Next ATUC Meeting on Wed 4th Nov 2015 at 7.30pm. Dave Moxham, STUC in attendance

The next meeting of the Aberdeen Trades Union Council will be held on Wed 4^th November 2015 at 7.30pm in John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. 

Last year's St Andrew's Day March

Kate Ramsden, Vice President said, "We have a very full agenda. Dave Moxham from the STUC will be in attendance and we will be making the final preparations for the St Andrew’s Day March and Rally, with a theme of "Refugees Welcome Here".

"We will be planning how to take forward the campaign against the Tories' Trade Union Bill, the greatest attacks on workers rights that we have seen in this country for a very long time.

"All delegates and associates are welcome to attend and we hope to see as many of you along as possible."

Celebrate the UN's 70th Anniversary at an event on "The Challenges Facing the UN" on 24th Oct at the Town House, Aberdeen.

The United Nations Association Aberdeen Branch and the Aberdeen University Model United Nations  (MUN) Society will be celebrating the UN's 70th Anniversary with an event on Saturday 24th October entitled, "The Challenges facing the United Nations."

The event will be held in the Town and County Hall, the Town House, Aberdeen. Speakers will include Dame Ann Begg, Dr Nigel Dower, Chair of the Aberdeen Branch of the United Nations Association and Pter Augustin and Joanna Sztandera of the Aberdeen University MUN Society.

Refreshments courtesy of Aberdeen City Council.

For further information contact Dr Nigel Dower at n.dower@abdn.ac.uk or 01224 702715

Arms to renewables

Delegates to the ATUC meeting on 3rd June unanimously pledged to campaign for the UK Government to transfer support and finance from the arms industry, to the renewable energy and low-carbon technology sectors.

The ATUC has also raised this issue with the STUC and has called on the General Council to press the UK government to support individuals and communities affected by such changes during the transition period.

Kate Ramsden, Vice President said, "The arms trade has a devastating impact on human rights and security, as well as damaging economic development through the diversion of resources.

"The UK government is sending a message of support to many of the world's most repressive regimes when it promotes and sells weaponry to them.

"The ATUC has already joined the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in condemning UK arms sales to Israel and has called for these to cease."

International Brigades remembered at the AGM weekend in Aberdeen

The 2015 AGM of the International Brigade Memorial Trust was a huge success as delegates from across the UK, Ireland, Germany amongst other countries came together in Aberdeen.

Unveiling of the plaque to
Bob Cooney by Neil Cooney

The weekend saw the unveiling of two plaques, one to Bob Cooney and the other to John Londragan who gives his name to the ATUC premises, John Londragan House, both of whom fought in Spain.

Brian Carroll of the ATUC said, "Congratulations to Tommy Campbell and all those involved in hosting the International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM in Aberdeen.

"We also owe a big thank you to Aberdeen City Council for hosting a civic reception for AGM delegates on the Friday evening and for providing the venues for all the events that took place over the weekend.

"Aberdeen saw many of its citizens go to Spain to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War, some of whom died during the conflict. The bloodstained flag which became a shroud for two of the fallen, is displayed in the ATUC office.

Aberdeen Trade Union Council stands with our Turkish and Kurdish brothers and sisters

Aberdeen Trade Union Council has sent our deepest condolences and also our support and solidarity to our Turkish and Kurdish brothers and sisters in the trade union confederations in Turkey, KESK and DISK, along with the Engineers and Architects Association and the Medical Association, who were at the demonstration and rally in Ankara on Saturday which was attacked by two bomb blasts.

This has resulted in the death of over 100 people with many hundreds more being injured. The demonstration was called under the slogan of ‘Labour for Peace.’

We condemn this attack on trade unionists in peaceful protest and we mourn the loss of life.

Our message reads

"Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of so many of your members’ lives at the Labour, Peace and Democracy Rally in Ankara on Saturday. We also send our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims, and our hopes for a full recovery for all those injured in the attack.

Aberdeen Trade Union Council joins with other trade unions and civic society in condemning this brutal attack on trade unionists campaigning in support of peace, democracy and workers’ rights, and against the increasing violence and repression that the people of Turkey are suffering. We support the call for a full, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances of the attack and its aftermath.

We stand in solidarity with our comrades in KESK and DISK in the difficult weeks and months ahead as you struggle to come to terms with the tragic events of Saturday’s attack, and as you continue to work bravely and tirelessly for democracy, peace and rights."

Alan Robertson, President, ATUC

Kate Ramsden, Vice-President, ATUC

Come and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine on Saturday 17th October

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is calling on all delegates, affiliates and community activists to come along to the Aberdeen Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign protest this Saturday  17th October at 12.30pm, in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen to join people of conscience around the world taking action in solidarity with Palestine.

Click here for more information

 

Remembering those who fought and died in the Spanish Civil War - A weekend of activities and the IBMT AGM

The International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM will be held this year in Aberdeen on Saturday 17th October. As well as the AGM itself, a range of events and activities have been organised over the weekend.

Click here for more information on the IBMT website

Tommy Campbell, of Unite who has had a key role in organising the event said, "All are welcome to come along to all the events apart from AGM itself on Saturday afternoon which is for IBMT members only.

"Also, don't forget march on Sunday from St Nicholas Kirk to the Castlegate when all unions, branches, community, anti fascist, affiliated groups and comrades will be led by a pipe band to the Castlegate for a farewell to our comrades and friends who came to Aberdeen for this event.

"It should be a great weekend and hope you can make it!"