| Description | Tape 1 Side A: HAROLD (HARRY) BYGATE (HB) born 10 March 1933 Edinburgh. Paternal family: came from Northallerton, Yorkshire, settled in Aberdeen. Grandfather, Alfred, had hostelry in Northallerton, a bit of a Jack the Lad. Father one of ten. Grandfather became head waiter at George Hotel, Edinburgh. Details re him. Many of family in wars. Uncle a musician, in prison camp. Recalls Sundays family gatherings at grandmother's home. Learned love of cards, Switch, German Whist, there. Further details re grandfather, a bit of a dandy. Maternal family: Grandfather Andrew, grandmother McQueen from Inverness. Family members on both sides worked on railway. Grandfather liked drink, struck an officer during war, went on run, took amnesty much later. McQueens were seafarers during war. Aunt a Wren. Recalls always wanting to go to sea. Mother wanted to be a stewardess, but became shorthand typist with Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Company. She was bitter at leaving school at 14. Mentions sister Carol, brother, Eric in New Zealand. Father, Harold, butcher with Dobsons, Edinburgh, liked shooting, later worked in slaughterhouse. Describes conditions there. Recalls being fed saps - bread and milk with sugar. Mentions mother's loss of teeth. Father in Territorial Army, called up in Royal Scots. Recalls being evacuated during war. Father in India. Recalls air raids in Edinburgh, gunfire. After war father returned to slaughterhouse, became involved in union. Reference to deregulation. Encouraged by him to read books with political implications. Political background of family. Describes father's personality, attitude to racism, skills. He had been a freemason. He drank very little. Explains mother's social attitudes, bitterness at leaving school early, relationship with neighbours.
Tape 1 Side B: (HB) Further details re mother, her attitudes. Her father a great reader. Recalls going to the pictures with him while he went to the bar. Address of childhood home. Went to James Gillespie School, high school in Edinburgh. Politics in family. Recalls own first exposure to politics, support for Tories at school. Had to join union when going to sea. Details re further political experience. Reference to Seafarers' Education etc. Parents' attitude to politics. Recalls Royal High School, rugby. Effect of family's shortage of money. No snobbishness at school. Political influence at school. Reference to Mr Burgoyne. Explains interest in history. When at sea developed sense of them and us, got into trouble. Recalls VE Day, own growing independence, dislike of hero-worship. Recalls religion in childhood, church every Sunday, father carrying bible. Details. Reference to News of the World, Sunday Post newspapers. Was in Boy Scouts, became leader, changed group because of pressure from mother. Explains. Attitude now to religion. Later division in family because of mother's attitudes. Further details re her. Recalls parents' housing arrangements, own financial assistance, confidential arrangement with mother. Mother donated body to medical science, active with Barnardo's Schools. JOAN BESSIE BYGATE nee PERCIVAL (JB): Recalls adopting child, mother-in-law's attitude, her concerns at what people thought about things. Details. (JB) Born 4 August 1932 Stratford. One of four. Parents quiet, genteel working class people. Details re father, his suppressed childhood. Recalls influence of grandparents. Names of grandparents.
Tape 2 Side A: (JB) Maternal background: Winscombe family. Describes grandfather a master grocer, inclined to drink. He died at 40. Grandmother's family, of some standing, came from Isle of Wight, later went to Southampton, Kent. Family involved in church. Details re grandfather's Roman Catholic side, mother's involvement in nonconformist churches. Mother joined Church of England after meeting father. No childhood memories of going to church. Grandmother conservative. Mother a rebel. Parents voted Labour. Details re grandfather's death. Describes childhood home in East End of London, privately rented. Recalls move during war because of bomb damage. Reference to Anderson shelter. Describes bombing, fears of German parachute landing. Played on bombsites. Had imaginative childhood. Details re delights, dangers. Recalls a rocket landing near home, resulting fears, house being damaged. Details re aerial machine gun attack, rocket attacks. Describes seeing rocket explosion in the air. (HB) Recalls fear during storms at sea. Recalls, when in the east, fear that 3rd world war starting. Details. (JB) Describes parents. Father worked for Post Office, not an initiator or practical. Family didn't go to church. Father gassed in First World War. He was air raid warden in Second World War. Mother cared for family. Always had nutritious food. Lot of clothes made up. Told stories by mother. Little social life. Mother always concerned about justice, politics, socialism. Details re her childhood deprivations. Reference to Paul Robeson. Mother listened to boxing on radio in early hours. She recalled music in her childhood. Origin of mother's socialist ideas. Mentions health problems in family. Importance of piano in mother's life. (HB) Had music lessons, learned party piece.
Tape 2 Side B: (HB) Sings verses from Ben Line song. (JB) Went to Park School. Reason for not being evacuated from London during war. Details re emergency food etc box always carried. School closed, lessons taken in house. Bombed out, had to go to new school. Details re disruption. Recalls playing on bombsites. Went to grammar school. Left school at 16 for financial reasons. Explains. Mentions brother who went to Oxford. Difficulties for him there. Details re his interests. He is now a drama adviser. (HB) After leaving school tried to go to sea. Joined chartered accountant as office boy. Reason for leaving. Enrolled in Sea School, TS Dolphin, went to sea as cabin boy with Ben Line. Details re TS Dolphin. Trained for catering staff. Details re subjects taught, clothing, cleaning processes, basic culinary skills. Recalls servicing live-in students from Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles. Story of doing a cook's course, feeding a seal instead of trainees. Recalls Hammy Hamilton son of goalkeeper for Rangers, training as a waiter, steward. Also trained in seamanship skills. Reason for interest in cooking as a trade. Had problem being a servant to others. Recalls confrontation with an officer, them and us situation on ships. Describes differences between officers on ship Benavon. Recalls a dispute over a fish knife - symbol of one upmanship. Gives further example of class distinction on ship. Recalls first ship Benchruichen. Story of humiliatingly short voyage around the UK.
