Congress backs St Fittick's Park campaign

 #STUC25 Congress backed the St Fittick’s Park campaign and will actively support communities led just transition processes. It recognised the crucial role of trades union councils and encouraged all unions to affiliate.

Moving a composite from ATUC and Moray TUC, Steve Gray said the "Save St Fitticks Park campaign was “a story of greed power and corruption set against community solidarity, love and hope.

“Torry, home of the Torry cough, a life expectancy of 55, and Torry’s green lung St Fitticks Park, under threat from speculative development.”

He told delegates the bigger picture is who decides the future of the workers and their communities when their industrial base is at risk.

“The problems the people of Torry, Aberdeen and Moray face are replicated right across Scotland as big business tries to divide and rule our communities and asset strip our green spaces.”

He called for communities “to be able to make informed choices about their own future, resisting the divide and rule tactics of big businesses and their lackeys in local government.

Ann Joss

“Regional just transition plans backed by 20 years funding and growing Scottish manufacturing supply chains are a vital tool.”

The motion was supported by RMT’s Ann Joss who roundly condemned the attacks on Torry’s Green spaces.

Defending the right to protest

 #STUC25 Congress condemned attacks on the right to protest, especially in relation to Palestine and slammed police repression and escalating attacks on our right to protest.

The General Council will now submit a Freedom of Information request to establish the strategy for policing pro-Palestine demos in

Supporting the amended motion from the STUC Youth Conference, on behalf of ATUC, Jonathan Christie told delegates that there has been increased overpolicing and police repression of the SPSC demos in Aberdeen.

He added, “There were further arrests just over a week ago at a demo against an Israeli representative competing at the World Bowls championship in Aberdeen.

“This peaceful BDS protest was met with 32 police officers turning up and arresting 3 protestors. With 2 out of the 3 protesters being held in the police van for over 1.30 hours.

“We have seen increasing police heavy handedness against protesters and intimidation tactics against protestors.

“This is at a time when a genocide is being committed by Isreal on the Palestinians in Gaza over the last 18 months, which has seen 60,000 Palestinians-of which mostly woman and children - being killed.”

He reminded that the ICJ has ruled it as a plausible genocide.

“The police should be arresting war criminals not protesters,” slammed Jonathan.

“As trade unionists and activists, we have a duty to stand up to this injustice and police repression. Protesting is our human right and this is a threat to all activists right to protest.

“BDS worked against Apartheid in South Africa and is making an impact again today,” said Jonathan, calling on all trade unionists to defend the right to protest, use our voice to call out the Gaza genocide, take BDS action and show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Bring back the Winter fuel payment for ALL pensioners

 

#STUC25 On the first day of Congress, delegates overwhelmingly supported a call from ATUC and West Lothian Trades Union Council to lobby the Scottish Government to restore the Winter Fuel Allowance for Scottish pensioners from this coming Winter.

Steve Gray, on behalf of ATUC told Congress that although Aberdeen is ostensibly a wealthy area, there is also a lot of poverty.

“It may have the second highest number of millionaires after London, however it also has a much higher number of poorer people.

“The removal of the Winter fuel allowance highlights the fact that Aberdeen is a city of ultra poor and ultra rich and the pensioners are noticeably one of the biggest groups amongst the poorest.

“The removal of the Winter fuel allowance is another demonstration that the poorest people in society are having funds removed that could help them, whist funds to the super rich are increased.”

On day 2 Steve seconded a motion from UCU that included our amendment calling on overseas students, especially those from China and the global south, to be treated with respect, especially in our current 'hostile environment' on China.

Moving IWMD service mourns those who have died at work and pledges to fight for living

A moving International Workers' Memorial Day service at the Workers’ Memorial in Persley Walled Garden brought together trade unionists, councillors and citizens to lay wreaths in memory of those who had died as a result of an accident at work or an industrial disease and to pledge to fight for the living.

The late Graeme Farquhar, former President of ATUC, widow Hazel laid the ATUC wreath. 

Wreaths were also laid by Trade Union Representatives from Unite, Unison and CWU. 

A wreath was laid by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, David Cameron who also delivered a message of support and solidarity from Aberdeen City Council. Cllr Alison Evison from Aberdeenshire Council also laid a wreath on behalf of the NHS.

Linda Carmichael of the WASPI pension equality campaign group laid a wreath and delivered a message of sympathy and support for the families who have lost loved ones in workplace accidents or through industrial disease. 

There was a minute's silence held in memory of all who have died.

Join us at our May Day March and Rally for Workers Rights and Human Rights

All are welcome to attend the ATUC’s  annual May Day March and Rally on Saturday 3^rd May 2025. Bring your flags, banners and placards.

Gather from 11.00am on Rubislaw Terrace. The march will set off at 11.30am onto Union Street via Union Terrace and Schoolhill to Broad Street .

The Rally will be held outside Marischal College from 12 noon, with music, poetry and speakers from Trade Unions and progressive organisations. This is a family friendly event with food available and activities for children.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said, "At a time when we see attacks on workers' rights and human rights here and across the world, we will be coming together as trade unionists and campaigners, to show solidarity with workers and citizens in struggle here and across the world. 

"We are united in our fight for dignity and respect for all workers and the rights of citizens ere and internationally. Our speakers will focus on all these struggles, including no fire and rehire, no social care cuts, a proper just transition, get me home safely campaign, international workers’ rights and peace including Palestinian rights, an end to poverty and pensioner poverty and no to public service cuts, including the crisis in health, and universities.

"Please join us in our fight for social justice and make this a march to remember."

International Workers' Memorial Day Service 26 April Remember the dead, fight for the living

All trade unionists, community activists, families and friends, especially those who have lost loved ones to an industrial accident or industrial disease are invited to attend the International Workers Memorial Day 2025 events below.                                         The Aberdeen Trades Union Council International Workers Memorial Day wreath laying service will be held on Saturday 26th April at 12.30pm in the Persley Walled Garden, Mugiemoss Road, Aberdeen AB21 9WH.  

The International Workers’ Memorial Day theme is to " remember the dead, fight for the living."

Tommy Campbell, Aberdeen TUC President said, "On International Workers Memorial Day we pay our respects and remember all those who have lost their lives through a workplace accident or an industrial related disease.“

"Whilst we will always remember the dead, we reiterate our fundamental right to fight for the living by ensuring that all workplaces are safe and healthier to work in."

 

Other events:

ATUC honours the memory of former President, Graeme Farquhar

Friends, colleagues and family of the late Graeme Farquhar gathered in the ATUC office and online on Friday 11 April to honour Graeme's memory and his legacy. 

Others unable to attend sent in heartfelt tributes to Graeme, a Unite activist and former President of the Aberdeen TUC. He died on 23rd October 2024 at the young age of 64.

Graeme's widow, Hazel was presented with an award in recognition of Graeme's work in the field of health and safety.

There was a comprehensive talk by Steve Dillon, Unite Lead Officer for the Scottish Construction Industry and good friend of Graeme's. He spoke on the scourge of blacklisting and about the main Health and Safety issues affecting the lives of construction workers today.