Memories of an old port worker - Caleb Hunter

Tears streamed down his face as he spoke of his days working as a stevedore for the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ). At 104 years old, Caleb Hunter's memory isn't what it used to be, but his tears aren't of sadness, but the pride and joy he feels even now, almost 40 years after retirement.

Hunter began working at the port in 1936. He was fascinated by the activities during trips to transport cargo from the terminal for his then employer. On his trips, he would enquire about job opportunities and when his time came, he started out as a hand truck operator. It didn't take him long to move up the ranks to stacker and then steam crane operator.

The 1930s in the shipping industry was marked by industrial unrest, and Hunter clearly recalls the arrival of Sir Alexander Bustamante. Sir Alexander, he said, "did good for the workers in negotiating for more benefits on their behalf". This, he said, resulted in him being able to save for his 'big house.'

However, Hunter did not agree with the worker strikes of 1938. Participating in the riots never crossed his mind. He often stayed home during these times.

"Some workers didn't have the understanding that if yuh mash up the company, yuh would have no job," Hunter said.

Describing some of the men of the time as "hard ears", Hunter said he believed in "taking care of the job and the company you worked for".

"They used to behave like they could get another job, but getting another job wasn't always easy," Hunter recalled.

REGISTERED

In 1939, he became a registered port worker, employed to the SAJ, and served in the position for 35 years before his retirement in 1974.

"It's a good place to work, a good company, they remember you at all times," Hunter said of the SAJ.

One fond memory he has of the SAJ is the gifts at Christmas.

"When Christmas came they would lend you a money, but they would give you a little thing, too," he recalled.

Though his memory is failing, his stories live on through his son Orville - his caregiver. Gazing adoringly at his father, Orville said his father taught him good work ethic. "He always said it was important to be at work on time … ."

Caleb Hunter will be 105 on November 9, 2014.