Tape 3 Side A: (HB) Further details re first voyage. Never got over seasickness. Recalls seafarer's remedy using bacon. First job scrubbing deck including using vomit. Recalls a chief steward who loved playing draughts when ship lying alongside. First time in a bar, first time in Hamburg. Describes post-war Hamburg docks, bars, people's attitude. Never a shortage of women. No women allowed on Ben ships. Details. Describes Ben Line pukka sahib culture. Recalls pride in Ben Line ships, pipers playing when leaving port. Details re good wages, leave. Irish radio operators on ships. Seaman's Union was closed shop. Describes signing on, union dues procedures. Annual pay negotiations. Details re wages, overtime, working hours. Daily routine. (JB) Went to work in bank in London. Details re sister. Describes boring bank work. Reference to Shell. Changed to local clerical job, tracer in engineering office. Details re first involvement with union. Recalls first union weekend at Beatrice Webb House. Reference to Cooperative Movement. Became very involved in union discussions. Union events held for apprentices, eg visits to industrial plants as part of trade union educational system. Explains interest in union. Details re Coop membership, number, dividend. Went to events at Beatrice Webb House. Met Harold there 1963. Details re links between each other. (HB) Did 4 trips in Benavon, then promoted to galley boy. Details re sandboats - welded ships. Details re promotion, getting Cook's Ticket, Diploma etc. Other ships worked on. Reference to City & Guilds. Liked to get ahead. Explains satisfaction of baking bread. Details re bread. Recalls a chief steward who was mean with supplies. Importance of cooks on ships.
Tape 3 Side B: (HB) Good start to career helping Second Cook/Baker, learning to bake bread at early age. Details. Tricks of the trade. Details re recipe for bread. Recalls cooking cakes. Describes own heroes when 16/17, protectors. Comments on tendency for people to be picked on in ships. Own experience when youngest on board and because of schooling background. Not much homosexuality on Ben ships. Compares with other lines. 1955 joined J&C Harrisons, ship Hartingdon. Reason for leaving Ben Line. Explains difference between federated and non-federated seafarers, preference for being non-federated. Mentions dislike for sandboats in Ben Line. Superstition re whistling on ships. Describes Hartingdon, accommodation hierarchy. She was a rust bucket. Explains DRs (declined to report classification). Skipper of Hartingdon committed suicide. Details. Chief Engineer fractured skull. Details re other personnel on board with drink problems etc. Recalls difficult trip to Burma, shortage of food, relationships on board. Had good relationship with Somali crew. Reference to unemployment at time. Stories re food on board. Recalls first time being let down by union. Details re ship breakdown, conditions on ship, unsatisfactory pay situation. (JB) Worked 8 years in drawing office. Explains need for change. Went to Teachers' College. No union activity in college but head and some staff had left wing ideas. Impact of this. After starting teaching became involved in union. Explains. Recalls interest in AS Neill, his ideas. Always felt need to work for underprivileged children. Explains. Met Harold, later left teaching. Details re Neill, books on Summerhill. (HB) Mentions Trades Councillor, friend of teacher at Summerhill. Reference to Hunter Diack.
Tape 4 Side A: (JB) Opinion of Summerhill School. Explains nature of own socialism. During training as teacher at Church of England women's college, looked at ideas of Summerhill etc. Explains own attitude to possibility of change. Forward looking attitude to education in Grampian area. Attitude of colleagues in school. (HB) 1955-64 on various ships. Recalls arriving back after 1959 strike, details of situation on ship, ashore. Was still apolitical at time, a Tory voter. Background to becoming union activist. Explains reason for outcome of strikes. Seamen's Reform Movement established to reform union, get 40-hour week, overtime weekends, enhanced leave, shipboard representation. Did courses through correspondence with Seafarers' Education Service. Explains. Reference to NCLC (National Council for Labour Colleges), personal tutor Oldenbroch, first chairman of Free Trade Unions of Europe. Mentions meeting Joan at Beatrice Webb House. First interest in becoming union official. Sent to Belfast. Recalls own change from Tory to socialism. Details re BBC reporting of strike. Reference to Daily Worker newspaper. Joined Labour Party. (JB) Recalls various strikes. (HB) Recalls arrival, settling in Belfast. Reference to Paddy Neary. Own belief that picked for job as Seamen's Union official in Belfast (1964) because unknown. Explains own opinion of Labour Party, Harold Wilson. Reference to sick pay, redundancy breakthroughs. Recalls Catholic-Protestant situation in Belfast, own acceptance to both sides. Explains religion-employment situation. Comments on Wilson, Barbara Castle. People's perception of self. Reference to a gun. Shipping masters all Protestant. Mentions own baby, significance of her name. Other details re religious, political affiliations of different groups. Mentions burning of tricolour flag by Ian Paisley. Impression of Paisley. Mentions no surrender attitude.
