Say no to compulsory redundancies at University Aberdeen - sign the petition

Aberdeen Trades Union Council, at its meeting on 13th May, pledged support to Aberdeen University and College Union to fight Aberdeen University's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of its plan to axe 150 jobs.

UCU members at Aberdeen University are currently being balloted for industrial action to stop planned job cuts including compulsory redundancies and you can sign the petition calling on the university to find more progressive ways to save money here.

ATUC is urging members of all our affiliate unions and associate groups to sign this petition in support of our UCU colleagues.

Next Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates meeting postponed until 13th May

Can delegates and associates please note that the next ATUC meeting will be held on Wed 13th May at John Londragon House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen at 7.30pm and NOT on Wed 6th May.

This is because a number of our delegates are involved in eve of election activities. 

Alan Robertson, President said, "After our very successful May Day march and rally we are hoping for a really good turn-out on 13^th May and hope to see you there.

"We urgently need to fill the secretary and the treasurer’s posts and this will be further discussed at this meeting. Please do your best to get along."

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.

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.