Scotland's Radical Exports is about the men and women who took trade unionism and working class politics from Scotland to the main countries that make up the Scottish Diaspora. Many of Scotland's industrial workers left home with a formidable combination of trade union conviction and political understanding. Their unrivalled experience made them especially suited to leadership roles. Guided by traditional Scottish models, they formed trade unions wherever they settled, often at a time when membership of a union could mean dismissal, eviction, and deportation. Politically their impact was just as great in the parties of the working class they helped build. Each of the thirteen chapters of the book is a short history of a trade union organisation or a political party, told through the biographies of the Scots who helped shape them. Many of the characters in the book are unknown in Scotland, but their contributions are celebrated by the organisations they helped build. Scotland's Radical Exports records the determination, sacrifices and unqualified heroism of people who passionately believed in the cause for which they fought. It reminds us of their courage and gives them their proper place in Scottish history. "I am exceptionally proud of all of Scotland's achievements and particularly the different ways in which Scots have helped to shape the modern world. Scotland's contribution to the Trades Union movement and enhancing the rights of workers - at home and around the globe - is hugely significant. It is important that these stories are captured and celebrated." -- Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland "Much has been written about Scotland's contribution to the development of the modern world, in science and literature, in trade - good and bad, and of course, in enterprise and philanthropy. This book adds another important chapter to that remarkable history - to the values we shared and the inspirational individuals who spread them far and wide." -- Lord Jack McConnell, First Minister of Scotland, 2001-2007 Pat Kelly is a former president of the STUC and Scottish secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). After graduating from Glasgow University he worked as a civil engineer before he became a full-time trade union official. Since leaving the PCS he has served on the Civil Service Appeal Board and as a non-executive director of NHS24 and Scottish Water. He has four children and lives in Edinburgh with his partner, Jane Lindsay.
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The story of those who took trade unionism and working class politics to countries of the Scottish Diaspora, forming trade unions where they settled, often when membership could mean dismissal, eviction and deportation. Each chapter is a short history of a trade union or political party told through the biographies of the Scots who helped shape it.
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Acknowledgements Foreword by Grahame Smith List of Illustrations Glossary: Abbreviations and Notes Introduction 1 William Wilson, the US miners and the Department of Labor 2 Philip Murray, the US steelworkers and the CIO 3 Doug Fraser and Detroit's Auto Workers 4 J. B. McLachlan and the Nova Scotia Miners 5 R B Russell and the Canadian Trade Union Centres 6 Tommy Douglas and the Canadian politicians 7 Joe Davidson, Harry Hynd and the post-war Ontario immigrants 8 William G. Spence and the Australian Workers Union 9 Andrew Fisher and the Australian politicians 10 Doug Cameron and the Australian engineers 11 Peter Fraser and the New Zealand politicians 12 Angus McLagan, the miners and the New Zealand Federation of Labour 13 Toby Hill and the post-war New Zealand trade unions Conclusion Sources Index
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'It's a compendium of stories that inspire, entertain and crucially, inform. If you can't afford to buy it order it from the library or ask for it as a gift but do get it..'. Leither Magazine, July 2012. 'I found this book fascinating. For those of us who are all too aware of the contributions Scots have made to capitalist and business ventures world wide ... it is an eye opener.' Sheila Duffy, Journal of the Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society, March 2012. 'An absorbing read for all interested in the survival in Britain and the British Commonwealth of militant trade unionism and socialism in the face of the current onslaught of international capitalism on workers and their rights.' Jean Turner, Morning Star, February 2012.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781845301101
Publisert
2011-10-05
Utgiver
Vendor
The Grimsay Press
Vekt
606 gr
Høyde
229 mm
Bredde
152 mm
Dybde
23 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
456

Forfatter

Biographical note

Pat Kelly is a former president of the Scottish Trades Union Congress and Scottish secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union.