Tape 4 Side B: (JB) Recalls first meeting, going out with Harry. Married within a year. (HB) Recollection of meeting. Details re work arrangements, working on ship in ice waters. (JB) First impressions of Harold, difficulty with his accent. (HB) First impressions of Joan, discovery that she had political views etc. Details re children, Joan's commitment to them, taking them to Labour Party dances. Home used as centre for political activities. (JB) Explains own political situation, level of activity. Involvement of women in political activities. (HB) Own efforts were family effort. Children later helped with pamphlets. Joan's efforts rescued local party in London. Belfast Seamen's Union official (cont'd): example of work involving death of worker, religious dimension. First boarded an oil rig, Sea Gem, 1964 in Belfast Yard. Story re Titanic. Story of crew of ship Divis, paternalistic captain. (JB) Impressions of Belfast. Recalls Catholic-Protestant friendships, help with maternity etc. Sociable life. (HB) Recalls friendship of two seamen at sea split when ashore through religion. Impressions of Sea Gem. No link with oil business then. Aware again when on holiday in Scotland. Details. Reference to July 1966 official strike. Recalls earlier small unofficial strike in Belfast. Mentions 1964 general election. Background to appointment to Victoria & Albert Docks London 1966. Details re other London branches. 1966 strike: recalls Wilson's statements re Seamen's Union, sandwiches in Number 10. Background to involvement of Communists in union. Mentions union's pandering to shipowners. Reference to GP (general purpose manning), manning problems, eg big tankers, small crews. Reference to problems in Suez Canal. Attitude of seafarers at time. Explains Communist reputation of seafarers.
Tape 5 Side A: (HB) Significance of 1966 Seamen's strike, role of Communist Party, shipowners, possibility of transferring oil through Continent. Explains regulations governing ship movements, crews. Some union members didn't get home to participate in strike. Reference to ship Wahine. Comments on attitude of some members who didn't support strike. Details re brother's attitude. Link with seaman associated with Wahine rescue operation. Brother sailed on Wahine delivery voyage. Attitude to seafarers' superstitions. Reference to Maori, Shetlanders. (JB) At time of 1966 strike, second baby due. Recalls Gordon Norris from Communist group who went to (Tilbury) Mission, rally attended by Communists. (HB) Always identified with crowd unlike other officials. Comments on officials, Communist members. Few officials attended branch meetings. Recalls vote re World Federation of Trade Unions, own attitude. Not the officials who made things happen, but head office staff. Explains. Recalls ship SS Board issue. (JB) Recalls changes in union. (HB) Attitude of branch secretary in Belfast, desire not to ruffle things. Details re Reform Movement. 1966 strike started in 1960. Recalls visit by Jim Callaghan to union, talking of rent-a-crowd communists - which was untrue. General Secretary didn't want a strike. Significance of Seamen's strike which was used later by Government. Describes daily duties as official paying off, signing on ships, identifying problems re discharges etc, advocating for seamen. Job stressful. Explains notion of good ports. Details re signing on crews, dealing with travel expenses etc. Travel warrants withdrawn after 66 strike. Looked after health, tax issues. Recalls different shipping companies, nationalities of crews, crew numbers. Different rates of pay, attitude of union. Difficulties re Cape Verde Islanders.
Tape 5 Side B: (HB) Transferred to Tilbury. Explains. Mentions bust-ups with District Secretary re own close relationship with left-wing seafarers. Details re Tilbury office, attitude of Branch Secretary to holding meetings. Returned to London branch where one Branch Secretary was member of Tory Club. Recalls stopping ship Empress of Canada sailing because of dispute. Reference to ITF (International Transport Federation). Own reputation as shit-stirrer. Reference to CPR (Canadian Pacific Railways). Wrongly arrested for assault. Law at that time re secondary pickets. Mentions decimation of British Merchant Navy. Details re encounter with police. Reason for Empress dispute, nationalities involved. Mentions dumping of waste into sea. Details re mounting of pickets, difficulties with communication with union members, personally mixing with them. (JB) Recalls working in Tilbury Mission, paths crossing with Harold's. (HB) Ship Mardi Gras, ex Empress of Canada, still sailing 30 years later. Reference to Ronnie McDonald, OILC (Offshore Industry Liaison Committee). (JB) Describes life as mother, wife of union official, anxieties. Feelings about Harry's work, family life, his work as councillor. Had 3 children in 3 years. Recalls family holidays in Scotland, camping. (HB) Union office in Great Yarmouth. 99% of ships federated ships. Exception was Everards company. New oil business not interested. Explains attitude of union to oil, own change to system. Negotiated first supply boat agreements c1973. Reference to attitudes in Great Yarmouth, Aberdeen. (JB) Impact of Harry's changes on attitude of central union to oil. (HB) Explains Seamen's Union's missing opportunities with oil, own perception. Historical perspective. Recalls writing 1974 to Jim Slater, General Secretary, predictions re oil. Recalls unionising George Bush's shipping company Zapata.
