The fonds consists of textual material (subject files, correspondence, minutes, financial statements, and printed material) relating to Tom McGrath's activities with the following unions: International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers, Vancouver Local 97, 1955-1964; Canadian Ironworkers Local No. 1, 1960-1968; Wood, Wine and Metal Lather's International Union, 1960-1973; Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers, Seamen's Section, Local 400, 1968-1982; and the Canadian Merchant Navy Association, 1990-1995. The fonds also includes interviews with various individuals including Frank Kennedy, Art Kube, Cliff Anstein, and Jess Succamore, involved in solidarity and union issues, his political campaign on behalf of the New Democratic Party in the Vancouver-Little Mountain provincial riding, and photographs of the Second Narrows Bridge.