ATUC stands in solidarity with BrewDog workers demanding transparency

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates joined Unite Hospitality workers as they staged a demonstration at the BrewDog Bar at Union Square in Aberdeen city centre on Wednesday 25th February.

The demonstration was called in response to the treatment of workers before and during the ongoing sale process at BrewDog, amid reports that the company is being prepared for sale to the highest bidder.

The dispute centres on the lack of consultation, the abandonment of the real living wage, widespread bar closures, and the slashing of contracted hours — all of which have left workers paying the price for decisions taken at the top of the business.

Recent press coverage has confirmed that BrewDog is exploring options for the future of the company, including a potential sale, following years of cuts, closures and worker uncertainty.

Care workers ask Scottish Government "Where are the missing millions!"

ATUC sends solidarity to social care workers from Unite, UNISON and GMB who today picketed the Scottish parliament demanding the return of the ‘missing millions’ cut from the Scottish Government’s Budget for social care workers.

Information from the Scottish Trades Union Congress’ ‘Missing Millions’ campaign has shown that £38 million of ringfenced funding for maternity, paternity and sick pay for social care workers in Scotland was secretly cut from the latest Scottish Government budget.

Workers protested outside the Scottish Parliament to demand the return of the cash, accusing the Scottish Government of “betraying” social care workers. ATUC delegate Paul King was amongst those protesting and features in this STUC video. 

The ‘Missing Millions’ campaign was launched last week during STUC Congress. A Freedom of Information request has shown that the £38 million cut was pulled directly from the Scottish Government’s Fair Work in Social Care terms and conditions workstream in September 2023.

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 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.

Solidarity with Shelter workers striking for decent pay

 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council sent solidarity to Unite members from Shelter Scotland as delegates joined their picket line in Aberdeen. 

Shelter members were part of a national strike of Shelter members, for a decent pay rise.

Members have rejected a 3% pay offer which amounts to a huge pay cut. Shelter staff say they are struggling to afford basic necessities on their wages, with some fearful that they themselves could be made homeless without better pay.

They will take strike action over the next two weeks to force management back round the negotiating table with an improved offer.  

STUC recognises Ron Webster's lifetime of trade union activism

Ron receives his award from Pat Rafferty

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council is delighted to report that during the STUC Congress in Aberdeen, ATUC consultative member and long-standing union member and delegate, Ron Webster, was awarded a certificate in recognition of a lifetime of trade union activism, amounting to 80 years as a trade union member of different unions.

The certificate was awarded by Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Regional Secretary and STUC president.   STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer was also on hand to congratulate Ron, as was his firnd and comrade, Tommy Campbell..

The ATUC would like to congratulate Ron on this wonderful achievement. We are delighted that it has been recognised by Ron's union, Unite and by the STUC.

Ron himself is a past president of the STUC as well as holding the post of ATUC secretary. Ron was an active member of ATUC up until very recently and is well known and held in high regard by many of the delegates.

ATUC Stands in Suport of Striking Housing Officers

The ATUC stands in suport of the Housing Officers and Housing Support Officers who have been forced to take strike action in order to protect services to tenants.  The four day strike is this week until Friday, with the the picket line outside of Marischal College from about 9am til lpm.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council wrote to Angela Scott, Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council to express our concerns and support for the workers in dispute.

Angela Scott
Chief Executive
Aberdeen City Council

Dear Angela,

Ref: Unite Members on strike

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) has received a report and update on the current dispute between Unite and Aberdeen City Council at our last monthly meeting.

ATUC fully supports the stand taken by the striking housing officers and housing support officers in order to protect the service to the tenants.

This is a very commendable and honourable stance for Unite members to take and its disappointing that the Council does not appear to want to resolve the dispute.

It appears to the ATUC that this is yet another cost savings only exercise by the City Council which does not appear to take on the concerns of the front line staff especially of the severe impact the Council's proposals would have on the council's tenants.

ATUC have always opposed Council cuts as the impact is always felt by the citizens who reply on the Council's services and in the case of this dispute the staff who would have to deal with the stress of detrimental changes to their roles in providing the much needed services to the tenants.

