Solidarity with Aberdeen SPSC activists – support for the peaceful boycott , divestment and sanctions campaign (BDS)

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) stands in solidarity with the six activists from Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Aberdeen who were arrested and detained following a peaceful protest in Home Bargains on Saturday 15 February.

Following 16 months of genocide in Gaza, which has left more than 62,000 dead including almost 18,000 children, and further Israeli violence in the West Bank, which has killed over 900 Palestinians, protesters took their Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign into Home Bargains in Aberdeen and called on shoppers to boycott Israeli goods, and for Home Bargains to stop stocking them.

ATUC is very concerned about the response by Police Scotland to a peaceful solidarity protest that involved 16 police officers which we understand included at least one armed police officer. We are deeply concerned that this response by Police Scotland caused serious alarm to the public shopping in the area and to the members of the Scottish Palestine solidarity committee exercising their lawful right to peacefully protest in support of the Palestinian people. 

ATUC believes that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right, enshrined in law, and protected under human rights conventions. Under international law, advocating for and participating in boycott actions against companies complicit in human rights violations is not a crime. 

ATUC Media statement - No More Council Cuts

At Aberdeen TUC’s first meeting this year we received reports of significant concerns from UNISON, UNITE and GMB Trade Union Workplace Representatives about the potential impact of forthcoming Council cuts on our local public services.

Although the Scottish Government’s budget has not yet been agreed, Aberdeen Trades Union Council is alarmed to hear that local Councils have been warned to expect more cuts in this year’s financial settlement from the Scottish Government.

Already Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are on their knees, unable to provide many services critical to our local communities. No one can have failed to notice the perilous state of roads and pavements during the recent cold snap. Both the Councils' and the voluntary not for profit sector Social Care services are under enormous pressure with an inability to attract professional care staff leading to some care homes closing their doors altogether.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said today, “After many years of continuous cuts, there is no fat left on Council services. We are down to the muscle, if not the bone. Staff morale is at rock bottom and although they are all working over the odds to keep our public services running, they feel undervalued and disrespected. 

The ATUC has to strongly point out that there is a huge disconnect between Scottish Government policies on delivering public services and our local Councils’ abilities to implement them as a result of year on year cuts to funding."

Kate Ramsden ATUC Executive Committee member added “The Scottish Government in their commendable commitment to reduce child poverty has ignored the fact that cuts to our Councils’ funding impacts dramatically on their ability to address child poverty at local level. If our Councils receive increased funding instead of cuts, they can provide the high quality public services they are set up for and this will improve the quality of life in our local communities.”

Doug Haywood President of the Aberdeen City Local Association of the EIS said, "Further cuts will have a direct impact on families who are already struggling. We are already seeing a rise in the impacts of poverty on our pupils, I fear what these cuts will mean for young people and education across the North East."

Tommy Campbell concluded “The Aberdeen TUC are calling for the Scottish Government to rethink any plans for further cuts to local Councils and instead to increase their core funding as a spend to save approach. If our Councils can provide the high quality public services they are set up for, this will be better for our local communities. It will mitigate child poverty, will ensure that vulnerable people can live in their own homes instead of blocking hospital beds and will save money in the long run.

The STUC commissioned report (link below) on taxation has shown how, with progressive political will, this can be achieved. We are calling on the Scottish Government to take brave political decisions and to invest more in our public services and by doing that we can properly support much needed services in our local communities.“

ENDS

STUC Options for increasing taxes in Scotland to fund investment in public services A report by Howard Reed, Landman Economics, commissioned by the STUC December 2022
https://www.stuc.org.uk/resources/scotland-demands-better-fairer-taxes-for-a-fairer-future.pdf

Join us at the St Andrew's Day march to stand against fascism and in solidarity with Palestine

Please join us at our Aberdeen St Andrew's Day march and rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 30 November. Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, we will gather in Rubislaw Terrace at 11am to march up Union Street and Union Terrace Gardens, and rally in the Castlegate at 12 noon. 

This year's march and rally will stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. However it will have a focus on Gaza, wider Palestine and Lebanon, where the racist and apartheid Israeli government continues its brutal assaults, breaching international law and committing war crimes.

