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Series: Interview with David Kneebone, August 15, 1984 (#s 4-6) and , August 20, 1984 (#s 7-10)
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:35
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Becoming a Printer : 1966. Relatives worked in the trade.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
01:35
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Respect and Security : A good job. Grandfather worked regularly as printer during the Depression. International Typographical Union (ITU) took care of members during Depression through jobsharing. Newspapers provide steady work. “As secure a thing as you could ever want.”
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
02:25
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Apprenticeship : One-year probation. Union and management decide whether allowed to continue--most pass. Written tests--union screens applicants prior to first year. Joint apprenticeship committees. Timetables. Six-year program. Forced to serve full six years because of union activity.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
04:55
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Aid to Apprentices : Start at 45 percent of scale. Five percent increase every six months. “You were treated very special.” Get whatever help necessary. “It was a joy.”
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
05:55
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Conflict with Management over Linotype Training : Linotype was “the most fascinating piece of equipment in the whole place.” He knew it was outdated but wanted training. Apprenticeship based on learning skills to work for any employer. Regrets not trained on linotype. The few available linotype situations pay well. Produces a fine product.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
08:45
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Phasing Out Hot Metal Typesetting : ITU took lead in developing new processes. Locals kept abreast of developments.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
09:30
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Tape-Operated Linotypes : Perforate tape. At first, put tape on linotype. Later, computerized. Tape slightly faster than manually operated linotypes. Computer solves problem with ends of lines. Operator punches tape. Run tape through reader. Computer justifies lines.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
12:30
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Final Year as Apprentice : Conflict with management. Clear he would be active in local. Last year was hard--placed on days for disciplinary reasons. Night foreman had tried to fire him. Became Chapel Chairman after a couple months on days--“kind of unheard of.” Spent most of last year as keyboard operator.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
15:25
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Jobs as Journeyman : When needed production, he marked up copy. Marked up ads to computer specifications. Describes process--marked up, pasted up, shot on camera, sent to press. Tough job--“drained” by end of shift. Did markup 4 out of 5 shifts.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
17:20
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Type Bank : Trimming and correcting. “Grunt work.” Putting in correction lines. In part, because of low seniority but also placed on type bank because of union activity. Others in ITU believed company was punishing him. Helped bring local together.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
20:05
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Foremen Removed from Contract : In contract until last agreement. NLRB made it hard to fight. Members upset when foremen get separate vacation schedule--lower seniority but preferred vacation dates.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
21:20
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ITU Role in Composing Room : Changes with new processes. Concerned about getting out product.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
22:05
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Labor Laws : Factor in change in ITU's status. General comments on history of ITU's response to 1947 Taft-Hartley Act.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
23:25
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Travellers : Source of information on conditions elsewhere. Number declines by 1970s. Often not retrained.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
24:45
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Retraining : New processes committee. Fewer apprentices, so retraining and apprenticeship committees merge. Anyone interested was retrained.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
26:30
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ITU Philosophy : Historical sketch. Importance of organizing. ITU and the split between the AFL and the CIO. Importance of internal democracy and member participation.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
00:45
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Craft Pride : Some thought that with paste up, “I'll be cutting up paper dolls, I won't be a printer anymore.” Still requires talent. Not so much as hot metal that required mechanical abilities. Not change need for “eye or perception” concerning final product. “People still take an awful lot of pride.” Especially commercial shops.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
03:20
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Contact Between Newspaper and Job Shop Members : Knew each other. Describes merger between Madison Local 106 and Milwaukee Local 23. Commercial shop members regarded Local 106 as newspaper local. Often relatively few from commercial shops at regular meetings. Stereotypes of each other. No real friction. Get together at picnics and Christmas party.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
06:30
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Craft Pride (Continued) : Well-dressed. Women printers wear dresses and skirts to work; men wear white shirts and ties. Changes with the times. Pride in job. Community and political activity of members. “Never too proud to help each other.”
