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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:30
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BACKGROUND
: Born August 22, 1912 in Milwaukee; raised on north side. Parents both Swiss-born, but all seven children born in U.S. as parents migrated to country about 1898.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
01:30
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EDUCATION OF HAROLD CHRISTOFFEL
: Attended elementary school on north side, then Boys' Trades and Technical high school and finally Milwaukee Vocational School to study engineering after began to work at Allis-Chalmers as an apprentice. Interested in electrical work from an early age.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
03:00
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FAVORABLE CAREER POSSIBILITIES FOR ELECTRICIANS IN 1920's
: Father a craftsman; one brother an electrician, “so it was just natural for me to go into some craft.”
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
03:30
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POLITICS OF CHRISTOFFEL FAMILY
: Milwaukee a socialist town in Harold's youth; father a socialist out of Swiss tradition. Harold became involved and “somewhat active” in young socialists, comprised of people of various leanings, some content with politicians and others not. Would get together with such individuals as Andrew Biemiller; Al Benson, Milwaukee County sheriff who “always had time for young socialists at Brisbane Hall at 6th and Juneau.” Recalls how Benson in 1933 the first to tell the young socialists of section 7(a) of National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA).
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
05:45
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MORE ON FAMILY POLITICS
: Little ongoing discussion among family members. Recalls how his father, before he died when Harold was twelve years old, would occasionally take him to political meetings at hall at 12th Street and North Avenue.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
06:35
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BEGINS APPRENTICESHIP AT ALLIS-CHALMERS (A-C) IN 1932
: Apprenticed at A-C because “we thought it was a good place.” Worked with vocational school electrical instructor; first went to Louis Allis Company, but instructor urged him to go to A-C, where had opportunity to learn about workings of electrical department and get a well-rounded knowledge. Spent much time in electrical testing department, a shop which at that time operated four days per week, but only two or three days of work available for most employees. Apprentices worked about two days a week, with wages beginning at eighteen cents per hour based on average of one-half wages of journeyman.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
10:00
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ALLIS-CHALMERS WORKS COUNCIL
: Established about same time workers began to organize labor unions. Benson encouraged Christoffel to become active in union organizing. First meeting held in Shop #51 after Christoffel posted notice on bulletin board. Nearly one hundred percent of workers in electrical department in favor of a union. IBEW the only union through which could obtain a charter for a local; later discovered that IBEW leadership “not too interested” in workers taking over the union, preferring to engage in actions to prevent industrial unions from absorbing IBEW. But IBEW, though local international representative Ed Brown, made it possible for separate local to be chartered. Tried also to get molders, machinists, and other crafts organized at A-C but “workers weren't ready....“ yet.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
14:05
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DESCRIPTION OF A-C WORKS COUNCIL
: “Never really meant anything; it was a joke and we helped it be a joke.” Various departments elected representatives to Council, which Christoffel and others at first used as a basis to organize workers. In second year of Council's existence, Christoffel having reached age of 21, ran successfully from his department. Recalls attempted ballot fraud in behalf of company who ran against him. From standpoint of A-C management, Works Council necessary because “what else could they do?” First Council installed candy machines, with Council receiving one-cent profit from each nickel; some of profits went to purchase false limbs to workers who had lost them “which was fine but it wasn't the union.” Another Council project was to replace metal toilet seats with wooden ones.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
17:50
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CHRISTOFFEL USES WORKS COUNCIL POSITION TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH WORKERS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS
: Made rounds collecting dues. Doesn't recall Art Anderson, who often voted with Christoffel at Works Council meetings.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
18:55
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WHY FEDERAL LABOR UNION (FLU) SUCCEEDS IBEW UNION
: Aware that FLU's were being organized in Milwaukee area, particularly at A.O. Smith which included almost every worker in the plant. FLU charter the simplest way to organize all the workers at A-C. To get charter, had to organize non-craft stockroom and tool room workers; got cards printed so electrical department workers could begin paying dues to FLU instead of IBEW.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
20:55
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FLU 20136 CHARTER
: No one from AFL worked with Christoffel and others in organizing FLU 20136; they “just sent in for a charter.” “We wanted to build a union; we built the union; we did it all within ourselves; that's where the name Allis-Chalmers Workers' Union came from.” After getting electrical department workers in FLU, “it went like wildfire,” with most plant workers organized quite quickly.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
22:35
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FEDERATED TRADES COUNCIL (FTC) REFUSES TO SEAT FLU 20136 DELEGATION
: 20136 collected and forwarded dues to FTC, but “they refused us.” Challenged FTC leadership to seat them, “but they got their instructions not to seat us.” Decided, therefore, to seek affiliation with auto workers.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
23:25
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REASON FOR QUICK GROWTH OF FLU 20136
: Once word spread that electrical department workers had joined FLU, “all we had to do was pass out applications....” Dues were one dollar per member. Had thousands of workers signed up in a matter of weeks. Many meetings held, although had to be cautious since president of IBEW local was anti-FLU electrical maintenance man. Invited auto worker leaders to large meeting, presented a charter as UAW Local 248 “and that was it.”
