Interview with Gerry Slater

Recording and transcript of Gerry Slater, a shipbuilding worker from Govan, in conversation with Rory Stride in 2016. He worked in Govan’s shipbuilding industry from the 1950s onwards.
[00:00:01] Introductions
[00:00:20] Talks about childhood
[00:03:05] Talks about Govan in the 1970s, population changes and social status
[00:06:29] Talks about his early career, staff training, shipbuilding with Harland and Wolff and construction industry
[00:12:59] Talks about trade unions in shipbuilding, the shipwrights union, strike action in c.1958
[00:19:37] Discussion about public attitudes towards trade unions, decline in membership from the 1990s
[00:22:45] Talks about shipyards' attitudes towards Labour
[00:24:52] Talks about traits of masculinity in Govan’s shipyards, staff camaraderie and friendships
[00:28:55] Talks about job security, unemployment, redundancy, staff reaction to unstable jobs, impact of unemployment
[00:38:55] Talks about women’s role in 1960s Govan, women’s work, attitudes towards women
[00:41:33] Discussion about social activities in 1960s and 1970s Govan, cinema, alcohol
[00:47:10] Talks about changes in social activities from the 1960s to 1990s
[00:52:47] Discussion about the closure of shipbuilding in Govan and the impact on the area
[00:57:06] Talks about the re-development of Govan, new shopping and house developments
[00:58:03] Summarises final thoughts on Govan
[01:01:15] Interview concludes

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Copyright: Scottish Oral History Centre, University of Strathclyde

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