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 40^th 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 40^th 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 

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 .

28 August 2011 For immediate Release 

The forthcoming concert to celebrate the 40^th 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:

www.whistlebinkies.co.uk www.albabrass.com    www.saxecosse.com

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 40^th 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