The motion from Aberdeen Trades Union Council was
opposed by some unions concerned with the employment of their members. However
it was supported by the STUC General Council and was passed on a card vote.
Moving the motion, ATUC delegate Mike Martin explained
that AUKUS is a military partnership between the UK, the US and Australia, that
was signed in September 2021. Billed as ‘a landmark defence and security
partnership’, its key military focus centres on ‘the development of joint
capabilities and technology sharing’, deeper integration of security and
defence-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains.
“It’s being justified on the basis of upholding the
‘rules-based order’, yet the treaty undermines the rules of international law,”
slammed Mike.
“The AUKUS pact is a dangerous escalation in the
West’s ongoing confrontation with China,” said Mike, warning that the AUKUS
pact brings nuclear technology into an increasingly militarised part of the
world, where accidents or further provocations could flare up into full-scale
war.
He called on the STUC to build opposition to AUKUS
internationally and pointed out that locally CND is working in unity with
partners in the peace movements in the US and Australia against AUKUS.
“We want to build on that here,” urged Mike.