ATUC joins fight against draconian social care cuts

Members of ATUC members in affiliated unions again joined community groups including “Disabled People against the Cuts” and local people affected by the cuts, to lobby the Aberdeenshire Integrated Joint Board (IJB) meeting at Woodhill House on 28 May.

This is the latest in a series of protests against cuts in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council, where much of social care is under threat.

Very few councillors came to meet the demonstrators, demanding that services to the most vulnerable in our communities are not targeted for draconian cuts.  Instead, with some honourable exceptions, they scurried through internal corridors to miss those of us campaigning to save jobs and services.

They then voted through a number of cuts that will impact on both staff and the people who depend on the services. 

Unions have condemned the to the most vulnerable in our communities and the attacks, especially on women workers and pledged that the campaign will continue to defend jobs and services. Outsourcing of home care will mean redundancies and cuts to pay, and all the evidence shows that private companies provide poorer services. Cuts to staffing in residential homes will leave residents vulnerable and a reduction in day care services for adults with learning disabilities will leave many with nowhere to go.

ATUC joins climate activists and trade unionists at Westminster

ATUC delegate and Exec member, Steve Gray joined climate activists and trade unions as they rallied outside Parliament on 14 May to demand the Government deliver an emergency support package for oil and gas workers at the Spending Review next month.

The event was organised by Platform and supported by Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group as part of a year of trade union climate action. Click here for their website and resources.

Click HERE for more details of the event.

Speaking on behalf of ATUC Steve gave the following speech:

"I am here today to offer solidarity from the Aberdeen Trades Union Council which since 1868 has drawn together the workplace reps across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire north east Scotland to fight for workers' rights and social justice both at home and internationally.   

"The Just Transition Campaign for North Sea workers and their communities is story of greed, power and corruption set against community solidarity, determination, love and hope.

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!

Protesters demand an end to austerity - enough is enough

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates joined trade unionists, community groups and citizens to protest the cost of living crisis and cuts to public services on the back of the Tory government's austerity agenda.

They joined protests all over the country by the People's Assembly to condemn its disproportionate impact on the poorest in our communities, including our children, to protest the growth in poverty, the rise in foodbanks and the erosion of wages and conditions for all workers whilst the wealthiest in society amass more and more wealth.

Organised by Aberdeen is Scunnered and ATUC, and chaired by UNISON's Laura McDonald, speakers came from all parts of our communities in the North East, protesting cuts and injustice. 

Laura welcomed the protesters saying, "We are becoming increasingly concerned about how this cost-of-living crisis is continuing to affect people living in Aberdeen.

"We are proud to be here today along with hundreds of thousands of people right across the UK as part of the People's Assembly National Day of Action.

"We stand together to say loudly that enough is enough."

Mass protest in Elgin sends fascists packing

 ATUC members joined a mass protest in Elgin on Saturday 17 June to send packing Hitler wannabe Alek Yerbury and the fascist Highland division.

Organised by Moray Trade Union Council and Stand up to Racism, the fascists were well outnumbered by anti-racist activists and members of the public, including ATUC members. All had a clear message - "Refugees are welcome here - fascists are not!"

ATUC's Tommy Campbell spoke powerfully at the rally and you can hear his words on the video below.

This blog from one of those who attended, describes the uplifting event.

Cos-play and Contempt

Hard to believe that these people are serious. That bloke over there is openly spouting hate and appears to have come dressed as an off-brand Hitler.

Saturday 17^th of June saw hundreds of anti-fascists, trade unionists and concerned citizens counter protest a “rally” called by the local far right group. The “rally” peaked at 9 people and was hopelessly outnumbered by the counter protest. As one chant went, “There are many, many more of us than you.”

Enough is Enough! Join the cost of living protest tomorrow at 11am Marischal College

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is urging all delegates, affiliates, families and friends to join the cost of living protest organised by ATUC and Peoples' Assembly on Saturday 1st October at 11am at Marischal College, Aberdeen, to demand action on the Cost of Living Crisis.

People in all parts of Aberdeen are suffering from the cost-of-living crisis - fuel poverty, food poverty, poverty pay. Families live in fear of putting heating on, and worry how much prices will have risen when they next have to go to the shops. 

Food banks have become a normal part of life. Many workers pay is falling far below rising prices. But at the same time, some major companies and individuals are seeing their wealth and profits spiral upwards.

On 1 October the energy price cap will increase again, and Aberdeen TUC, with Grampian Peoples Assembly and other organisations, is calling on people and organisations across Aberdeen to gather at 11am to 12 noon in Marischal Square. Together, we need to support each other. Together, we need to demand that politicians take action to protect people at this critical time.

There will be a few speakers from community organisations and trade unions, a little music, but also an open mic where you are invited to contribute your experiences and views.

