STUC Women's Conference report - Connection, Collaboration & Community

STUC Women's Committee 2025-26

#STUCwomen26 Kate Ramsden was ATUC’s sole delegate  once again to STUC Women’s Conference 2026, held on 21-22 October in the Caird Hall, Dundee with the theme of Connection, Collaboration & Community.

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

Ably chaired by Women's Committee Chair, Tara Lillis, the 99th Women's Conference again debated motions directly relevant to women's lives and their livelihoods, recognising that women are disadvantaged because of our sex. Delegates debated 29 motions in total relating to Work, Trade Union Organisation, and Employment Right and Discrimination; Women’s Health, Wellbeing, and Public Services: Equality; Harassment and Violence against Women, concluding with an International Section recognising the disproportionate impact of war and conflict on women and girls. Conference also heard from a number of speakers, including ATUC consultative member, Mercedes Villalba, who gave the trade welcome on behalf of Dundee Trades Council, Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary and Jenny Douglas, STUC President.

A Panel discussion considered Community Building and Building Solidarity, especially against the far right; and two workshops looked at Stories from the Past & Hopes for the Future, in preparation for the centenary of STUC Women's Conference next year; and Women's Occupational Health & Safety, which followed a presentation from Close the Gap.

ATUC represented at momentous events remembering history of struggle

 Aberdeen Trades Union Council has been represented at a number of Scottish and UK events over recent weeks by President Tommy Campbell and Joint Secretary, Kate Ramsden.

Over the weekend of 3^rd and 4^th October  Tommy attended the celebration of the defeat of Mosley’s Fascist Blackshirts in the East End of London known as the Battle of Cable Street.

Tommy said, "The defeat was possible because of the organising undertaken by trade unionists, political and community  activists that created a unity of purpose to primarily to defend and  protect the Jewish community from the antisemitic hate espoused by the fascist Blackshirts.   

"That unity was essential because anti-fascists and people of good conscience  fully understood that an attack on the Jewish community was an attack on all other  working-class communities in the East End of London and across the UK."

Then on 9 October, Kate and Tommy attended the unveiling of the Nelson Mandela Statue in Glasgow's Nelson Mandela Place. 

ATUC stands in solidarity with Unite Pilgrim workers in Enniskillen

Aberdeen Trades Union Council delivered  a message of solidarity and support when our President, Tommy Campbell joined the picket line on Thursday 17 Sept in his home town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

Workers are striking for a decent pay increase and an end to the current regime where morning shift workers are the only shift workers not getting fully paid breaks. The lowest paid workers receive an hourly rate of £12.82 - only eleven pence above the minimum wage. Pilgrims Europe's latest reported after-tax profit was £128 million.

The site produces a range of leading UK and Irish food brands including including Fridge Raiders, Richmond Sausages, Mr Brains Pork Faggots, Denny sausages (Republic of Ireland), Rollover sausages (sold at football grounds) and vegan sausages. Fridge raiders are one of the most successful Pilgrims products and are targeted at lunchboxes and for younger consumers. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, "Pilgrims is a hugely profitable company making massive profits while its workers earn just pennies above the bare legal minimum. It can easily make its workers a fair offer but is choosing not to.

“Our members are determined to win an improved deal - they have the total support of Unite for as long as it takes to achieve that."

Fermanagh TUC and Aberdeen TUC have developed formal links over the past few years.

Tommy urged, "It would be appreciated if your Trade Union branch sent a message of solidarity and support to the Pilgrim’s workers now on an all out strike."

World suicide prevention day ceremony urges, "Start the conversation"

Photo by Norman Adams, ACC photographer

A moving ceremony on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September, at the Choose Life memorial tree in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, remembered all those who have lost their lives to suicide. 

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, and chaired by President, Tommy Campbell, representatives of ATUC and unions were joined by Aberdeen's Lord Provost, David Cameron, to lay wreaths in memory of those lost to suicide and to demand action to address the causes and symptoms of poor mental health.

Tommy said: "It's very important that we all work together to prevent suicide. As part of World Suicide Prevention Day we wish to create awareness that suicide is preventable and by bringing people together we can show our support for all those affected by suicide. 

