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

The branch joined almost two hundred trade unionists, politicians and members of faith and community groups at the Aberdeen St Andrew’s Day March and Rally on 28th 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 Aberdeen Trades Union Council, who organised the event.

At the rally in the Castlegate, speaker after speaker from trade unionists to community group members to politicians to a refugee, spoke passionately about our shared humanity with all those fleeing war, poverty and oppression.

Click here to read more on the ATUC blog.

Aberdeenshire UNISON joins council's political leaders to say no to the Trade Union Bill

Branch representatives joined Aberdeenshire councillors from the Labour, SNP, LibDem and Progressive Independent Groups on Monday 23rd November to stand together in opposition to the Trade Union Bill.

Kate Ramsden and Morag Lawrence join council leaders
to say no to Trade Union Bill

Branch Chair, Kate Ramsden said, "The Tory Trade Union Bill is the most draconian legislation against trade unions in the Western world and if it becomes law it will deny workers a voice at work, and their rights to support and representation.

"It is an attack not just on our hard won employment rights but on our human rights, including to be safe and healthy at our work.

"We are delighted that the political leadership of Aberdeenshire council values the important role that trade unions play in the workplace and has joined us in opposing the bill.

"We thank them for taking such a robust position against the Trade Union Bill."

Come along to the Aberdeen St Andrews Day March and Rally on Sat 28th November and show that refugees are welcome in the North East

We are encouraging all our members to join us at the St Andrew's Day March and Rally,  on Saturday 28th November to give a clear message that refugees are welcome in the North East of Scotland but racism and fascism are not.

Gather at 11am in St Nicholas Churchyard, Unions Street and march off at 11.30 for a Rally in the Castlegate at 12 noon.

Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair, who will be chairing the Rally as President of the Aberdeen Trades Union Council said, "The theme of this year's event is that refugees are welcome here.

"This important message reflects the theme of the STUC March and Rally which will take place in Glasgow at the same time.

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Branch goes to the "heart of government" and lobbies parliament to say no to the "unfair, undemocratic and unnecessary" trade union bill

Aberdeenshire branch joined thousands of trade unionists in London on 2nd November in a mass lobby of MPs calling on them to vote against the Trade Union Bill.

Branch Chair, Kate Ramsden was the sole branch delegate after Inez Teece, Susan Kennedy and Steven Gray were left stranded in Aberdeen as fog in London cancelled flights from around the country.

Kate joined forces with Deirdre Macdonald of Aberdeen City Branch whose colleagues were also stranded in Aberdeen.

Branch joins 100,000 marchers to say NO to cuts and YES to workers' rights

Branch delegates travelled to Manchester on 4th October to join the TUC march and demonstration against austerity and against the Trade Union bill, on the first day of the Tory Party Conference.

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Tens of thousands of trade unionists joined other activists and protesters to give a loud and clear message to the Tories - "We will not stand by and see the poor and vulnerable targetted with cuts whilst the richest in the UK double their wealth. We will not stand by and see workers' rights and human rights trod underfoot by a government of the rich, for the rich."

As the sun shone the marchers made a colourful display as they snaked through the streets of Manchester. The Tories meantime, hid themselves away behind a "ring of steel" - barriers and security to keep away real people.

Local government members vote to accept two year pay deal

Over 85% of Scottish local government members voting in the pay ballot have accepted a two year offer with a new Living Wage deal. Staff will now get a 1.5% rise from 1 April 2015 and 1% from April 2016.

Importantly, the Scottish Local Government Living Wage of £7.85 per hour will be put in place before the 1.5% rise, making it £7.97 an hour.

And in April 2016, the Living Wage will be increased to the recommended figure of the Living Wage Foundation, again before the 1% rise. There will also be talks on removing the pay points below the Living Wage level.

Negotiators succeeded in getting the initial offer of two years at 1.25% front-loaded to 1.5% in 2015 which is above inflation and slightly increases the value of the 1% in 2016. In August inflation was 0.0% on the Consumer Prices Index and 1.1% on the Retail Prices Index.

Aberdeenshire Council stands with the unions against the Trade Union Bill and will not end facility time and check-off

The Partnership Administration of Aberdeenshire Council has written to the Branch to confirm that they support the continuation of check-off (whereby union members can pay their union subscriptions from their salary) and also support facility time.

They have stated that "the Partnership has no intention of supporting the use of agency staff in the unlikely event of any industrial action."

The Branch has welcomed this commitment from the Partnership Administration and looks forward to working alongside them to defeat the Trade Union Bill.

The full text of the letter is below.

It comes as CoSLA, the umbrella body for councils in Scotland also pledged "to stand shoulder to shoulder with their trade union colleagues against the UK Government's Trade Union Bill."