Re: Human side of trams in Melbourne

Paul,

I worked at Essendon Depot and, while I was probably more suited to South
Melbourne by temperament, I was privy to a lot of the things which happened
at Essendon.

The delegate's name at the time was Jimmy Banks, from memory. I tend towards
radical left politically in a lot of ways but Banks was a reasonable hard
guy. I found him quite honourable. Anyone who worked with me will know I was
involved in spirited debate with the union on many issues but I never blued
with Banks. He had my respect and I don't give that easily.

Several times while I was at Essendon, we discussed the idea of women tram
drivers. It was the women who objected! And the reason several of them gave
for their objection was that they didn't want to be on a two gal crew on
last car in case things turned nasty. I remember one of them saying there
was no way she would work a night run on West Coburg up through the Royal
Park with another woman. I remember asking her if she expected me to protect
her virginity on the cars but she just laughed. They were mostly good sorts.
It's kinda hard to be a pretentious gal trammie. But they were adamant about
it. I never heard one woman at Essendon object to the concerns of the other
gals.

I'm from San Francisco originally and was stunned when I found out there was
no women driving at Essendon but that was their decision, so in the end I
just went along with it. I would do so now. too, if that were there wishes.
Law be damned.

Bob Murphy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Nicholson" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2001 5:46 AM
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Human side of trams in Melbourne

Good to see some discussion of the human (ie
non-engineering) side of trams. It should be
encouraged. Most of what is published and discussed
about trams is about the engineering and other aspects
are often ignored.

It was great to read the recollections of Peter Bruce.
Let's hear more of them.

I would also like to hear some of the recollections of
Greg King (aka Trolley Greg). Stories of life and
incidents on the trams that can now be told! I last
saw him driving trams on the Glenelg.

My time on the trams was at Camberwell from 1974 to
1976. It was the end of the "traditional era" with the
old dark blue uniforms and a ticket issued for every
journey.

But it was a time of change.

And one of the biggest changes was the introduction of
women tram drivers. The first driver, as I recall, was
a person at North Fitzroy known as "The General".

There didn't seem to be a problem at Camberwell with
first female driver.

But one of the most interesting recollections of my
time on the trams was the sexist attitudes of the men
at Essendon who resisted the introduction of female
tram drivers because "they bred and multiplied and
took jobs from our sons".

I wonder if the union officials at Essendon who
maintained this attitude are still alive? It would be
interesting to talk to them now.

Such attitudes today would not be tolerated in the
workplace and of course would be illegal.

But the men at Essendon feared women. They maintained
their rage and it took quite some time for them to
allow the introduction of female drivers.

Memories...

Paul in Melbourne

____________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.co.uk address at http://mail.yahoo.co.uk
or your free @yahoo.ie address at http://mail.yahoo.ie




Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Protect your servers with 128-bit SSL encryption! Grab your copy of VeriSign's FREE guide: "Securing Your Website for business" Get it Now!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/M.WTOC/m1FDAA/cosFAA/DiTxlB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/