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Branch Xmas Lunch

This year's Branch Xmas Lunch was once again held in the Avant Garde Music Bar & Restaurant. 72 members and guests attended including Esther O'Hara, who is the Regional Officer responsible for the Retried Members Committee in Scotland, and members of the Clydebank Asbestos Group.

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Branch Sponsored Walk Raises £5000+ for Gaza

Mobirise
Mobirise

To date (23/11/2025), the Sponsored Walk for Gaza has raised £5,007. This includes a small amount which has been donated directly to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) by members to take advantage of Gift Aid. The remainder will be divided between MAP and the Palestinian Cancer Nurses Project.
On behalf of the Branch, and Walking Group, I would like to give everyone who donated and/or participated in this Sponsored Event a big thank you. Your efforts will definitely make a difference.
Linda Clarke

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United Nations Day of the Older Person

The Scottish Pensioners Forum (SPF) held a small demonstration at the Scottish Parliament on the United Nations Day of the Older Person (1st October). In addition to the SPF and WASPI, Unite members from Aberdeen, Forth Valley, Dundee and Glasgow were present.

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Branch Summer Outing

The Branch's Summer Outing was held on Friday 22nd August 2025. More than 60 members enjoyed a trip to Loch Katrine including a short cruise on the Sir Walter Scott and an excellent dinner. Pictures below are from James Ito (top) and Irene Graham (bottom)

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July Branch Walk

From Dumbarton East Station we walked down to Dumbarton Rock - the crater of a volcano that was active 350 million years ago and then visited Dumbarton Castle which was the centre of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde. The Castle became a cornerstone of medieval royal power and Mary Queen of Scots sailed to France from here as a child in 1548. We then walked along Dumbarton’s new promenade to beautiful Levengrove Park, along the coastal path and back to Dalreoch Station where the walk ended.

Linda Clarke   

Mobirise

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May Day March, 2025

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Branch Election Results

At the Branch's Triennial General meeting on Thursday 6th March 2025, the following were elected to serve for three years from 1st April:

Chair: Jake McLeod;
Secretary: Irene Graham;
Treasurer: Linda Clarke;
Vice-chair: Dave Sherry;
Assistant Secretary: Craig Lewis;
Equalities Officer: Kate Waddell;
Education Officer: David Paterson;
Communications and IT Officer: James Ito;
Branch Committee: above officials plus Rosemary Dickson and Alistair MacPhee;
Auditor: Robert Littler.

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Taco Bell Protest

On Tueday 4th March 2025, Glasgow Unite Hospitality Branch union members and supporters, including striking Capita workers, protested outside the Argyll Street branch of Taco Bell, one of the largest fast food companies in the world. In an historic first, the Taco Bell workers have unionised and are demanding that their pay, union recognition, and health and safety concerns are met. Workers were cheered as they went into their workplace for a grievance hearing.
In a separate development, the Unite Hospitality Branch announced that Glasgow Film Theatre will no longer stock Coca-Cola. This follows union members’ refusal to sell it to audiences because of their concerns about the situation in Gaza.
Dave Sherry

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February Branch Walk

This month's Branch walk was along the Inverclyde Coastal Path which provides a delightful scenic walk, with views across the Clyde to the Dumbartonshire hills, the Argyllshire hills and the Highlands.
Redevelopment areas formerly associated with our shipbuilding history is shown in well designed sections of path. The Inverclyde Heritage Coastal Trail project provides waypoint information signs and benches at strategic points.
We started from Greenock Central Station and walked along the coast to Gourock.

Linda Clarke

(Pics from the Facebook and WhatsApp postings of Bobby Buirds, Kate Waddell, Linda Clarke and Hugh McGowan)

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Branch Supports Grangemouth

Branch members and our banner were prominent in the demonstrations at the Scottish Labour Party Conference on 21st February. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham addressed the members supporting Grangemouth, as well as joining the WASPI campaigners.
(pictures from Rosie Dickson's Facebook post) 

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February 2025 Branch Speaker

Bobby Buirds: InchgreenDry Dock Campaign

Videos of previous speakers can be viewed on this section of the Branch website: click here

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Protocol for submitting motions

The 2025 February Branch meeting approved a protocol for the submission of motions including emergency motions:

1. Motions for discussion at the Branch shall normally be submitted eight days in advance of the Branch meeting date to the Branch Secretary. Such motions shall be circulated to the Branch email list along with the meeting Agenda, normally three days prior to the Branch meeting.