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
10:00
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Member Involvement in Early 1970s : Social functions. Some younger workers not appreciate union's role in improving conditions. Many of those workers are gone--lacked pride.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
10:25
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Workplace Bonds : When become journeymen, all work on night crew. Knew each other. Co-workers and friends.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
10:50
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Union Activity : “Just seemed to happen.” Learned of Milwaukee Apprentice League. Apprentices received priority when became journeymen. Priority---credit for length of time with union. Seniority--credit for length of time with company. Pushes for priority for apprenticeship if met standards established by company and union. Won despite some local opposition. Leadership change in local.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
19:20
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Priority Explained : Claiming rights for vacations, days off, situations.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
20:25
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Situations and Claiming Competency : Situations posted for five shifts. If competent, worker with most priority claims situation. Two weeks to prove competency. If fail, lose employment for up to six months. Union rule. Management determined competency. If fail, union could bar from employment for up to six months but management could not bar for more than six months. Not always that severe.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
23:15
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Becoming Active in ITU : Not seek leadership role. Others expected him to become involved. Better person for becoming involved and trying to live up to models.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
24:50
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Chapel Chairman : As apprentice, assisted on night shift. Chapel elected chairman, who appointed assistant on other shift. They appointed own assistants. When switched to days, he replaced assistant chairman--actively sought the post. Became day chairman while still apprentice. Respected. Foreman harasses on first day as chairman.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:30
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Chapel Chairman (Continued) : Harassment. Originally placed on days for discipline.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
01:55
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Harassment : Forced to serve full six years as apprentice. Forced to cancel vacation to keep job by passing special three-week competency test. Production Manager Richard Gottlieb did not attend joint apprenticeship meeting the day before Kneebone was to receive journeyman's card (if not become journeyman after six years, lose job). Gottlieb wanted him out. No full-time job until November, 1973--worked as substitute until then.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
06:00
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Chapel Chairman (Continued) : Remained while substitute. Worthwhile experience. Out of office for 18 months but reelected “when things started getting rough again.”
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
07:25
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Conflict with Gottlieb : Run-in at joint apprenticeship committee meeting soon after Gottlieb became Production Coordinator.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
09:45
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Responsibilities of Chapel Chairman : Represent local on workfloor. Contact members to do the work (provide enough workers to do the job).
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
11:10
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Overtime : Overtime necessary if not able to provide enough members to do the work. Different views of commercial shop and newspaper workers. For latter, “goal of the union was to provide a satisfactory wage,” so that overtime was unnecessary. If overtime, then some printer was out of work because “people were too damned greedy.” Chairman has to tell workers if required to give up some overtime to a traveller. Sometimes had been forced to work overtime but still required to give it up (traveller replaces until overtime cancelled).
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
13:25
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Alcoholism among Printers : Complicates job of chairman. Talk with agencies. Try to keep from being fired. Union's view--so long as competent, no problem as far as management concerned.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
14:30
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Gottlieb : Three discharges during his first eight months. ITU won all three arbitrations. Gottlieb from Quad Cities--nonunion. “I think he felt too restricted” in Madison. Composing room workers made it clear they took orders from foreman, not from him. Big factor behind strike.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
18:15
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MNI's Move to Fish Hatchery Road : Editorial boards opposed. Gottlieb's decision.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
19:50
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ITU Role in Local Labor Movement : Richard Huffmann as Union Labor News editor. Outspoken, popular paper. Mentions judges who held ITU cards. Support for CIO--if AFL not organizing, back CIO efforts. Kneebone worked nights: so not personally involved with other unions in early 1970s (other than newspaper unions).
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
24:45
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Relations among Newspaper Locals in Early 1970s : In 1960s, joint plant council discussed common issues. Never any “closeness.” Locals learned of others bargaining from company not each other. Gives national overview. MNI mailers joined International Mailers Union after IMU-ITU split. “Always some distrust.” Locals began coming together as MNI situation became serious in mid-1970s. By 1974, “pulling together a little bit.” National merger talks important in cooperation between ITU and Newspaper Guild.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:30
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Relations among Locals (Continued) : ITU's support for CIO influences relations. Some changes in late 1960s when reporters begin making more than printers. Mid-1970s, pressmen suspicious of printers, merger with Local 23. Mailers had voted not to merge with pressmen--rumors that MNI would withhold raise if merged. Suspicions remain.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
02:55
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Sitdown Plans in 1960s : Not aware at time--apprentices sheltered. Sitdown at Carroll Street plant discussed. Uncertain about issue--believes over retraining. Approximately 1968. But union obtained language guaranteeing broad training for apprentices.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
05:20
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1974 Bargaining : Transition period from hot metal. Company praised workers. Hard to learn “on the run.” Proud of accomplishment. Management takes tough position in bargaining. Concern about MNI plans for new plant. Lee Enterprises secretive. ITU seeks job guarantee in return for giving up jurisdictional rights. MNI rejects--improves severance pay. Describes severance pay as a management issue.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
09:45
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MNI Bargaining Stance : Drag out until Christmas then offer retroactive raise (Christmas bonus). Members accept. At pre-1974 session with State Journal, ITU asked what a statement meant, told “absolutely nothing.” MNI approach--delay, try to divide members from bargaining team, play off separate locals.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