Can you advise if an equality impact assessment and associated H&S stress impact assessment has been carried out on the potential impact the proposed changes may have on both the staff and the council's tenants and if so have these assessments been shared with and discussed with the staff and the council's tenants as well.

We do hope that the dispute can be resolved soon.

We look forward to your reply

Yours sincerely
Graeme Farquhar
President, ATUC

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.

 

ATUC support and solidarity to Bifab workers as Scottish government ends hopes for the communities in Fife and Lewis

Aberdeen Trade Union Council has described as "heart breaking"  to all those workers, their families and their trade union movement supporters, the collapse of a deal between Bifab and EDF for the manufacture of wind turbine jackets to support the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind project.

 As part of the campaign to save Bifab last year, the STUC organised the November 2019 Energy Conference which offered wide spread trade union and environmental organisations' support for a just transition and support for the Bifab community.

Follow up reports have been produced but the failure to support the Bifab workers shows the lack of political will across the UK and Scottish Governments to support a just transition for working people.

 

ATUC sends our support and solidarity to Unite and GMB members affected by this apparent failure on the part of the Scottsh Government and to the communities that will be affected.

Responding on Wednesday 21st October to the breaking news over the collapse of a deal between BiFab and EDF for the manufacture of eight turbine jackets to support the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind project, Unite Scotland Secretary Pat Rafferty and GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith said:

“It looks like the Scottish government ministers have walked away from our best chance of building a meaningful offshore wind manufacturing sector, and in doing so have extinguished the hopes of communities in Fife and Lewis who were banking their future prosperity on it. 

“It’s a scandalous end to a decade which started with promises of a “Saudi Arabia of Renewables” supporting 28,000 full-time jobs in offshore wind and now finishes in mothballed fabrication yards and no prospect of any contracts or jobs on the horizon. 

In the line of duty - Unite senior organiser Davy Kettyles aims to raise cash for the NHS – with a song

Davy Kettyles

 Davy Kettyles is well known to ATUC delegates as he attended our St Andrew's Day rally a few years ago and the international brigade commemoration in Aberdeen earlier this year where he played and sung some of the powerful and moving songs he writes.

Davy has now written a song about the Coronavirus, "No tears at your grave" which is going on sale to raise money for the charity Asks for Masks.

Please go on and buy the digital track for a very good cause.

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE:
Want to download the single? Here’s how you can

This is how it came about:

It’s rare for Unite Ireland senior regional organiser Davy Kettyles to watch breakfast TV – he normally listens to Today on Radio 4. But on one fine May morning, Belfast-based Davy, for no apparent reason, tuned into BBC TV’s Breakfast programme – and was surprised to see his old friend actor Adrian Dunbar, aka Superintendent Hastings as BBC’s Line of Duty fans know him – asking viewers to support the NHS-fund raising charity Asks for Masks.

Adrian was promoting a short spoof Line of Duty video promoting the charity – and Davy, who has worked with Unite NHS members and care workers – wanted to help.

“It was serendipity,” Davy says. “Adrian and I grew up on the same estate in Enniskillen and it just so happened I’d written a song about the Coronavirus, No tears at your grave.”

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.

ATUC sends messages of solidarity to striking Unite members as union slams "intransigent" First Bus

ATUC members including Scott Sutherland and John Connon have visited Unite First Bus members on the picket line during their current strike action to pass on solidarity and support from ATUC as Unite members enter their second week of action.

Yesterday Unite blasted management for suspending negotiations which might have ended indefinite strike action at First Aberdeen.

“What are we supposed to do - sign these new contracts on our knees?” asked Unite branch convenor, Mike Flynn.

Last week drivers at First Bus in Aberdeen decided to go on an indefinite strike in protest against new contracts. Among other things the First Bus proposals include an increase in drivers’ working hours for reduced wages, reduced sick pay, reduced annual leave and holiday pay, and an end to paid breaks for drivers on duty.

