In The News

Union hero Jimmy Reid is laid to rest

Union hero Jimmy Reid is laid to rest

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of the Scottiosh trade union leader Jimmy Reid.

Mr. Reid, who  died last week aged 78, led the famous “work-in” by thousands of shipyard workers on the Clyde in 1971 after the then Tory government had announced plans to close the shipyards.

The stand forced the government to back down.

As Mr. Reid’s coffin was brought to Govan Old Parish Church in Glasgow, hundreds of workers lined the streets outside at the still-functioning shipyard and applauded.

The funeral service was attended by many leading figures from trade unionism, politics, sport and the arts.

Old friends, including football manager Sir Alex Ferguson and comedian Billy Connolly, spoke movingly about Mr. Reid.

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, told mourners that a speech made by Mr. Reid in 1971, when he was rector of Glasgow University, in which he spoke about rejecting the rat race, is to be made available school pupils.

Many attending the funeral also remembered one of Mr. Reid’s famous quotations, when he told reporters: “We don’t just build ships on the Clyde, we also build men.”

To read Mr. Reid’s 1971 speech to students at Glasgow University click here.

 

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