An introduction to economics for trade union and community activists - 9 May 2018 at 7pm

As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, Aberdeen Trades Union Council is supporting aseries of  talks aimed at demystifying economics. 

The first is to be held on 9 May at Aberdeen Trade Union Council, 22a Adelphi, Aberdeen.   It will be presented by Keith Paterson, Phd student at Aberdeen University and long-time trade unionist and political activist.

Please get along if you can and circulate details widely to union branches, contacts and activists. 
 

Drawing on the concepts of Marx, Keynes and contemporary radical economists, these talks aim to provide a critical introduction to a political economy approach to understanding the central dynamics of the economy and provide a framework for understanding how capitalism works and how crises come about.    

For trade union and community activists the aim is to provide a tool kit to question what is presented in the media and by so called ‘experts’ about economic issues and provide an alternative way of examining the economy.

A major objective is to demystify orthodox economics which has been found wanting yet continues to provide the ideological justification for austerity, cuts and privatisation.

For further information, contact Keith at keithpaterson@abdn.ac.uk

Tributes at Holyrood to ATUC in our 150th year

Lewis Macdonald, MSP and Aberdeen Trades Union Council Consultative member, pays tribute to Aberdeen Trades Union Council in the year of our 150th Anniversary, as he leads his Members' Business debate on this in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 17th April 2018.

You can hear his full speech by clicking here

ATUC Vice-President Donna Clark and Executive Member Laura McDonald attended the debate in Holyrood and presented Lewis with our ATUC 150th celebratory badges and our 2017 Annual Report.


In his speech, Lewis outlined the history of Aberdeen Trades Union Council and the important role that it and its affiliates have played in the North East of Scotland.

He highlighted the important role of all Trades Union Councils across Scotland. Delegates attend the STUC Congress on the same basis as delegates from affiliated unions and Lewis explained that more ATUC delegates would have been at the debate if it didn't co-incide with Congress where the ATUC was playing a full part in those proceedings.

Lewis also brought greetings from Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard, who was unable to be in Holyrood because he too was in Aviemore addressing the STUC Congress.

Aberdeen Trades Union Council would like to express our thanks to Lewis for highlighting Aberdeen Trades Union Council in the Scottish Parliament in this our 150th year, and for all his support to the ATUC over the years as a Consultative member and our local Labour MSP.

Thank you Lewis!

Please come along to our Workers' Memorial Day service to "Remember the dead, fight for the living."

Please join us in our 150th year at the annual Workers' Memorial Service. It will be held on Saturday 28th April in the Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Please gather at 12.30pm for a service at 1pm.

Click here for A4 poster 

Click here for A5 flyer

International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) takes place all over the world on 28th April each year.

Its purpose is two-fold. Firstly it is about not forgetting those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work. Secondly it is about ensuring that this tragic loss and suffering are used to reinvigorate the campaign for healthier and safer work.

 This year’s theme is ‘unionised workplaces are safer workplaces’. See the list of events around Scotland on the Scottish Hazards website – along with posters for each event.

ATUC Vice-President Donna Clark said, "Health and safety in our workplaces protects those at work. 

"It also protects those in the wider community. Whether it is a hospital, school or care home our elderly and vulnerable relatives, our children and our communities are also protected by measures intended to keep everyone safe from harm.

"In a year where we are still seeing people killed, injured or made ill at their work it is ever more important to come together to 'Remember the dead, fight for the living!'

"We look forward to seeing you all there"

Please come on Saturday 7th April and protest the Land Day Massacre in Gaza

We are urging all our delegates, associates, supporters and their friends and families to join a protest  this Saturday 7^th April 1pm to 3pm  in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen to show your solidarity with the people of Gaza who have been victims of yet another shocking carnage perpetrated by the State of Israel. 

Seventeen Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Friday as Israel used massive violence against tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators who had gathered along the Gaza-Israel boundary to demand dignity, justice and freedom.

Nearly 1,500 were injured, nearly half by the Israeli soldiers shooting  live bullets at the peaceful demonstrators.

Twenty Palestinians are said to be in critical condition.

One of those killed on Friday was farmer Omar Wahid Samour, 26, who died when Israeli forces fired artillery shells at him while he was on his land, more than 700 meters from the boundary fence, in southern Gaza.

Two million people living in Gaza have been victim of a brutal siege and serial bombardments since 2006 leading to sustained devastating effects on the population including shortages of medical supplies, electricity and fuel.

Despite the outrage of the international community at this appalling situation, Israel continues its policy of human right abuses with impunity.

Sign the petition calling our Government to condemn Israel’s actions aimed deliberately at unarmed civilians and to take the necessary steps to get the UN to agree actions to end the 12-year long siege of Gaza. https://palestinecampaign.iparlsetup.com/lobby/land-day

Join us this  Saturday 7^th April at 1pm to 3pm in St Nicholas Square, Aberdeen   to express outrage at the extra judicial killings in response to a democratic protest against an illegal siege and occupation. Join us to demand dignity, justice and freedom for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

Speakers already confirmed are - Jonathan Russell (CND), Kate Ramsden (UNISON and ATUC Executive Committee), a Representative  from the Palestine Student Society,  Tyrine Rutherford (Unite  and ATUC delegate)

‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ Desmond Tutu