2. Emergency motions may be considered by the Branch if they meet all the following conditions:
a. The topic of the motion or events connected to it have arisen since the normal deadline specified in paragraph 1;
b. The topic of the motion or events are such that they cannot reasonably wait until the next Branch meeting;
c. To ensure equity between members attending the Branch in person or virtually, any such motion must ideally be brief. The Chair should allocate adequate time at the meeting for members, in person and online, to read and assimilate any emergency motion before it is taken.
d. Peripheral matters etc should be submitted as a normal motion to the next Branch meeting and not be part of the emergency motion.

3. Emergency motions should normally be taken at the Motions section on the agenda and after any other motions printed on the agenda, unless the Branch decides otherwise.

A pdf copy of the protocol can be downloaded from Resources section of the Branch website here:

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Branch supports Unite Capita Strikers

Branch banner and members supporting Unite strikers picketing Capita at Skypark in Glasgow on Monday 3rd February
(Pics from Dave Sherry)

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January Branch Walk

January's Branch walk was a visit to Glasgow's Necropolis. Pics are from Kate Waddell, Dave Sherry and walk organiser Linda Clarke 

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Branch Xmas Lunch

The Branch Xmas Lunch was held at the Avant Garde in King Street on Tuesday 10th December, 2024. Around 80 Branch members and guests attended. Guests of honour included 
Mary Alexander, Deputy Regional Secretary for Scotland who recently retired; Alison Morris, Sammy's wife; and Theresa, Rachel, Adele and Tommy from Clydebank Asbestos Group and Tommy's wife Mags. Branch Chairperson, Jake McLeod was master of ceremonies.
After the meal we had entertainment from Ronnie Dunn. 

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November 2024 Branch Walk

Despite the iffy weather, 15 members turned out on Friday 29th for our monthly walk. As usual great crack. And if you are wondering, yes that ‘s me climbing the cliff lol.
Linda Clarke

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Retired Members' Conference

Scottish delegates, including Branch Secretary Irene Graham and Branch Treasurer Linda Clarke, at the Retired Members' Conference in Brighton.
(Pictures from Alexander Barclay's post on the Unite Scotland - Members and Activists Facebook page)

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September Branch Walk

A great day out once again thanks folks. Visited Bothwell Castle then the David Livingstone Centre where we had lunch outdoors.A braw day. Then a wee visit to the hostelry in Blantyre before heading back to Glasgow culminating in a visit to the Lab. Good weather good company and good gin. What more can i say? .....Come back Linda. 😂

Kate Waddell

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Demonstration at
Scottish Parliament

Unite For a Workers Economy and the Scottish Pensioners Forum organised today's (Thursday 26th September) demonstration and lobby at the Scottish Parliament protesting about the means testing of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Mobirise

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Irvine Beach Demonstration 

Members of the Branch (and our banner) were prominent in the Irvine beach demonstration on Friday 20th September against means testing of the winter fuel payment. The decision to deny the payment to ‘richer’ pensioners means that any state pensioner with an income of £219 or more per week and who would thus would not qualify for pension credit would be excluded unless they were in receipt of another means tested benefit.

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Anti-Racism Demonstration

Branch members (and the Branch banner) were prominent at the Stand Up to Racism demonstration on Saturday 7th September in George Square.

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Branch Elections

At the September meeting, Kate Waddell was elected as Equalities Officer and Alistair McPhee was elected to the Branch Committee. It was agreed that an election for the vacant post of Welfare Rights Officer would be held at the October branch meeting

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Branch Summer Outing

This year's Branch Summer Outing was held on Friday 23rd August and consisted of a coach trip to Loch Katrine, with a cruise on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott. It was a great day out and we missed the worst of the rain.

