The Betrayal of Local 14: Paperworkers Politics and Permanent Replacements (Ilr Press Books)

About this book

International Paper the richest paper company and largest landowner in the United States enjoyed record profits and gave large bonuses to executives in 1987 that same year the company demanded that employees take a substantial paycut sacrifice hundreds of jobs and forego their Christmas holiday. At the Adroscoggin Mill in Jay Maine twelve hundred workers responded by going on strike from June 1987 to October 1988. Local union members mobilized an army of volunteers but International Paper brought in permanent replacement workers and the strike was ultimately lost. Julius G. Getman tells the story of that strike and its implicationsa story of a community changing under pressure; of surprising leaders strategists and orators emerging; of lifelong friendships destroyed and new bonds forged. At a time when the role of organized labor is in transition Getman suggests this strike has particular significance. He documents the early negotiations the battle for public opinion the heroic efforts to maintain solidarity and the local unions sense of betrayal by its national leadership. With exceptional richness in perspective Getman includes the memories and informed speculations of union stalwarts managers and workers including those who crossed the picket line and shows the damage years later to the individuals the community and the mill. He demonstrates the laws bias the companys undervaluing of employees and the international unions excessive concern with internal politics.