Tribute to Ron Webster's 80 years of trade union activism as he is laid to rest

Tommy Campbell, Chair of Aberdeen and District Unite Retired Members' Branch and a delegate to the ATUC, made the following moving tribute to ATUC member and stalwart trade unionist, Ron Webster at his funeral today.

"At the young age of 14 Ron joined the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers in 1941 when he started his joinery apprenticeship. He was an integral part of the Second World War effort during his apprenticeship working on parts for the RAF’s Wellington bombers.

His apprenticeship was stalled when he enlisted with the Gordon Highlanders in 1945. After Ron completed his National Service, he returned to his apprenticeship working on the Trams in Aberdeen.

He continued working on the Trams until they were decommissioned in 1958 by the Aberdeen bus corporation. 

His membership of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers then transferred to the National Union of Vehicle Builders and Ron continued in his role as   an elected shop steward and a Union branch official of the National Union of Vehicle Builders.

He continued in these roles following the merger of the National Union of Vehicle Builders with the Transport and General Workers Union in 1972. 

Ron also served as the local NUVB delegate on the TGWU Grampian and Northern Isles District Committee, the TGWU Scottish Regional Automotive Trade Group. The District Committee also elected him to the Scottish Regional Committee representing Union members interests from all over Scotland.

In addition to his T&G positions Ron was elected as the Secretary of Aberdeen Trades Council and in turn elected as the representative of all Scottish Trades Councils onto the Executive Council of the STUC. 

ATUC pays tribute to trade union stalwart Ron Webster

Ron receives his award from STUC
General Secretary Roz Foyer
Photos by Ryan Tobias

Aberdeen Trades Union Council was deeply saddened by the death of one of its longest serving members and activists, Ron Webster, who died on 13 July at the age of 96.

Our deepest condolences go to Ron’s family and friends. Ron was a truly remarkable individual who made significant contributions as a trade unionist and as a Labour city councillor.

He is survived by his children, Rona, Andrew and Heather and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ron's funeral service will be held at Aberdeen Crematorium, Hazlehead, (West chapel) on Monday July 31 at 1.15PM. All friends respectfully invited, family flowers only please. 

Ron leaves a lasting legacy in the trade union and Labour movement. He will be remembered fondly by all his friends and comrades on Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

Tommy Campbell returns to his homeland to give talk at celebration of Fermanagh Trade Unionism

Tommy Campbell, Vice President of Aberdeen Trades Union Council was the guest speaker at the official opening of the exhibition, "A History of Fermanagh Trade Unionism" on Saturday 12th October 2019 at Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle.

Tommy is the former secretary of Fermanagh Council of Trade Unions

The exhibition is the last in a series of the centenary events to acknowledge, remember and respect the massive contribution by our forefathers in organising workers in Fermanagh.

Many of the rights of workers today were hard fought for and it is only right that these struggles and campaigns are centre staged in this the centenary year.

There is an amazing collection of badges including a number of local ones, plus other artefacts supported by information boards on exhibition.

The exhibition was officially opened by Councillor Diana Armstrong, Vice-Chair of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.

The exhibition continues until 25 January 2020..

Aberdeen Trades Union Council pays tribute as union stalwart, Tommy Campbell retires

Aberdeen Trades Union Council would like to add our voices to the very many wishing trade union stalwart, Tommy Campbell, a long and happy retirement, as he leaves his role as Unite full-time officer.

Few trade unionists are "better kent" in the North East than Tommy. He has been a passionate advocate of workers' and human rights, never afraid to challenge where these are not being upheld. He has also been a long-standing member of Aberdeen Trades Union Council where he is held in affection and respect.

This Morning Star article by Conrad Landin gives the background to Tommy's trade union activism and his determination to stand up for workers' and human rights both at home and internationally.

We can only echo the sentiments expressed by Tommy's colleagues and friends, as we pay tribute to his long service to trade unionism. He will be missed by members and colleagues in Unite but we are delighted that he will be continuing as an active member of the Trades Union Council.

Best wishes Tommy,

From your friends in Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

A history of political protest in Aberdeen - come and hear all about it

Join us for an evening of radical activism on Thursday 13th December from 7pm till 8.30pm, as local historian Andrew McGregor presents a history of political protest in Aberdeen over the last two centuries.

The event is the last in a series of talks arranged to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Aberdeen Trades Union Council and will be held in John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. 