Despite the draconian nature of these plans Unite Scotland has been prepared to negotiate on terms. But the mood among the drivers is hardening with the bus bosses’ intransigence.

Unite First Bus Branch convenor, Mike Flinn, said “It’s no wonder that the drivers are ready to go on indefinite strike. And it’s no wonder the mood is getting more hard line. These proposals mean that many drivers will be losing more than £5000 a year on their earnings. First Bus Managing Director likes to talk about give and take. Well it’s Unite members that are doing the giving and First Bus doing the taking.”

A meeting of members is due to take place tomorrow.

Solidarity to Unite members in First Bus taking action against cuts in pay and conditions

Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends support and solidarity to Unite members in First Aberdeen who will begin an overtime ban from Friday 16^th March followed by a series of one day strikes, culminating in a week-long strike from 26^th March.

 

ATUC is calling on all affiliates and supporters not to use First Aberdeen buses on strike days, in solidarity with striking workers.

The dispute is a result of imposed changes to terms and condition in pay, overtime rates, sick pay, removal of paid breaks and longer working days with split shifts.

The imposed changes will lead to cuts in pay for workers ranging from 10% to 23% depending on the level of overtime worked.

The vote for action was overwhelming. Unite members voted 95% in favour of action and action short of strike in an 81% turnout.

Unite regional officer, Willie Wallace said: “First Bus is arguing that they need  these changes to stem the decline in their financial performance, but when Unite put alternative suggestions for making the savings to the company, these were rejected.

"Our members have shown by the high vote for industrial action, how angry they are with First Bus around the imposition of these cuts and have been forced, reluctantly, to withdraw their labour.

“We have a situation where a two-tier workforce has meant new starts are employed on lesser terms and conditions than those on older contracts. This needs to stop and our members have made this clear with this result.

“First Aberdeen should reconsider Unite’s proposals which would halt this action.”

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.

ATUC sends support and solidarity to Unite and RMT Wood Group members who have voted overwhelmingly for strike action

Aberdeen Trade Union Council is sending messages of support and solidarity to our colleagues in Unite and RMT working for the Wood Group across Shell operated assets.

Almost 400 members of Unite and RMT unions working for Wood Group across eight Shell oil and gas platforms in the North Sea will be striking for the first time in a generation in a dispute over 30 per cent pay cuts and changes to allowances, it was announced today (Monday 18 July).

The first 24-hour stoppage will take place on 26 July, this will be followed by a series of other stoppages over the following weeks.

- See more at: http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/listofregions/scotland/latestnews/north-sea-oil-and-gas-workers-to-strike-for-the-first-time-in-a-generation/#sthash.1uw7CojI.dpuf

A ballot of Wood Group employees coordinated between the two unions has returned with a massive majority supporting industrial action.

The ballot results from both unions are well over the 50% turnout threshold and have huge majorities in support of industrial action in the form of strike and action short of strike. In the case of Unite 99.1% voted in favour of industrial action while 98.5% of RMT members voted to support industrial action.

The first 24 hour stoppage will take place on 26th July followed by a series of other stoppages over the following weeks.

John Boland, Unite Regional Officer said; “Despite the best efforts of the full time officials and workforce shop stewards to broker a deal with the company, talks have failed to find an acceptable deal for the workforce. We now find ourselves forced down the route of industrial action".


"That said, we remain available for talks should the company wish to consider an alternative offer. However, any talks must respect the workers and especially with regards to exercising their democratic rights in a dispute situation. Therefore the move by Shell to engage a scab labour workforce through various agencies to cover any potential industrial action is extremely disturbing.”


Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organiser said; “After two rounds of redundancy, the imposition of an additional 4 to 5 weeks of work annually, forced to work a 3:3 rota, the increase in workload, and the restrictions on leave, this battered and bruised workforce are being told they have to accept all of this with a reduction in salary of anything from 10 to 30%. The workforce message is clear, ‘Enough is Enough’ and it’s little wonder we find ourselves in this situation.”

Unite and RMT are members of the Offshore Coordinating Group of trade unions.