Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee Statement on the UK Freedom Movement

Aberdeen Trades Union Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the UK Freedom Movement. The UK Freedom Movement is aiming at holding a number of ‘anti-lockdown protests’ masked as social gatherings, including in Aberdeen. 

ATUC is deeply concerned about the possible links the UK Freedom Movement has to the extreme right, with possible links to Jayda Fransen, former Deputy Leader of Britain First, alongside former British National Party leader Nick Griffin and Tommy Robinson also voicing their support. 

ATUC urges members of the public to not attend these events, instead heed the advice from the Scottish Government to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.

ATUC calls on Grampian Police, and Police Scotland in general, to investigate the organisers of these events for possible links to the far right and other organisations putting public health in danger during this crisis.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee

ATUC Newsletter - 5th May 2020

You can download our latest newsletter from 5th May 2020 here:

ATUC Newsletter - 5th May 2020

ATUC 2019 Annual Report

Our 2019 Annual Report is now available online. We traditionally hand out copies to delegates attending the STUC Annual Congress, a pleasure we have to forgo this year.  We look forward to a time when we can all gather again!

ATUC Annual Report 2019

Our Virtual May Day Event

Being unable to organise our march along Union Street this year didn't stop us coming together for our May Day celebrations.

We were able to live stream a joint event with Dundee TUC. We had a few technical issues but that didn't stop us!

It was a very different event this year but the messages were perhaps even more powerful about the need to value, support and properly pay our workers, especially those providing vital services to our communities and our most vulnerable during this pandemic.

When this is over things have to change. The economy must be run for the benefit of the many and not just the few, with a focus on wellbeing and not just profit for the richest. And we must tackle climate change and protect our environment, for our children and our grandchildren if not for ourselves.

Thanks to everyone who supported this year’s May Day event.

If you missed it when live, you can watch it here:



Aberdeen writer and performer Molly McLachlan recorded this poem for our May Day event on Friday. We couldn't show it on the day unfortunately, but are pleased to be able to do so now!

You can follow Molly and her work on her FB page - Molly McLachlan: Poetry & Etc https://www.facebook.com/mollymidden/



And here's Clype!

Celebrating May Day on Friday 1st May. Please join us and support workers everywhere

Aberdeen Trades Union Council  has joined up with the STUC and Trades Councils from Dundee, Edinburgh & Lothians and Glasgow to host a series of May Day Events on Friday 1st May starting at 12 noon. 

The event will be a Zoom webinar and will be streamed live to Facebook.

The STUC event will be held from 12 noon – 1pm. Click on the links below to join.


https://www.facebook.com/scottishtuc/

 or click here to register for the event on Eventbrite

There will be contributions from speakers from labour movement speakers from Lombardy, Cataluyna and Cuba; a keynote speech from STUC General Secretary Designate Roz Foyer; and music from Maeve McKinnon and Calum Baird.

Aberdeen and Dundee event

You will be able to tune in to an event hosted by Aberdeen and Dundee Trades Councils from 1pm – 2.30 pm. Click on the links below to join.


on  https://www.facebook.com/groups/259376950795456/

or Aberdeen TUC Facebook page

ATUC President, Sasha Brydon said, "There has never been a more important time to celebrate International Workers Day.

"During the current pandemic, we can see the key importance to our communities of the frontline workers, many of them low paid, many of them women.

"And there has never been a more important time to be in a trade union. Unions and the STUC are at the forefront of standing up for our members' safety at work, workers terms and conditions and workers' pay.

"We cannot go back to business as usual when this is over. We must find a new "normal" which continues to value our workers and all our citizens equally, with an economy focussed on the wellbeing of all rather than profit for a few.

"ATUC always celebrates May Day. This year we can't have a parade but we can have an online rally. We can come together to support our members and each other and to pledge our commitment to workers' rights now and in the future, here and across the world."

 Please join us.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council Executive Committee Statement on International Workers’ Memorial Day 28th April 2020

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) extends its solidarity to working people past and present this International Workers’ Memorial Day, as we remember the dead and fight for the living. We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives at work, or to Covid-19 during these difficult times.

The focus for Workers’ Memorial Day this year is on a collective day of remembrance and solidarity for all workers who have lost their lives as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped and without necessary safety measures in place.

ATUC is supporting the call made by the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and UNISON - who collectively represent more than a million NHS and public service staff - to undertake a minute’s silence at 11am as a public display of commemoration and solidarity.

During the crisis created by Covid-19, International Workers’ Memorial Day has never been more important. Key workers, who until recently the government and establishment were calling ‘unskilled’ have been keeping the country running, as they always have.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council would like to extend its gratitude to all workers during this crisis; to all of our health and social care workers in NHS Grampian, the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils, the Community and Voluntary sector, community General Practices and Pharmacies; and also all other workers (paid and voluntary) who are helping to keep society functioning during the crisis - our transport workers, teachers, emergency services, shop workers, postal workers, delivery drivers, NGOs and community volunteers, and others too numerous to mention.

ATUC Newsletter: Wednesday 17th April 2020

STUC Press Release 12/02/20:  
Unionised workers have more safety and security to weather the crisis. See press release here


NHS Grampian:
The NHS Grampian Covid-19 Information website is updated daily with information for the public and also has pages for NHSG staff.


Scottish Fire and Rescue Service:
With people spending more time at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, SFRS has useful information and tips on how you can help to keep yourself, and everyone you live with, safe from  fire.


Grampian Women’s Aid:
Grampian Women’s Aid continue to provide all support services. Women, children & young people    seeking support during this time should call 01224 593381
or email  info@grampian-womens-aid.com
or visit their website