Chris Rodriques worked in several New Bedford fish houses during the 1970s and 1980s and saw the changes in that sector as a result of the strike and the loss of the fish house workers union. She was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Chris grew up in a family with a background in various professions, including grocery store ownership and pharmacy work. Chris herself initially pursued a career in the telephone company and other odd jobs, but eventually found employment in the New Bedford fish houses during the 1970s and 1980s. She started working at Golden Eye, where she learned the intricacies of fish processing, including trimming, packing, and more. Chris's experiences eventually led her to a career in computer work, but her connection to the waterfront and the fishing industry remains strong.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Chris Rodriques, conducted by Markham Starr, captures her extensive experience as a fish house worker during the 1970s and 1980s in New Bedford. Chris recounts her journey from working at Golden Eye to other fish processing plants like J.B. Fillet and Kyler. She describes various roles she undertook, from trimming fish to packing, weighing, and shipping. Chris offers insights into the challenges and camaraderie within the fish house community, highlighting the predominantly immigrant workforce, especially Cape Verdean and Portuguese women. She discusses the impact of the strike, the changes in pay and benefits, and the eventual decline of the fish houses due to automation and external factors. Chris also reflects on the sense of connection to the ocean and seafood that shaped her life, even after leaving the fish house industry. Occasionally, Chris and her colleagues would work on Saturdays for extra pay, especially when there was a big order. Some fish houses she worked for, like Sea View, Cape Way, Tichon's, Parisi's, Riello's, and MacLean’s, are no longer in existence. She also talks about the drinking culture in fish houses, with paydays leading to trips to bars, and how the work environment included a diverse community of immigrants and even a lesbian community. She reflects on the sense of family that developed among coworkers, with company picnics and outings. She also mentions the introduction of cutting machines from Iceland and Germany, which changed the dynamics of the industry.