Please come, and invite your friends, family, and members of your organisation to come too.

If you want to contact the organisers, you can email grampianpeoplesassembly@gmail.com. Please circulate this appeal onwards.

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."

We need an economy that acts for all of us, not a privileged clique, demands ATUC's Doug Haywood

Doug Haywood

Doug Haywood spoke at the Cost of Living Crisis Protest on 12th February on behalf of Aberdeen Trade Union Council. He gave a passionate speech, urging people to "Use your rage. Together we are powerful."

"Hello everybody, thanks for coming on such a cold Saturday afternoon.

We’re here again.

It’s a, grim, grinding pattern. Prices rise, rents rise, bills rise. Wages stay the same, or hours are cut, often to the insidious zero hour’s contract.

People are forced to choose between heating and eating. Between shoes for the bairn or decent food on their plate.  In one of the richest countries in the world.

And let’s not forget those new to Aberdeen, refugees fleeing persecution, terror and war, now housed with a corporate landlord (on Crown Street), patronised with £7 a week pocket money. With no shoes, and barely adequate clothing for an Aberdeen winter.

Meanwhile, the privileged blithely expand their exploitation.

The consequence-free corporate pleasure-cruise carries on. To take just one example, BP recently reported its highest profits since 2013. A $12.8bn windfall annual profit. $12.8bn. That is simply obscene.

"Trickle down capitalism isn't working. It's time for a change" Ross Cassie addresses the protest

Ross Cassie

Here, Ross Cassie, SNP councillor and ATUC Consultative member addresses the Cost Of LIving protest.

"This cost-of-living crisis has been in the making for more than a decade now. This is the year it hits.

We must also not forget that the route to this goes back even further. Scotland has not voted for a Tory Government since 1955. That’s 6 years before I was born. All of us are paying for their repugnant policies now.  Well almost all, more of which later.

2010 brought us the Tory Lib Dem coalition and a decade of austerity. Add to that the effects of a hard Brexit brought about by the far-right ideologists that now run the tory party.

Food prices are increasing, and the boss of Tesco’s says we have not seen the worst of it yet.

Ofgem have just announced the price cap on our household energy will increase by 54%. That’s almost £700 per year. No one can absorb that hike in prices given that inflation is running at over 5% and pay awards are generally below that. In effect pay cuts.

There will be further fuel bill rises announced in October on top of what you are being expected to pay from April.

So what has the UK Government offered to help with these fuel bill rises?They offer us a loan. £200 woopy do the cost went up £700. Next year you start to pay back that loan at £40 per year. 

"Cost of living crisis affects everyone but those who are hard up suffer most." Protest speech by Simon Watson

Simon Watson

Here is Simon Watson's inspiring speech for the Cost of Living Crisis protest on 12 Feb 2022

"Hi, I’m Simon Watson, Regional Organiser for UNISON 

 

It’s great to see you’ve turned out at short notice in the changeable Aberdeen weather to make a statement about this huge issue for union members, and working people generally.  This is the only the start of what needs to be done. 

 

We’ve been through two years of a pandemic which has demonstrated that the real critical workers in our society are the cleaners, the carers, the health, schools, and other public service workers. 

 

They have put themselves, their health and the health of their families on the line to keep us all going.  But now fuel bills are rocketing £700 a year, National Insurance going up by 10%, Inflation hitting 7% - and real inflation for those on lower incomes is much more than that. 

 

Even the punitive social security system benefits are being cut in real terms, and that’s without the £20 being removed from Universal credit.  Let’s not forget that most households claiming benefits have people who are working. 

 

The distant memory of Boris Johnson asking people to clap for our carers now seems like very cold comfort. 

Please join our cost of living protest in Marischal Square, Aberdeen at 12.30pm on Saturday 12 Feb

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council has organised an Aberdeen protest on Saturday 12th Feb at 12.30pm  against the cost of living rises that will cripple already beleaguered working people and our most vulnerable citizens.

This is one of a large number of protests taking place around the UK against soaring hikes in the cost of gas, electricity and food. 

Graeme Farquhar, ATUC President said: "We are urging all ATUC delegates and affiliates and citizens of the North East to come together and give a clear message that these cost of living rises are totally unacceptable.

"Once again these rises will hit the poorest in our society and with below inflation pay increases, working people will find themselves less and less able to cope. Poverty will rise and families will be forced to choose between eating and heating. In the north of Scotland that is a really stark choice," slammed Graeme.

"The measures proposed by the Tory government will do nothing to mitigate the impact of these cost of living rises on ordinary people. Despite massive profits by the energy companies, calls for a windfall tax have fallen on deaf ears."