Tape 6 Side A: (HB) 1974 first effective contacts with oil industry unionising supply boats. Mentions federated companies, situation with them and non-federated people, difficulties. Lot of work processing complaints etc often at the end of the week. Effect of unionisation. Mentions pressures on masters of ships from companies. Inadequacy of union office equipment. Strength from having union behind crews. Got all supply boat companies together, evolved one agreement. Reason for this. Explains representation of members. Different with oil rigs. Amenable attitude of John Holder of Holder Brothers. Recalls oil rig Uncle John and other rigs - all unionised. Impression of John Holder. Recalls negotiations with Holders. Mentions big lunches, own limitation of alcohol. Recalls strike averted through personal deal with Holder. Further details re him, his war experience. Reference to Moral Rearmament (MRA), Glasgow University. Feelings about MRA. Reference to Industrial Pioneer. Reference to Bob Middleton. Recalls STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress) conference proposal to form IUOOC (Inter-Union Offshore Oil Committee). Was a founder member. Reference to Sam McCluskey, Jim McCartney, Tom Laverty, Alex Clark, Bill Leith, Campbell Reith, Ian McFarlane. Recalls impact of Tony Benn, meeting chaired by him in London. Reference to Shell. A big issue was offshore catering. Details re unsuitability of many catering workers sent offshore, improvements in this field. Quality of food offshore was high. Details. Had good relationships with Chalks catering. Recalls their attitude to closed shop. Difficulty for firms talking to unions. Details re strike, relationship with Chalk workers, manager, (?) McQuaich. Mentions problems with alcohol. Recalls one case.
Tape 6 Side B: (HB) IUOOC (cont'd). Role of Jim McCartney, Bob Middleton in forming organisation. Offshore workers then had no one union to go to. Attitude of established unions to safety situation. Price of making complaints offshore. Recalls engineers' unsuccessful unofficial strike c1977, not fully backed by engineers' union. Consequences for strikers. OILC's later role. Before then men kept heads down to keep jobs. Confusing situation for workers. IUOOC sought demarcation. Mentions Bill Reid, TGWU. Recalls situation re catering firms, attempt at rationalisation, double-union membership issue. Reference to successful 1979 strike. 1979 c3000 union members across North Sea. Details re closed-shop rigs, crew compositions, proportion of NUS members. 1974 IUOOC statement. Recalls first rig with c100% membership. First North Sea shop steward (?) Gardner, T&G, soon sacked. Details. 6-week battle led to reinstatement. Insistence of Tony Benn re union access. Recalls Aberdeen office when Branch Secretary, staffing etc. Office looked after seafarers going through pool. Details re ancient office furnishing. Reference to Maritime Museum, North of Scotland Shipping Company, Basil Jamieson, Trades Council, George Beard (?) (JB) Details re family accommodation in Aberdeen countryside near Kemnay, livestock. (HB) Mentions rabbit-breeding enthusiasm. Got Joan to help with union books. Details. Own and others' attitude to Jim Slater as General Secretary, background to appointment to Aberdeen 1974. (JB) Feelings re coming to Scotland. (HB) Significance of oil then in Aberdeen. Aberdeen was wild. Describes. Mentions murderers, rapists, petty crooks etc. Recalls recruiting workers. Reference to Australians, New Zealanders, fishermen. (JB) Feelings about being in Aberdeen. (HB) Spent first months living in the Mission. Recalls International Pub, rough life, fighting etc.
Tape 7 Side A: (HB) Recalls Aberdeen in 1970s. Many ex-seafarers. Mentions drinking problems. Arrival of West Coast men. Single men with problems came to Aberdeen, followed by girls. Comments on prostitution. Men wild, not settled. Difficulties re accommodation. Rarely saw police round docks. Recalls bus shelter used by prostitutes. (JB) Recalls being followed by a car. Any woman walking down road suspect. (HB) Reference to Seaforth. Recalls Waterloo, International, Peepeeps bars. Mentions own role dealing with workers' drinking penalties. Attitude to women in Peepeeps. Pub owners made money. Story of pub spy, his comments on Waterloo Bar. Details re Peepeeps, jokes, Caffreys'. Origin of name Peepeeps. Mentions Crow's Nest Bar, first professional divers' association. Recalls oil companies, Number 5 Bond. Met companies through IUOOC. Details re contacts with Supply Boats, catering. Engineers, T&G involved with Bears. Opportunities for union membership. Details re outcome for supply boats. Benefits for workers of work on supply boats. Mentions Tommy Laverty, Jim McCartney. Details re offshore agreement resulting in unofficial strike. Own union had all North Sea offshore catering organised. Details re COTA (Catering Offshore Trade Association) which dealt with oil companies. Mentions later broken agreement with Chalk Catering. Details re impact of pay rises for catering staff. Greatest strike offshore involved people who were paid the least. All supply boats and caterers in North Sea unionised. Attitude of Americans to own role. Mentions American intelligence organisation, files on self. Discussion with American lawyer. Comments on catering staff, Bears' pay, working conditions, poor health and safety, sackings. Wages not great. (JB) Concern when Harry later held up at gunpoint, threatened with police.
Tape 7 Side B: (JB) Recalls anxieties about Harry's situation. (HB) Details background to situation re gun, knife on a ship in Aberdeen, Greek gunrunner. Recalls occasion involving a murderer, being subject of axe threat by him. Feelings of being stuck in a ship with no escape. Pressure from Labour Government re oil. Asked for assistance from Lord Kirton re shifting of rig by British ships. Details. Reference to Shell, BP. Many lost jobs in North Sea in 1970s because of Labour Government's rush to get oil. Explains admiration for stand taken by Tony Benn, avoidance of massive strikes that could have occurred because of pressure from oil companies. Gives example of one rig, close avoidance of strike, arguments re agreement. Explains dislike of strikes, psychology of process, effect on families. Recalls first offshore catering strike 1979. Some men were crooked in various ways, ended up being put off. Details. Opportunist element came into strike situations in North Sea at that time. Explains disappointment during catering strike at lack of support from other unions. Own attitude in similar situations, support for other unions. Details. Reference to Campbell Reid, Tommy Laverty. Negative attitude of bears to catering people in industry, even now. Catering staff lowest paid, low in social order. Attitude to people's earnings. (JB) Recalls climate, now changed, where manual jobs considered manly etc. (HB) Caterers had most success of all groups in 1979 strike. Details.
