The 40th anniversary of the UCS work-in has been well marked in the press in Scotland. In addition to the detailed feature in last Wednesday's Morning Star, the Sunday Mail has given the events the best show.
Last month the newspaper ran an exclusive interview with Guest of Honour, Tony Benn. Tony pointed out the link between today's campaigning and the workers who fought for the retention of shipbuilding on the upper Clyde 40 years ago.
Last weekend the paper tracked down work-in cartoonist Bob Starrett, currently resident in Los Angeles and ran another story on the impact that Jimmy's Reid and Airlie made, standing head and shoulders above the Hollywood stars that Bob subsequently worked with.
Other papers have also referred to the anniversary. The Herald covered the launch of the events. The Daily Record did a piece on the Scottish Parliament debate and reception, as did the Herald.
The BBC broadcast an 'Archive on 4' history at the end of August, and GMS had an interview with Tony Benn this morning.
More obscure sites covering the events include Footstompin - a Scottish music site - specifically on Eddie McGuire's new composition, and maritime news/history site gCaptain.
A blog to promote the 40th Anniversary of the UCS work-in
Friday, 30 September 2011
Tony Benn links UCS struggle with today
The final release before the Gala Concert tomorrow night is below. The link between the struggles of today, and the work-in are clear for both activists now, and then. They are embodied in the figure of Tony Benn, who will be speaking to both the People 1st Demo, and the UCS 40th Anniversary Concert.
We'll see you at one or the other!!
30 September 2011 For Immediate Release
On Saturday in Glasgow, veteran politician and campaigner, Tony Benn will be the keynote speaker at two important events. After the STUC’s People first demonstration, during the day, he will be guest of honour at a Gala Concert organised to celebrate the UCS work-in’s 40th anniversary in the city’s Mitchell Theatre.
Tony Benn was the Labour Minister who created the UCS consortium in 1968 and a prominent supporter of the work-in when in opposition. He said;
“The campaign against the cuts, which is being led by the trade union movement, has in many ways been inspired by the UCS work-in. That single event 40 years ago showed you don’t have to accept what the Government say. You can take a stand and make a fight. It shifted public opinion and, when public opinion shifts, government opinion shifts.
“That’s what David Cameron’s government should remember. The lessons of 1971 should tell the thousands of people fighting today’s cuts that they can be successful.”
The STUC’s General Secretary, Grahame Smith said,
“Like activists today the UCS workers faced a Tory government out to impose financiers’ solutions to economic problems. LIke communities today, they faced being forced to pay with their jobs for the crisis caused by irresponsible bankers. Their imagination, courage and organisation showed how a successful campaign could be won. That is why we wanted to have the broadest possible community base for the demonstration we have organised, and that is why we wanted to have Tony Benn as a living link speaking at both the rally and the concert.”
Shop Stewards who were part of the UCS work-in have been busy organising a series of events to mark the 40th anniversary of their famous dispute. In addition to the Gala Concert, an exhibition about the work-in opened in the Mitchell Library, a very special debate took place in the Scottish Parliament, and a civic reception is planned in Glasgow in November. The events are funded by a grant from Unite the union.
The significance of the timing is not lost either, on the veterans who led that dispute. Jimmy Cloughley, a member of the UCS Co-ordinating Committee said,
“It is important when working people face increasing attacks on their jobs and conditions, to remember a successful struggle against a Tory Government bent on on butchering them. The community and country supported the UCS work-in. We righted a wrong,and it must never be forgotten. Unity of purpose, honesty, information, leadership and democracy are the lessons of UCS.”
Tony Benn will be backed at the concert by a line up of Scottish talent, many of whom played in fund raising concerts at the time. A specially commissioned suite Work-in at UCS composed by Eddie McGuire, the prominent Scottish composer will also feature.
The list of artistes includes Pat Kane; Jimmie Macgregor; Dave Anderson; Elaine C Smith; Arthur Johnstone; Dick Gaughan; Rab Noakes; Fraser Speirs; Kevin McDermott; Simone Welsh; Greenmantle; The Whistlebinkies; Alba Brass and Sax Ecosse.
