ATUC delegates to the Congress were:
Kate Ramsden
Kevin Hutchens
Scott Sutherland
The report from Congress is below
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Making a difference – ATUC delegates
speak out at the STUC Congress
Aberdeen
Trades Unions Council delegates were in action once again at the 2016 STUC
Congress in Dundee. Kate Ramsden, Kevin Hutchens and Scott Sutherland attended to
represent the ATUC and spoke to the ATUC’s three motions. The ATUC Annual
Report was circulated as always to all delegates and very warmly received.
Reverse the madness of HMRC closures
 |
| Kate Ramsden |
Kate Ramsden seconded a PCS led
composite which included ATUC’s motion against HMRC office closures. The STUC
backed a wide-ranging campaign to overturn these closure plans as part of its
clear opposition to the blatant Tory austerity led agenda that underpins them.
Kate told Congress of the
devastating impact that the closures will have and warned that as jobs are lost from
Scottish local communities so does thousands of years of tax experience that
will take decades to replace in the regional centres.
She called on
delegates to do all they can to “reverse this madness” and campaign to overturn
the closures before they begin.
 |
| Kevin Hutchens |
For humanity’s sake
Congress also
supported a call from Aberdeen Trades Union Council amongst others to support
refugees and those seeking asylum is Scotland, and called for the UK and
Scottish Government to welcome more refugees than currently planned.
Speaking on
behalf of the ATUC, Kevin Hutchens focussed on the plight of refugees stranded
on the borders of Europe. He told delegates that what is shown on TV is only a
small part of the human tragedy that is taking place daily.
“Passing this composite helps
create acceptance in Scotland,” said Kevin, telling delegates that they must do
this for the sake of all the dispossessed across the world.
“Humanity demands nothing less!”
 |
| Kate Ramsden |
Arms to Renewables is a win-win
Aberdeen and
Dundee Trades Union Councils agreed to remit their composited motion on Arms to
Renewables to the General Council, after they committed to develop a credible,
coherent and fully costed plan for an effective and Just Transition from arms
industry jobs, including Trident renewal, to alternative occupations.
Agreeing to
remit, Kate Ramsden condemned the arms trade in the UK which wreaks havoc on
the lives of ordinary people – men, women and children, bombed or gunned down
by weapons that we make in this country.
“We must campaign to end an arms
trade which creates such death and destruction to so many innocent civilians
and children and at the same time promote renewable forms of energy that tackle
climate change, cut emissions and offer a more positive future.
“Arms to renewable is a win-win –
protecting jobs and livelihoods at the same time as protecting the climate and
those suffering war and oppression.”
All three
delegates thoroughly enjoyed their experience at Congress and would like to
thank the ATUC for the opportunity to attend.
