A COUNCIL grounds maintenance worker from Greenock has told what drives him in his fight to champion low paid workers - and how he found himself at the centre of a global public health campaign.

Greenock Telegraph:

In this week's People of Inverclyde feature we turn the spotlight on Stuart Graham from Branchton, the Unite union's local branch secretary, and his unrelenting fight to give a voice to those without one.

He has worked for Inverclyde Council for 35 years, part of a team - some of the lowest paid public sector staff - tasked with keeping the area up to scratch.

But for the last 20 years he has also spoken up for hundreds of workers like caterers, support staff, home carers, cleaners and refuse workers among others.

Stuart has also shed light on a number of concerning problems, including council workers turning to loan sharks, the lack of free cash machines in local areas like Larkfield and the increasing need for foodbanks.

The 54-year-old has even been part of an international campaign to ban a weedkiller that has been linked to cancer but is still used across the world.

Stuart said: "There are times when you feel like just giving up, but you can't.

"I need to fight on, there is nothing else for it.

"If I don't do it, who else will?"

Greenock Telegraph:

As part of his role with Unite Stuart is currently locked in discussions with local authority chiefs as they look ahead to next year's budget, with more cuts and savings on the horizon.

He said: "Ten years ago there were 40 gardeners and grounds staff in our team but now with ill health, retirements and people not being replaced we work with 20.

"That has happened all over. It has a huge impact on staff morale, as those who are left have to do more."

In the last year Stuart feels the message is starting to hit home, as more people get caught up in the cost of living crisis.

He said: "For a long time we have been fighting for the lowest paid, those who have survived on poverty wages. They have always struggled and they are unprotected so the first to feel the impact of cuts.

"But now other people are starting to feel the pinch and they are in the same boat.

"I think that is why the strikes last year really captured the public's attention, we really started to get the public's support.

"People started to realise what it has been like."

Stuart grew increasingly concerned about the number of union members he was aware of turning to loan sharks and started a local campaign.

He is also passionate about his drive to ensure people can access their money from banks without paying.

Stuart added: "It is people with the least amount of money have no access to free cash."

Four years ago in his council employee role Stuart took on bosses over the use of the Roundup chemical spray and asked for it to be banned for the safety of workers and the general public.

But the union official is modest about his own work with Unite and says that it is a team effort.

Greenock Telegraph:

He added: "We have helped a lot of people, but I couldn't have done it without Siobhan McCready and Colin Jackson. We have formed a real team. We have been all over the country campaigning together. We were involved in sending a convoy to Calais at the start of the crisis with asylum seekers.

"Being part of Unite is like being part of a family, it is a real community.

"I take calls from people all the time, when they are having issues with housing repairs and all sorts and we always try to help."

Stuart first started on a YTS with the water board before moving on to the council grounds maintenance team.

Originally from Braeside, he lives with partner Corrina, and when not working spends time with his family, which includes his two stepdaughters and four grandchildren.

He said: "Work, family and the union pretty much takes up all my time!"