This is the second talk by Andrew - the first was extremely well received. Come along if you can.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council opens its doors on our rich history

In its 150th anniversary year, Aberdeen Trades Union Council will welcome visitors to its premises at 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen as part of Doors Open Day on Saturday 8th September.

Visitors will be able to view art and artefacts collected over the course of our 150 year history, relating to significant historical events including the Spanish Civil War.

The doors will be open from 10am to 3pm and all are welcome to participate in this unique opportunity to witness the wealth of historical artefacts of Aberdeen's trade union and labour movement, and our activities in the current day.

Please come along if you can for what will be a fascinating look at our rich trade union history.

Join us for an evening of ATUC history in our 150th year, with Jurgen Thomanek

During our 150th anniversary year, ATUC is holding a number of celebratory events. This talk is one in a series looking back over ATUC’s history.

We are delighted to announce that long-time ATUC member and now consultative member, Jürgen Thomanek will present his postponed talk, An Evening of Aberdeen Trade Union Council History on Tuesday 10th July from 7-9pm in the ATUC Premises at John Londragan House, 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen.

Jürgen Thomanek (J.P. , M.Ed. , Dr. Phil. ,FRSA) is a former President of ATUC (1982-2000), and a current member of ATUC’s executive committee.

After studying at the universities of Kiel and Tübingen in Germany, Jürgen came to Aberdeen in 1966, completing a doctorate and later obtaining an M.Ed. at the University of Aberdeen, where he spent the rest of his academic career, becoming Professor of German in 1992. 

He was the first Aberdeen Association of University Teachers (AUT) delegate to Aberdeen Trades Council, and the first Aberdeen University AUT Secretary and President. He was also heavily involved in National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), National Union of Seamen (NUS) and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) disputes.

Join us for a fascinating evening of trade union history!

Happy 90th birthday Ron Webster - ATUC and Unite celebrate a great ambassador of the trade union movement

The ATUC and Unite held a celebration at the Aberdeen  Unite Office on 26^th May  for Ron Webster on his 90^th birthday.

Ron Webster

Ron is a long standing ATUC delegate, Labour and Trade Union activist of considerable standing within Aberdeen, Scotland and Internationally.

He represented Scottish Trades Councils for many years on the STUC General Council serving both as Vice-President and President of the STUC.

It was in his role as STUC  Vice-President that he had the pleasure of meeting Fidel Castro on a visit to Cuba.

He has also recently celebrated over 60 years Trade Union  membership having originally been a member of the NUVB (National Union of Vehicle Builders) which them merged with TGWU and in the  last few years then merged to form Unite.

The celebration for Ron was very well attended by Trade Unionists and Labour Politicians  with  glowing tributes from the City Council’s Lord Provost, Councillor Barney Crocket, Unite Regional Secretary , Pat Rafferty, and Grahame Smith,  STUC General Secretary.

Next ATUC Delegates' Meeting on Wed 2nd November at 7.30pm. Please get along.

The next ATUC Delegates' meeting will be held on Wednesday 2 November 2016 at 7.30pm in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

In addition to the usual packed Agenda, the short film "Nae Pasaran" will be shown. This tells the story of group of former factory workers in a small town in Scotland. They are reunited to tell the story of how they played their part in standing up to the military coup in Chile in 1974 while carrying out their job. The ATUC played a small part in backing the film through a donation to the funding of it.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "It was an amazing act of solidarity by Scottish workers to oppose the coup in Chile. The film is well worth a watch."

There will also be discussed the arrangements for St Andrew day parade and rally including the 80th Anniversary commemoration events for the Spanish Civil war. We hope as many Delegates as possible can attend.

Go along to Aberdeen's "bigger and better" Festival of Politics 2016

Aberdeen's Festival of Politics for 2016 will run from 23rd March to 3rd April. The event is open to all, and women and  trade unionists are especially welcome.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is proud to have sponsored the Festival again this year. Please get along if you can.

Click here for the programme for the events in this year's Festival and to book for the events.

Events likely to be of particular interest to ATUC members are the Evening with Anne Begg on Thurs 24th March at 19.00 in the Belmont Filmhouse Cafe Bar, and the Big Debate with Bonnie Greer, Heather Wakefield (Unison), Dr Lesley Orr (feminist theologian) and Belinda Brown (writer for Conservative Woman) at 3pm on Sunday 3rd April.

It would be great to see a good audience for Anne Begg. That's going to be a Parkinson-style interview followed by questions from the floor.

