Kevin Hutchens pays May Day tribute to "Super Tommy" Campbell

Kevin Hutchens

ATUC consultative member, Kevin Hutchens spoke on behalf of Aberdeen Trades Union Council at the May Day Rally.

He began by paying tribute in a humorous poem, to long term Unite Regional Officer and ATUC stalwart as he heads into retirement at the end of May.

Kevin said, “Some of you will know that Tommy Campbell is retiring as a full time union officer this month, what you may not know is that the toffs have heard about this and are thinking of celebrating.

“So imagine the scene as they start to celebrate;-

"Let’s get out the champers, Tommy Campbell no longer a threat, bring out the staff tips we've requisitioned for the good of our good company, namely ourselves wott,wott, and let’s get a new roller.

Let’s deduct for uniforms and take wages below the national minimum wage and reward ourselves with a jolly good bonus ,wott,wott. After all us poor little rich people have had it really difficult with TC keeping an eye on us. Now’s the time to celebrate ".

But all of a sudden, a sound like a rocket fills the air. Is it a bird, is it a plane, no, it’s Super Tommy in his new role as a retired Unite delegate to Aberdeen TUC, acting as an ambassador for workers’ rights, sweeping through the air.

Poems for May Day from Tommy Campbell

At the May Day Rally, Unite's Tommy Campbell read two moving poems which highlighted the plight of workers throughout history and the power we have when we stand together and fight in solidarity.

The first poem was by Joe Hill, a Swedish-Americal labour activist and song-writer who was executed in 1915 after a controversial trail. He is now memorialised in songs and has inspired books and poetry.

Piper's Tune by Henry Cairney in memory of Piper Alpha and all those lost

With thanks to Willie Gibson and the STUC for sending us this very powerful and brave poem, written by Henry Cairney, President of the Calgary Burns Club, and like Willie, an offshore worker in the 1980s. Henry lost friends in the Piper Alpha disaster and has penned this in memory of that tragedy and so that we never forget.

Piper's Tune

The  morning  air  was  crisp  and  clear,  todays  shift  change  was   drawing  near,  Some  worked  below,  some  rose  on  high,  both  shall  meet  soon  eye  to  eye, One  thinking  ofthe  day  ahead,  another  thinks  of going  to  bed, 

Yes  here  they  are,  men  one  and  all,  soon  some  will  live  and  some  will  fall.   

All  quiet  at  the  breakfast  table,  some  wonder  one  day  if they're  able,  To  leave  this  way  of life  for  good,  and  elevate  above  this  mood,   

Of sometimes  joy,  and  sometimes   pain,  walking  out  in  freezing  rain,   

To  trudge  down  steps  and  start  the  toil,  and  raise  this  nations  bloody  oil.   

The  day  has  past,   he  thinks  with  pride,  and  climbs  once  more  the  monsters  side,  To  mingle  with  the  off-shift  crew,  relax,  before  it  starts  anew.   

He  feeds,  showers,  and  settles  down,  to  another  night  in  this  little  town,  

If  only  he  could  see  through  time,  he'd  know,  he'll  never  reach  his  prime.   

He's   heard  the  rumble  from  below,  the  flickering  lights   give  an  eerie  glow,  And  stumbling  forward  to  the  door,  with  fear  that  strikes  him  to  the  core,  

His  cries  that  join  a  chorus  loud,  came  from  a  man  once  tall  and  proud,  

His  fate  decided,  a  final  story,  of a  life  which  could  have  reaped  more  glory.   

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