Interview with Steve Grant

Steve Grant born Scotland, arrived in New Zealand 1947. Recalls apprenticeship as an electrician with Union Steam Ship Company. Describes working life on ships before joining the Otahuhu workshops. Talks about union activities at the workshops and how he became General Secretary of the Railway Tradesmen's Association. Recalls introduction of Amenity Blocks. Discusses progression through the union ranks and the role of the RTA; compulsory unionism; branch relationship with union executive; Catholic Action Group at Otahuhu workshops to counter communist influence; Muldoon electioneering in Otahuhu workshops; strength of apprentices during World War II; 1952 Railway strike; working conditions in the Railways during the late 1950s and 1960s and reaction of RTA to new technology. Mentions the introduction of female apprentices into Railway workshops and some of the resulting problems. Mentions Doug Crosado, Ray Gough, Bill Higgins, Harry Taylor, Allan Goldsmith, Richard Prebble and [Brian] Talboys. Discusses the Combined State Services Organisation and the Ruling Rate Survey in relation to Railway Officers Institute. Explains the relationship with Locomotive Engineers' Association, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants / National Union of Railwaymen (employees), New Zealand Engineers' Union and Federation of Labour. Talks about formation of joint union-management scheme - Employees Assistance Programme and its introduction within the Railways. Other topics recalled include: health and safety issues; concerns over asbestos; wage freeze by Kirk Goverment; Compulsory Medical Retirement in 1972; relationship between RTA and Accident Compensation Corporation; education programmes; RTA Journal; Federation of Labour Transport Union Committee; RTA protest over Vietnam War; opposition of Otahuhu branch to Springbok rugby tours; support for international strikes; strike in Twizel; campaign for allowances for apprentices; 1966 strike; Save the Rail Campaign; Employment Contracts Act (1991): sale of New Zealand Rail, with reference to Wisconsin Rail and Ruth Richardson. Mentions Jack Marshall, Tom Skinner, Norris Collins, Trevor Gebbie, Ken Douglas, F P Walsh, Norman Kirk, Koro Wetere.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007578-007582

Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4.11 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1914.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-007957 - OHLC-007961