ENDS
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Exhibition features wealth of UCS archives
This release from late last week, highlights the opening of an exhibition being staged at the Mitchell Library foyer (Granville Street entrance) on the work-in. It uses exhibition panels produced for the 30th Anniversary and archive material from the Glasgow University, and Glasgow Caledonian University archives, to tell the story of the work-in, how the organisers communicated their cause inside and outside the yards, and the public response to the work-in.
It will run for the next two weeks. Given the obvious parallels between the political position we are now in, and the political position the stewards in UCS faced, there are many ideas that activists and members in our unions and communities can take on board. Also illuminating - not least for the clips of contemporary speeches from Jimmy's Reid and Airlie - is the short film accompanying the exhibition. Stick the cans on for ten minutes and give it a go!
The parallels are also being brought into sharp focus by the organising of a major demonstration by the STUC on the same day as the UCS 40 Anniversary Gala Concert (October 1). This is part of their 'There is a Better way' campaign and unites trade unions and a host of community groups in a march from Glasgow Green (assemble 11.30 am) to Kelvingrove Park. The Rally there, will be addressed by Tony Benn who will later be the Guest of Honour at the Concert, in the Mitchell Theatre.
It will run for the next two weeks. Given the obvious parallels between the political position we are now in, and the political position the stewards in UCS faced, there are many ideas that activists and members in our unions and communities can take on board. Also illuminating - not least for the clips of contemporary speeches from Jimmy's Reid and Airlie - is the short film accompanying the exhibition. Stick the cans on for ten minutes and give it a go!
The parallels are also being brought into sharp focus by the organising of a major demonstration by the STUC on the same day as the UCS 40 Anniversary Gala Concert (October 1). This is part of their 'There is a Better way' campaign and unites trade unions and a host of community groups in a march from Glasgow Green (assemble 11.30 am) to Kelvingrove Park. The Rally there, will be addressed by Tony Benn who will later be the Guest of Honour at the Concert, in the Mitchell Theatre.
20 September 2011 For Information and Immediate Release
The next phase of the events planned to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the UCS work-in will be an exhibition of material selected from the UCS work-in archives, that will open at the Mitchell Library on Thursday 22 September 2011.
It will be opened at 6.00pm by well-known folk singer, author, broadcaster and entertainer, Jimmie Macgregor. Jimmie was a prominent supporter of the work-in at the time, and also features on the programme for the Gala Concert planned for 1 October this year. The exhibition, which is planned to run for two weeks from Friday 23 September, is timed to coincide with that 40th Anniversary Concert, taking place in the Mitchell Theatre. Both the exhibition and the concert are funded by Unite the union, the inheritor of many of the members of unions involved in the work-in.
Shop Steward and UCS Co-ordinating Committee member, Jimmy Cloughley said
“It is important that the material stored in the archives in Glasgow and Caledonian Universities is seen by as many people as possible. The significance of the UCS work-in to todays struggles, is now being widely recognised. The fightback against the economic attacks on working people can learn many lessons from UCS.”
The material on display includes; contemporary cartoons by Bobby Starrett - the work-in’s own cartoonist - publicity material produced by the stewards to spread the word about the work-in and some of the public responses including a replica of the card attached to the bunch of roses sent to the work-in by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It also features some of the exhibition panels produced ten years ago by Govan Workspace to mark the 30th Anniversary.
Much of the material will also feature in an audio-visual presentation that has been compiled to allow the exhibition material to be circulated more widely.
Guest of Honour at the concert will be Tony Benn, the former Labour Minister who set up the UCS consortium, and became a prominent supporter of the work-in. Other artistes playing include Pat Kane; Jimmie Macgregor; Dave Anderson; Arthur Johnstone; Elaine C Smith; Rab Noakes; Fraser Speirs; Kevin McDermott; Simone Welsh; Well-known folk singer, Dick Gaughan has also been added to the guest list.
The work-in started in 1971 when the then Tory government removed funding from the UCS yards and planned to close and sell them off. This provoked the Stewards Co-ordinating Committee to declare a ‘work-in’ which attracted huge support from Scotland, the rest of the UK, and around the world.