"Each  of us has a positive and helpful role to play in creating a society where everyone can be  supported and able to talk about their mental health."

There were  kind words of compassion from the Lord Provost, Jonathan Christie, Aberdeen City Council GMB shop steward, Kyle Griffiths Bilfinger Offshore Workers Unite shop steward, Kate Ramsden UNISON Rep and ATUC Joint Secretary and Gordon Walters, Aberdeen City Council  Unite Branch Chair, in memory of friends and work colleagues who were lost to suicide.

ATUC to welcome visitors on Doors Open Day

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) will open its doors to visitors as part of Doors Open Day in Aberdeen on Saturday 5 September. 

We would urge anyone interested in knowing more about ATUC, our history and our role, to get along to 22A Adelphi on Saturday between 10-4pm.

We have a long history having been formed in 1868 and still going strong, playing an important role as we continue to support workers in these challenging times.  

Aberdeen Social Centre, an activist support and networking hub, also use our space. The aim of the Social Centre is to build the capacity of and the connections between grassroots community activism. 
A range of historical artefacts will be on display, providing a fascinating insight into the history of trade unionism in Aberdeen. 

Find out more on the Doors Open Day pages

As part of our Doors Open Day at ATUC, Aberdeen Artists Against Fascism will be co-hosting a display by local artists at the ATUC premises.

Aberdeen Artists Against Fascism was formed to mobilise artists to take collective action using art as a tool of social and political change.

The display will feature several pieces on loan from Peacock & The Worm, including ‘Cutie Jones’ a screen-printed reproduction of British artist and anarchist Jamie Reid’s first image for the Sex Pistols made here in Aberdeen in the 1970s.

A collection of zines from around the world will also be on display, curated by Aberdeen Zine Library.

With many thanks to ATUC Exec member Andrew Macgregor who has curated this event one again. 

38th Anniversary of the Piper Alpha accident We will not forget

Tommy Campbell joins representatives of
offshore unions to remember Piper Alpha

Aberdeen Trades Union Council President Tommy Campbell joined Unite offshore branches representatives to lay wreaths at the Piper Alpha memorial service on Monday 6 June, 38 years on from the disaster, pledging never to forget and to continue the fight to make off shore workplaces safe and healthy.

Tommy said, "On the 38th anniversary of the Piper Alpha fatal accident, Aberdeen Trades Union Council asks that we all take time to remember the 167 workers who died. 

"Our thoughts are with the families, work colleagues  and friends of the 167 workers  who were tragically killed on 6th July 1988.

"The Oil and Gas offshore based Trade Unions and offshore workers know full well  that the  Piper Alpha fatal accident could have been avoided by the strict adherence to the Health and Safety measures."

He warned that the accident happened because of the cost-driven decisions to maintain and increase profits, resulting in 167 offshore workers being killed.
 

"When costs to the employers and profit increases for the shareholders become more important than workers safety then the  Piper Alpha fatal accident shows that its offshore workers and their families who pay the ultimate price.“

Tommy promised that Aberdeen Trades Union Council will continue to support all the offshore based Trade Unions who organise, campaign and fightback to make sure the offshore oil and gas industry has a safe working environment  so that all offshore workers can return home safely to their families and friends. 

Protesters say "Enough is enough" as energy costs rise while companies make huge profits

Aberdeen Trade Union Council (ATUC) joined Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) North East Scotland, and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) North East Scotland at a protest outside Marischal College on 1 July under the banner “Welfare Not Warfare”.

The demonstration was held as households face yet another increase in energy bills. From 1 July the energy cap will end and average annual energy costs are set to rise by a further £221.

The protest was one of several across Scotland and the UK as protesters demanded an end to energy cost rises and that the energy companies stop their profiteering.

ATUC President, Tommy Campbell said, "Those hardest hit will be the most vulnerable members of our society, including older people, disabled people, and those living on low incomes. 

"Many are already struggling to meet the basic costs of heating their homes and powering essential appliances.

"At the same time, politicians continue to stand by while energy companies make enormous profits. Around £500 of a typical household energy bill already goes towards company profits, and that figure is likely to rise if the government continues to allow excessive profiteering in the energy market.

"It’s time to say enough is enough."