Tape 8 Side A: (JB) Describes current home near Kemnay, Aberdeenshire. (HB) Explains decision to live out of Aberdeen, modernising work on house. Mentions financial aspect. (JB) Involved in many family activites. Mentions birth of grandchildren. Interested in music. (HB) Does industrial tribunals, attends union branch meetings, involved in anti-war movement, Aberdeen Trades Council, Aberdeenshire Environmental Forum, Trees for Scotland, recycling. A great card player, plays bridge. Details. (JB) Details re music interests, tastes. Mentions mother's interest in piano. Does courses of Scottish studies every term. Details. Mentions oral, written sources of Celtic past. Reference Romans. Details re Celtic people. Realisation of linguistic significance of Celtic-ness, dilution of Celtic societies. (HB) Comments on Irish peasantry, Irish famine. Compares Irish and Scottish situations. Impact of Scottish regiments. Mentions argument with Joan's tutor re definition of a Celt. (JB) Comments on definition of national, ethnic identity. Roman and other origins of words, identities. (HB) Recalls request for Labour Party pamphlets to refer to the people of Scotland rather than to Scots. (JB) Explains significance of linguistics in academic world. Own view of effective learning of language, leading to sense of identity. Pronunciation of Celt. (HB) Pronunciation of Gaelic. Recalls Scottish nationalism in Scotland in 1970s. Explains own sense of British-ness, Scottish-ness. Feelings about socialism. Reason for not voting for separate Scottish parliament. Explains sense of socialism, membership of human race. Order of senses of identity, reputation. Reference to Mabs Skinner, a Communist. (JB) Comments on notion of reputation, statements at funerals.
Tape 8 Side B: (JB) Speeches at funerals (cont'd). Need for balance. Exlains. Comments on significance of questions asked re identity, where, by whom asked. Own sense of identity tailored to angle of question, questioner. Compares own sense as socialist with Harry's. (HB) Recalls own differing attitude to different nationalities, conditioning of Empire psyche. Compares own attitude with that of Americans. Recalls Empire Day celebrations. (JB) Comments on spread of emotion about death of Princess Diana. (HB) Compares with phenomenon of Nazi rallies. Feelings about singing of Red Flag. Attitude as a leader. Need to get bigger picture through to union members, eg on supply ships. (JB) Recalls funeral of friend in Kemnay, different styles of funerals, degree of personalisation. Recalls funerals in childhood, situation now. (HB) Changing attitudes to coffin. Recalls shepherd ancestor's coffin in front room. (JB) Recalls women learning to lay out bodies which stayed in home. Comments on ritual wailing. (HB) Recalls mother at father's death. Recalls class distinction in styles of coffin carried in Titanic - justification for socialism. As union official, expected to attend funerals. Details. Mentions funerals in Ireland. (JB) Significance of attendance/non-attendance at funerals. (HB) Story of German national with Leith accent who associated as a Scot. (JB) Germanic tribes changed Celtic characteristics. Emotion associated with perception. Gives personal example. Reference to David Essex. Own feeling re home - in Aberdeenshire, with Harold. Recalls miners' march, Aberdeenshire sense of identity. (HB) No problems with English seafarers on supply boats in oil industry. Own experience when at sea. Mentions situation re Cape Verde people. Explains sense of identity of seamen, sense of shoreside people.
Tape 9 Side A: (HB) Recalls involvement with oil industry supply boats. T&G supposed to cover safety boats but didn't. Explains definition of oil installations, relationship to seafarers. Details re Holder Brothers who took on 100% union membership, conditions, differentials. Big difference with catering workers' wages. Explains situation at time of 1979 strike. Seafarers on some rigs had separate mess from roustabouts which caused problems. Explains difference in wages despite seafarers having qualifications. Difficulties with leave system, lack of agreement. Recalls 1974-5 getting rise for supply boat crews, improved working hours. Details of other improved conditions. Reference to Heath Government, timing. (JB) Explains term bob, situation of an apprentice, difficulty bringing oil industry groups together. (HB) Details re supply boat crews. Mentions National Maritime Board, federated ships. Personally had to join seafarers to union. Details re growth in union membership. Became an informal recruitment agency. Mentions own standards, approach to giving people a chance, growth of comradeship. Details re catering crewing. Mentions the Model, Working Man's Lodging House. Reference to Rowden Houses, London. Story of disappearing black draughts pieces. No safety training then. Recalls problems with pilfering. Story of confusing employers with workers. (JB) Comments on current firemen's dispute, complexities of claim. Always a play going on behind the scenes. Explains. Recalls story, re layers of authority, told by Tony Benn during Aberdeen visit. Daughter's experience, in NHS hospital, of communication problems. Attitude of Government. (HB) Recalls previous firemen's strike settlement, erosion of their wages. Government ignoring trade union movement. Explains own support for firemen. Reference to Aberdeen Trades Council. (JB) Comments on use of Green Goddess fire engines.
