Jim Prendergast

Jim Prendergast (19141974) was a leading communist, civil rights activist, trade union leader, and member of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). He joined the Irish section of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), founded the Connolly Association to support Irish immigrants in Britain, and served as the editor of Irish Freedom. In 1966 as a leading member of the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR), Prendergast led a successful campaign to end racial segregation (the colour bar) in employment of London Underground rail stations, allowing black people to become station employees.

Early adult life Jim Prendergast was born on 14 January 1914, in the Irish city of Dublin. He began working at the age of 14 as a machine operator in a mineral water factory. Soon afterwards Prendergast was elected a Political Delegate for the Irish section of the International Brigades and made an officer after being persuaded by Will Paynter to attend an officer training course a position he held until he was wounded near Jarama on 12 February 1937.

Creation of the Connolly Association In 1938 Jim Prendergast became one of the founding members of the Connolly Association (originally founded as the Connolly Club), In January 1939 the Connolly Association published a newspaper titled Irish Freedom (renamed Irish Democrat in 1945), Guards at Euston station were receiving £10-£15 more each week on average than the staff at other London railway stations.