The Scottish Labour History Society will hold its Annual General Meeting at Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8AP on 21st November 2026 from 12-4pm.
Scottish labour history vol. 61, 2026 will be available for collection by members attending.
Also on the day’s agenda will be Glasgow launches for two books:
From Leith to the world revolution: the memoirs of Jim Charleson, Seafarer and Welder, 1903-1972 is the latest SLHS occasional publication. The event will open at 12 noon with a presentation from Henry Dee, Helen Jeffrey and Stewart Maclennan, all among the editors of these fascinating recollections from old revolutionary Jim Charleson;
followed at 2 pm by An injury to all: the unmaking of the British working class, published by Verso Books. Historian Andy Clark will lead a discussion with author Ewan Gibbs, on the question, "Whatever happened to the working class?" Gibbs' book documents how, from the picket lines of the Miners' Strike to the Amazon warehouses of today, the British working class has been pushed from the centre of political life to its margins, though not without a fight. In his new book, he reconstructs what was lost - and what was taken. Through vivid first-hand accounts, he traces the transformation of a class forged in mines and shipyards into one scattered across call centres and gig economy apps. This is the story of council estates sold off, unions broken, mill towns hollowed out, and a sense of solidarity ground down by decades of insecurity. Discount vouchers will be available.
Both the above sessions are open to members of the public, but the SLHS AGM, at 1.15 pm, is open to Society members only.
We regret that difficulties in obtaining accommodation have necessitated use of a venue accessible by two flights of stairs with no lift. For members for whom this will present an access issue, as well as those who are based outwith travelling distance of Glasgow, we will provide hybrid facilities.
Please note that there will be no catering at the venue, but there are numerous coffee and food outlets nearby.
Please RSVP by email to admin@scottishlabourhistorysociety.scot, indicating if you will be attending in-person, or virtually. Joining instructions for online attendance will be emailed shortly before the event.