11:40
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Pressmen Settle First in 1974 : ITU and Guild in long negotiations. Pressmen settle without telling others. Mailers settle after one meeting. Then Guild settles. ITU position untenable.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
13:45
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Relations among Locals (Continued) : ITU-Pressmen tensions. Stresses accomplishment involved in 1977 cooperation.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
14:45
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Showdown Too Late : Easier to win with hot metal. With cold processes, can bring in specialists. Could get paper out with hot metal but with little local news.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
16:35
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MNI Takes Hardline : Greedy. Much easier if had waited. Gottlieb involved in a “religious crusade to rid the place of unions.” Very secretive about plans for new equipment. Not inform ITU of plans even after equipment ordered.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
20:50
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Gottlieb Promised No Jobs Would Be Lost with Transition : Verbal promise in 1974 negotiations. Influenced acceptance.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
21:45
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ITU Concern over MNI Plans : Suspicious when Gottlieb arrived. Aware of ITU's clashes with his father. Local 106 a small local with limited treasury. Influenced merger decision. Protect officers from reprisals. Stresses MNI's willingness to make example of individuals. After merger, full-time officers.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
24:40
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Gottlieb and the Other Locals : Different approach. Tries win over pressmen. Tries create company loyalists among pressmen. Internal conflict with stronger unionists winning out (1975-1976).
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
27:45
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District Managers : Organized separately. No contract for approximately 2 1/2 years before strike. Did own bargaining--concerned over pressmen's lack of enthusiasm.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
28:40
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Pressmen's View of MNI Threat : First threatened when implication of attacks of ITU become clear.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:35
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Personal Ties among Crafts : Enter as apprentice--contacts help get hired. Family networks in different departments. Informal communication channels. Concern over attacks on ITU creates uncertainty. Importance of friendship networks and interaction off the job. New journeymen all work nights--socialize off the job. Key to strike unity--“people knew each other on a personal basis.”
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
03:35
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Links among Crafts in the Plant : Extensive discussion of production process and connections among departments. At Carroll Street, some printers helped distribute papers to carriers--got to know mailers. After work socializing among night shift members. Friendship bonds especially important in shaping older workers' response.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
05:25
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1976-1977 Bargaining : Some serious bargaining between company and editorial unions. Otherwise, little serious bargaining except night before strike. Mailers close to agreement. If settled, no strike. Role of Unity Committee. If Mailers settled, no strike and MNI would have picked the unions off one by one. Mailers would have been easiest to replace.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
08:40
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Installing New Equipment, Spring 1977 : Secret. Installed behind locked doors. MNI claims not know what planning to do with it.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
12:50
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Implementation : New room built inside composing room--technician and Pinkerton there. Type handed through window. Not proofread. Classified ads typed directly in Advertising Department. ITU not seeking duplication--not oppose reporters, working at terminals. But felt outside material that had to be set was ITU work. MNI secretly hired six typists instead.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
16:05
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Layoffs : Result of unilateral reduction of ITU's jurisdiction. Work still there. Editorial boards promote image of inflexible union. Having failed to get job security, ITU insists on layoff by seniority. Forced to do new jobs--sometimes while continuing to do old job. Individuals pressured to quit. Unless take severance pay, have two weeks to prove competency. Unspoken threat--if not competent, lose job. But company able to tell court that never threatened to fire them. Anger. Humiliation. Crushed pride. Thirty-three of fifty-two lose jobs. Rest have wages cut by one-third. Pressure on those remaining. Grab overtime. Heavy drinking. Impact throughout the plant.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
24:00
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Unemployment Compensation : April 1977. No problem for the seventeen who took severance. Others have to wait seven or eight weeks. MNI not admit they worked there. Then allocates vacation and severance pay so not get unemployment compensation until those payments exhausted. When strike begins, many leave unemployment for strike roll.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
27:15
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Layoffs (Continued) : Sixteen who didn't take severance pay were fired by seniority. The seventeen had been intimidated into taking severance without regard to their seniority.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
28:15
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National Labor Relations Board : Pay cut just “good, hard bargaining.” Weak response prior to strike. After strike begins, view changes. If had ruled differently at first, perhaps no strike.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:30
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Spring Preparations : Unit Committee set up February. Clear that trouble ahead. Editorial workers trained for some composing room jobs. Locals stress seriousness of situation to their internationals. Try negotiate. By late February, clear that MNI not bargaining seriously.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
02:45
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Training Sessions : Company claims not sure what planning. Claims training so workers know what happens to their work after they're through with it. Weekend training for business and nonunion personnel. Hard to respond. Not producing anything for sale, not replacing anyone.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
05:15
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“Never on Sunday” : First Unity Committee activity. In part, response to Guild concern over Capital Times' finances. Direct pressure on State Journal. Hope McMillan would intervene.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
06:30
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McMillan : Others besides Guild believe the Capital Times publisher might intervene. Difference between him and former publisher William Evjue. Miles McMillan's concern--editorial after Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, not concerned about circulation.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
08:15
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Practice Picket : Big success. Recommends. “Just about any other place it might have had some real impact.” Good publicity. Company resumes surface bargaining--“if we show them we want to talk, maybe they won't embarrass us publicly any more.”
