Seasons Greetings from Aberdeen Trades Union Council

Seasons Greetings to all from ATUC Officers, Delegates and Affiliates.

Have a good Christmas, a great New Year, a happy holiday and be ready for the challenges that 2017 will no doubt bring. Best wishes to all our union members providing essential services over the Festive period.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the ATUC in the past year and we look forward to continuing these partnerships and collaborations in the new year.

Statement from Aberdeen Trades Union Council regarding the Motion debated by Aberdeen City Council on 14th December 2016

Aberdeen Trades Union Council has written to all Aberdeen City Councillors regarding a motion that was debated on 14th December at the council meeting. See text of the motion below.

We are delighted to report that an amendment was tabled and approved, removing points 3 and 4 of the motion following this statement from the ATUC and representations by other interested parties. ATUC of course fully supports the remainder of the motion and is proud to condemn and work to oppose racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

However we defend the rights of individuals and organisations like our own to take part in legitimate, lawful protest - including the support of boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions campaigns against states that breach human rights. We are proud that Aberdeen City Council has supported this right.

St Andrew's Day March and Rally - celebrating the multicultural voices of the North East - Report of Rally

Hundreds of people from many different ethnic backgrounds - trade unionists, activists, politicians and citizens - came together at this year’s St Andrews Day March and Rally in Aberdeen in a celebration of diversity in the North East of Scotland and to give a clear message that racism and intolerance is not welcome here.

The event was organised once again by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, this year in partnership with #WeAreAberdeen, a group which has been set up to combat growing racism and intolerance in the wake of the Brexit campaign.

Carrying colourful banners and placards, the marchers were upbeat and joyful as they strode along the aptly named Union Street behind the stirring music of the Granite City Pipes and Drums Youth Band.

The rally at the Castlgate heard uplifting stories from a number of speakers, many of whom had come from different countries to make their homes in the North East of Scotland. All paid tribute to the warmth of the welcome they had received from the people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

 However some had also experienced intolerance and racism reminding us that we must always be vigilant and challenge such behaviour wherever we see it.

  To see more photos from the event go to our Facebook Album.

Next ATUC Delegates' Meeting on Wed 7th December at 7.30pm. Please come along.

The next ATUC Delegates' meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2016 at 7.30pm in ATUC premises, John Londragan House, 22A Adelphi, Aberdeen. All delegates and associates are warmly invited to attend.

Our speaker at this month's meeting will be from Grampian Credit Union.We then have our usual packed agenda, which this month includes a preliminary consideration of motions and delegates for next year's STUC Congress. We also have an updated report on the plans for the 150th Anniversary celebrations for the ATUC in 2018.

ATUC President, Kate Ramsden said, "We are hoping for our usual good turn-out at the meeting as we come to the end of 2016 and look towards the New Year.

 "I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our delegates, affiliates, associates and all those who read this blog, "Greetings of the Season" and all our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. This goes out especially to our union members delivering essential services over the holiday period."