We have see so many disgraceful attacks on the lives and livelihoods of workers, citizens, on the poorest and most vulnerable and on our children. We are here saying, Enough is enough."

He commended that community campaigns and pledged, "We stand with you in solidarity."

There were passionate speeches from all the speakers, pledging to stand together for “services not cuts for our children’s future.”

Speakers from all the groups fighting against closures, for green spaces and for living rents and adequate housing all gave great speeches on their cause, but also the wider aim of protecting our children's future.

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!"

Workers march for peace and prosperity at excellent May Day event

 

The ATUC March and rally in Aberdeen on 7th May, celebrating international workers’ day or May Day was our first in person event since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Led by the rousing tunes of a pipe band, the marchers from trade unions, political parties and activists' groups made a colourful display with our flags, placards and banners, to the enjoyment of passers-by many of whom stopped to watch.

The Guarana Drummers with their exciting rhythms brought up the rear.

Chairing the rally at the Castlegate, ATUC President, Graeme Farquhar told those gathered that May Day is normally a day of celebration for all workers, but this year with the cost of living crisis we do not have much to celebrate.

Graeme Farquhar

"This conservative government have inflicted poverty upon four million children and through criminal neglect. During Covid they have caused the deaths of over 20 000 older people by sending them back to care homes without a test.

"This is a party who have normalised poverty while enriching themselves at the expense of the working man, woman and their families," slammed Graeme.

"In just 12 years they have taken us back decades. They awarded themselves a £2000 pay rise and if it is good enough for them then it, is  good enough for every worker in the UK.

"But maybe instead of giving them the 2000 maybe we should stand at our doors on a Thursday night at 8 and clap for them," said Graeme to much applause.

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 along to the ATUC May Day online rally and support workers' rights and international solidarity

Please join us at our Aberdeen Trades Union Council online May Day event on Saturday 1st May to celebrate International Workers' Day.

ATUC is joining in with Aberdeen Social Centre and our May Day online rally will take place from 12-1pm with the Social Centre's Radical Cafe continuing the May Day theme from 1-2pm.

You can join the Zoom Meeting here
https://zoom.us/j/92984829024?pwd=anc2R3lIcGpkVHlrcG13TzhoUG93UT09

The ATUC event will be chaired by Aberdeenshire UNISON's Kate Ramsden, whilst the ASC event will be hosted by Fiona Napier of SEPA UNISON. There will be a range of speakers from trade unions, focussing on international solidarity and workers' rights in a time of Covid, alongside political poetry from Tommy Campbell and music from Davy Kettyles.

Find out more here

Celebrating May Day on Friday 1st May. Please join us and support workers everywhere

Aberdeen Trades Union Council  has joined up with the STUC and Trades Councils from Dundee, Edinburgh & Lothians and Glasgow to host a series of May Day Events on Friday 1st May starting at 12 noon. 

The event will be a Zoom webinar and will be streamed live to Facebook.

The STUC event will be held from 12 noon – 1pm. Click on the links below to join.


https://www.facebook.com/scottishtuc/

 or click here to register for the event on Eventbrite

There will be contributions from speakers from labour movement speakers from Lombardy, Cataluyna and Cuba; a keynote speech from STUC General Secretary Designate Roz Foyer; and music from Maeve McKinnon and Calum Baird.

Aberdeen and Dundee event

You will be able to tune in to an event hosted by Aberdeen and Dundee Trades Councils from 1pm – 2.30 pm. Click on the links below to join.


on  https://www.facebook.com/groups/259376950795456/

or Aberdeen TUC Facebook page

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon said, "There has never been a more important time to celebrate International Workers Day.

"During the current pandemic, we can see the key importance to our communities of the frontline workers, many of them low paid, many of them women.

"And there has never been a more important time to be in a trade union. Unions and the STUC are at the forefront of standing up for our members' safety at work, workers terms and conditions and workers' pay.

"We cannot go back to business as usual when this is over. We must find a new "normal" which continues to value our workers and all our citizens equally, with an economy focussed on the wellbeing of all rather than profit for a few.

"ATUC always celebrates May Day. This year we can't have a parade but we can have an online rally. We can come together to support our members and each other and to pledge our commitment to workers' rights now and in the future, here and across the world."

 Please join us.

Kevin Hutchens pays May Day tribute to "Super Tommy" Campbell

Kevin Hutchens

ATUC consultative member, Kevin Hutchens spoke on behalf of Aberdeen Trades Union Council at the May Day Rally.

He began by paying tribute in a humorous poem, to long term Unite Regional Officer and ATUC stalwart as he heads into retirement at the end of May.

Kevin said, “Some of you will know that Tommy Campbell is retiring as a full time union officer this month, what you may not know is that the toffs have heard about this and are thinking of celebrating.

“So imagine the scene as they start to celebrate;-

"Let’s get out the champers, Tommy Campbell no longer a threat, bring out the staff tips we've requisitioned for the good of our good company, namely ourselves wott,wott, and let’s get a new roller.

Let’s deduct for uniforms and take wages below the national minimum wage and reward ourselves with a jolly good bonus ,wott,wott. After all us poor little rich people have had it really difficult with TC keeping an eye on us. Now’s the time to celebrate ".

