38th Anniversary of the Piper Alpha accident We will not forget

Tommy Campbell joins representatives of
offshore unions to remember Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President Tommy Campbell joined Unite offshore branches representatives to lay wreaths at the Piper Alpha memorial service on Monday 6 June, 38 years on from the disaster, pledging never to forget and to continue the fight to make off shore workplaces safe and healthy.

Tommy said, "On the 38th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council asks that we all take time to remember the 167 workers who died. 

"Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues  and friends of the 167 workers  who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988.

"The Oil and Gas offshore based Trade Unions and offshore workers know full well  that the  Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided by the strict adherence to the Health and Safety measures."

He warned that the accident happened because of the cost-driven decisions to maintain and increase profits, resulting in 167 offshore workers being killed.
 

"When costs to the employers and profit increases for the shareholders become more important than workers safety then the  Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that its offshore workers and their families who pay the ultimate price.“

Tommy promised that Aberdeen Trades Union Council will continue to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who organise, campaign and fightback to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has a safe working environment  so that all offshore workers can return home safely to their families and friends. 

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. 

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President and delegates attended a moving memorial service commemorating the 37^th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident.

Laying a wreath on behalf of ATUC, at the Piper Alpha memorial, in the Memorial Gardens in Hazelhead Park, President, Tommy Campbell said, "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988."

He added, however, that as we remember all those who died we must never forget that this offshore accident could have been avoided as it was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

 

Tommy warned that the oil and gas industry is still driven by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to further increase the massive profits of the offshore oil and gas Operators.

 

"When oil and gas Operators prioritise fiscal matters above the health and safety of offshore workers, the devastatingly fatal Piper Alpha disaster serves as a haunting reminder as to the consequences of these decisions with devastatingly catastrophic consequences for the offshore workforce, their families and their communities. 

ATUC honours the memory of former President, Graeme Farquhar

Friends, colleagues and family of the late Graeme Farquhar gathered in the ATUC office and online on Friday 11 April to honour Graeme's memory and his legacy. 

Others unable to attend sent in heartfelt tributes to Graeme, a Unite activist and former President of the Aberdeen TUC. He died on 23rd October 2024 at the young age of 64.

Graeme's widow, Hazel was presented with an award in recognition of Graeme's work in the field of health and safety.

There was a comprehensive talk by Steve Dillon, Unite Lead Officer for the Scottish Construction Industry and good friend of Graeme's. He spoke on the scourge of blacklisting and about the main Health and Safety issues affecting the lives of construction workers today.

Aberdeen Trade Union Council remembers victims of Bond helicopter tragedy

Aberdeen TUC laid a wreath at the Bond helicopter accident memorial in Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at a moving service of remembrance for the 16 people who died that day in 2009.

Tommy Campbell President joined colleagues from Unite and offshore branches to lay the wreath on behalf of Aberdeen TUC.

Tommy said, “On the sixteenth anniversary of the Bond offshore helicopter fatal accident off the coast of Peterhead our thoughts are still with the families, work colleagues and friends who are still affected by this horrific fatal accident. 

Left to right: Tommy Campbell,
Issy Sutherland, Paula Buchan, Phil Munro
and Graeme McNeish, Unite

"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 do so due to a lack of communication with the aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter. 

"Had the helicopter operator taken precautions including following agreed procedures and communications these deaths could have been avoided." 

Aberdeen TUC continues to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who are still demanding a full public inquiry into helicopter safety in the UK offshore oil and gas industry.

ATUC remembers lives lost in Bond helicopter tragedy

Scott Sutherland lays wreath on behalf of ATUC

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) today, 1st April laid a wreath at the Bond helicopter accident memorial in Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen, on the fifteenth anniversary of the fatal helicopter accident that claimed 16 lives.

ATUC member, Scott Sutherland laid the wreath. Scott was accompanied by other ATUC delegates and Unite offshore workplace reps from Unite Bilfinger offshore fabric maintenance branch.

Aberdeen TUC spokesperson Tommy Campbell said, “On the fifteenth anniversary of the Bond offshore helicopter fatal accident off the coast of Peterhead our thoughts are still with the families, work colleagues and friends who are still affected by this horrific accident. 

"It should never be forgotten that the helicopter operator was supposed to replace part of the gearbox just a week before the accident. They failed to do so due to a lack of communication with the aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter. Had the helicopter operator taken precautions, including following agreed procedures and communications, these deaths could have been avoided. 

"Aberdeen TUC continues to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who are still demanding a full public inquiry into helicopter safety in the UK offshore oil and gas industry."

Unite Bilfinger Offshore fabric maintenance branch
and the Aberdeen TUC delegates 

ATUC joins RMT in remembering the Carmont rail tragedy

Aberdeen Trades Union Council joins RMT, in remembering Brett McCullough, Donald Dinnie, and Christopher Stuchbury on the second anniversary of the Carmont derailment.