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
25:25
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IMPORTANCE OF JULIUS BLUNK
: Charter member, solid unionist who had no hesitation in helping to launch FLU.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
26:00
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A-C WORKERS NEED LITTLE CONVINCING TO JOIN UNION
: “Everybody wanted to join a union, that was in the air in those days...it was just a question of getting an industrial union.” Reiterates importance of FTC aiding unionization at A-C by refusing to seat FLU representatives.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
26:50
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CONTACT PEOPLE FROM UAW
: Doesn't recall, but worked with leaders in UAW Locals 72 and 75 (Nash Motors). Ed Hall, vice president of UAW (Local 75), “officially brought us in.”
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
27:50
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REACTION BY A-C MANAGEMENT
: Union was an accomplished fact which “bowled them over, the fact that we were able to do it quickly and without any opposition being able to be built up.”
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
28:45
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HOMER MARTIN
: A “very smooth operator”; no inkling Martin was working for Ford Motor Co. management at that point. Local 248 very active in helping international when AFL and CIO split occurred.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
29:45
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END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:30
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ROLE OF COMMUNIST AND SOCIALIST PARTIES IN UNION ORGANIZING ACTIVITY
: Occasionally met Eugene Dennis and others active in union organizing and in other types of progressive activity. When Socialist-controlled FTC refused to seat FLU 20136 delegates, it was like a slap in the face. Socialists not active in CIO organizing activity, tied to AFL “which sat on its hands.” Shop organizing stemmed from feeling that a job had to be done; later, mechanics of running the union preoccupied such leaders as Christoffel. The Communist Party “was one thing; we were something else”; communists were accepted in the union at a time when the “only ones who aren't called Red are the ones who aren't doing anything.” Communist label meant nothing in the 1930's, came to mean something later during McCarthy period. In Local 248, the issue was not whether worker was a communist or socialist but rather factionalism in the union among various shops. Christoffel and other leaders insisted that nothing should disturb 248 unity; “there was only us and the company....” By dint of organizing workers, 248 leaders unquestionably all were radicals. Successful unionism to many old-timers considered to be very radical, especially when a union backed them up and promoted loyalty. Grievances became “an everyday thing for everybody,” not just an annual event. Purpose of a union is to be effective spokesman for its members.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
08:45
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INSPIRATION FOR BUILDING MILITANT UNION
: Grievance procedure the cornerstone for Local 248 because it took the steward structure a step further. Committeemen in the union were equivalent to company foremen. Helped to institute pride in workers who could speak up with union backing.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
10:30
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WHY A-C MANAGEMENT RESISTS UNIONISM
: Company management not single-headed, but comprised of diverse individuals. Relations by-and-large good with shop managers; recalls fairness of works manager William Watson. Top manager like Max Babb and Otto Falk relatively friendly also. Greatest cause of eventual confrontation was legal department staff, later industrial relations department, headed up by Harold Story. Amicable relations with management for several years until management balked over union security issue, which allowed A-C management less chance to undermine the union.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
13:15
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HAROLD STORY
: Not an obnoxious person, just “dead set against the union being entrenched.” Story tried to work on Christoffel “to be a good boy” so union could be controlled. Recalls once being offered job in erection department to do set-up work around the world, an offer made once after 1938, at which point strike would have been fatal because it would have led to a “back-door agreement” between Local 248 and A-C during problem with Homer Martin.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
16:55
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MAX BABB ATTEMPTS TO REMUNERATE CHRISTOFFEL AFTER 1938 STRIKE AVERTED
: After Christoffel refused payment he was “real aces” with Max Babb. Outside of basic needs, money not all that important to Christoffel. Christoffel a “purist” who insisted that union conventions not a good time to go on a spree, expending funds from union treasury.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
19:25
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NLRB ELECTION IN JANUARY 1938
: Never a contest, with Local 248 winning by a six to one margin. Election held in the shop with company cooperation because union too solid to be discouraged.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
20:50
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HOMER MARTIN CONTROVERSY IN 1938
: Company could have used Martin 248 controversy to its advantage only if there had been a strike.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
21:15
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ROLE OF GEORGE KIEBLER
: A Martin loyalist until Martin-Ford Motor Company ties became known.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
