Thank you to all workers providing vital services in the worst snow in a decade

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) wishes to thank all the workers in Aberdeen City and across Aberdeenshire that went above and beyond in the Wintery conditions earlier in January to protect the citizens of the North East - especially the most vulnerable.

This is when the absolute value of public services and the workers who provide them is laid bare. We have heard many stories of NHS staff's valiant efforts to get into hospitals and health centres, carers going the extra mile to ensure vulnerable older people are not left isolated, the workers who plough the roads and pavements, out in all weathers, the emergency service workers braving the elements, and many many more. We thank all of you.

We recognise that the situation was made even more challenging by the cuts that councils and other public services have faced over 15 years of austerity. We have written to Aberdeen City Council to express our concerns at some of the unreasonable demands made on some, mainly low paid women workers, to get into their work when other colleagues were able to stay at home. 

With climate change we are likely to see more such severe weather events. Aberdeen Trades Union Council calls on all employers to ensure their workers are kept safe in providing services at these times and that the impact of cuts is identified to the Scottish Government to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

ATUC and individual trade unions will continue to campaign for properly funded public services, for the health and safety of the workforce and for the benefit of the citizens of the North East of Scotland.

Festive greetings to all and best wishes for a peaceful and happy 2026

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 2026.

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

ATUC and its affiliated unions alongside political and community organisations and activists will continue to stand up for workers rights and human rights at home and across Scotland, the UK and the world.

Thanks to you all for your continued support. 

Happy Christmas!

"Stand up, Speak out, Unite against Racism" at the St Andrew's Day March and Rally 29 Nov

Please join us at our Aberdeen St Andrew's Day march and rally against racism and fascism on Saturday 29 November. 

The family friendly event, organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, will gather in Rubislaw Terrace at 11am to march off at 11.30, down Union Street to a rally at Union Terrace Gardens, opposite HMT. 

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President, who will chair the rally urged affiliates to come along with their families, friends and neighbours. 

He said, "This year's march and rally comes at a time where the far right are targeting asylum seekers and refugees in our communities, spouting their messages of hate. 

"Week on week ATUC joins with community and political activists to stand against far right protests and say, "Not in our name!"

Please get along to this march and rally. Bring your banners and placards and and stand in solidarity against racism and fascism wherever it raises its ugly head. 

Let's give a clear message from our trade union movement that we will "Stand up, Speak out and Unite against Racism"

The rally will hear from speakers from political parties and community groups all united in our opposition to racism and attacks on asylum seekers, migrants and other vulnerable groups. 

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.