A Big Strike

[Bobj]

When I lived in Yorkshire some 56 years ago, I seem to remember there was a big strike in one of the big shipyards, Harland and Wolff, or, Cammell Laird that occurred because 2 men, a welder and his offsider argued as to whose job it was to lift the chalked string to mark a steel plate in order to cut it.  I remember that a lot of jobs were lost due to that insignificant act.

Can anyone shed light on the incident, please.

[chesters1]

Probably one of hundreds of incidents we went on strike for 3 days because the wrong person carried mail up a flight of 6? steps lol

[gozzer]

8 hours ago, Bobj said:

When I lived in Yorkshire some 56 years ago, I seem to remember there was a big strike in one of the big shipyards, Harland and Wolff, or, Cammell Laird that occurred because 2 men, a welder and his offsider argued as to whose job it was to lift the chalked string to mark a steel plate in order to cut it.  I remember that a lot of jobs were lost due to that insignificant act.

Can anyone shed light on the incident, please.

Hi Bob, I too remember hearing about this when I started my apprenticeship in 1965.I was never sure whether it was a true account of the strike, or had been embellished over the years. Your post prompted me to do a bit of digging, but I haven't found much as of yet.

Some of the stuff I've read seems to point to the strike causing the delay in completing the 'Pendennis Castle', which was launched on 24/12/57,  handed over in Nov 58, with a maiden voyage in Jan 59.

http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=1558

I can't seem to find out about any particular strike, but maybe if you try on this forum someone will be able to help you

http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,73380.165.html?PHPSESSID=d3ccf88dfe295ba0618d8540e8d1296a

I found a few interesting things during my searches especially this one about the first apprentice strike at Harland and Wolff

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/belfast/harlandmemories2.shtml

Just had a thought, didn't Fred, (clifftop) work in the shipyards in the north east? Maybe he would have heard something about the strike. He hasn't been on for a while, I hope he's OK, what with the fires in his area.

Good Luck, let us know if you find anything, John.

Edit, I got so engrossed in the history of Harland and Wolff, that I forgot to post about Cammell Laird 

The main thing that I found was this from Hansards

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1956/may/17/cammell-laird-shipyard-dispute

No mention of chalk lines though, I'll keep digging.

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by gozzer

[Bobj]

Excellent! Many thanks for that info. I do remember that there was some dispute re the 'Pendennis Castle', but didn't attach the two incidents.

Will certainly dig deeper as your info has whet my appetite!

Bob.