James Gordon Worley oral history interview, March 20, 2013

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: WorleyG_L2013-05

Staff Only

James Gordon Worley oral history

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Traci Drummond. Worley begins by discussing his parents' work background and their feelings about unions. He recounts his relationship with his half-brother. Worley talks about serving in the Navy, basic training and working on an aircraft carrier. Worley talks about working at Oak Ridge Laboratory and joining the union. He discusses the various projects he worked on at Oak Ridge. Worley talks about being steward and chief steward and about the strike of 1963. He recalls the role of the Ladies Auxiliary during the strike. Worley discusses being recording secretary and serving as vice president. He talks about the decline of union membership and changes in union negotiations. Worley talks about working with the Oak Ridge Central Labor Council, the Anderson County Election Commission and the Democratic Executive Committee. He ends by talking about the importance of preserving union history.

Dates

Creation: March 20, 2013

Creator

Worley, James Gordon (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

James Gordon Worley was born in White County, Tennessee in 1932. His father was a timber cutter, working in sawmills and his mother was a garment worker. The family also worked a small farm and Worley recalls growing up in rural environment. He joined the Navy and worked on an aircraft carrier as a machinist. He went to work at Oak Ridge in 1959 and joined the union in 1960. During his tenure at Oak Ridge, he worked on the moon box project, among other projects and became steward and chief steward. Worley also served as recording secretary and as vice president. Worley also worked with the Anderson County Election Commission and the Democratic Executive Committee. He was especially proud of his involvement in fundraising activities for the Shriners in support of their children's hospitals and working with the Local Lodge History Project.