STUC Report 2015

Scottish Trades Union Congress 2015

The 118th STUC Annual Congress was held At Ayr Racecourse 20th-22nd April 2015

Report of the STUC 2015

Fiona Napier

ATUC delegates to the 2015 STUC were Fiona Napier and Steve Gray

Steve Gray

We owe it to the memories of those who have died to fight for the rights of working people

Once again this year, local trade unionists and citizens joined councillors from both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, in a poignant service to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day on 28^th April, in the beautiful setting of the Persley Workers’ Memorial Garden.

Welcoming people to the service, ATUC Vice President, Kate Ramsden asked those present to join her in a minutes silence to remember all those who had lost their lives at their work. Councillor Barney Crockett, on behalf of the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, then laid a wreath in their memory.

Barney paid tribute to the work of the trade unions in fighting for robust health and safety in the workplace, over the years and still in the present day.

He said, “This is a day to honour the working people throughout the world who have lost their lives while going about their daily employment.

“It serves as a reminder to us all to continue to stand up for working people’s rights and to ensure workplace practices are exemplary.”

ATUC delegates speak out against austerity and UKIP and call for affordable homes.

Report of the ATUC in action at the 2015 STUC Congress in Ayr

Our delegates to the Congress this year, Steve Gray and Fiona Napier were very active on behalf of the ATUC. They seconded two composites, one on living rent and affordable housing and one on austerity and local authority cuts. They also supported a composite on standing up to UKIP. All these composites included the ATUC's motions to Congress.

Homes for people, not profit

Steve Gray

The STUC is to call for a major house building programme,    focussing especially on affordable and council housing, not only to meet need but also to boost employment and the economy. It also called for work with Shelter, other charities, community groups, and the People’s Assembly, to build a broad based campaign to support a living rent.

This comes as a result of the Aberdeen TUC’s motion which was merged with motions from USDAW, UCATT and North Lanarkshire TUC.

Seconding the composite, ATUC delegate Steve Gray told delegates that homes should be for people not profits.

Come along to the May Day March and Rally and celebrate International Workers' Day

This year's May Day March and Rally will be held on Saturday 2 May 2015.

Organised once again this year by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, the march will assemble at Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen from 10.30 am and the procession will march off at 11.00 am.

The procession will march along the whole length of Union St to the rally at the Castlegate, which is scheduled to commence at 11.45 am/12noon.  Affiliates and community groups are urged to come along with your banners and placards and join us in celebrating International Workers' Day.

Click here for a poster

Speakers are yet to be confirmed but will include trade unionists, politicians and community activists.

Remember the dead, fight for the living - Aberdeen Workers' Memorial Day Service Tuesday 28 April 2015

This year's Workers' Memorial Day Service, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will be held on Tuesday 28th April at the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Meet at 12.30pm for the ceremony at 1.00pm. Come along and join us to "remember the dead, fight for the living."

Click here for a poster

What is Workers Memorial Day?
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.

The purpose of IWMD is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that this tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

The campaign slogan is "Remember the dead, fight for the living."


In this time of austerity, it is ever more important to protect our Health and Safety legislation, which is constantly under attack.

The Service will last for approx 30mins.

Next ATUC Delegates Meeting 1st April, 7.30pm at 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen

All delegates and associates are invited to attend the next ATUC Delegates meeting on Wednesday 1st April 2015 at 7.30pm, in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.
 
There will be a full agenda as always, including a presentation to a CWU Member by his Branch of Honorary Life Membership in recognition of long membership and long services to members. 

 

There will also be a talk by Naomi Brown from the Campaign to Save the Scottish Independent Living Fund.

Alan Robertson, President of the ATUC said, "We are still looking for delegates to fill the posts of treasurer and Secretary. These are key posts and they will need to be filled if the ATUC is to carry on doing its important work.

"The meeting will also finalise plans for the Workers' Memorial Day service and the May Day March and Rally."

Take Action on Saturday the 28th of March - Keep up the pressure against Barclays Bank's support for Israeli war crimes

Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (SPSC)Aberdeen is calling on all supporters to keep up the pressure against Barclays Bank, following the success of previous protests by campaign groups including SPSC Aberdeen, which led to Barclays selling its shares in Elbit systems, the Israeli company which supplied the drones used in last summer's attacks on Gaza. 

The next protest will be held on Saturday 28th March. Please come along and tell Barclays to end its investment in Raytheon and stop profiting from Israeli war crimes once and for all. Assemble in St.Nicholas Square at 12 noon.

Click here for more information on facebook