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a dramatic rise in the energy price cap by 54% to £1,971 a year from this April in the UK - meaning that energy companies can now charge households across the UK around £2,000 a year for their gas and electricity use.

Other protests in Scotland have been organised by the People's Assembly along with DPAC and Fuel Poverty Action. ATUC is proud to stand alongside them at our Aberdeen protest and shares their condemnation of increased costs at a time when the gap between rich and poor is widening exponentially. 

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Weekend of solidarity action with Palestine - please join us

Despite the "ceasefire", Aberdeen Trades Union Council continues to call urgently for solidarity with Palestine. We therefore call on all our delegates, associates, their friends and families in Aberdeen and North East Scotland to come out once again, as they did last week, and stand with Palestine.

Please gather outside the Alhikmah Mosque (on Nelson Street) at 4pm where we will march peacefully together to Marischal Square (outside Marischal College), for a rally at approximately 4.30pm. Please bring signs, flags and banners, observe social distancing and wear a mask.

This will be part of a weekend of events in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

On Saturday May 22nd, from 12noon, SPSC will hold a solidarity stall near Union Square and Aberdeen train station. All are welcome to join and support our engagement with the public.

The Alhikmah Mosque will hold an all day event and exhibition on Sunday May 23rd, with speakers from 2pm - further details on the poster below. 

Please get along to the socially distanced demo in Aberdeen's Marischal Square on Sat 15 May and stand with Palestine

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is urging all our delegates, associates, families and friends to gather in Marischal Square at 2pm on Saturday 15th May to protest against Israel's escalating violence against the Palestinian people.

 

Palestinians are calling on us to protest, to demonstrate our solidarity and to take action.Please bring your signs, flags and banners. Please also observe social distancing and wear a mask. 

 

As Palestinians continue to resist Israel's ongoing programme of ethnic cleansing, on Saturday Palestinians will also commemorate 73 years since the Nakba - when almost 1 million Palestinians were expelled from their homes, hundreds of villages were destroyed and hundreds massacred by Zionist militias - the catastrophe that led to the founding of the apartheid state of Israel. 

North East says a resounding NO to Trump's "politics of hate"

Hundreds turned out at the Trump International Golf Course at Menie, Balmedie on Saturday 14th July to tell Donald Trump that his rasist, sexist and inhumane policies are not welcome in Scotland and the UK.

This protest, organised by ATUC and a range of supporting organisations, was part of a "carnival of resistance" to Trump which saw hundreds of thousands of people across the UK turn out to condemn his policies and his politics.

In the sunshine, the protest was good natured and upbeat, as protesters brought placards with hard-hitting if often amusing messages slamming Trump's attitudes and behaviours since he became president.

At the end of the day Donald Trump didn't show his face in the North East of Scotland. However the press coverage meant that he could not have failed to get the clear message that the people of the North East and the UK as a whole, oppose his politics of hate.

See more photos on our Facebook page

Join the "Trump's a Chump" carnival of resistance on 14th July

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has joined with a number of local organisations to organise a protest against Donald Trump at his golf course on the Menie Estate during his forthcoming visit to the UK.

This event, entitled, "Trump's a Chump" will be held on 14th July as part of a "carnival of resistance" across the UK, when tens of thousands are expected to demonstrate against Trump's racist and mysogynistic policies.

Protesters will gather at Trump International Golf Links, on the Menie Estate, Balmedie at 11am until 3pm on Saturday 14th July. Please join us if you can.

Kathleen Kennedy, ATUC President said that she expected thousands to turn out across the UK "to make our voices heard."

She added, “Since Trump became president we've seen a worrying roll back of human rights, most recently in the separation of young children from their parents on the Mexico border. This comes on top of the discriminatory travel ban, his reckless announcement on Jerusalem, and harmful policies on refugees, women's rights and climate change."


“His visit to Britain will be an important opportunity to underline the importance of free speech and the right to protest, freedoms which he seems to have little time for,” added Kathleen, calling for as many people as possible to come along to add their voices to the protest.

"Bring your friends and banners and let's make some noise," urged Kathleen.

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council on the massacre of Palestinian protesters in Gaza

Aberdeen Trades Union Council condemns unequivocally the massacre by the State of Israel, of Palestinian citizens exercising their right of peaceful protest.

We are outraged at the shootings and killings by the Israeli Defence Force of unarmed protesters, including many children, one as young as 8 months. There can be no justification for killing unarmed civilians and children. It is a breach of international law which shames us all and we call on the international community to hold Israel to account.

We are appalled that the US has blocked a UN call for an independent inquiry. This is another stain on the United States and the position they have taken on Palestine since Donald Trump became president.

ATUC has already condemned Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. The jubilation of those at the opening ceremony stands in shocking contrast to the scenes on the Gazan border where Israeli Defence Force snipers continued their assaults on Palestinians, murdering and injuring protesters with weapons some of which were no doubt purchased from the UK.