ENDS
Friday, 23 September 2011
Apprentices and veterans of UCS meet at Scottish Parliament
The third press release drew attention to the member's motion placed before the Scottish Parliament by Hugh Henry MSP. This was debated on September 15 and, what was by all accounts a great debate, was watched by UCS work-in veterans and apprentices from BAE Systems.
Representatives of both groups spoke to the reception funded by Unite the union after the debate. In addition the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP; Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite; and Hugh Henry MSP all spoke to a packed reception. All touched on the lessons to be learned by people today from the UCS work-in, and pointed out how appropriate it was to have both veterans of the work-in present, and apprentices who might not have that opportunity had not the work-in been successful.
Representatives of both groups spoke to the reception funded by Unite the union after the debate. In addition the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP; Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite; and Hugh Henry MSP all spoke to a packed reception. All touched on the lessons to be learned by people today from the UCS work-in, and pointed out how appropriate it was to have both veterans of the work-in present, and apprentices who might not have that opportunity had not the work-in been successful.
12 September 2011 For Information and Release
The forthcoming series of events planned to mark the 40th anniversary of the UCS work-in reaches the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 15 September.
While members’ debates are not always the best attended, in addition to the normal audience for this debate, the public gallery will be swelled by representatives of veterans of the UCS work-in and a number of current shipbuilding apprentices from the BAE Systems yards at Govan and Scotstoun.
They are there to see Labour’s Hugh Henry MSP introduce a debate on the work-in and its historic significance. His motion (S4M-00279) -has been supported by a large range of MSPs both from Scottish Labour and the SNP.
Hugh Henry said
“It is important at a time when we face economic threats to jobs and cuts in public funding, that we mark a key victory for working people and the right to work. It is also important to stress the link between that victory and the future of shipbuilding in Scotland and these apprentices whose jobs depend on it.”
Following the debate which will take place during Members’ business after the debate on the Scotland Bill, there will be a reception in the Garden Lobby hosted by Mr Henry which will be attended by the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP, and Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, the union, inheritor of the members of many of the unions who took part in the work-in.
Other events arranged to mark the anniversary, include an exhibition of archive material from the work-in which will open at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library next week, and a gala concert due to take place on the 1 October in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre.
Guest of Honour at the concert will be Tony Benn, the former Labour Minister who set up the UCS consortium, and became a prominent supporter of the work-in. Other artistes playing include Pat Kane; Jimmie Macgregor; Dave Anderson; Arthur Johnstone; Rab Noakes; Fraser Speirs; Kevin McDermott; Simone Welsh; There will also be a number of yet-to-be-announced special guests.
The work-in started in 1971 when the then Tory government removed funding from the UCS yards and planned to close and sell them off. This provoked the Stewards Co-ordinating Committee to declare a ‘work-in’ which attracted huge support from Scotland, the rest of the UK, and around the world.
ENDS
UCS Anniversary sparks new musical suite
The second press release for the project deals with the composition written by composer and musician Eddie McGuire. Played by Alba Brass, Sax Ecosse, Eddie's own traditional music band - the Whistlebinkies and Maya Burman-Roy, this will be premiered at the beginning of the Gala Concert and promises to be a exceptional feature of an exceptional concert.
Tickets for the concert are now sold out. To join the waiting list email swright@fairpley.com .
Tickets for the concert are now sold out. To join the waiting list email swright@fairpley.com .
28 August 2011 For immediate Release
The forthcoming concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ Work-In is to be marked by a new piece of music composed by prominent Scottish musician and composer, Eddie McGuire. Specially commissioned for the event ‘Work-in at UCS - a celebration suite’ will create a stirring musical gathering to open the concert due to take place on the 1 October in Glasgow’s Mitchell Theatre. Performances are also planned for other cities in the coming months.
McGuire, flute player with participating traditional band, The Whistlebinkies, has composed for orchestras, dance and theatre over the past 40 years - often influenced by folk as well as classical styles.
He says of the new piece:
"The spirit of resistance and dignity demonstrated by the workers in the yards inspired me at the time to compose a piece for saxophones which I handed to Jimmy Reid in December 1971. I am really honoured, 40 years on, to be asked by those veterans of the struggle to compose for them once more. I am inspired again - this time to rekindle that spirit so needed again today.