21:45
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UAW ADMINISTRATOR ATTEMPTS TO COLLECT LOCAL 248 RECORDS
: Set up separate administrative office, took records, but Local 248 continued business as usual. Recalls how 248 set up picket line, erased all letters on “ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE” sign except “RAT OFFICE.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
23:15
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FLYING SQUADRON
: “Never really amounted to much.” Idea came originally out of Detroit as way to help other unions on strike by picketing with a “help squad.” Squadron made up of individuals other than stewards who could be depended on to help. Later, accusation made in press simply to provide to workers proof that Local 248 opponents constantly “spread their baloney.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
25:40
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REASONS FOR 1939 STRIKE
: Union security the primary issue; other issues included wage increases and strengthening grievance procedure. “They were trying to push back and we were trying to go forward.” Probably no strike would have occurred had A-C legal department not pushed so hard to reverse direction of union-management relations. Strike was necessary; “we had the strength” in 1939 as contrasted with a year earlier.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
28:30
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END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:40
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IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL 248 EDUCATION PROGRAM
: Went hand-in-hand with steward structure. Full-time education director published newspaper filled with labor history and current events for workers. Women's Auxiliary established (“at that time, everybody had a women's auxiliary”) but never did a great deal compared to steward structure. Stresses importance of bringing women and men together for Local 248 social activities.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
03:35
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PROBLEMS LEADING TO 1941 STRIKE
: Infrequent work stoppages over minor issues except for “McQuitty Affair” which drew much attention because situation so clear-cut. Explains background of McQuitty, a steward, and a foreman which occurred at a time when some foremen being pressed to oppose union more forcefully. Normally, foremen acted decently, but in that instance tried to create an issue. By and large “we got along reasonably well” and most problems worked out peacefully. Union security and wages were leading issues causing strike. 248 membership knew that A-C management was creating anti-union feelings, so union security must be important consideration.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
11:25
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EVIDENCE OF GROWING ANTI-UNION SENTIMENT BY COMPANY
: Some workers in shops, acting as company agents, attempted to build sentiment against 248 leaders and structure; union security would help to insulate union from such efforts. “We didn't ask for the moon; we just wanted to get along.” Emphasizes again the generally amicable union-management relations in the plant.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
14:40
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PROSPECT OF WAR IN 1941
: Realized that United States moving in that direction; national government also recognized importance of maintaining good worker-management relations so union reasoned time was right to press for security issue. Government-established labor boards would “provide the oil that would make the machine work better where there were friction situations like we had at Allis.” Disagreement by A-C management forced government to step in.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
16:25
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LOCAL 248 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
: 248 policy exceptional among unions where grievance-filing was an exception. “We had a policy of making the grievance the everyday thing so we had lots of them.” Local 248 proud, “exceptionally proud,” of its grievance record.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
18:05
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WAR LABOR ARBITRATIONS DURING WORLD WAR II
: Arbitrator assigned as part of union contract with A-C. First arbitrator, Dean Lloyd Garrison, was an “outstanding liberal”; Local 248 later decided mechanism might work better with a non-liberal. Spohn, with background of management sympathies, had a “good, honest record.” By time Christoffel drafted into Army in 1944, company was as anti-Spohn as it was anti-union.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
21:35
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CHANGE IN COMPOSITION OF A-C WORK FORCE DURING WORLD WAR II
: Number of workers increased; more women, more younger people who lacked background and training in shop. Some new workers, like those at new Hawley Street plant, very involved in union but most just rode along, lacking knowledge of union past to have “that loyalty feeling” like older workers. New workers not anti-union but just not strong participants in union affairs. Women classified into certain jobs; recalls no problem over same pay as men for comparable work. Local 248 had strong policy of non-discrimination. Blacks worked only in foundry. “We had to learn about those things [involving discrimination] like everybody else.” Recalls trip to Washington where first encountered discrimination against a black union member which was “a real eye-opening thing.” After Local 248 members found out that taverns in West Allis charged blacks more for a glass of beer, officials insisted practice be stopped. “Whenever anything existed which divided workers, we saw to it that there was unity and then there was no more discrimination....”
