Love, laughter and solidarity on the docks in Liverpool, c.1950s–1990s

Copestake, Emma (2023) Love, laughter and solidarity on the docks in Liverpool, c.1950s–1990s. The Sociological Review, 71 (2). pp. 441-457.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00380261221150340

Abstract

<jats:p>By focusing on love and humour, this article examines the role of positive emotions in the making and remaking of solidarity on the docks in Liverpool to demonstrate that solidarity was, and still is, embedded within power dynamics that shaped daily life. After outlining the persistent insecurities dock workers and their families faced due to the casual system of employment in place until 1967, the dangerous nature of work and the impact of containerisation, I assess how experiences during this period were remembered. A combination of oral history interviews and archival records of the National Dock Labour Board and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company are used to highlight the significance of family support, the dockers’ bucket and nicknames to understanding the emotional dimensions of class. Ultimately, I outline that solidarity action should not be understood as overt moments of political struggle alone as it was sustained by creating moments of happiness and joy.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2023 09:52
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2023 03:48
DOI:	10.1177/00380261221150340
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1177/00380261221150340
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169353