ATUC Media statement - No More Council Cuts

At Aberdeen TUC’s first meeting this year we received reports of significant concerns from UNISON, UNITE and GMB Trade Union Workplace Representatives about the potential impact of forthcoming Council cuts on our local public services.

Although the Scottish Government’s budget has not yet been agreed, Aberdeen Trades Union Council is alarmed to hear that local Councils have been warned to expect more cuts in this year’s financial settlement from the Scottish Government.

Already Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are on their knees, unable to provide many services critical to our local communities. No one can have failed to notice the perilous state of roads and pavements during the recent cold snap. Both the Councils' and the voluntary not for profit sector Social Care services are under enormous pressure with an inability to attract professional care staff leading to some care homes closing their doors altogether.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said today, “After many years of continuous cuts, there is no fat left on Council services. We are down to the muscle, if not the bone. Staff morale is at rock bottom and although they are all working over the odds to keep our public services running, they feel undervalued and disrespected. 

The ATUC has to strongly point out that there is a huge disconnect between Scottish Government policies on delivering public services and our local Councils’ abilities to implement them as a result of year on year cuts to funding."

Kate Ramsden ATUC Executive Committee member added “The Scottish Government in their commendable commitment to reduce child poverty has ignored the fact that cuts to our Councils’ funding impacts dramatically on their ability to address child poverty at local level. If our Councils receive increased funding instead of cuts, they can provide the high quality public services they are set up for and this will improve the quality of life in our local communities.”

Doug Haywood President of the Aberdeen City Local Association of the EIS said, "Further cuts will have a direct impact on families who are already struggling. We are already seeing a rise in the impacts of poverty on our pupils, I fear what these cuts will mean for young people and education across the North East."

Tommy Campbell concluded “The Aberdeen TUC are calling for the Scottish Government to rethink any plans for further cuts to local Councils and instead to increase their core funding as a spend to save approach. If our Councils can provide the high quality public services they are set up for, this will be better for our local communities. It will mitigate child poverty, will ensure that vulnerable people can live in their own homes instead of blocking hospital beds and will save money in the long run.

The STUC commissioned report (link below) on taxation has shown how, with progressive political will, this can be achieved. We are calling on the Scottish Government to take brave political decisions and to invest more in our public services and by doing that we can properly support much needed services in our local communities.“

ENDS

STUC Options for increasing taxes in Scotland to fund investment in public services A report by Howard Reed, Landman Economics, commissioned by the STUC December 2022
https://www.stuc.org.uk/resources/scotland-demands-better-fairer-taxes-for-a-fairer-future.pdf

Aberdeen TUC supports the flying of the Palestinian flag by Aberdeen City Council in solidarity with the people of Palestine

Graeme Farquhar

Aberdeen TUC has issued a media release supporting the flying of the Palestinian flag by Aberdeen City Council as part of the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Acting President, Graeme Farquhar today said, "We fully support the decision of Aberdeen City Council's Lord Provost  to yet again fly the Palestinian flag.
 
"The Aberdeen TUC in line with STUC policy continues in its efforts to secure peace and justice for Palestine in line with United Nations Resolutions aimed at bringing an end to Israel's illegal occupied territories of Palestine."
 
As in previous years Aberdeen City Council's Lord Provost will fly the Palestinian flag this Sunday 29th November to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

This initiative is in support of the 2005 UN resolution 60/37 which encourages Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of this Day of Solidarity.
 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee Statement on the UK Freedom Movement

Aberdeen Trades Union Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the UK Freedom Movement. The UK Freedom Movement is aiming at holding a number of ‘anti-lockdown protests’ masked as social gatherings, including in Aberdeen. 

ATUC is deeply concerned about the possible links the UK Freedom Movement has to the extreme right, with possible links to Jayda Fransen, former Deputy Leader of Britain First, alongside former British National Party leader Nick Griffin and Tommy Robinson also voicing their support. 

