 In 1889 McGhee was a co-founder of the National Union of Dock Labourers (NUDL) and was for a time its President.In 1893 McGhee resigned from the NUDL but continued to be active in related trade unionism becoming an executive council member of the International Federation of Ship, Dock and River Workers, later the International Transport Workers' Federation and he worked with the National Union of Seamen on various campaigns to improve working conditions.As a strong supporter of Home Rule, McGhee was engaged in political activity and sought a nomination for a Parliamentary seat.