Tape 9 Side B: [09/12/02] (HB) Current firemen's dispute biggest industrial upset since miners' strike. Trade union's feelings re Tony Blair. Comments on risk of firemen's losing public support. Mentions recent Edinburgh, Australian fires, Peter Foster, Cherie Blair, Peter Mandelson, student situation, top-up fees, Maggie Thatcher, financial situation of Blairs etc. Recalls Harold Wilson, Barbara Castle's relationship with trade unions, contrasts with situation now. (JB) Recalls Wilson's attitude to Communists. (HB) Details re 1966 strike, consequences of rules re notice of industrial action, position of shop stewards. Differences between situation then and now. (JB) Recalls trade union leadership before. (HB) Further details re past and current firemen's situations. Importance of current situation to the unions. No current union loyalty to Labour Government. (JB) Comments on increase in paperwork, administration. Realisation of need for concerted union action. Recalls, until recently, keeping union books, legal, insurance requirements etc difficulties for small constituencies. (HB) Example of difficulty making local views known to party. Given hope by firemen's dispute. Explains concern re deals being made by trade unions with Labour Party. Details re OILC (Offshore Industry Liaison Committee), non-recognition as a union by STUC, TUC. Reasons for this. Reference to Ronnie McDonald, Jake Molloy, Engineers' Unions, sweetheart agreements, IUOOC. Comments on work done by OILC. Recalls formation of IUOOC 1974. Reference Sam McCluskey. Details re situation in 1974, Norman Gardner first 'shop steward' who was run off Odeco's Ocean Victory rig. Explains strike threat, resolution of issue, reinstatement of Gardner. Tony Benn's attitude at time of formation of IUOOC, his requirements re union access in granting of licenses.
Tape 10 Side A: (HB) Recalls role of Bob Middleton in formation of IUOOC, his earlier involvement with North Sea Action Committee, stories of bad treatment of people offshore. Mentions priority given to oil workers for housing, eg Kemnay became housing estate. (JB) Recalls first days in Kemnay, impact of oil workers, fear of invasion of new folk, reaction of locals to husband's occupation. (HB) 1979 catering strike. Recalls 'water rats', committees in Dundee, Glasgow. Background to strike. Recalls difficulty getting recognition among firms, pressure from companies. First breakthrough in catering firms was on Norwegian rig Wildcat. Details. Reference OCS. Details re recognition. Own role. Describes strategy for next phase of action. Details re picket lines. Mentions attempt at using ready-made meals. Two bears working on action in Shetland air crash. Mentions quiet recognition by Chalk Drill. Reference to Holder Brothers. Difficulty keeping actions quiet. Got on well with Kelvin Catering. Details re relationship with them. Offshore catering firms joined confederation to meet union en masse. Tendency to deal with problems over a quiet drink. Improvement in quality of catering staff after action. Recalls meetings with Tony Benn and oil companies. Example of a bad case resolved. Reason for low wages paid partly nature of fledgling industry. Explains. Further details re 1979 catering strike, difficult aftermath. Background to people crossing picket lines, recommendation to go back to work, eventual settlement. Reference to establishment of North Sound radio. 1979 strike organised North Sea for catering. Details. Mentions issue of double-heading, breakthrough. (JB) Recollection of time of strike, ages of children at time. Not active party member at time.
Tape 10 Side B: (HB) 1981 Aberdeen Dockers' Strike - attitude of union. Recalls oil workers' camp at Sullom Voe. Mentions explosion of bomb, probably carried up by ferry, at opening. Recalls situation re Offshore Supplies Office. Comments on employment of Chilean workers. Reference to (?) Mann. Reference to unemployment. Recalls calls by 'Captain Bob' Maxwell re investment. Mentions recent awards to other, anti-union, businessmen. Reference to Helen Liddle. Recalls 1985 Labour Party Conference, Sam McCluskey, Bob Maxwell, Scotsman strike. 1984 miners' strike. Recalls cooperation. Burned wood, not coal, at home. (JB) Recollections of being stopped by police when in car with children. (HB) Involved in guiding miners up coast. Went to weekly miners' meetings during dispute. Reference to Jim Slater. Aberdeen Trades Council march held. Involvement of wives. 1985 abolition of BNOC (British National Oil Corporation). Recalls meetings with BNOC re complaint about use of foreign supply boats. Unions used by supply boat companies. Explains. Reference to Norwegians. Recalls supply boat strike, motto UKOK. Reference to Neil Rothnie. Background to evolution of supply boat industry. Reference to Federated Ships, labour pool. Details re own role in improving conditions, pay, working hours, union membership etc 1975. Reference Captain Low. Over 100 supply boats were unionised. Recalls incentives to join union. Details re safety boats, T&G sweetheart agreements. Compares safety/supply boat routines. Explains own unique situation in Aberdeen. (JB) Became a teacher. Harry often late home at night. (HB) Explains evening work. (JB) No holiday for 4 years. Became national negotiator 1974-5. Details. Feelings about work. Recalls routines. Mother helped with typing. Own impact around ships, crews. Reference funerals, Davie Sinclair.
