Sammy Barr

Samuel Alexander Barr 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" of the Boilermakers' Society at the time of the "historic work-in" at the UCS in 1971. Barr was credited with coming up with the idea for a work-in, which gained a lot of publicity and forced the UK Government into a reversal, saving 6,000 jobs at the shipyard. Barr was a lifelong friend to fellow UCS activists Jimmy Airlie and Sammy Gilmore. Throughout his life he displayed "considerable political commitment" to the right to work, and protection for the rights of young working people, and also particularly to the protection of the Clyde shipyards.

Life

Barr was born in Glasgow in 1931. At the age of 15, Barr joined Charles Connell and Company in Scotstoun as an apprentice welder. ==1971 work-in at UCS==

1971 work-in at UCS

The crisis came about in the UK in 1971 when the new Conservative Government decided to stop subsidies provided to the shipbuilding industry., This risked the redundancies of 6,000 of the 8,500 shipyard workers at UCS. Although there are different views as to the long-term success of the work-in, it is likely that the shipbuilding still existing in the Clyde owes much for its existence to Barr and his fellow organisers. ==Trade unionism==

Trade unionism

From almost the start of his working career at the age of 15, Barr developed a strong interest in representing his fellow workers. Barr's commitment to the representation of workers continued throughout his life and he was president of the retired member's association for the GMB Union, and a branch secretary in Glasgow right up until his death. After his death, he was described by a spokesman for the GMB union as "one of the outstanding trade unionists of his generation. His passing marks the end of an era". ==Political career==

Political career

From a young age, Barr showed a keen interest in politics - he was elected onto the Communist Party's Scottish Committee. During the 1960s, he stood as a Communist candidate for local council elections for Partick West. In the early 1970s, Barr stood as a parliamentary candidate for the Communist Party, He stood for election at the general elections in February 1974, 1979 and 1983, and also in the by-election of 1978. Barr also played an active part in local campaigns, such as successfully campaigning to prevent the closure of a park in the area of Partick where he lived. == See also ==

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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