Free tickets for the Big Debate can be booked at http://aberdeenfestivalofpolitics.org.uk/the-big-debate-3rd-april-2016/

PETITION AGAINST THE THREAT OF COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is encouraging all our members and affiliates to back the University and Colleges Union (UCU) and to sign the petition to urge Aberdeen University to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies and to seek alternative, more progressive methods for placing itself on a sustainable financial footing.

Click here to sign the petition.

The campaign is supported by Aberdeen Defend Education Cuts (ADEC); Aberdeen Students Against Cuts (ASAC) and Aberdeen University Students Association (AUSA).

The union is saying NO to compulsory redundancies because:

·         Through the Voluntary Severance Scheme, the University has already saved the £5.4 million they lost from funding cuts

·         The University has also generated an extra £3.2 million in additional surplus

·         It wishes to make a further £1.9 million - not due to funding cuts but for additional surplus

·         The University has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies in pursuit of their goal

·         It is highly likely that staff will be placed "at risk of redundancy" from January 2016

Aberdeen Trade Union Council stands with our Turkish and Kurdish brothers and sisters

Aberdeen Trade Union Council has sent our deepest condolences and also our support and solidarity to our Turkish and Kurdish brothers and sisters in the trade union confederations in Turkey, KESK and DISK, along with the Engineers and Architects Association and the Medical Association, who were at the demonstration and rally in Ankara on Saturday which was attacked by two bomb blasts.

This has resulted in the death of over 100 people with many hundreds more being injured. The demonstration was called under the slogan of ‘Labour for Peace.’

We condemn this attack on trade unionists in peaceful protest and we mourn the loss of life.

Our message reads

"Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of so many of your members’ lives at the Labour, Peace and Democracy Rally in Ankara on Saturday. We also send our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims, and our hopes for a full recovery for all those injured in the attack.

Aberdeen Trade Union Council joins with other trade unions and civic society in condemning this brutal attack on trade unionists campaigning in support of peace, democracy and workers’ rights, and against the increasing violence and repression that the people of Turkey are suffering. We support the call for a full, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances of the attack and its aftermath.

We stand in solidarity with our comrades in KESK and DISK in the difficult weeks and months ahead as you struggle to come to terms with the tragic events of Saturday’s attack, and as you continue to work bravely and tirelessly for democracy, peace and rights."

Alan Robertson, President, ATUC

Kate Ramsden, Vice-President, ATUC

Sign up to fight the Tory Govenment's attack on unions

On 17th July the government unveiled the Trade Union Bill and ATUC members will have seen and heard Tories taking to the airwaves to denounce trade unionists.

The bill is the biggest attack on trade unions in decades. The ATUC is calling on all our delegates, associates and affiliates to sign-up to Unions Together's 'Fight the Bill'  at  www.unionstogether.org.uk/anti_tu_bill

 

Melanie Bartlett, Campaigns Co-ordinator at Unions Together warned, "The text of the bill is a carefully crafted and chilling attempt to undermine the basis of trade unionism.  

 

"We need to stand together to stop this bill which represents an attack on both our human and democratic right to organise collectively.

 

"The Tories want to restrict our ability to protect our member’s terms and conditions at work, limit our ability to strike and restrict our ability to campaign on the political issues which matter.
 

"The right to strike is made significantly harder, other agency workers drafted in to make legitimate strike action redundant, attempts to criminalise pickets and reduce our political campaigning funds.

 

"Trade union laws in Britain are already outside international convention standards and this bill will take Britain far away from the democratic tradition."

 

Sign up today to join the campaign to fightback against this unfair, unnecessary and undemocratic law www.unionstogether.org.uk/anti_tu_bill.

Sign up to fight the Tory Govenment's attack on unions

On 17th July the government unveiled the Trade Union Bill and ATUC members will have seen and heard Tories taking to the airwaves to denounce trade unionists.

The bill is the biggest attack on trade unions in decades. Sign-up to Unions Together's 'Fight the Bill'  at  www.unionstogether.org.uk/anti_tu_bill

Melanie Bartlett, Campaigns Co-ordinator at Unions Together warned, "The text of the bill is a carefully crafted and chilling attempt to undermine the basis of trade unionism.  

 

"We need to stand together to stop this bill which represents an attack on both our human and democratic right to organise collectively.

 

"The Tories want to restrict our ability to protect our member’s terms and conditions at work, limit our ability to strike and restrict our ability to campaign on the political issues which matter.
 

