OVERALLS, Wharfies

Grey coloured overalls with full length legs and sleeves, front opening with clips and a collar. Has two pockets on chest, the one on the left with two narrow pockets superimposed onto the main pocket. A pocket at each hip, one larger pocket on the right rump with along narrow pocket below for tools. Sides have slits for easy access to clothing beneath. Back is elasticised. Pockets have red reinforcing stitching at edges. On pocket, small label reading "YAKKA" and a red "2" in a white circle. Red, white and black label on inside of back neck depicts a woman in overalls holding a rod (?) above a rough triangle containing a "Y" on 3 concentric circles and "YAKKA / SUPERTOUGH / COVERALLS". Beneath - "GUARANTEED YAKKA HEAVYWEIGHT QUALITY / SIZE 7 WAIST 38 IN LEG 32 1/2 / ALL COTTON SANFORDIZED" Overalls worn by Vic in the 1960s. Overalls by that time were provided by the employer. In the 1950s the employees provided their own clothes. In time they sought and gained a concession whereby the employer provided clothes for dirty work. Dirty work included sulphur and guano cargos, and gum boots were provided for mucking out cattle carriers. All the wharfies before 1968 were employed by the EWL, the Employers of Waterside Labour. Different companies contracted with the EWL for specific jobs. After 1968 they were employed by different companies. Eg. Patricks, Mercantile, BHP (at Kwinana), and State Ships but a sizeable body of members remained in SEAL to be allocated to particular ships when the companies had utilized all their labour. Vic mostly worked for Mercantile, though occasionally with the others especially BHP working at Kwinana. See also H91/0176-7.

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History Collection

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