Chris Bartter: Anniversary of Work-in is a timely inspiration

Published on Wednesday 4 January 2012 00:00

CLYDESIDE’S UCS Work-in 40 years ago inspired more than politicians and trade unionists, say veterans of the action as they announce the next stage of the anniversary celebrations today.

The UCS struggle of 1971-72 attracted attention from many musicians, film-makers, writers and other artists. John Lennon sent £5,000 and there were concerts featuring local musicians such as Matt McGinn, Jimmie Macgregor, Arthur Johnstone and, of course, Billy Connolly. The artistic inspiration of the Work-in also inspires the celebrations that continue into the new year.

A UCS Work-in 40th anniversary concert is scheduled for 5 February in Glasgow’s Fruitmarket as part of Celtic Connections.

Concentrating on the music and artistic side, it will feature a number of stars from October’s gala concert – Macgregor, Johnstone and Alastair MacDonald – alongside new artists such as actor and director David Hayman and poet Tom Leonard. It is produced by FairPley with musical direction by Rab Noakes and Hilary Brooks.

It will feature the new commission for traditional band, brass, saxophones and cello composed by prominent Scottish composer Eddie McGuire of the Whistlebinkies. He wrote an original piece for saxophones in 1971. That was presented to Reid. Forty years later, the score of Work-in at UCS – a celebration suite was presented to Jimmy Cloughley of the Joint Shop Stewards at October’s Gala Concert.

Later, from 21-23 March, the Mitchell Theatre hosts two films about the Work-in, with a contribution from one of the film-makers.

During the Work-in, the only crew allowed by the stewards to record the struggle, were the radical film-makers Cinema Action.

Out of this access came two films, the short campaign film UCS1, and the longer Class Struggle: Film from the Clyde. Both will be shown over three days.

The veterans look forward to introducing them to a whole new audience and Anne Guedes, one of the collective who made the films, is flying in from Lisbon to take part.

Artistic inspiration is an important legacy of the Work-in and the events are staged both to recognise that struggle, and to inspire the fightback now.

• Chris Bartter is communications director working with FairPley to produce the UCS@40 celebration

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