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
28:50
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END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:30
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ORIGINS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY INDUSTRIAL UNION COUNCIL IN 1937
: Needed central organization for many new CIO unions being organized; clearinghouse for unions to meet, take joint action. No organizing work carried on by County IUC since all organizing done through internationals, especially steel (SWOC). Unlike State IUC, not an extensive educational program at county level. County IUC made some effort to endorse state and national political candidates, especially before PAC created in early 1940's. State IUC in early days not factionalized like situation in UAW-CIO, where Walter Reuther responsible for factionalism because he was “dying to be president.”
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
05:40
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WALTER REUTHER
: Like Christoffel, came out of socialist background. Recalls how Reuther in 1930's took him to several socialist meetings in Detroit; anecdote about how Reuther told Christoffel that they would meet in crawl space “comes the revolution.” Personal ambition, which Philip Murray was aware of also, was Reuther's “big failing.” Reuther opposed Homer Martin, but only belatedly.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
07:40
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BRIEF INTERRUPTION
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
07:45
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ORIGINS OF WISCONSIN STATE INDUSTRIAL UNION COUNCIL
: Emil Costello's expulsion from WSFL executive board capped a situation in which “it was clear that there was not going to be any cooperation [with federation].” Because of work in Local 248, Christoffel little time to get involved in State IUC in formative years.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
09:55
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REASON FOR EMIL COSTELLO'S EFFECTIVENESS
: Outgoing and friendly; effective at making many contacts.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
11:05
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REASONS FOR MEYER ADELMAN'S EFFECTIVENESS AS SWOC ORGANIZER
: Had knack of getting a group together, maintaining good relations with national office in Pittsburgh where he was well-liked by Murray. Hard-working field organizer who believed that organization must be done from within worker ranks.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
13:55
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IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO GO ABOUT SETTING UP UNION AND MORE ON MEYER ADELMAN
: Reiterates importance of information he had obtained from IBEW representative Ed Brown. Recalls how he and other inexperienced workers struggled at such tasks as running a meeting and keeping financial records. “When we were elected we didn't know enough to elect the right person to do the job he was doing.” Good organizers must act swiftly. Adelman, a good speaker, was an “able guy and for all his weight he did real well.” Tells anecdote about how short a distance Adelman could walk; interviewer responds with a Walter Burke anecdote about chauffering Adelman.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
17:10
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WHY UAW LOCALS IN RACINE AREA SLOW TO JOIN STATE IUC
: State's earliest UAW locals set up there, perhaps used to “going it alone” and perhaps looked at newer locals as “upstarts.” George Kiebler's ties were to Detroit and he paid relatively little attention to Milwaukee. UAW Local 248 maintained good relations with such UAW leaders as Ed Hall, Wyndom Nortimer, and R. J. Thomas in 1930's and '40's despite the fact that “their life styles were entirely different from ours.” 248 officers went to conventions and meetings to work, not to sit around hotels and play cards. In that context 248 closer to Reuther, also a convention worker.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
21:05
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UAW-CIO LEADERSHIP
: After Martin left, Murray favored R. J. Thomas as stopgap president because was afraid of Reuther's ambitiousness, borne out later when Reuther set up a “closed corporation.”
