Mark Nugent (b. 1940)

At the age of 19, Offaly man Mark Nugent joined Bord na Móna and his first job was digging railway drains at Derrygreenagh Bog. In 1959 he joined the union when Christy Rochford was the local organiser. In the early days piece work was the norm and this was the incentive for hard work. Mark Nugent recalls the work conditions, the improvements over the years and the bonuses which were given. He also recalls his time as shop steward and discusses the pecking order which prevailed among the management and staff at the Bord. He maintains that the workers felt that being employed by Bord na Móna was a source of pride and became a way of life rather than just a job.