Tape 11 Side A: (HB) Recalls atmosphere in 1980s of Aberdeen waterfront, pubs, women. Recalls finding a cook at short notice in a pub. (JB) Compares attention to safety according to supply of manpower. (HB) Many fishermen were looking for supply boat work. Compares with fishing work. Explains procedures re employment of crews, Federation, discipline. Big problem was drink. Explains. Few alcoholics then. Merchant Navy skippers drank a lot. Impact of oil price drop 1986. Recession of supply boats. Problem of Norwegian ships getting jobs in British sector. Case of Chilean, Indian workers, their treatment. Norwegian offshore workers all Norwegian. Few coloured people offshore. Possible reason for this. Reference to Albert Abila, Spaniards, Somalis. (JB) Compares numbers of Blacks in Aberdeen now, before, reasons for change. Impact of television, pop music. (HB) Attitude of American oil people. (JB) Recalls changes to Kemnay. (JB) Reference to Charlie Allen, Press & Journal. Comments on statements, attitudes seen as racist. Reference to Tony Benn, mistreatment of Indians. Had good relations with Benn. Recalls his attitude to work of local union. Reference to Tommy Laverty. Recalls 1975-6 offshore Bears' strike. Compares Norwegian, UK needs for oil. Recalls conversation with Lord Kirton re need for oil. Further details re Benn, his attitude to British supplies, oil companies, trade unions. Reference to Jimmy McCartney. Tony Benn doesn't drink. Mentions his earlier work. Own two heroes are Benn and Nelson Mandela. Recalls Benn opening first UK oil coming ashore, issue re wages of tanker's crew. Recalls safety standards 1980s. Recalls Chick (?), crane driver whose crane went over the side in spite of his own reservations.
Tape 11 Side B: (HB) In 1980s, American attitude anti-safety. Explains. Attitude of Americans to self, and to unionised natives in Gulf. Racist attitude of American, Canadian oil people. Reference to guns. Recalls links with Billy Wright, Teamsters Union etc. (JB) Recalls anxieties re Harry, eg when he was late back. (HB) Never felt endangered. Background to move to Dover 1988. Recalls first hearing of Piper Alpha disaster. Reference to Alexander Kieland. (JB) Recalls first hearing about Piper, deaths of local people, atmosphere in Aberdeen. (HB) Explores involvement with Australian trade union Piper memorial. Reference to Aberdeen Trades Council. Worked on Dover strike which lasted 14 months. Came to Aberdeen for Christmas. Recalls nearly being in Lockerbie at time of disaster, passing part of wreckage. Details. Recalls role as Acting Assistant Secretary during Dover strike. Background to strike. Details re proposed P&O cutbacks. Attitude of union. Reference to (?) Dunbar. Cost of strike to P&O. Scabs, blacklegs taken on. Explains own approach to dispute, fundraising. Details re informal meeting with P&O head, chauffeur-driven ride home. Reference to Sam McCluskey. (JB) Some local shops good to strikers. (HB) Details re dockets from shops, Dover. Describes identification of blacklegs. After strike, led union battle against Sea Link, P&O joining together - which happened later. Details re scabs, two tier wage system now in operation. (JB) Attitude of children to politics, trade unions. (HB) Details re contempt of court case, sequestration. Details re own refusal to apologise.
Tape 12 Side A: (HB) Dover strike finished February 1989. Mentions 1988 Piper Alpha disaster which happened at time of own arrival in Dover. Mentions Sylvester De Sorba(?), Portuguese seafarer. Disappointments after Cullen Report because of recommendations being sidetracked, cutbacks. Mentions current possibility of replacement of safety boats by helicopters. Reference to OILC. Details re sequestration of Seamen's Union during Dover strike. Use of Filipinos and others as cheap labour. Union attitude to foreign labour, insistence on same leave, wages for them as for others. This priced them out of the market. Reaction of companies. Difference in attitude of unions today, consequences for British seafarers. Recalls own relations with supply boat companies. Attitude of Australians, New Zealanders to union. Never had personal relationships with employers. Reference to Maersk, Zapatas (owned by George Bush). Origin of name Zapatas. 7 main supply boat companies. Explains strategy with companies. Recalls small strike re foreign labour. Established industry-wide agreement. Details re offshore catering situation. Mentions union men who joined companies. Attitude of companies to union. Relationship with them. Recalls giving quiet advice to avoid a strike, cloak and dagger approach. Reference to a suicide. Compares Aberdeen to a gold town. Details re supply boat crew numbers. Few industrial upsets. Details re crew representation. Examples of work requiring extra payment. Union had some rigs unionised. Details. Reference to officers' union, Seafarers' Joint Council, Holder Brothers, John Holder. (JB) Mentions origin of Dover strike. (HB) Explains significance at that time of Aberdeen union to oil industry, attitude of Maggie Thatcher. Explains time sequences of events. Causes of Dover strike, situation re P&O, Stena.
Tape 12 Side B: (HB) Dover strike 1989-91 (cont'd). P&O recruited blacklegs. Attitude of Stena crews, company, leading to sequestration order, closing union offices etc. Own feelings about tactics with Stena. Explains own role, routines during strike. Foreign labour brought in at Aberdeen. Reaction of seafarers to sequestration. Own thoughts re link between oil situation and Dover. Government helped P&O. Details. Bitterness among seafarers to foreign labour. Situation for foreigners. After Dover strike, applied for position of Assistant General Secretary. (JB) Dover strike caused demise of NUS strength in supply boats. (HB) Mentions Bear Facts Committee. Bears looked down on catering staff. Comments on attitude of unions to OILC. Success of OILC in some areas, eg media, not others. NUS fell out with OILC. Details. Reference to STUC, TUC. Issue of affiliation. Reasons for hostility of other unions to OILC. Details re Engineers' union, very right wing. Comments on their impact on situation in North Sea. Reference to Jimmy McCartney. Details re Tommy Laverty. Explains unions' strategy re membership. Reference names of unions. (JB) Comments on evolution of union establishments. (HB) Actions of Engineers' union (Amicus) in newspaper field. Reference to The Times. Mentions recent disputed union election. (JB) Comments on trends in union leadership. (HB) Details re LINK organisation, aim to bring Labour Party back to members, trade unionists. Reference to globalisation. Comments on current fire service dispute. Reference Margaret Thatcher, Amicus. Current political situation. Dover strike was beginning of slide down for NUS in Aberdeen area. Details re size of Aberdeen branch - was biggest in country. Figures today.
