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| Kevin Hutchens |
He began by paying tribute in a humorous poem, to
long term Unite Regional Officer and ATUC stalwart as he heads into retirement
at the end of May.
Kevin said, “Some of you will know that Tommy Campbell is
retiring as a full time union officer this month, what you may not know is that
the toffs have heard about this and are thinking of celebrating.
“So imagine the scene as they start to celebrate;-
"Let’s get out the champers, Tommy Campbell no longer a
threat, bring out the staff tips we've requisitioned for the good of our good
company, namely ourselves wott,wott, and let’s get a new roller.
Let’s deduct for uniforms and take wages below the national
minimum wage and reward ourselves with a jolly good bonus ,wott,wott. After all
us poor little rich people have had it really difficult with TC keeping an eye
on us. Now’s the time to celebrate ".
But all of a sudden, a sound like a rocket fills the air. Is
it a bird, is it a plane, no, it’s Super Tommy in his new role as a retired
Unite delegate to Aberdeen TUC, acting as an ambassador for workers’ rights, sweeping
through the air.
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| Tommy Campbell |
The toffs recoil "quick put the roller in the garage, reverse
the uniform charges, prepare the defences against new taxes for the rich, the
campaign for a living wage and cuts in CEO pay, for Super Tommy is here to stay
"
Super Tommy comes into view and without further ado lays his
demands on the table. "With my X ray eyes I see you've hidden the roller
away, so hidden no more, give it to give children of the workers free trips, the
company paying.
“As for you toffs, cuts in pay, the savings given to provide
decent pay for the workers, and to improve your knowledge a new training
package for you, starting with cleaning the toilets and cleaning the building
every night "
For Super Tommy is here to stay."
I hope you will excuse my humour, but seriously, we owe a
lot as a trade union movement to Tommy Campbell. I used to be a trade union rep,
and I know that Tommy Campbell helped many people in difficult circumstances, and
from the bottom of my heart on behalf of us all, I say thank you!
Now onto the serious bit.
As a consulative delegate of Aberdeen TUC I have a lead role in moving
forward a STUC project to research the North East economy and look at the
impact of the austerity cuts and the decline in the oil industry .There will be
focus groups locally ,and I am pleased to say that STUC is adapting its
timetable to enable the public sector focus groups to take place in the evening.
Please keep an eye on the Aberdeen TUC blog and Facebook page for progress
reports.
Kevin concluded with a rallying cry.
“May day, May day, Teresa’s lost Tory seats, Tory government
out the door. May day now Workers’ revolution day, because workers’ rights are
teachers’ rights, are nurses’ rights, are fire service rights, are public
sector rights, are all workers’ rights.
"Freedom of expression, the right to strike. So let’s
celebrate, sing, dance, recite poetry - for May Day is and always will be the
workers’ day!"