Glasgow shipyard worker and asbestos campaigner inspiration for new clothing range

A Glasgow shipyard worker who spent 25 years campaigning for asbestos victims has inspired a new clothing range, including a shirt that will raise funds for the cause.

Fashion brand Finnieston’s latest release includes a shipyard-themed T-shirt which will see 5% of proceeds going to Clydebank Asbestos Group, a charity dedicated to helping victims of asbestos exposure.

The company has raised more than £12,750 for charity Action on Asbestos over the last three years.

The special T-shirt pays tribute to Bob Dickie, who worked at the iconic John Brown shipyard and was one of the founding members and former chairman of the group.

The shirt features Dickie’s initials and serves as a homage to his efforts in raising awareness of the deadly impact of the “killer dust” on shipyard workers.

Dickie, who died in October last year, was instrumental in the fight against asbestos, driving legislative change and earning recognition at a local and national level.

Founder Ross Geddes said: “Since we launched Finnieston in 2020, it’s been a priority to represent the shipbuilding industry in a way that reflects both the pride and the challenges of that heritage.

“We were once the best in the world at what we did, but we also know the lasting impact asbestos had on workers.

“Members of my family were involved in the industry, and Glasgow wouldn’t be what it is today without it, so it’s important to honour the workers who built the ships that defined an era.

Dickie played a key role in the now famous 1971 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders ‘work-in’, helping to lead 13,000 workers to occupy the shipyards, which was credited for saving shipbuilding on the Clyde at the time.

As chair of the Clydebank Asbestos Group, Bob campaigned for a memorial in Clydebank – often referred to as the “Asbestos Capital of Europe’ – unveiled in May 2015 and dedicated to victims of asbestos-related diseases.

His son-in-law Jamie Clark, currently a volunteer with the group, recalled the pivotal role Dickie played in both his personal and professional life in a short documentary created by Finnieston to accompany the launch.

Clark said: “Bob spent his whole career at John Brown’s shipyard, starting as a store boy and working his way up to convener.

“He was always passionate about workers’ rights and remained active in the Clydebank Asbestos Group well into his 90s.

“His greatest achievement was advocating for the successful passage of the Pleural Plaques legislation in the Scottish Parliament, ensuring it was written into law.”

The new clothing range will be on sale from October 1.