Laura McDonald, ATUC Exec member, who will be chairing the rally said: "The St Andrew's Day march and rally highlights Aberdeen and the North East’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity, solidarity with refugees, and the rejection of far-right ideologies. It brings together trade unions, community groups, activists, and individuals to stand united against racism, discrimination, and xenophobia. 

Uplifting show of unity and solidarity at the Rally Against Hate

Aberdeen Trades Union Council was proud to be one of the organisers, along with an anti-fascist alliance of local left groups, of the Rally against Hate in Aberdeen's Castlegate on Saturday 7 September. 

The expected presence of the far right, with their messages of division and hate didn't materialise and those far right protesters that turned up in Glasgow's George Square were completely outnumbered by thousands of anti-racism, anti-fascism protesters.

Our Aberdeen event was an uplifting show of unity against the far right. With a mix of music, speeches, poetry and chanting, the event celebrated solidarity and inclusivity. All were welcome, all came along from all faiths and none and from across different communities. 

Children made posters with messages of hope and love. Food not bombs gave out free vegan food to anyone who wanted it. The Melting Pot - a band that is a living example of inclusivity - kicked us off with their set of songs promoting messages of collective action and hope for the future, including a rendition of "We shall overcome," for the people of Palestine and Gaza. We also heard great sets from musicians, Fred and JC Bigfoot. And of course the wonderful Guarana Drummers had us tapping our feet and clapping along - and ended the rally on an upbeat note with a conga.

Join us to rally against hate and division and for unity across our communities

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has joined with other local anti-fascist and community organisations to organise a Rally against Hate on Saturday 7 Sept at 12 noon in the Castlegate, Aberdeen. 

The rally is being held to promote inclusion and solidarity within Aberdeen and the North East and to combat the rising threat of the far right, who we have heard may be in Aberdeen that day.

Vice president, Kathleen Kennedy who has been chairing the organising meetings said, “It has never been more important to stand up against those who would divide us as we continue our struggle for equality and justice for all.

"We would ask all our delegates to attend this important event if you can. We would also encourage all trade union branches to write out to each of their members urging them to come along and join us.

“The event will be a celebration of unity across our community and will have music and poetry as well as speeches, and food and children's craft activities.

“Please join us and show racists and fascists that Aberdeen and the North East is a welcoming and inclusive community and we will not be divided by hate.”

May Day March and Rally - standing in solidarity with comrades in struggle

Aberdeen Trades Union Council's May Day march and rally had a focus on the terrible situation in Gaza where thousands of innocent civilians, including at least 15,000 children, with many more missing, have been slaughtered by Israeli bombardment.

This took centre stage as Palestine solidarity protesters swelled the numbers on the march, some from the outset, some from their BDS action outside Barclays. A massive Palestinian flag was carried along Union Street, highlighting the support from the trade union movement for Gaza and Palestine, even as we witness the terrible genocide by Israel.

Led by the Guarana Drummers and the ATUC banner, community groups like Friends of St Fittick's Park and many trade unions were also represented, their placards held proud and their banners flying high. Passersby stopped to watch and clap as the colourful procession passed by.

A rally in the Castlegate was chaired by Vice-president Kathleen Kennedy and heard from several trade union speakers as well as from community activists and Palestine protesters. 

Rainy but very moving International Workers' Memorial Day ceremony

Despite the rain, the International Memorial Day (IWMD) ceremony in the beautiful surroundings of Persley Walled Gardens was well attended and very moving.

Wreaths were laid from many unions and organisations to remember all those who died at their work and to pledge to continue our fight for the living. The provost of Aberdeen laid a wreath on behalf of Aberdeen City Council whilst Kate Ramsden laid the wreath on behalf of ATUC.

We are grateful, as always to Norman Adam, ACC photographer for these photographs.

Kate Ramsden lays wreath on behalf of ATUC

The ceremony was chaired by Vice President, Kathleen Kennedy, who called for a minute's silence to remember all those killed at their work. In doing so she paid tribute to two of our own who died last year, Ron Webster and Gerry McCabe.

Aberdeen City Council provost, David Cameron was the first to speak. He reminded us of the international context to the event and spoke of the importance of campaigning for workers’ health and safety not only in this country but also across the world, highlighting countries like Bangladesh where regulation is lax.