But all of a sudden, a sound like a rocket fills the air. Is it a bird, is it a plane, no, it’s Super Tommy in his new role as a retired Unite delegate to Aberdeen TUC, acting as an ambassador for workers’ rights, sweeping through the air.

ATUC President's inspiring words for the May Day Rally

Sasha Brydon

Sasha Brydon, President of the Aberdeen Trades Union Council, chaired the May Day rally on Saturday 4th May in Aberdeen. He opened proceedings with the following words:

"Comrades,

There was an article in the May 1^st edition of the Morning Star which read: “May Day is the day to restate the cause for justice.” This can be summed up simply as, justice for our class. Justice which must be fought for every day, not just on the 1^st of May.

We must resolutely reject attacks on our very humanity by governments and capitalists both at home and abroad. At home we have seen the introduction of the disgraceful system of Universal Credit, we have seen further privatisation of our health service, and we have seen attacks on pay toward public sector workers who are doing more and more work with fewer resources. Especially in Aberdeen, as we have seen with the cutting of 329 full-time-equivalent staff from the local authority.

Internationally we have seen the governments of Viktor Orban in Hungary, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil and Donald Trump in the United States ruthlessly attack the rights of their working people and prop up reactionary regimes across the world.

We stand here, hand in hand with the working people of the world to reaffirm our rights against faceless reaction. We stand with those resisting imperialism wherever it can be found; be it Cuba, Korea, Venezuela, Syria or Palestine. Only the people of a country can determine the course of that country, no outside force can determine it for them.

I will conclude by calling upon you to challenge those who oppose progress. We must remind them with our collective voice that we could destroy the ivory towers they sit on. We have unmatched power; we must use it to change the world."

Poems for May Day from Tommy Campbell

At the May Day Rally, Unite's Tommy Campbell read two moving poems which highlighted the plight of workers throughout history and the power we have when we stand together and fight in solidarity.

The first poem was by Joe Hill, a Swedish-Americal labour activist and song-writer who was executed in 1915 after a controversial trail. He is now memorialised in songs and has inspired books and poetry.

Upbeat May Day march against austerity and for workers' rights defies the bracing weather

Saturday 4th May saw an excellent May Day March and rally in Aberdeen, as trade unionists, community activists, families, friends and dogs, joined the ATUC organised event to commemorate international workers' day.

Although it was bracing weather for May, the upbeat rhythms of the Guarana Drummers kept spirits high, and the banners and flags made a colourful spectacle against the sleet gray sky. Passers-by, as always, stopped to watch and wave as the march snaked down Union Street.

The rally was moved from a cold, wet and windy Castlegate to the warmth of the Parkville Social Centre where marchers were treated to welcome and warming home made soup and great speeches calling for workers across the world to unite and defend hard won rights and equalities.

Click here to see more photos on Facebook

Report of the rally and speakers to follow

Call for all workers, families and friends to join the May Day March and Rally for International Workers' Day on 4th May

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is calling on North East citizens, workers, families and friends to join us on Saturday 4th May at the 2019 May Day March and Rally 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 beats of the Guarana Drummers. A rally will be held in the Castlegate from 12.15pm. 

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon said that May Day has never been more important, as we fight to retain the rights won in struggle by trade unionists of the past, including our right to paid time off,  sick leave, decent pay and proper health and safety at work.

Join the May Day March and Rally for International Workers' Day on 4th May

Please come along and march with us on Saturday 4th May at the 2019 May Day March and Rally to celebrate International Workers' Day.

As always the Aberdeen event is organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

Please gather at Rubislaw Terrace at 11.00am, to march off at 11.30am down Union Street. A rally will be held in the Castlegate from 12.15pm.

Trade Unions, Community Groups, friends and families - please come and join us with your banners and placards!

May Day March and Rally - standing up for workers rights and equality in our 150th anniversary year

Hundreds turned out for the ATUC organised May Day March and Rally to celebrate International Workers Day - a true celebration of workers’ rights on the 150th anniversary of the ATUC

The sun shone and the marchers made a colourful and noisy spectacle as they paraded down Union Street to the upbeat rhythms of the wonderful Guarana Drummers.

The crowds on Union Street stopped to watch and wave as the march passed by and marchers gave out leaflets bringing greetings from the ATUC in our 150th birthday year.

At the rally, compered by ATUC President, Kathleen Kennedy, a range of speakers highlighted the importance of workers' and human rights here and around the world and called for greater equality and justice for all.

A photo at the end will send greetings from the march to our colleagues in Gaza, suffering under Israeli occupation and oppression.

You can enjoy the videos of the march and the rally below.

Posted by Aberdeen Trades Union Council on Saturday, 5 May 2018

Posted by Aberdeen Trades Union Council on Saturday, 5 May 2018

Please come along to the next ATUC Delegates meeting on Wednesday 2 May 2018 at 7.30pm

The next ATUC Delegates meeting will be held on Wednesday 1st May 2018 at 7.30pm within the ATUC premises at 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

Other agenda items will be arrangements for May Day on 5th May. There are also a number of new events as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations. The new Exec will bring you up to date on plans for these events.

The Annual Report has been published and copies were circulated at the STUC Congress to great acclaim. The meeting will hear about the Congress and the high profile of the ATUC delegates again this year.

We hope as many delegates as possible can attend this important meeting.