Solidarity brings hope amidst the war crimes and genocide in Gaza and West Bank

Husam Zomlot

#STUC24 Tuesday saw an extremely powerful session on Gaza and Palestine. We heard from Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK and Shaher Saed, General Secretary of the PGFTU.

Husam Zomlot gave the long history of the oppression and occupation of the Palestinians by Israel over many years and the UK’s complicity.

Both railed unbelievingly against the failure of the US, the UK and other western governments to act in support of Gaza despite the daily evidence of slaughter, famine and genocide.

Both described the impact of 193 days of bombardment and the withholding of humanitarian aid by Israel; the murders of over 33,000 civilians - many more missing under the rubble of homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, universities, museums, trade union buildings. The entire infrastructure razed to the ground. The murders of entire families, over 14,000 children, health care workers, aid workers, journalists - all war crimes.

Reverse cuts to modern language teaching at Aberdeen University

Kathleen Kennedy

#STUC24 Congress gave its full support to the University and Colleges Union in its fight against cuts to modern language teaching at Aberdeen University.

The General Council will lobby the Scottish Government for proper funding that reflects the costs of teaching these subjects.

Seconding the UCU motion, Aberdeen Trades Union Council’s Kathleen Kennedy said that these cuts were bad for the university, bad for the staff, bad for students but also bad for our communities in the North East of Scotland.

She told delegates that the North East already faces problems attracting teachers. “With an end to teaching and research in modern languages in the university there will be fewer prospective teachers graduating.”

“Instead of cutting provision, the university should be protecting these jobs and their expertise in modern languages. And the Scottish government should be funding it properly.

“It’s important not just for Aberdeen university’s reputation and for its staff and students, but for our communities in the North East of Scotland.

ScotWind Debacle – cock-up or conspiracy?

Kate Ramsden

#STUC24 The STUC will add its voice to calls for an urgent public enquiry into the Scottish Government’s ScotWind auction which sold off Scotland’s offshore wind rights at a knock down price, underselling by billions of pounds.

Kate Ramsden on behalf of Aberdeen Trades Union Council seconded the motion from Moray Trade Union Council.

She condemned this sale of public assets, which has put money in the hands of big business to make their profits with, as it stands, no benefit to Scotland or local communities.

Kate added, “We need to know what went wrong - conspiracy or cock-up so that our demands for a just transition can be more than a pipe dream.

“The Scottish government needs to stop selling off our public assets at knock down prices - or at all,” she said, adding that it also needs to stop using private consultants at a cost of mega bucks.

“We need to know how the ScotWind debacle has come about but more importantly, how Scotland can still benefit from the current project.”

National Care Service bill – still not fit for purpose

Kate Ramsden

#STUC24 In the first debate of Congress, delegates backed a call for the National Care Service bill to be scrapped and for a public, not for profit service to be designed in conjunction with all interested parties.

The composite motion was moved by UNISON’s Audrey McCabe, herself a care worker. She made a powerful call for sectoral bargaining and decent pay and status for social care workers recognising the essential work they do.

Kate Ramsden supported, on behalf of Aberdeen Trades Union Council, pointing out that the Scottish Government has approved its so called National Care Service bill at Stage 1, because the Minister says she will no longer implement it as it stands. However she has not shown what the bill will actually look like.

“So the reality is that the bill remains as it always did, with all the aspects we campaigned against still there,” warned Kate.

“The Minister has promised that the Bill will look nothing like the one approved by the government, but demands by the Health, social care and sports committee that she publish her amendments by end March have been… well, ignored.”

Instead she has set up a hastily convened Expert Legal Advisory Group to consider amendments. “It has 61 members, said Kate. “If a camel is a horse designed by a committee we can expect to get something like a Komodo dragon,” said Kate to some laughter.

ATUC remembers lives lost in Bond helicopter tragedy

Scott Sutherland lays wreath on behalf of ATUC

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) today, 1st April laid a wreath at the Bond helicopter accident memorial in Johnston Gardens, Aberdeen, on the fifteenth anniversary of the fatal helicopter accident that claimed 16 lives.

ATUC member, Scott Sutherland laid the wreath. Scott was accompanied by other ATUC delegates and Unite offshore workplace reps from Unite Bilfinger offshore fabric maintenance branch.

Aberdeen TUC spokesperson Tommy Campbell said, “On the fifteenth anniversary of the Bond offshore helicopter fatal accident off the coast of Peterhead our thoughts are still with the families, work colleagues and friends who are still affected by this horrific accident. 

"It should never be forgotten that the helicopter operator was supposed to replace part of the gearbox just a week before the accident. They failed to do so due to a lack of communication with the aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter. Had the helicopter operator taken precautions, including following agreed procedures and communications, these deaths could have been avoided. 

"Aberdeen TUC continues to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who are still demanding a full public inquiry into helicopter safety in the UK offshore oil and gas industry."

Unite Bilfinger Offshore fabric maintenance branch
and the Aberdeen TUC delegates 

"The Big Lie" screening on Tuesday 5 March at 7pm in Arts Centre - please come along

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council, along with the Morning Star in Scotland has organised a screening of "Oh Jeremy Corbyn The Big Lie" on Tuesday 5 March at 7pm in the Cafe Bar, Arts Centre, Aberdeen with a Q&A to follow. 

Sign up for tickets at Eventbrite

"The Big Lie" is a film about the grassroots movement that propelled Jeremy Corbyn to become leader of the Labour Party and took Britain to the threshold of huge political change. What happened and why did it all fall apart? Directed by Ken Loach, this film explores a dark and murky story of political deceit and outrageous antisemitic smears. It also uncovers the critical role played by current Labour leader, Keir Starmer and asks if the movement which backed Corbyn could rise again.

We will be joined after it by Matt Kerr and Keith Stoddart of the Morning Star in Scotland, who will lead a discussion and answer questions on the film.

Free but donations welcome on the door.

Save St Fittick's Park Protest 18 Jan at the Town House - please support the campaign

 All Aberdeen Trades Union delegates and affiliates are urged to support our friends in the Save St Fittick's Park campaign. 

Please get along if you can to Aberdeen Town House from 9.30 to 10.30am on Thursday 18 January, to protest the council's decision on St Fittick's Park and demand it is saved for the people of Torry and Aberdeen.