STUC Report 2015

Scottish Trades Union Congress 2015

The 118th STUC Annual Congress was held At Ayr Racecourse 20th-22nd April 2015

Report of the STUC 2015

Fiona Napier

ATUC delegates to the 2015 STUC were Fiona Napier and Steve Gray

Steve Gray

We owe it to the memories of those who have died to fight for the rights of working people

Once again this year, local trade unionists and citizens joined councillors from both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, in a poignant service to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day on 28^th April, in the beautiful setting of the Persley Workers’ Memorial Garden.

Welcoming people to the service, ATUC Vice President, Kate Ramsden asked those present to join her in a minutes silence to remember all those who had lost their lives at their work. Councillor Barney Crockett, on behalf of the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, then laid a wreath in their memory.

Barney paid tribute to the work of the trade unions in fighting for robust health and safety in the workplace, over the years and still in the present day.

He said, “This is a day to honour the working people throughout the world who have lost their lives while going about their daily employment.

“It serves as a reminder to us all to continue to stand up for working people’s rights and to ensure workplace practices are exemplary.”

ATUC delegates speak out against austerity and UKIP and call for affordable homes.

Report of the ATUC in action at the 2015 STUC Congress in Ayr

Our delegates to the Congress this year, Steve Gray and Fiona Napier were very active on behalf of the ATUC. They seconded two composites, one on living rent and affordable housing and one on austerity and local authority cuts. They also supported a composite on standing up to UKIP. All these composites included the ATUC's motions to Congress.

Homes for people, not profit

Steve Gray

The STUC is to call for a major house building programme,    focussing especially on affordable and council housing, not only to meet need but also to boost employment and the economy. It also called for work with Shelter, other charities, community groups, and the People’s Assembly, to build a broad based campaign to support a living rent.

This comes as a result of the Aberdeen TUC’s motion which was merged with motions from USDAW, UCATT and North Lanarkshire TUC.

Seconding the composite, ATUC delegate Steve Gray told delegates that homes should be for people not profits.