ATUC urges members of the public to not attend these events, instead heed the advice from the Scottish Government to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

ATUC calls on Grampian Police, and Police Scotland in general, to investigate the organisers of these events for possible links to the far right and other organisations putting public health in danger during this crisis.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee

ABERDEEN TRADES UNION COUNCIL URGES ACTION FOR KURDISH HUNGER STRIKERS - PRESS RELEASE

At their monthly meeting, Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) delegates voiced their support for the hundreds of Kurds currently on indefinite hunger strike, and demanded action to end the isolation of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan with the following statement;

‘Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) stands with our Kurdish comrades currently on indefinite hunger strike, and echoes their call for an end to the isolation of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan, incarcerated on the Turkish prison island of İmralı for the past 20 years. Such isolation is deemed a form of torture, outlawed by international law. ATUC calls on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture to carry out its fundamental duty and visit Öcalan in prison. We also call on our elected representatives to do all in their power to see that pressure is put on Turkey to comply with human rights legislation.

Furthermore, we recognise the respect with which Öcalan is held by millions of Kurds who regard him as their leader; the hugely progressive impact of his ideas on women’s rights, democracy, and multi-ethnic society; and the vital role that he can play in negotiating a peaceful settlement between the Kurds and the Turkish Government.

International solidarity and action were required to end South African apartheid and see Nelson Mandela lead his people to freedom and justice after decades of imprisonment on Robben Island. The Kurdish people in their struggle for justice demand no less from us – and they demand justice for their imprisoned leader, locked in isolation in his island prison.’

Aberdeen May Day March calls for human rights for all and an end to poverty

Blue skies and sunshine greeted the hundreds of trade unionists, politicians and community activists as they turned out to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

The May Day March and Rally in Aberdeen,  held on Saturday 6^th May, was organised by ATUC. As always, it was a colourful sight as the procession of banners and flags made its way down Union Street behind the stirring beats of the Guarana Drummers, to call for an end to poverty in one of the world's richest countries. And a celebration of the basic human and workers' rights workers and their families deserve, including decent wages and health and safety standards.

The rally in the Castlegate was co-chaired by ATUC co-Presidents, Kevin Hutchens and Tyrinne Rutherford. Kevin roused the crowds with a poem that he had written for the occasion.

Aberdeen Trade Union Council condemns the terrorist attacks in Paris and around the world and sends sympathy to all those affected

In a press release issued today, Aberdeen Trades Union Council sent sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of all those affected by the recent atrocities in France, and condemned the use of violence and aggression against innocent civilians in Lebanon, Palestine and the wider Middle East.

ATUC President, Kate Ramsden said, “Aberdeen Trades Union Council opposes individual as well as state sponsored acts of terrorism as 'the continuation of politics by other means', anywhere in the world.

“We will continue to fight locally and internationally for a world free of war, violence and oppression and we are proud to stand for peace, freedom and tolerance. We will campaign vigorously against racism and the far right.”

ATUC condemns union busting at the heart of government

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has thrown its full weight behind the PCS union in its campaign against this UK Government’s union busting tactics in the civil service.  Delegates at the meeting on 4^th Feb condemned the slashing of facilities time for union reps by more than 60% and the ending of “check-off” – the decades old method through which employers collect union subscriptions direct from a member’s salary.

The ATUC called on the Labour Party to publicly pledge to reinstate check-off in the civil service if elected and to legislate for a statutory right for union members to have their subscriptions deducted through their salary.

Delegates will also email their MPs in support of the PCS (see model wording below) and called on the TUC, the STUC and all affiliates to give their full support to the fight against these union busting tactics.

City Link sackings “disgraceful” says Aberdeen TUC



Photo by Jon Woods

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) has added its voice to the widespread condemnation of City Link bosses who sacked thousands of workers during the festive period.

At its first meeting of 2015, delegates from affiliated unions called for the nationalisation of City Link to protect all jobs and pledged support for City Link workers.

Scott Sutherland, of Unite the Union and an ATUC delegate said, “The actions of City Link bosses in sacking thousands of workers, especially at this time of the year, is nothing short of disgraceful.

“The fast track sackings at City Link demonstrate the worst elements of casualised Britain, with workers denied even basic rights to proper consultation.  This can’t go on.”

The ATUC has issued a press release and will now send messages of support to the RMT union and all its members affected by the sackings.

 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council disgust at loss of 999 service provision.

In a press release issued today, Aberdeen Trades Union Council has expressed its disgust at the total lack of public consultation regarding the proposed closure of the control centre at the local Queens Street Headquarters of Police Scotland.

The Trades Union Council will also be sending an emergency resolution to the STUC

Kevin Hutchens, Unite Delegate and Executive Committee member of Aberdeen TUC stated, "Aberdeen TUC is disgusted and appalled at the total lack of consultation with the public and the wider trade union movement over the proposed closure of this vital service.