GEORGE KIRKPATRICK started work as an apprentice engineer in Weir Pumps in Cathcart, Glasgow, in 1972, joining the engineering union. He was elected to the workers’ committee representing apprentices the following year, and realising the need for workers to be political, he joined the Young Communist League shortly after.

In 1979, he got made redundant, and after a short period of unemployment, he got a start at John Brown Engineering in Clydebank. Soon, he was elected shop steward, but within a year, redundancies were announced.

The shop stewards committee and known trade union militants were first for the chop, and George, being a known communist, was near the top of that list. So, at the tender age of 23, our comrade had been made redundant from two of the biggest engineering companies in the west of Scotland.

Knowing he would be blacklisted in his trade, George started doing voluntary community youth work in Drumchapel, in the north of Glasgow, where he excelled. A job came up in the local unemployed workers’ centre, where he was successful and became the centre’s manager.

Politically, George left the Communist Party in 1979, believing he could make a better contribution to the labour movement in the Labour Party, where Tony Benn and the left were on the rise.

However, he became disillusioned with the Labour Party and left in 1985 after the miners’ strike due to the leadership’s lack of support for the NUM. For the next period, he concentrated on trade union activity.

To George, trade unionism wasn’t just about fighting for better wages, terms and conditions. It was also about giving support and advice to members on a whole range of areas, and more broadly, the advancement of the working class. However, the reality was the requirement to defend what they had because of the attacks of the Thatcher government.

In this period of deindustrialisation, there was a growing drug problem in Drumchapel (and elsewhere, for that matter) with no real hope for young people. Why should they go to school and get educated just to be rotting “on the buroo” with their mates?

Disillusionment set in.

Attempting to mitigate these problems, in his post at the unemployed workers’ centre, George built up relationships with local community groups and trade union branches. He saw part of his role as being to encourage people to take an active part in their community and building people’s confidence.

It was important for George to encourage women and families to come into the centre, and an active women’s group was established. Free tea and coffee were always available, and a whole range of free activities were created, with creche facilities available.

They had discussion groups (which included people setting out their expectations), drama groups, carpentry, organised football, social activities, and even writing plays. Kids from the scheme were taken to the Citizens Theatre to see plays. Something they had never ever done before.

George invited theatre groups to perform in Drumchapel itself, breaking down the barrier of travelling costs for the locals. Most importantly, he set about raising money to ensure these events were free.

Despite the harsh environment in which the centre operated, a whole number of people became active in community councils and youth groups, eg Drumchapel adventure group. They became engaged and confident, participating in activities relevant to their own community.

George knew that in spite of these successes, it would ultimately take political change to create a better life for people in the schemes. He encouraged the users of the centre to read newspapers, to be aware of current affairs, ensuring the Herald, Record, and the Morning Star were available, and Sun-free stickers were on every door. Political activity was undertaken, which got George into some hot water with the authorities who funded the centres.

Centre users were taken down to Wapping and Kinning Park picket lines to support the printers against Murdoch. The anti-apartheid struggle was given centre place. Visits to Faslane, home of Trident, were organised. A picture of their banner at the march caused some difficulties, but George claimed their banner had been stolen and used on the march by renegades. Unfortunately for George, he was pictured behind the banner!

A magazine called the Dole Q was produced, which someone sent to the Scottish Office, and because of its political content, the centre got a visit. George told them it was written by agitators who had nothing to do with the centre and went on to produce an edition which concentrated on baking and how to make scones, which seemed to satisfy the political masters. We had a good laugh at that one!

Many other examples can be given, and taking part in that type of political activity was problematic. But it had to be done, and George went on to rejoin the Communist Party, where he chaired the local branch.

The article has concentrated on George’s work at the Drumchapel Unemployed Workers’ Centre because of what he achieved, but he did much, much more, which is impossible to cover in a short article.

He worked in the voluntary sector in Airdrie, where he was targeted because of his principles and politics. This resulted in strikes and a sit-in.

He worked for the Unison Voluntary branch, and it must be said his belief system and support for the rank and file ruffled some feathers in the union bureaucracy.

For many years, he chaired the Clydebank Unemployed Workers’ Centre management committee and played a major part in setting up West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.

He was the long-time chair of Clydebank trade union council, where I had the privilege of working closely with him as secretary.

George was a principled trade unionist and communist who was always on the side of the underdog. He was a shrewd operator, and his friends and comrades will badly miss his wise counsel.

Above all, George was a family man who adored his grand weans. Clydebank TUC and the Communist Party send sincere condolences to Helen and the family.

It is a bit of a cliche to say, but in this case, it is true: the world is a poorer place with the passing of George Kirkpatrick.

Tom Morrison is secretary of Clydebank TUC.