Jules Cowin & Ray Morell – Scottish Territorial Candidates
Jules Cowin and Ray Morell, candidates for the Unite Executive Council Scottish Territorial seats, visited Aberdeen on 19–20 March as part of our ongoing commitment to being visible, accessible and rooted in the workplace. This visit reflects our commitment to rebuilding a union that is present in every workplace, accountable to its members, and driven by the leadership of reps on the frontline. From the moment we arrived, we received a warm welcome from reps, and we are incredibly grateful for the time they gave us. These visits matter because they are about listening first, understanding the reality on the ground, and ensuring that the voice of reps is heard at every level of our union.
Listening to Workers – Aberdeen Airport
We met with Unite reps at Aberdeen Airport, who spoke openly about the daily challenges they face from their employer. A consistent theme was the feeling of being under‑supported at a regional level, with concerns raised around:
- Limited engagement and visibility from officers
- A lack of clear information, particularly around membership density across the airport
- The need for practical support to help reps grow and organise the airport
Reps were clear: they want the tools, information and support to build membership and strengthen collective organisation, to help them improve jobs, pay and conditions.
Listening to Workers – Transport Sector
We spent time with Unite reps across the transport sector. The common theme of differing pay, terms and conditions across the sector was raised. These concerns are detailed in our report on bus workers. We also received honest and constructive feedback on the challenges of supporting members with neurodiverse requirements. Reps highlighted that while awareness of nuerodiversity is improving, there remains a need for:
- Clearer policy direction in Unite
- Practical workplace guidance for reps
- Greater awareness and training across the union
- More consistent support across Scotland
Importantly, reps also brought forward positive proposals to move this work forward in a way that is practical, inclusive and grounded in lived experience. If elected, we hope to connect reps and activists with the experience, skills and interest in neurodiversity across Unite.
Offshore Catering – Strength in Community
Our visit also included time with reps in offshore catering. What stood out was the strong sense of community across Aberdeen Unite reps, with a real collective spirit and willingness to work together. However, due to geography, reps also expressed feeling:
- The crisis in oil and gas affects the whole community. We need support to develop a co-ordinated strategy to defend our livelihoods
- Isolated from wider union structures
- Occasionally out of the loop on broader activity and support
Despite this, their commitment to collective organisation remains clear and powerful.
The Role of Combines – Driving Collective Strength
A key area of discussion was how combine activity could play a stronger role in Aberdeen. We spoke about the opportunity to:
- Build stronger links between workplaces across for example, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and bus garages
- Share knowledge, experience and successful organising strategies
- Strengthen confidence and demonstrate the power of collective action across sectors
This is exactly what Back to the Workplace is about, putting power back in the hands of reps and strengthening workplace organisation through connecting reps and activists.
Our Commitment
We believe:
- Reps must feel supported, informed and empowered across Scotland
- The union must be present in the workplace, not distant from it
- Collective strength is built through connection, collaboration and visibility
If elected, we are committed to:
- Continuing to visit workplaces across Scotland
- Listening directly to reps
- Using our positions to remove barriers within Unite that inhibit the growth of strong, confident workplace organisation
- Helping connect sectors across Scotland to build real collective power
Closing Reflection
Aberdeen is a strong Unite community with committed reps who want to make a difference. Our role is simple: to stand alongside reps, ensure their voices are heard, and help create the conditions where they can drive the change they want to see.
This is what Back to the Workplace looks like in practice.