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RIP Sammy Morris

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of Sammy Morris, recently an office bearer within the Unite Retired Members Branch Glasgow.
Anyone who had the pleasure and privilege to know Sammy will appreciate that any short summary of his life in the trade union movement can never do justice to his character, work, politics and friendship.
Sammy was a member of SOGAT and then the GPMU, holding many positions within the chapel at Lairds, including the position of the Father of the Chapel, and he was a very active member within the SOGAT and GPMU branches and Regional Committees.
His politics were very much of the left, being actively involved in the International Socialists and the Socialist Workers Party.
Whenever there was a demonstration or picket line you could be assured that he would be there in support.
Sammy was a true friend and comrade and a pillar of this movement who will be sorely missed.
We will endeavour to circulate funeral arrangements when these are available to us.
Regards
Mary Alexander
Deputy Regional Secretary

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New Branch Secretary

At the August meeting of the Branch, Mick Rice made a personal statement which included his immediate resignation from the post of Branch Secretary. Mick was thanked for his valuable service to the Branch. Normally, this post would be filled at the following Branch meeting but it was decided that it was not possible to leave the post vacant for this length of time. Irene Graham was nominated and elected unopposed.

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Calton Weavers Strike Celebration

At the August meeting of the Branch, standing orders were suspended to allow Jim Lister of the Unite Community Branch to present a short film and talk on the Calton Weavers celebrations. The film explained the importance of the celebrations which the Community Branch had revived last year and the significance of the strike in the history of the Scottish Labour and Trade Union Movement. Jim thanked the branch for our participation and financial contribution last year. This year’s celebration will again be at the Abercrombie Street cemetery on 22 September starting at 1pm. There will be speakers including Roz Foyer (STUC General Secretary), Pauline Rourke (CWU). There will be a guided walk, and celebration afterwards in Lynch’s with music etc.

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July Branch Walk

The July walk was from Milngavie to Torrance via quiet country roads. You really feel in the country with this walk even though we are not far from the city. Great views of Glasgow were seen. We left the village of Milngavie, passed the railway station and headed up towards Dougalston Woods and the very old (1795) Baldernock Church. After the church we headed over and down to the small village of Torrance which, for centuries, was known as The Eleven Ploughs of Balgrochan! 

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June Branch Walk

The June Branch Walk took place on Friday 28th and consisted of the Falkirk Tunnel, Callander Woods and Callander House. The Falkirk tunnel is one of the most atmospheric and longest canal tunnels in Scotland.

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Branch Banner at EIS/Fela picket 

The Branch Banner was prominent at the at EIS/Fela picket at the City of Glasgow Riverside College this morning (Monday 24th June).

Mobirise

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Branch represented at Gaza/Free Palestine march

The Branch was well represented at the Gaza/Free Palestine march in Glasgow on Saturday (June 15th).

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WASPI Women Meet First Minister

Branch members (and the Branch banner) were among the WASPI Scotland women who met with First Minister John Swinney and Chris Stephens MSP on Friday (7th June). Fittingly, the meeting took place at the Mary Barbour statue at Govan Cross.
Swinney said WASPI pension campaigners deserve justice and compensation.
“WASPI women deserve so much better, they deserve full, fair and fast compensation.”

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Get Glasgow Moving

Susan Galloway of Get Glasgow Moving was the guest speaker at the June 2024 meeting of the Branch. A video of her talk can be viewed on YouTube.

The video  can be viewed by clicking on the picture below.

To view subtitles click on the ‘CC’ button or to view a transcript click on the 'You Tube' button to view on YouTube and then click on ‘…more’ and then ‘Show transcript’.

The video is available in resolutions upto and including 4K.

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Branch members show
their support

Following the June Branch meeting, members demonstrated their support for a Decent Retirement for All, Better Buses for Strathclyde and Free Palestine.

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Branch Summer Outing:
Friday 23 August 2024

Bus departs from Unite Scottish Office at 145 West Regent Street at 10 am

Cruise Loch Katrine on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, 
Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine, by Callander FK17 8HZ

Please note that tea and coffee is being provided with a scone (cream and jam) before embarkation and lunch after the cruise

The cost for the trip is £25 per Branch member. Each member is entitled to bring 1 non member at an additional cost of £35.

Please complete to reserve your ticket: click here

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May Branch Walk

14 retired members were on the monthly walk on Friday 31st. We went from Fairlie to Largs. Fab day and great chat. Join us next time.

Linda Clarke

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WASPI Campaign Update

At the April meeting of the Branch, Committee member Rosemary Dickson updated on the WASPI campaign.

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Branch members raise £5,000 for Medical Aid for Palestine

Eighteen members of the Branch and friends went on a sponsored walk and raised more than £5,000 for Medical Aid for Palestine. 

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