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
21:55
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HARVEY KITZMAN'S POLITICS AS LEADER OF STATE IUC
: Challenges interviewer's assumption that there was a “left” and a “right” wing in late 1930's, indicating those terms used only with passage of Taft-Hartley legislation. “We thought in terms of him being closer to the Detroit crowd--and he was... “ which set him apart from concerns of Local 248. 248 had little interest in international's politics after Martin left. Reiterates problem created when Reuther established a “closed corporation” in UAW bureaucracy, adding dismay over IBEW officials urging members of local to vote against holding a convention.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
24:45
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CLOSENESS TO COMMUNIST PARTY LINE OF COUNTY AND STATE IUC RESOLUTIONS
: Wondered what all the red-baiting was about at the time. Statements made by such leaders as Fred Wolter [UE Local 1111 at Allen Bradley] made in context of internal union power struggles, which Local 248 didn't have. Bosses and companies talked about “reds,” not the workers. Christoffel felt strongly that politics of worker are personal, “but when he was a union man he was a union man and that was all.... We accepted everything as long as they were for the union because that's the only way we felt we could have unity.” Passage of Taft-Hartley legislation changed way many workers thought but “we just didn't think that way....”
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
27:30
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MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LABOR SCHOOL AS A SOURCE OF RED-BAITING
: Red-baiting emerged from Marquette, possibly because of influence of those who made important corporate endowments. “Labor” classes established were forums for anti-union instruction.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
28:40
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END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:30
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RED-BAITING AT MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
: Some repercussions for Local 248, since several union members taught to use parliamentary procedure to challenge union leadership at meetings. Christoffel as meeting chair responsible for protecting welfare of the group, ruled “disruptive” motions out of order but encouraged motion-maker to air any problem. Opposition during elections expected, but not disruptive motions or attempts to set up factions to threaten union solidarity.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
04:25
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ATTEMPT BY INTERNATIONAL TO DIVIDE UNION BY DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS
: International responsible for leafleting at plant gate after administratorship set up for Local 248 in Martin period. Later found leaflet stencils in Milwaukee alternative office set up by administratorship, revealed by Christoffel at convention. “They had no opposition; they had to manufacture opposition....”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
06:50
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ACTIVITY OF ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC TRADE UNIONISTS (ACTU) IN MILWAUKEE
: Doesn't believe it amounted to much in Milwaukee; never a factor in 248. Knew that some priests tried unsuccessfully to counsel some 248 members, but opposition to 248 “came strictly from the company.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
08:45
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SPECULATION BY INTERVIEWEE AND INTERVIEWER ABOUT POSSIBLE MARQUETTE LABOR SCHOOL/ACTU TIE
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
09:15
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CIO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)
: State formed PAC as instructed by national CIO, to support candidates friendly to labor.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
09:55
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INFLUENCE OF STATE CIO ON OUTCOME OF 1946 SENATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION
: “One of those stories that started out and the myth has continued.” Christoffel reminds interviewer that he was in the Army in 1946 and not active in senatorial campaign. Most political activity at state level; Christoffel's role very minor in day-to-day activities of State IUC. County IUC tended to follow decisions made by State IUC. “My work was at 248”; others like Costello, Gunnar Mickelsen, and Walter Burke more involved in State IUC operations. Describes how all CIO offices situated in the same building, and “Big Meyer” [Adelman] paid the bills” because the State IUC had little funding.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
12:40
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WHY FEELING BUILDS IN STATE CIO AGAINST ROBERT M. LA FOLLETTE, JR.
