Interview with James McGrath, docker

• Reference:GB 249 SOHC 18/4
• Dates of Creation:2009
• Language of Material:English
• Physical Description:
  1 digital audio file (duration 59 minutes 16 seconds), 1 transcript, 22 photographs

• Scope and Content

  Recording and transcript of David Walker in conversation with James McGrath, known to most as Jaff, aged 83, on 12 August 2009.
  Synopsis: Born 1926 and worked as a docker in most of Glasgow’s docks from 1951 until 1989. Brief discussion of family, education, first job as apprentice cooper and thereafter describes the ‘terrible’ booking-on method of obtaining work in the docks. Talks about the stamping system if no work was available, power of foremen pre-decasualisation, cargoes of asbestos and conditions of work, reaction to news that he had pleural plaques, handling of bulk grain cargoes, dusty conditions, religion, camaraderie, hours of work, working with stevedores, theft of cargoes, containerisation, wages, dangers of work, issue of safety clothing and lack of facilities
  Also, photographs of James McGrath and fellow dockers in various settings including the canteen at Hunterston, the canteen at King George V docks, on various dockers' outings and as members of Glasgow dockers' football teams in the early 1960s. Fellow dockers include Tom O'Connor, Jackie Johnstone, Billy McGrath, Eddie Wales and John Campbell. Also photographs of the Glasgow harbour tunnel rotunda, a crane at King George V docks, and steel and other items being lifted and loaded at King George V docks.

• Access Information

  No access restrictions.

• Conditions Governing Use

  Copyright Scottish Oral History Centre and CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collections.

• Additional Information

  published