Seasons Greetings from Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Seasons Greetings to all from ATUC Officers, Delegates and Affiliates.

Have a good Christmas, a great New Year, a happy holiday and be ready for the challenges that 2017 will no doubt bring. Best wishes to all our union members providing essential services over the Festive period.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the ATUC in the past year and we look forward to continuing these partnerships and collaborations in the new year.

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council regarding the Motion debated by Aberdeen City Council on 14th December 2016

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has written to all Aberdeen City Councillors regarding a motion that was debated on 14th December at the council meeting. See text of the motion below.

We are delighted to report that an amendment was tabled and approved, removing points 3 and 4 of the motion following this statement from the ATUC and representations by other interested parties. ATUC of course fully supports the remainder of the motion and is proud to condemn and work to oppose racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

However we defend the rights of individuals and organisations like our own to take part in legitimate, lawful protest - including the support of boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions campaigns against states that breach human rights. We are proud that Aberdeen City Council has supported this right.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East - Report of Rally

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Castlgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

 However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

  To see more photos from the event go to our Facebook Album.

Next ATUC Delegates' Meeting on Wed 7th December at 7.30pm. Please come along.

The next ATUC Delegates' meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2016 at 7.30pm in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. All delegates and associates are warmly invited to attend.

Our speaker at this month's meeting will be from Grampian Credit Union.We then have our usual packed agenda, which this month includes a preliminary consideration of motions and delegates for next year's STUC Congress. We also have an updated report on the plans for the 150th Anniversary celebrations for the ATUC in 2018.

ATUC President, Kate Ramsden said, "We are hoping for our usual good turn-out at the meeting as we come to the end of 2016 and look towards the New Year.

 "I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our delegates, affiliates, associates and all those who read this blog, "Greetings of the Season" and all our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. This goes out especially to our union members delivering essential services over the holiday period."

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Gallowgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.  However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are invited to attend an event to commemorate and honour the Aberdonian International Brigaders on the 80th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades.

The event will be held in the Town House, Broad Street , Aberdeen on Friday 25th November at 7pm to 9pm.

There will be presentations from relatives of the International Brigaders as follows --

Bob Cooney’s nephew Councillor Neil Cooney – an outline of the anti-fascist struggle in Aberdeen that lead up to the nineteen local men going to defend democracy and fight Fascism in Spain

John Londragan’s grand-daughter Nina Londragan – an outline of the lives of the five Aberdonians who died defending democracy and fighting Fascism on the battlefields of Spain

In addition Davy Kettyles , a senior Organiser with Unite in Ireland will give an outline on the role of the Irish International Brigaders who formed the Connolly Column in Spain many of whom also sacrificed their lives defending democracy and fighting Fascism in Spain.

There will also be poetry and songs throughout the evening.

This event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Morning Star Supports Group and the affiliated Unions of Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are very welcome to attend.

¡NO PASARÁN!

Annual Report 2016 Adverts / Sponsorship

It's that time of year again, and the ATUC are looking for organisations to help sponsor our 2016 annual report, to be published next year, by taking out adverts to be included in the publication.

Organisations taking adverts in this way allow us to produce the well respected Annual Report each year which is distributed to trade union and other organisations, as well as being made available at the annual STUC conference.  It's a great way to get your branch or organisation noticed, as well as helping us to cover the costs of producing the report.

Annual Report advert costs are as follows:

• Full-page colour - £200.00
• Full-page black & white - £100.00
• Half-page black & white - £50.00

To make it even easier you can now submit your annual report advert request online, including uploading your copy ready artwork/poster.  We'll then invoice you for the selected amount.

Just complete our online form.