STUC 2016 - Arms to renewable is a win-win and STUC will develop plans for a Just Transition

The STUC General Council has committed to develop a credible, coherent and fully costed plan for an effective and Just Transition from arms industry jobs, including Trident renewal, to alternative occupations.

On this basis, Aberdeen and Dundee Trades Union Councils agreed to remit their composited motion to the General Council.

Earlier ATUC’s Kate Ramsden had condemned the arms trade in the UK which wreaks havoc on the lives of ordinary people – men, women and children, bombed or gunned down by weapons that we make in this country

“Remember the bombardment of Gaza in 2014?” asked Kate. “The devastation wrought by Israeli bombs and missiles whose component parts were made at the Raytheon factory in Fife.

STUC 2016 - Congress backs ATUC call to welcome refugees

Congress supported a call from Aberdeen Trades Union Council amongst others to support refugees and those seeking asylum is Scotland, and called for the UK and Scottish Government to welcome more refugees than currently planned.

Speaking on behalf of the ATUC, Kevin Hutchens focussed on the plight of refugees stranded on the borders of Europe. He told delegates that what is shown on TV is only a small part of the human tragedy that is taking place daily. Systems for receiving and dealing with people needing international protection are not working or absent.

STUC 2016 - Congress backs ATUC call to save HMRC offices and jobs

The STUC has backed a wide-ranging campaign to overturn HMRC office closure plans as part of its clear opposition to the blatant Tory austerity led agenda that underpins it.

Seconding a PCS led composite motion, Aberdeen Trade Union Council’s Kate Ramsden told Congress of the devastating impact that the closures will have. 

“18 locations will close across Scotland with the loss of over 2,500 jobs.  This is on top of other recent closures that saw all 281 HMRC public enquiry centres close in 2014.

“Since 2010 over 10,000 staff have lost their jobs in HMRC and many more have left of their own accord without being replaced due to the worsening terms and conditions.

“And since 2005 HMRC staffing levels have almost halved. So much for this government’s alleged commitment to dealing with tax evasion,” slammed Kate. 

Remember the dead, fight for the living - Aberdeen Workers' Memorial Service on Thursday 28th April 2016

We would like to invite ATUC delegates and friends to the annual Workers' Memorial Service which will be held on Thursday 28th April in the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Please gather at 12.30pm for a service at 1pm.
 
International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28 April each year.
Its purpose 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.

This will be a particularly poignant service as we mourn the deaths of three workers in the local area who lost their lives in work related accidents in the past few months.

The service will last for approx 30mins.

Click here for a poster for the event.

Please come along to the next meeting of Aberdeen Trades union Council on 6th April 2016

The next meeting of Aberdeen Trades union Council will be held on Wednesday 6th April 2016 from 7.30pm in John Londragan House, 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen,

May Day March 2015

The meeting will be chaired by Vice President, Alan Robertson and has the usual packed agenda. This will include planning for both the Wokers' Memorial Day Service on 28th April and the May Day March and Rally to celebrate International Workers' Day which will be held on Saturday 30th April.

The meeting will also get an update on the publication of the 2015 Annual Report and the planning for the 150th Anniversary of the ATUC which will take place in 2018.

Please get along if you possibly can.

Go along to Aberdeen's "bigger and better" Festival of Politics 2016

Aberdeen's Festival of Politics for 2016 will run from 23rd March to 3rd April. The event is open to all, and women and  trade unionists are especially welcome.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is proud to have sponsored the Festival again this year. Please get along if you can.

Click here for the programme for the events in this year's Festival and to book for the events.

Events likely to be of particular interest to ATUC members are the Evening with Anne Begg on Thurs 24th March at 19.00 in the Belmont Filmhouse Cafe Bar, and the Big Debate with Bonnie Greer, Heather Wakefield (Unison), Dr Lesley Orr (feminist theologian) and Belinda Brown (writer for Conservative Woman) at 3pm on Sunday 3rd April.

It would be great to see a good audience for Anne Begg. That's going to be a Parkinson-style interview followed by questions from the floor.

Free tickets for the Big Debate can be booked at http://aberdeenfestivalofpolitics.org.uk/the-big-debate-3rd-april-2016/

Stand up to Racism - Refugees Welcome Here - All Scotland March & Rally in Glasgow Sat 19th March 2016

On the 19th March 2016 on United Nations Anti-racism day this important march and rally will coincide with demonstrations across the world, which will gather to send out a positive message "No to racism, no to fascism, refugees are welcome here!"

There will be a coach going to the above from Aberdeen sponsored and funded by Unite the Union and Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

The coach will leave from Hillhead Halls at Aberdeen University at 7.15am and then at King's College at 7.30am and finally at Marischal College at 7.45am on the 19th March to go to the March and Rally in Glasgow. The coach will depart for its return journey from Glasgow George Square at the War Memorial at 4.00pm.

Anyone interested in coming on the coach should email Gerry McCabe at mccabegerard@yahoo.co.uk