We note the UK Government’s condemnation of Israel’s actions but words are not enough. We demand that the UK Government immediately ceases its arms trade with Israel.

We also call on all political parties, trade unions and individuals to embrace the campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, to put pressure on the Israeli government to end the oppression of Palestinians, the occupation of their lands and to give Palestinian refugees the right of return.

The great Nelson Mandela said, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” ATUC will continue to campaign for that freedom, for justice and for peace for the Palestinian people.

Please come along to the protest against the killings and maiming and to call for an end to Israeli war crimes. This will be held on Sunday 20th May 1-2.30pm outside Ross Thompson MP's office, 192 Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Click here for details

Please also sign this Avaaz petition Palestinian Lives Matter

Please come on Saturday 7th April and protest the Land Day Massacre in Gaza

We are urging all our delegates, associates, supporters and their friends and families to join a protest  this Saturday 7^th April 1pm to 3pm  in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen to show your solidarity with the people of Gaza who have been victims of yet another shocking carnage perpetrated by the State of Israel. 

Seventeen Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Friday as Israel used massive violence against tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators who had gathered along the Gaza-Israel boundary to demand dignity, justice and freedom.

Nearly 1,500 were injured, nearly half by the Israeli soldiers shooting  live bullets at the peaceful demonstrators.

Twenty Palestinians are said to be in critical condition.

One of those killed on Friday was farmer Omar Wahid Samour, 26, who died when Israeli forces fired artillery shells at him while he was on his land, more than 700 meters from the boundary fence, in southern Gaza.

Two million people living in Gaza have been victim of a brutal siege and serial bombardments since 2006 leading to sustained devastating effects on the population including shortages of medical supplies, electricity and fuel.

Despite the outrage of the international community at this appalling situation, Israel continues its policy of human right abuses with impunity.

Sign the petition calling our Government to condemn Israel’s actions aimed deliberately at unarmed civilians and to take the necessary steps to get the UN to agree actions to end the 12-year long siege of Gaza. https://palestinecampaign.iparlsetup.com/lobby/land-day

Join us this  Saturday 7^th April at 1pm to 3pm in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen   to express outrage at the extra judicial killings in response to a democratic protest against an illegal siege and occupation. Join us to demand dignity, justice and freedom for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

Speakers already confirmed are - Jonathan Russell (CND), Kate Ramsden (UNISON and ATUC Executive Committee), a Representative  from the Palestine Student Society,  Tyrine Rutherford (Unite  and ATUC delegate)

‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ Desmond Tutu

Protest the Tory Conference in Aberdeen on 3rd March 2018

ATUC delegates are urged to get along to a protest against cuts and austerity at the Conservative Party Conference in the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The protest will last from 8am to 5.30pm on Saturday 3rd of March 2018 outside the conference entrance of the AECC.

The protest will highlight the damage of austerity by having a food bank collection outside the conference alongside the picketing. We will display it for them all to see! Please bring along a small contribution for the food bank.

This will show that the people of Aberdeen stand united against the cuts and the fall in living standards that are leaving so many in absolute poverty. 

The organisers said, "Austerity is a cruel and politically motivated agenda that results in us all suffering. We see disabled deaths rise, we see higher levels of child poverty, we see higher levels of working poor all whilst the rich friends of the Tories are getting richer; richer on the back of our suffering.

"This on top of the shameful Rape Clause supported by Ruth Davidson! Let's show them we are a community who have compassion and care. Let's show them we will defend our poorest and most vulnerable!"

Click here for more information on Facebook

Now You’re the Voices For the Dead

Please read this powerful and emotional poem writtien by our colleague Davy Kettyles from Unite.

Flanked by opulence and riches,

Stands a tombstone for the poor,

A landmark to indifference
To agony endured,
Warnings mocked and laughed at,

by the mighty of this land,
till the flames lit up the darkness,

and exposed this brigand band.

On the top floors of the tower,
Beyond firefighters reach,
Trapped, children and their mothers cried,

save us, hear them screech

all praying for a miracle, on phones some said  goodbye,

they've no angels wings to fly away,

they may get them, when they die.

As the smoke and flames engulf them,

and their last breath they inhale,
Their deaths will live in infamy
But truth it shall prevail,

hold to account the guilty,
on their shoulders place their crime.
For profit before people

Was the reason and the rhyme 

Neath the skyline of this city
Stands tall this blackened shell,

ash carried on the morning breeze

and the smoke you still can smell.

Cometh  righteous indignation,
Cry justice, - must be said
Arise arise the many,

now you’re the voices for the dead.

Davy Kettyles

June 17^th  2017