On World Suicide Prevention Day ATUC remembers those lost but pledges action on prevention

Aberdeen TUC laid a wreath at the Choose Life memorial tree at 11.00am on Wednesday 10^th September in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, on World Suicide Prevention Day.

Organised by ATUC, affiliates from Unite and GMB branches also laid wreaths to remember all those lost to suicide. Those present included a representative of Aberdeen City Council and relatives bereaved by suicide.

Following a minute's silence, ATUC President, Tommy Campbell highlighted the need to promote open, friendly  and compassionate conversations about mental health and encourage people to reach out for help.

Scotland Demands Better - and so does Aberdeen

Scotland Demands Better, supported by the STUC, believes that change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. They have called a march in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 October. 

To build for this big national event, a series of public meetings have been arranged.

The "Scotland Demands Better" Aberdeen public meeting is on 23^rd of September from 7-8.30pm at Devana Parish Church on Fonthill Road. It's a fully accessible venue and is pretty central.  As well as ATUC, on the panel will also be representation from Cfine (Fiona Rae), Shmu (speaker TBC), and the Church of Scotland (Rev. Peter Johnson).  Graphics are attached.

Please note we are planning to arrange coaches to take people from Aberdeen to that march. We would ask all delegates to pass on this information to branch activists and members and to encourage support for this national event.  Please also ask your branches to consider a donation to the cost of the bus and let ATUC know how many seats are needed on the bus. Aberdeenshire UNISON has already pledged to donate. We call on other branches to do the same.

ATUC media statement on the killing of Anas Al Sharif

Aberdeen TUC unequivocally condemns the unlawful killing of Anas Al Sharif and four other journalists by the apartheid Israeli State. 

This is yet another war crime that will hopefully one day see Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals held to account in the International Criminal Court. 

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), since October 2023, at least 195 innocent journalists and media workers (including 180 Palestinians) have been killed or seriously injured carrying out their professional duties whilst based in Palestine. 

Aberdeen TUC Secretary Kate Ramsden said, “This is a horrific targeted attack on journalists just doing their job. We call upon both our Scottish and UK Governments to condemn these killings and to ensure that there is a thorough investigation by the International Criminal Court into these war crimes committed against journalists and media workers. 

"We believe it is essential that journalists and other media workers are protected from the threats of violence and other crimes. That helps to ensure the protection of freedom of expression for us all."

Counter-protest takes message of solidarity and hope to Peterhead to challenge far right

Aberdeen trades union council activists were joined by Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) and other union and community activists to stand against the far right rally in Peterhead on Saturday 9 August.

In a symbolic protest that demonstrated clear opposition to the far right's racism and messages of hate against vulnerable groups, counter protesters gathered to give out leaflets highlighting that migrants are not to blame for austerity and the cost of living crisis. 

Passers-by were mostly welcoming and willing to hear our own message that it is the richest and government policy to blame for cuts to public services, the problems in the NHS and growing poverty in communities. There are now 150 billionaires in the UK who have amassed more and more wealth as the rest of us have got poorer. They are the ones to be targeted - not vulnerable people fleeing war and oppression in the hopes of safety. 

URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Protest the far right in Peterhead and Aberdeen on Sat 9 Aug

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is making an URGENT CALL TO ACTION to all our delegates, trade union members and associates. We have learned that the far right will be holding demonstrations in Peterhead AND Aberdeen this Saturday 9 August, both at 12 noon. It is imperative that we mobilise against them and challenge their narrative of hate and racism. 

In Peterhead, the so-called Peterhead United has organised a "family friendly" event. They will be condemning council cuts as do we, but will be turning their hatred on the wrong people. We need to turn out in force to tell them and their supporters that it is not the fault of immigrants and other marginalised groups. It is the rich amassing more and more of the wealth that are to blame.

Please join our counter protest in Peterhead and show the far right that we stand united and steadfast to condemn racism in Scotland and across the world. Their rhetoric is designed to justify exploitative economies and attacks on the most vulnerable and we will oppose them at every turn. 

In Aberdeen the target will once again be a hotel that houses refugees and asylum seekers. This is shameful. We must challenge their hateful presence and their attacks on vulnerable people. If you can't make it to Peterhead please join the counter protest in Aberdeen.

Please URGENTLY pass this information on to your branches also and urge your members and activists to mobilise to one of these counter protests. It has never been more important to stand up and be counted!

ATUC remembers Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President and delegates attended a moving memorial service commemorating the 37^th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident.

Laying a wreath on behalf of ATUC, at the Piper Alpha memorial, in the Memorial Gardens in Hazelhead Park, President, Tommy Campbell said, "Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues and friends of the 167 workers who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988."

He added, however, that as we remember all those who died we must never forget that this offshore accident could have been avoided as it was caused by inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by the operator Occidental.

 

Tommy warned that the oil and gas industry is still driven by cost reductions, with cutting corners and jobs being lost to save money to further increase the massive profits of the offshore oil and gas Operators.

 

"When oil and gas Operators prioritise fiscal matters above the health and safety of offshore workers, the devastatingly fatal Piper Alpha disaster serves as a haunting reminder as to the consequences of these decisions with devastatingly catastrophic consequences for the offshore workforce, their families and their communities. 

ATUC solidarity actions with comrades in struggle

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates were proud to stand in solidarity with trade union and community actions over recent weeks. 

On 12 June, delegates were proud to take ATUC's banner to Edinburgh to support our UNISON Enable colleagues in their fight for decent wages for Enable workers who support some of our most vulnerable citizens. 

We marched down the Royal Mile with UNISON members and supporters to Holyrood to demand the Scottish Government ensures Enable can afford to pay their skilled staff properly for their essential work.

Kate Ramsden, Joint Secretary said: "This dispute highlights the complete disconnect between the Scottish Government’s rhetoric and the situation in care on the ground.