Our thoughts are with their families and everyone on the railway affected by this tragedy.

We do not forget.

On the 33rd anniversary of Piper Alpha ATUC remembers those who lost their lives

On the 33rd anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council joined the memorial service to commemorate and remember the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988.

Graeme Farquhar, ATUC President said: "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of all those who lost their lives in that tragedy."

ATUC delegate, Issy Sutherland (pictured left) laid a wreath from Unite Offshore Catering branch, in memory of those who died.

Graeme added, "Whilst we remember all those who were killed we shall never forget that this offshore accident was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

  “The oil and gas industry is driven  by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to increase the profits of the offshore oil and gas employers.

"What is disgraceful is that we know that the  Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided as it  was caused by cost-driven decisions. 

"When costs to the employers become more important than workers safety then the  Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that the result is deadly and  catastrophic for the workers."

Aberdeen Trades Union Council supports all the offshore based Trade Unions who continue the fight to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has  a safe working environment to ensure all offshore workers can return home to their families and friends.

Deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those killed in 2009 Super Puma crash on twelfth anniversary

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council joins with Unite the union in sending our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of those killed in the Super Puma fatal accident off the NE coastline twelve years ago today.

Unite senior offshore catering steward, Issy Sutherland laid a wreath at the Johnston Gardens memorial in memory of the 14 passengers and two crew who lost their lives when their Super Puma helicopter plummeted from the sky in April 2009.

We will not forget.

 

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

Human ‘statue’ of Kurdish symbol of resistance unveiled in Dundee

ATUC Secretary, Fiona Napier joined activists in Dundee on Saturday 24 March as they demonstrated solidarity with the Kurdish people in Northern Syria by unveiling a human ‘statue’ of Kawa the Blacksmith, a symbol of resistance.

Fiona was featured in the Evening Telegraph as she took a message of solidarity to campaigners from Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan (SSK) and Dundee Trades Union Council as they came together to oppose ongoing Turkish aggression in the region.

Following Turkey’s invasion of Afrin – one of three cantons which make up the Rojava region - in January, Afrin city fell to the invaders last week.

In a symbolic demonstration of the seizure of power, the soldiers pulled down the statue of Kawa the Blacksmith, a mythic Kurdish figure who represents the triumph of ordinary people over tyrannical rule.

In defiance of this move, Scottish campaigners produced their own statue of Kawa, in the form of a person covered in silver paint, holding his famed Blacksmith’s hammer in one hand, a Kurdish YPG (People’s Defence Units) flag in the other.

Read more here.

Workers’ Memorial Day Service

Marischal College Lit for IWMD

Aberdeen Trades Union Council will commemorate Worker’s Memorial Day on 28th April at a service in Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, gather at 12.30 for 1pm.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, “The service will be particularly poignant this year as we remember a number of workers who have lost their lives at their work in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, including Ian Walker from Dundee, who lost his life in the construction of the third Don Crossing.”

Ian’s family will be attending and his son, Andrew will lay the wreath. We will also be joined by Ian’s work colleagues.

The purpose of Workers’ Memorial Day is to “Remember the dead, fight for the living.”

Kate added, “As we mourn all those who have tragically lost their lives doing their job, we will all, as trade unionists, politicians and employers, renew our commitment to fight for robust health and safety at work and a proper system of regulation to make sure that no other families have to grieve the loss of a loved one.”

UK Oil and Gas Industry - Annual service of Remembrance

The UK Oil and Gas Industry will hold their annual service of remembrance in the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, Union St, Aberdeen on Saturday 1 November at 11.00am

This service allows all those connected with the industry to gather to remember those who have died offshore during the previous 12 months and also through the years. A candle will be lit for each of those who have died in the last year and a minute’s silence is observed allowing family, friends and colleagues to remember.

The service will last approximately 45 minutes however refreshments will be served at the close of the service to allow families, friends and colleagues an opportunity to meet and chat.

All are welcome.

Click here for more information

Aberdeen CND's Hiroshima Memorial Event commemorates 200,000 victims of the atomic bomb

The Hiroshima Memorial Event in Aberdeen will take place at the Fisherman's Hut down by the River Dee on Wednesday 6th August starting at 8.30pm. All are welcome.

The event has been organised by Aberdeen and District CND to mark the 69th anniversary of the first use of nuclear weapons. In August 1945, the US dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Jonathan Russell, Chair of Aberdeen and District CND said, "As well as speakers from trade unions, community and faith groups, and civic leaders, songs and poetry, we are particularly pleased to have Yu Aoki, who lives and works in Aberdeen but who comes from Hiroshima, speaking at the memorial event.

"We will release 200 peace lanterns on the River Dee to commemorate the 200,000 men, women and children who died."