FEATURE John Gillespie remembered
‘A FIERCE FIGHTER FOR JUSTICE’
buildingWORKER celebrates the life of
Unite shop steward and activist John Gillespie, August 12, 1967 – May 22, 2025
John was a committed trade unionist who served in various roles in Unite and its predecessor unions. He also served as chairperson for Unite Scotland. He was moreover a leading light in the Scottish TUC (STUC) and the Fife Trades Union Council. In his last Unite role he was the chair of the construction and allied trades national industrial committee.
John was a constant presence on picket lines and demonstrations across the country, lending his solidarity to as many sisters and brothers as he could – both in the Unite construction sector and beyond. Colleagues remember his love of props at demos, from inflatable rats to bullhorns, boom boxes and more.
John is fondly remembered by buildingWORKER for his passionate contributions to many of our articles over the years.
Born in 1967, he grew up in Kirktoun Park, Ballingry, alongside his two siblings. John began his working life with an apprenticeship as a slater with a local council, a job he would continue for many decades. It was in his work as a slater that a lifelong passion for advancing the cause of his fellow workers was born.
But he was as deeply devoted to his loved ones. He met his wife Frewine in 1987, and they were happily married since 1992. Their twin sons were born in 1994, and John was thrilled to become a grandad twice – in 2023 and 2025.
John’s funeral was held on June 11 and drew over 300 people including his friends, family and those from across the union movement.
Tributes to John poured in from across the union – especially Unite’s construction sector.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “John Gillespie, chair of the Scottish Executive Committee, epitomised what it was to be a class fighter. Fiercely proud of his roots and his union.”
Meanwhile, Unite Scottish Executive Chair, Heather Gilfillan said, “He was a gentleman, a legend, a voice for justice. ‘Now silence falls where music played but echoes of his voice won’t fade’.”
Trevor Simpson of the London Building Workers branch remembered John as always willing to lend a helping hand.
28 unite buildingWORKER Autumn 2025
“I’ve known John Gillespie for many years from my journey through the union; he was a working-class hero devoted to ensuring fairness in construction for all workers – you will be sorely missed,” he said.
Unite North West regional construction chair Billy Parry fondly remembers John as a “true socialist who wasn’t an over-zealous type of character”.
“He was more so the reserved kind, but his commitment to both his role and the movement was beyond question, and he loved to grab the bull horn on demos and start his chant of ‘What do we want? When do we want it?’ RIP, comrade.”
‘‘
John was always there and was well-respected within the movement. One of the giants whose shoulders we stand on, he’ll be sadly missed
Stuart Grice, Unite Construction EC member
‘‘
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
