July 30th 1971 saw the beginning of the work-in at John Brown's Clydebank Shipbuilding Yard.
We should be looking at events in the early 70′s, not just in the Upper Clyde Shipyard, but the 1972 miners strike, to show how, if the people stand firm, they can force Governments to change.
There began a ‘work-in’ of the shipyard in Clydebank. Shipyard workers gathered inside the gates, refusing to cease work and abandon the shipyards, in protest at the Tory party who, despite the yards still being prosperous, had refused them financial assistance;
Their charasmatic union leader Jimmy Reid declared to the mass meeting inside: “There will be no hooliganism, there will be no vandalism, there will be no bevvying, because the world is watching us.”
Thus began one of the most momentous showdowns by working people since the 1926 general strike.
The workers of the U.C.S. (Upper Clyde Shipbuilders) came together in solidarity and defiance against the Tories and their attempted closures, and were joined by many of the Scotland’s working class. “…the workers have occupied the yards and told the Tories they won’t allow U.C.S. to be butchered.” The Scottish people were united against conditions that affected not just the shipyard workers, but all of the working class – closures, cutting of job roles, redundancies, and mass unemployment.
Through media such as posters, leaflets and newspaper articles, awareness was raised throughout the Scottish working classes and the U.C.S. received unprecedented levels of support as everyday people came together in action and provided financial support – referred to in some account documents as the “fighting fund”, with money coming from both Rolls Royce and Chrysler – as well as moral support to the shipyard workers, resulting in various strikes and a mass demo in August 1971, as people from all different workforces came together to demand the “right to work.”
The movement was considered a victory. In a bulletin sent in December 1972; the Shop Stewards' Co-ordinating Committee referred to the U.C.S. action as “a remarkable joint effort by all concerned”. Due to the resistance to the Government’s plans, as well as funds raised, the shipyards remained open and the majority of jobs were saved. It was considered by the U.C.S. and the socialists of Scotland as a historical achievement, with workers standing together against the Government and succeeding in their efforts, despite being against the odds.
We should be looking at events in the early 70′s to show how, if the people stand firm, they can force Governments to change.
The action taken by the U.C.S. workers and the Scottish people clearly show that success can be achieved through standing together and uniting against opposition. The unity of the working class people and the socialists of Scotland should continue to inspire us, and evidences that taking a stand, even against Government positions of power and money, can work, and can lead to victories for the working people.
The Tories are promising to bring in draconian new laws outlawing strikes, this would be a massive backward step backward step in workers rights and must not be allowed to happen, Keir Starmer, leader of the “Labour Party” recently sacked one of his shadow ministers for appearing on an RMT picket line. His namesake Keir Hardie will be turning in his grave .........
More on the work in here https://scottishsocialistparty.org/upper-clyde-shipbuilders-inspiration-50-years-on/