Sammy Gilmore (8 October 1939 – 8 October 2011) was a shipyard electrician and trade union organiser, known for being one of the leaders of the

Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (UCS) was a Scottish shipbuilding consortium, created in 1968 as a result of the amalgamation of five major shipbuilders of the River Clyde. It entered liquidation, with much controversy, in 1971. That led to a " work-in ...

work-in A work-in is a form of direct action under which workers whose jobs are under threat resolve to remain in their place of employment and to continue producing, without pay. Their intention is usually to show that their place of work still has long- ...

in 1972.

Life

Sammy was born to Maurice & Mary Gilmore. He had four sisters: Joyce, Anna, Margaret & Jenny. He was brought up in the Calton area of Glasgow and attended St Mungo's Academy. After leaving school he became an apprentice electrician and worked in various building sites around Scotland. It was during this time that he became interested in trade unionism as the working conditions of employees appalled him. This resulted in him being dismissed from many sites as he would regularly clash with senior management when he was requested to act on behalf of fellow employees who had legitimate gripes. His growing reputation made it difficult to obtain employment in building sites; he believed he was being blacklisted, but was able to take up employment in the late 1950s as an electrician in the shipyards. His union activities continued. By the time of the

crisis at the beginning of the 1970s, Gilmore had become one of the most respected shop stewards in Clyde shipbuilding, eventually becoming convenor of the yard. Gilmore joined

Jimmy Reid James Reid (9 July 1932 – 10 August 2010) was a Scottish trade union activist, orator, politician and journalist born in Govan, Glasgow. His role as spokesman and one of the leaders in the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in between June 1971 ...

Sammy Barr Samuel Alexander Barr (20 December 1931 – 7 May 2012) was a British shipyard worker, trade unionist, and Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (UCS) work-in veteran. Barr was an "inspiring speaker" and organiser who was a "widely respected shop steward ...

, and

Jimmy Airlie Jimmy Airlie (10 November 1936, Renfrew – 10 March 1997, Erskine) was a leading Scottish trade unionist. While a shop steward, along with Sammy Gilmore, Sammy Barr and Jimmy Reid he was particularly remembered for his role as chairman ...

in planning and organising the campaign of industrial action which followed in 1971. Gilmore was a member of the Labour Party and a supporter of

Tony Benn Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn (3 April 1925 – 14 March 2014), known between 1960 and 1963 as Viscount Stansgate, was a British politician, writer and diarist who served as a Cabinet minister in the 1960s and 1970s. A member of the Labour Party, ...

. The other three union leaders were members of the

Communist Party A communist party is a political party that seeks to realize the socio-economic goals of communism. The term ''communist party'' was popularized by the title of '' The Manifesto of the Communist Party'' (1848) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. ...

at the time. As a union leader, Gilmore was known for his skill in public speaking, good humour, and straight-talking manner - reportedly telling then-Prime Minister Ted Heath to "cut the commercials". He also once told then-industry secretary Sir

Keith Joseph Keith Sinjohn Joseph, Baron Joseph, (17 January 1918 – 10 December 1994), known as Sir Keith Joseph, 2nd Baronet, for most of his political life, was a British politician, intellectual and barrister. A member of the Conservative Party, ...

to shut up if he had nothing constructive to contribute. A rebuke from a London journalist whose call went unanswered after hours was met with the sharp response; "Did no one tell you? Govan Shipbuilders go jogging on a Friday night." Gilmore was seen as instrumental in maintaining the public support and the morale of the workers during the

action. He was articulate and reasoned in his dealings with both fellow workers and the media, encouraging

Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from October 1964 to June 1970, and again from March 1974 to April 1976. He ...

and Tony Benn to visit the shipyard.

Marriage

He married Margaret McElhinney in 1964. The couple had a daughter, Helen (Lyn), a son, Maurice, and five grandchildren.

Later years and death

Sammy retired from the shipyards in 1989. He continued to follow political events and would voice his opinion with his trade mark acidic quips. He was also an avid reader and believed passionately in self improvement through education. He enjoyed watching football and was a huge Celtic fan. He was a fan of Scottish comedian Chic Murray and would entertain family and friends by impersonating him at family events. He died after a long illness on 8 October 2011, his 72nd birthday.

References

External links

Daily Record ObituaryThe Herald ObituaryRutherglen Reformer TributesEvening Times ObituaryThe Times Obituary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilmore, Sammy 1939 births 2011 deaths Scottish trade unionists Trade unionists from Glasgow