Tape 13 Side A: (JB) Recalls life when Harry working in Dover, own teaching career, difficulty with holidays, going to Dover etc. Mentions bringing up children. Situation a test of relationship. (HB) 1991 did Stena, P&O ferry boat agreements, Blue Star agreement. Involved in meetings re amalgamation with NUR (National Union of Railwaymen). Recalls difficulties. Own attitude to amalgamation, reason for need. Reference to TGWU. Compares union cultures. Mentions benefit of closed shop. Loss of paid officials' jobs at amalgamation. Personalised nature of NUS. Executive council were seagoing members. Details. Recalls amalgamation ballot day, notices going out at same time re advantages of being in NUR. Reference to RMT. Culture shock for NUS people eg finding some NUR people had never been railway workers. (JB) Significance of earlier docks environment, Missions etc. Changes to shipping patterns. Recalls earlier times. (HB) Recalls earlier ship voyage patterns, changes when container industry came. (JB) Recalls buzz of docks areas in childhood. (HB) Explains bond of offshore workers in home village. Reference to Peepeeps Bar. (JB) Comments on Aberdeen environment. (HB) Recalls trains going south full of oil people in earlier days. Compares with now, many more living in, near Aberdeen. Comments on impact of television on evolution of oil industry culture, American influence. International nature of oil culture. (JB) Recalls family sing-song culture in childhood. (HB) Comments on early expression of oil culture. (JB) Mentions folk songs about oil at Lemon Tree centre, Aberdeen. (JB) Compares oil community with fishing, coal communities. (HB) Background to voluntary redundancy 1991. Feelings about retiring at 58.
Tape 13 Side B: (HB) Retirement 1991 (cont'd). Feelings about retirement activities. Details. Career in retrospect. (JB) Recalls first experiences of retirement, stresses in change of lifestyle. (HB) First year of retirement enjoyable. Involved in union activities, port welfare for seafarers, farm for retired seafarers. Details re involvement in Aberdeen Trades Council (ATC). Before own arrival in 1974 ATC didn't know much about offshore industry. Mentions North Sea Action Committee. Background to ATC, granite, fishing. Reference to T&G (Transport & General Workers' Union). ATC members not paid to go to meetings. (JB) Aberdeen was a village community. Comments on impact of oil. (JB) Effect of changed earning power, price increases when oil came. Issue of housing. Change from export of people from Aberdeen to net income of people. (JB) Flourishing of bed and breakfast establishment. (HB) Mentions article by Bob Middleton about Aberdeen housing, office space etc. Further details re ATC which took positions on union issues. Reference to issue of OILC affiliation to STUC. Reference to Ronnie McDonald. Reason for little focus on oil industry at ATC now. Mentions individuals in ATC, union representation. Comments on current working time directives. Reference to Norwegian situation. (JB) Comments on Norwegian situation. (HB) Reference to Neil Rothnie. Unionisation of North Sea still miles away from where it should be. Details re day rate, absence of benefits, work patterns long fought for. Other aspects of day rate, lack of job security. Feelings about situation. (JB) Daughter critical of working practice in ILO (International Labour Organisation) office, Geneva. Details.
Tape 14 Side A: (HB) Feelings about daily rate form of payment. Details re overtime. Recalls attitudes to overtime when at sea. (JB) People make money while it lasts now. Explains. (HB) Recalls earlier difficult time when bubble burst. NRB (not required back) even stronger now. Details. (JB) Recalls criticism of trades unions because they stood up for members. Situation now. (HB) Recalls fighting for 2-on/2-off working pattern. Feelings about current legislation, its effects. Mentions increase in training for offshore work. (JB) Changed nature of industry, union culture. Mentions situation in 1800s. (HB) Things go round in cycles. Explains. Reference to Dennis Skinner. Significance of oil industry in British economic history. Reference to Lord Kirton's request for union to take it easy. (JB) Maggie Thatcher's approach, American influence etc. (HB) Feelings about use of oil revenues. Current prosperous state of Britain. Recalls desperation under Labour to get oil. Reference to Tony Benn. Attitude of Tories. (JB) Attitude of SNP (Scottish National Party). (HB) Norwegian situation re oil, wind and hydro power. (JB) Reference to Professor Alec Kemp. (HB) Involved with 15 political and cultural organisations. Details. Comments on attitude in local Labour Party. (JB) Most active members in rural branch left-wing. Many ready to throw card in. Involved in further education, Scottish cultural interests. Mentions family, grandchildren, attendance at Labour Party meetings, gatherings in Kemnay. (HB) Compares own situation with parents', eg diet, spending power then. (JB) Recalls good food in childhood but everything cheap. Compares childhood times with now, possibility now of speaking up. (HB) Feelings about discussing life on tape. Recalls enjoying hearing old people talking. Details.
Tape 14 Side B: (HB) Recalls old seamen's stories re Clydesdale horses, Benn Line, stopping slave ships. (JB) Feelings about discussing life history on tape. |