"The right to strike is made significantly harder, other agency workers drafted in to make legitimate strike action redundant, attempts to criminalise pickets and reduce our political campaigning funds.

"Trade union laws in Britain are already outside international convention standards and this bill will take Britain far away from the democratic tradition."

Sign up today to join the campaign to fightback against this unfair, unnecessary and undemocratic law www.unionstogether.org.uk/anti_tu_bill.

Scotland United Against Austerity 20th June, George Square, Glasgow - Book your free bus now!

#ToriesOutNow #NoMoreAusterity

Aberdeen Trades Union Council, with sterling assistance from Doug Haywood, has organised a bus to Glasgow to take part in Scotland United Against Austerity on 20th June 2015.

Seats will be free but to book your place, contact Conductor John on  jconnon1@hotmail.com or on 07505006170 

Click here for the facebook site. However to book a place on the bus you MUST contact John.

Next ATUC Delegates Meeting 3rd June, 7.30pm at 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen

The next ATUC delegates meeting will be held on Wed 3rd June at John Londragon House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen at 7.30pm.



Jim Neave

All delegates and associates are welcome to come along.

ATUC President, Alan Robertson said, "I am particularly delighted that at this meeting, the CWU will be making a presentation to veteran trade unionist and longstanding ATUC member Jim Neave in recognition of his long service to the trade union movement.

"We will also have speakers from the Healthy Working Lives and Health Inequalities City project and Tommy Breslin will come and talk about a Local Learning Forum.

"We hope as many as possible of you will get along."

Scotland United Against Austerity 20th June, George Square, Glasgow - Make it a truly historic event

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is calling on all our affiliates and associates to get along and support Scotland United Against Austerity on Sat 20th June in George Square, Glasgow.

As austerity and attacks on trade union rights are ramped up, it's vital that the entire anti-austerity movement in Scotland comes together in a show of opposition to the Tory government.

To coincide with the Peoples' Assembly event being held in London on the same day, the STUC is throwing its weight behind this major event which will underline the widespread disgust at Tory plans to embed and deepen austerity, targeting the most vulnerable.

Click here for updates on the Facebook page

The STUC expects that this event will be co-sponsored by a range of organisations involved in the Peoples' Assembly including major trade unions, the Radical Independence Campaign, Labour Party Campaign for Socialism, the SNP Trade Union Group, the Communist Party and anti-racist grouping Hope not Hate.

Let's make Saturday 20 June a truly historic event.

Watch the Facebook site for further announcements about how people can support and build for 20 June to be announced in due course.

Hundreds celebrate May Day and march for equality, social justice and workers rights

More than five hundred people from trade unions and campaigning groups, including a number of key local politicians and friends of the ATUC, took to the streets and marched along Union Street on Saturday 2^nd March to celebrate International Workers’ Day and to call for an end to austerity.

Led off by the Guarana Drummers, the march was both colourful and noisy as banners and placards were held aloft and marchers moved to the beat of the drums. Passersby stopped to watch, wave and to take photos, and to show their support for the marchers. Somewhere along the route, the sun came out and the weather stayed fine and Springlike as marchers gathered for an outdoor rally at the Castlegate.

For more photos go to the ATUC Facebook page

Greetings of solidarity from Aberdeen Trades Union Council on this International Workers’ Day

A statement from Tommy Campbell, Unite, reproduced on behalf of the ATUC

Long may the struggle continue  for  a better life for all workers as we resist the rise of the far right ideology that only serves the bosses interests.

Our class’s history has a lot to teach us about the roots of our socialist  radicalism and militant trade unionism.

Ron Webster, longstanding trade unionist and ATUC activist, is honoured by UNITE - all ATUC delegates welcome to attend

Aberdeen UNITE is hosting an event in honour of Ron Webster on Monday 9th March at 7pm in the St Nicholas room  in the Town House, Aberdeen. 

 

Ron Webster

The event is in recognition of Ron's 58 years as a union member and representative in  NUVB, TGWU and UNITE.

 

Tommy Campbell, UNITE Regional Officer said, "We are delighted to honour Ron's longstanding union membership and his lifetime commitment to improving the lives of all workers and their families.

 

"We would like to invite all Ron's friends and colleagues to join us in celebrating his achievements."

 

As an ATUC stalwart, Ron's hard work and commitment to trade unionism is also recognised by all his comrades on the trades union council and all trade unionists associated with ATUC are invited to come along.

 

If you would like to attend, please contact Susan at the Unite office at susan.martin@unitetheunion.org or tel 01224 645271.