Building bridges, not borders – report of 98th STUC Women’s Conference

Kate Ramsden was ATUC’s sole delegate to STUC Women’s Conference 2025, held on 29-30 October in the Glasgow Royal Conference Hall with the theme, “Women build bridges, not borders”. 

Kate has been a member of STUC Women’s Committee in one of two Trades Union Council seats for the past two years. She was re-elected unopposed for a further term. This is her report.

Delegates discussed a wide range of issues affecting women as workers, as trade unionists, as mothers, as carers. As always there was a focus on women’s health, highlighting that employers are still not addressing the needs of menstruating and menopausal women, pregnant and breastfeeding women, with calls to lobby employers and government for change. The shameful increase in the gender pay gap was also highlighted, alongside the rise in violence towards women and children and the impact on women nationally and internationally of patriarchal and class based oppression. And of course, combating the far right was a key theme which ran through much of the conference.

The STUC Women's Committee Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections was also launched at the Conference.

Kate spoke in three debates on day 1. Below are brief reports on each of them.

Celebrate the Sex Discrimination Act with courageous conversations about women’s rights
As delegate from ATUC Kate spoke to support a celebration of the Sex Discrimination Act (now subsumed into the Equality Act) but also to recognise the challenges in progressing women’s equality.

She pointed out the similarities to the ATUC motion from last year’s conference, also celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act.

Kate said, “Women make up a large and growing number of trade union members and yet we are still disadvantaged in a myriad of different ways in this patriarchal society which, despite decades of struggle, still privileges men”.

She called for a recognition that in certain circumstances, women, as an oppressed group in a male dominated world, need to be with other women who share our experiences.

She asked for open and respectful dialogue as to how women’s rights under the Equality Act can be fully implemented without disadvantaging other vulnerable groups.

“In celebrating the Sex Discrimination Act we have to have courageous conversations across the trade union movement,” urged Kate.

ATUC delegates join thousands marching for better in Edinburgh

Aberdeen Trades Union Council joined thousands of trade unionists and community activists on the Scotland Demands Better march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 October.

A packed bus took activists from Aberdeen to give a clear message to the Scottish and UK Governments that politicians make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper.We demanded better jobs, better benefits and better investment for life's essentials.

The march set off from outside the Scottish Parliament, marched up the Royal Mile and through the centre of Edinburgh. It made a colourful display with banners and flags from many trade unions and trade union councils as well as a wide range of anti-poverty and community groups. Many Palestinian flags were also flown on the march, with calls to end the genocide and the occupation and for a free Palestine.

ATUC joins tenant’s union, charities and community groups call for Aberdeen City Council to fill 1,816 empty council homes.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council joined Living Rent Aberdeen as they delivered their open letter, signed by key organisations across Aberdeen, calling on Aberdeen City Council to urgently bring the 1,816 empty council homes back into public use.

The open letter highlights that this year, Aberdeen’s homeless services have been declared as at ‘a heightened risk of systemic failure’ by the Scottish Housing Regulator and the council is ‘routinely breaking the law’ in failing to meet housing needs.

Living Rent Aberdeen say that families with children sit trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation while the council’s inability to fill lettable empty homes has cost £12.5m in the last 6 years. 

Scotland Demands Better - book your seat for Edinburgh demo on 25 October

Working people are suffering across Scotland, and are crying out for a decent income, decent pay, decent work, and a decent future for their families.  The Scottish TUC and the Poverty Alliance are demanding change, and tens of thousands will come together on Saturday October 25 in Edinburgh under the banner of "Scotland Demands Better". 

Aberdeen TUC is doing our bit to support this, and is putting on transport. We are calling on all our affiliates to publicise this vital event to all their members. We are looking for names and emails of anyone who wants a space on the free coaches (leaving 7am, returning by 6pm) - email to secretary@atuc.org.uk by 17 October.  Bring your branch banner too!

Kate Ramsden, joint secretary of ATUC spoke at the recent public meeting "Aberdeen Demands Better". The well-attended event also heard from Fiona Young, Community Development Worker, Tillydrone Community Flat and Rev. Peter Johnstone, Church of Scotland. Sai Shraddha Viswanathan, President, NUS Scotland chaired the meeting.

Kate's speech in full is posted below.

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."