GARY
CLARK.
A trade unionist.
A voice for others.
A story of his own.
The author of You Will Hear Me Speak has spent decades in the trade union movement and has spoken openly about his lifelong experience of stammering.
MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE MEMOIR
IT STARTED
WITH THE
STRUGGLE.
For Gary, speaking up was never something to take for granted.
Writing for STAMMA in 2019, Gary described growing up with a stammer, being mocked at school and leaving at 15 without qualifications. A succession of low-paid jobs followed.
The miners’ strike had a deep impact on the community where he grew up. It also helped draw him into the Labour and trade union movement. Speaking at meetings became a way to build confidence and put his beliefs into practice.
Gary’s own account · STAMMA, 2019 ↗ON THE SIDE OF WORKING PEOPLE.
Gary’s union experience spans SOGAT, the TGWU and the Communication Workers Union. He has served as branch secretary in both the TGWU and CWU Scotland No.2.
In his 2019 account, he described representing more than 3,000 postal members in east-central Scotland, supporting members in disciplinary cases and tutoring local representatives. His work also took him to conference platforms, rallies and broadcast interviews.
He stood for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition in Edinburgh East at the 2010 general election.
BEING HEARD.
HELPING OTHERS
BE HEARD.
In STAMMA’s Stammering at Work newsletter, Gary described volunteering with its employment support team and building connections between the charity and trade unions.
He challenged unions to think about how meetings, training and timed conference speeches could better include people who stammer. His focus was practical: making it easier for members and activists to participate.
Read Gary’s contribution · page 2 (PDF) ↗
EVERY VOICE
DESERVES
TO BE HEARD.
Start with Gary’s.
You Will Hear Me Speak
By Gary Clark
Foreword by Philip Stott