: “La Follette did some things which were certainly not in the La Follette tradition....” Had some peculiar ideas which labor disagreed with; seemed to be moving toward personal advantage. “The enthusiasm [by La Follette for industrial unionism] just wasn't there.” Record may show State CIO criticism of La Follette which should not be interpreted to mean pro-McCarthy. Recalls that McCarthy strong upstate and that Milwaukee had to be very strong to counteract upstate vote. Disputes myth built around “the Left was supporting McCarthy and it's so ridiculous.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
16:00
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LOCAL 248 CHALLENGES AFTER CHRISTOFFEL INDUCTED INTO ARMY
: Much good will and support for 248 by end of war, but a “wearing down process” had begun to affect local's members. Union “did pretty well” when it had to fight just A-C management, but then came intense anti-248 drive by press and government. Local 248 picked out “as the boy to whip.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
19:25
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A-C MANAGEMENT BEGINS ANTI-248 BARRAGE
: Believes Story intent on smashing union ever since settlement of 1941 strike. Recalls telephone conversation in which Story very disturbed by terms of settlement, stated that settlement was “temporary.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
20:25
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STORY ATTEMPTS TO WIN OVER CHRISTOFFEL
: Story literally sent Christoffel a silver spoon after son Tom born. Talked to Christoffel in his office “by the hour about his hunting....” Anecdote about flavored toothpicks following Christoffel's offhand remark that Christoffel and Story would “just sit there by the hour gassing” because he wanted Christoffel to be “a good company boy.” General Falk had made references to Christoffel as “our Harold and the union's Harold.” Emphasizes how workers through union “should be recognized as equal to the company when we're bargaining....”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
23:55
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WAR LABOR BOARD (WLB) DECISIONS ANTAGONIZE A-C MANAGEMENT
: Union maintenance decisions by WLB led to A-C management to work for modifications once war over. Well-planned drive by A-C against union led to strike which started while Christoffel in Army. Signs leading up strike there by time he left for Army; kept imploring company to do what was “right” for its workers, a philosophy contrary to an A-C management which “wanted a union which was a subservient union...“ lacking bargaining power.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
25:20
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ROBERT BUSE, CHRISTOFFEL'S SUCCESSOR AS LOCAL 248 PRESIDENT
: Did good job leading strike supported by R. J. Thomas of UAW. Strike of 1946-47 an “all-out-war” which could not compare with earlier strikes when 248 fought alone against the international as well as the company. A-C in excellent financial condition because of war profits and Story desperately wanted to win after numerous WLB losses. “Had there been no Reuther maybe it would've been different, maybe Story wouldn't have been as strong in his opposition.”
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
29:45
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END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 1
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:00
|
INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:30
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IMPACT OF TAFT-HARTLEY LEGISLATION ON STATE AND COUNTY IUC's
: Recalls no threat and little opposition to County IUC when left for Army. After Taft-Hartley Act passed, there was “an entirely different picture, one of complete upheaval, and, of course, that's the greatest tragedy of the union period that I lived with....” Union leaders failed to follow John L. Lewis's characterization of Taft-Hartley as a “slave labor law.” Both AFL and CIO should have closed ranks but too many unionists acted like Taft-Hartley supporters.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
03:20
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CHRISTOFFEL AND BUSE TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR IN EARLY MARCH 1947
: Went to testify to “play a trump card,” to ask committee to arbitrate the 1946-47 A-C strike that was clearly anti-union. R. J. Thomas was supposed to testify and present documentation before committee, but House members insisted on Christoffel and Buse.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
06:15
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INTERVIEWER INTERJECTS COMMENTS ABOUT STORY'S DONATION OF EXHIBIT MATERIALS TO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN
: Education and Labor Committee members included John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
07:10
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OUTCOME OF 1946-47 STRIKE
: Dragged out for eleven months; settled when workers on very close vote, decided to end strike. “It was remarkable that after all of that, after eleven months of striking, that you did get half [the vote].” A-C “accomplished what they had set out to do.”
