Holocaust Memorial Day 2019 - Lest we forget

The Holocaust Memorial Day 2019, hosted by the Belmont Cinema, will be held on Sunday 27th January at the Belmont Cinema from 12 noon.  

There will be music on arrival, followed by speakers and reflections, and then the film 1945 at 1pm. 

The event is free but a ticket is required for the film, available at https://www.belmontfilmhouse.com/showing/1945 or by phoning 01224 343500.  

What is Holocaust Memorial Day and why must we never forget?

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January each year. It’s a time for everyone to pause to remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in places like Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Next ATUC Meeting will be held on Wed 9th Jan at 7.30pm. Please get along

The first ATUC delegates' meeting of the new year will take place on Wed 9th January at 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen from 7.30pm.

There is a busy agenda as we look at motions and the delegation to the STUC Congress coming up in April this year. We will also be planning our Annual Report which will look back at a very successful 150th anniversary year in 2018.

All delegates are urged to come along and associates are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there.

Festive greetings and best wishes for 2019

Aberdeen Trade Union Council wishes all our delegates, affiliates, associates and friends our best wishes for a wonderful festive season and a happy and peaceful New Year.

We particularly send greetings to those providing essential services over the holiday period.

Thanks to you all for making our 150th centenary year one to remember. 150 years on Aberdeen Trade Union Council is still going strong, fighting for workers's rights and human rights at home and across Scotland, the UK and the world.

Best wishes to you all.

John Maclean commemoration 3rd Dec - speeches from the event

Fiona Napier

Speech from Fiona Napier, ATUC Secretary, welcoming those gathered and giving some background to John Maclean's visit to Aberdeen 100 years ago.

"Thank you for being here this morning! 

"We’re here today to speak about a great man, a true working class hero – Glasgow schoolteacher and revolutionary socialist – John Maclean. He was a man who campaigned all his life against the injustices he saw in society - imperialist wars, poverty, inadequate housing – a fight that saw him labelled ‘the most dangerous man in Britain’ by the British intelligence services. Dangerous, because he challenged injustice wherever he saw it, and refused to be silenced, and dangerous because he inspired others to action. 

"He publicly – and ceaselessly - opposed the First World War, encouraging working class men to defy conscription. Three times MacLean stood in court, accused of sedition and offences against the Defence of The Realm Act, and on his 3^rd appearance he was sentenced to 5 years and sent to Peterhead jail. There he was subjected to brutal treatment, including a harsh regime of force-feeding. His health never recovered from the damage done to him in jail, and he died far too soon, aged only 44.

"When he was released from Peterhead prison on 3rd 1918, 100 years ago to the day, he began his train journey back to Glasgow, stopping for a time in Aberdeen, where he was greeted by comrades at the station and joined a reception organised for him by ATUC. 100 years later, we are proud to be here today, commemorating the life and works of this courageous man. John Maclean died too young, but his legacy lives on. The injustices that he fought against all his life are still with us today, and we’re here to fight them"

ATUC commemorates John Maclean's release from Peterhead jail 100 years to the day

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates and friends gathered at Aberdeen Railway Station today, Monday 3^rd Dec to remember “the great John Maclean,” schoolteacher and revolutionary socialist.

It was 100 years to the day that our ATUC comrades gathered to welcome John Maclean as he journeyed back to Glasgow on his release from Peterhead Prison, having been jailed on a charge of sedition for opposing the first world war.

The John Maclean Memorial Band (aka Irn Broo) provided the soundtrack to the event and had the train station rocking with their renditions of the John Maclean March, the Freedom Come All Ye and the Ballad of John Maclean, as those gathered added their voices to the singing.

A history of political protest in Aberdeen - come and hear all about it

Join us for an evening of radical activism on Thursday 13th December from 7pm till 8.30pm, as local historian Andrew McGregor presents a history of political protest in Aberdeen over the last two centuries.

The event is the last in a series of talks arranged to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Aberdeen Trades Union Council and will be held in John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. 

This is the second talk by Andrew - the first was extremely well received. Come along if you can.

Still we rise - marching against racism and fascism and for internationalism, freedom and justice

The ATUC St Andrew's Day March in its 150th anniversary year was a colourful sight on a grey November day as it made its way down Union Street behind the stirring tunes of the Pipe Band.

The red of Unite, the purple and green of UNISON and the bright yellow of the EIS mixed with the banners and colours of other trade unions and political and community groups.

All came together to pledge "Still we rise" to combat the scourge of racism and fascism and for internationalism, freedom and justice.

Shoppers stopped to watch and wave as the March passed by. The free Scotland wrap around edition of the Morning Star was well received by the marchers and onlookers alike.