“The musical ingredients are no accident - of course a quartet of saxophones must be there again (Sax Ecosse revived my 1971 piece for the first time in over 35 years). And I met The Whistlebinkies in 1972 in the aftermath of UCS. Their founder Mick Broderick worked in the yards. Brass has long been associated with trades unionism so I chose the leading young players, Alba Brass, to join in the performance.
“To open the piece - as the musicians gradually gather, playing as they walk - we have solo cellist Maya Burman-Roy, who, by amazing co-incidence is the cello teacher of Jimmy Reid's grand-daughter."
Guest of Honour at the concert will be Tony Benn, the former Labour Minister who set up the UCS consortium, and became a prominent supporter of the Work-In. Other artistes playing include Pat Kane; Jimmie McGregor; Dave Anderson; Arthur Johnstone; Rab Noakes; Fraser Speirs; Kevin McDermott; Simone Welsh; There will also be a number of yet-to-be-announced special guests.
The Work-In took place in 1971 when the then Tory government removed funding from the UCS yards and planned to close and sell them off. This provoked the Stewards Co-ordinating Committee to declare a ‘work-in’ which attracted huge support from Scotland, the rest of the UK, and around the world.
ENDS
For more information on the musicians, see their websites on:
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Tony Benn to headline UCS 40 Anniversary Concert
This is the launch press release, sent out at the beginning of August. Since this was issued the line-up for the concert has changed slightly. Gary Lewis is mortified that he cannot now attend, but Elaine C Smith and Dick Gaughan have added their names to the list. Public tickets sold out for the concert at the beginning of September, but a waiting list has been established to redistribute any returns. If you want to join that list please email swright@fairpley.com .
Other events organised have been, a debate in the Scottish Parliament, on a motion submitted by Hugh Henry MSP and debated on the 15 September. This was followed by a reception in the Parliament.
An exhibition has also been curated, and will be opened by prominent Scottish entertainer, Jimmie Macgregor on Thursday 22 September.
Another development is the organising of major 'People First' demonstration by the STUC on the morning of October 1. The link between the struggle of the Clydeside shipbuilders to save their industry and community, and the struggle to save public services by trade unions and community groups today is thus neatly juxtaposed on October 1!
29 July 2011 Not For Release before Mon 1 August
Shop Stewards who were part of the UCS Work-In in the shipyards of Glasgow and Clydebank today announced a series of events organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the famous industrial dispute.
The main event planned is a Gala Concert on Sat 1 October in the Mitchell Theatre where Tony Benn will be the Guest of Honour. He was the Labour Minister who created the UCS consortium in 1968 and a prominent supporter of the Work-In when in opposition. He will be backed by a line up of Scottish talent, some of whom played in fund raising concerts at the time. A specially commissioned suite ‘Work-in at UCS’ composed by Eddie McGuire, the prominent Scottish composer will also feature.
Jimmy Cloughley, a member of the UCS Co-ordinating Committee said
“The stewards who took part in the work-in felt that, following the deaths of two of the main leaders, Jimmy Airlie and Jimmy Reid, it was important to mark the 40 Anniversary positively. It is important when working people face increasing attacks on their jobs and conditions, to remember a successful struggle against a Tory Government bent on on butchering them. The community and country supported us. We righted a wrong,and it must never be forgotten. Unity of purpose, honesty, information leadership and democracy are the lessons of UCS.”
The list of artistes includes Pat Kane; Jimmie McGregor; Dave Anderson; Arthur Johnstone; Rab Noakes; Gary Lewis; Fraser Speirs; Kevin McDermott; Simone Welsh; The Whistlebinkies; Alba Brass and Sax Ecosse. There will also be a number of yet-to-be-announced special guests.
In addition to the concert, an exhibition about the Work-In will open in the Mitchell Library on 24 September, and showings of contemporary films shot in the yard during the Work-In are planned. The events will be mostly funded by a grant from Unite the union
The Work-In took place in 1971 when the then Tory government removed funding from the UCS yards and planned to close and sell them off. This provoked the Stewards Co-ordinating Committee to declare a ‘work-in’ which attracted huge support from Scotland, the rest of the UK, and around the world.
ENDS
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