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
09:50
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IMPOSSIBLE FOR LOCAL 248 TO SURVIVE IN PRESENT FORM AMONG OVERWHELMING COMBINATION OF OPPONENTS
: Has always questioned company and government cooperating with press acting as spokesman; combination too strong to defeat in the broader context of UAW internal politics. Has reason to believe, but not able to prove, that Reuther met with Story. Workers had right to replace Local 248 leadership; hardest to accept personally was firing of more than ninety 248 members, most of whom if not all older than Christoffel.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
12:05
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CHRISTOFFEL'S TRIP WEST WITH FRED McSTROUL IN 1932
: Bummed across every state west of the Mississippi; worked in box factory in Arizona where got paid more than most because they weren't Mexicans; picked apples in Washington. Trip was “a tremendous experience,” loafing in national parks, including almost two months in Yellowstone, or spending nights in jail at a time when many people were “on the bum.” Anecdote about buying provisions in Cody, Wyoming, constructing push cart from materials retrieved from dumping ground, and hauling provisions to campsite. Protected some food from bears by devising “bear alarm clock” or by putting such items as bacon and sugar in tree limb. Recalls how he and a bear chased one another back and forth after bear raid. Ate mostly fish; ten per day could be caught for $3.00 park entrance fee at Yellowstone Park. McStroul, also from old socialist Milwaukee family, a very close friend.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
22:05
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FREQUENCY OF OLD LOCAL 248 MEMBERS GETTING TOGETHER
: Occasionally see one another to discuss what the turbulent years meant. CIO unions which lived went on, while attempts to organize such plants as Falk Corporation “never clicked.” CIO nationally made outstanding contribution to industrial union workers, a “giant step” in the right direction, thanks to John L. Lewis and others.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
24:55
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IMPORTANCE OF THE CIO IN ORGANIZING WORKERS
: Electrical workers at A-C alone “never could have lived” without ability to organize along industrial lines. Would have been “just another company without a union,” workers would have had less money and little pride and dignity. Workers are more than animals to be hired and fired, manipulated by company.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
26:40
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SUPPORT FOR CAUSES AND POSITIONS HELD BY COMMUNIST PARTY
: Position was that things done must be “best for the union, best for the workers. That's what we did.” Absolutely no regrets over what was accomplished, despite mistakes. “I still think what we did was right, basically.”
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
29:35
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END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 2
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:00
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INTERVIEWER'S INTRODUCTION
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:30
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CHRISTOFFEL INTERVENTION IN WORK STOPPAGE
: Recalls Harold Story's amazement how workers would listen to Christoffel, but not to a foreman or superintendent who said identical thing, because workers had confidence in union leadership.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
01:55
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INSTILLATION OF OLD SPIRIT IN TODAY'S LABOR MOVEMENT
: Times today not the same; same type of situation needed to get same reactions from workers. May be a comparable rebirth in labor; a “real feeling of belonging.” Local 248 workers did not view leadership as “them”; viewed union as “us.” “We were all one,” with everyone a part to play. Union education necessary for workers today, at a time when they are instilled with much “anti-union garbage.” Worker must be supported if working for common good but who sticks out his neck. Progress for blacks and women in labor movement has been made as carryover from CIO days, and must continue. Oil companies should be nationalized as a form of tax relief, “that kind of thing.” “I'd yell from the rooftops,” not just for public ownership of bus companies. “Oil belongs to the people.” Not a question of socialism or communism but of people rallying around ownership of a basic resource.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
09:50
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NATIONALIZING OIL WITHIN STRUCTURE OF TWO-PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM
: Must restore feeling that existed in old CIO, where everybody works together. Not a simple task, but a few solid unions must step out to lead. Situation today looks ripe.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
11:55
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SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM
: “Hell, I wouldn't be talking about preserving social security, I'd be talking about advancing social security, making things better.” Basic issues like social security must be brought to attention of workers by outspoken labor leaders.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
13:55
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IMPACT OF LATE 1940's PURGE OF LEFT ON CONTEMPORARY LABOR LEADERSHIP
: Now a new crop of labor leaders but “worst thing that happened to labor was the ostracizing...and the cutting off of the left of the labor movement. It was a terrible thing.” Time left, however, to step forward. “To hell with the nickel...I want to make a better world and you don't make a better world by a little patch work....” Forward-looking people can't fear being labeled, or of being “sawed off” like such former leaders as Christoffel.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
17:05
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IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP FOR CREATING FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ORGANIZING WORKERS
: Anticipates election of president in 1984 who will, like Franklin D. Roosevelt, make it possible for workers to organize solidly. Need to create a situation “to capture the imagination of the workers.”
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
18:00
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INTERVIEWEE INVITES INTERVIEWER TO RETURN
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
19:05
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INTERVIEWER REMINDS CHRISTOFFEL OF IMPORTANCE OF SUCH INTERVIEWS FOR THE HISTORICAL RECORD
: Christoffel comments on difficulty of bridging generation gap because times are vastly different. “McCarthyism wall was a very solid wall and it's hard to believe how we lived before and how the freedom of organization and enthusiasm we had...“ allowed forward steps to be made and provide a base that still exists.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
21:10
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END OF INTERVIEW
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