St Andrew's Day March and Rally welcomes refugees in the spirit of our compassion and shared humanity

Around two hundred trade unionists, politicians and members of faith and community groups joined together at the Aberdeen St Andrew’s Day March and Rally on 28^th November to give a clear and unequivocal message that  in the name of our shared humanity, refugees are welcome here in the North East of Scotland – racism and fascism are not!

As the march snaked down Union Street to the rhythm of the Guarana Drummers, passers by again stopped to watch the colourful procession created by the banners of trade unions and community groups,  led as always by the red and white banner of the ATUC.

At the rally in the Castlegate, speaker after speaker spoke passionately about our shared humanity with all those fleeing war, poverty and oppression.

Next ATUC Meeting on Wednesday 2nd Dec at 7.30pm with Tony Benn film "Our class, our culture" shown at 6pm.

The next meeting of Aberdeen Trades Union Council delegates will be held on Wednesday 2 December 2015 at 7.30pm in John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen.

Prior to this, at 6pm the acclaimed Tony Benn film, "Our class our culture"  will be shown. Delegates, families, friends and colleagues are welcome to come along to that.

Kate Ramsden, ATUC President said, "Dave Moxham, STUC Depute General Secretary was unable to attend the November meeting but will be coming along to this meeting to speak on various topics and issues, including our campaign against the Tory Trade Union Bill.

"We will also consider any motions for the 2016 Scottish Trade Union Congress and there is the 2015 Annual Report to plan as well."

"Visitors are welcome and we hope to see as many delegates there as possible."

Aberdeen Trade Union Council condemns the terrorist attacks in Paris and around the world and sends sympathy to all those affected

In a press release issued today, Aberdeen Trades Union Council sent sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of all those affected by the recent atrocities in France, and condemned the use of violence and aggression against innocent civilians in Lebanon, Palestine and the wider Middle East.

ATUC President, Kate Ramsden said, “Aberdeen Trades Union Council opposes individual as well as state sponsored acts of terrorism as 'the continuation of politics by other means', anywhere in the world.

“We will continue to fight locally and internationally for a world free of war, violence and oppression and we are proud to stand for peace, freedom and tolerance. We will campaign vigorously against racism and the far right.”

Come to the St Andrew's Day March and Rally on 28th November and give a clear message - Refugees are welcome here

This year's St Andrew's Day March and Rally will be held in Aberdeen on Saturday 28th November - gather at 11am in the St Nicholas Churchyard, Union Street and march off at 11.30am to a rally in the Castlegate.

The annual event has been organised by Aberdeen Trade Union Council with a theme of "Refugees Welcome Here". This important message reflects the theme of the STUC March and Rally which will take place in Glasgow at the same time.

All affiliated unions, community and faith groups and politicians are urged to attend to give out a clear message that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire welcome refugees, value what they bring to our communities and feel enriched by their presence.

There will be speakers from a range of community and faith groups as well from trade unionists and politicians.

ATUC President Kate Ramsden said, "Aberdeen has a very proud history of fighting fascism here and across the world and of welcoming people from other nations into our communities in the city and beyond.

"When local people saw the terrible plight of the refugees in Calais and across Europe they rallied to provide support. Both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils have called on the UK Government to extend offers of asylum to many more refugees fleeing war and oppression in Syria and have pledged to take refugees into our communities.

"Yet still thousands of desperate people are fleeing war, oppression, and hunger, risking their lives on a hazardous journey. Many, including children, have lost their lives en route. But for accident of birth they could be our children. They deserve our compassion, but more importantly our support.

"When we see that there are more citizens stranded in Sharm el Sheikh than the number of refugees  the government is promising to take in between now and 2020 we see how paltry their offer of support is - how devoid of compassion.

"We must make it clear that this Tory government does not speak for us. There was never a more important time to stand up and be counted. Please come along and support this important march and rally and give a clear message that racism and fascism have no home in the North East of Scotland!"

Aberdeen trade union council sends our sympathy and support to all those affected by the tragic events at Cults Academy

Aberdeen Trades Union Council wishes to  express its sadness at the recent tragic events in Cults Academy in Aberdeen.

We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bailey Gwynne in their tragic loss.

We also offer our sympathy to pupils, staff and care workers who are finding it difficult to cope with their grief at this difficult time.

The lives of two families will not be the same again, as a consequence of what has happened.

To everyone who has been affected, in whatever way, we extend our support and good wishes to you and those you care about.

Urgent alert: Call on Aberdeen University to cancel visit of Yiftah Curiel, Israeli Embassy spokesperson

At 18.00 on Wednesday the 4th of November, Aberdeen University Politics and International Relations Society are hosting an event titled: US - Iran Nuclear Deal: Implications on Middle East, with guest speaker Yiftah Curiel, HEAD SPOKESMAN AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY OF LONDON.

Please take a few minutes to click on this link and send off a letter, to send Aberdeen University a clear message that this is unacceptable and calling on them to cancel Curiel's visit.

It is crucial that a clear message is sent to organisers of the event, the university and AUSA: representatives of the racist, apartheid state of Israel are not welcome in our city and that such an event is offensive and completely inappropriate.

The event amounts to simple political propaganda. Mr Curiel is not an academic called to present his research or his opinion, but rather a State official called to express Israel’ s highly controversial stance on a very sensitive political matter.