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
09:55
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Assessment of Practice Picket and “Never on Sunday” : Practice Picket accomplished more than expected. “Never on Sunday” attracted publicity but didn't cost many subscriptions. Stresses importance of publicity--once on strike, MNI limited coverage of the walkout. “Never on Sunday” campaign--unless MNI resolved the dispute, supporters would cancel subscriptions. Newspaper buying a habit--people learn can do without. Hard for papers to recover.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
13:05
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District Managers : Until problems began, he didn't know they had a contract. Neither Pressmen nor MNI had mentioned.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
14:55
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Unity Committee : Member from each of six bargaining units. Stress meet with own members so know where stand. Plan “Never on Sunday,” etc. Want get MNI's attention and learn members' response.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
16:45
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Strike Headquarters : Staff in regular shifts before strike. Rotate different locals. Make new friends in other locals. Get people involved. Factor in response to strike.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
19:10
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Unity Committee Decision Making : Set up to make binding decisions. In practice, act on unanimous decisions. Avoid divisions.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
19:20
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Dangers of Splits among Leaders : Example from strike. One leader's elitism towards pickets. Word spreads. Bitterness persists among ITU members.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
21:50
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Unity Committee : Internal battles trying persuade individuals to take firm stand. Relation between leaders and rank-and-file. Must know where members stand but also must be able to make decision. Critical of indecision of some leaders after members voted to strike. Walkout planned for August but ITU could not act alone. Press others to make a decision. Members of other locals coming to him for information.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
23:20
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Strike Decision : Late September, told Unity Committee it had to decide. Members of other unions come to him for information. Ultimatum--some will get fired if indecision continues.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
25:20
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One Leader Scabs
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
27:05
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Expiration of Contracts : Uneven expiration dates. ITU and District Managers contracts expired year earlier. Guild in spring, Pressmen and Mailers during summer. Contracts not barrier to strike in last few months. Still try to negotiate. ITU prepared to sacrifice Kneebone and others at bottom of seniority ladder. But not expect much.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
00:30
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Lee's Record Elsewhere : Often try to talk into submission. Discusses Racine situation. “For a chain its size a terrible record.” Usually able to get rid of unions without Madison-type situation.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
06:30
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Lee's Expectation : Believes wanted an ITU strike. Wage cut critical. Didn't think ITU strike would involve others. If force strike, quickest way to eliminate the ITU.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
08:10
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Strikers' Expectations : Knew it would be a tough strike. Some may have expected a relatively short strike because of what their leaders said. But ITU members knew it would be a long struggle.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
09:45
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His Expectations : Not certain of results. Knew members wanted to strike. If not strike, risk discharges for individual actions. No alternative if to act as union.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
11:00
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Lee's Expectations (Continued) : Left ITU no alternative. Could have kept bargaining without the wage cut. Company wanted strike in April before the other contracts expired.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
12:25
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Early Days of Strike : Hectic but relief to see unity. Help individuals with financial problems. Large picket-lines. “Everyone was working together, pulling hard, getting the job done.”
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
14:45
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Unity Committee and the Strike : Daily meetings. Functions as strike committee. Mistake--some too busy for picketing. Had to be visible on lines so members know you're there to help with problems. With large number of police, thought especially important to be on lines. ITU members had to picket to get benefits.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
18:05
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Picketing : Raucous. No scab seriously hurt on line. Some pickets hit by cars.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
20:40
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Madison Police : Varied response. “The ones that didn't want to be there could be awful rough.” Didn't want police there--wanted to stop trucks. In retrospect, because of laws, probably saved some strikers from getting in trouble. Cops have no place in a strike--there to protect property.
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Tape/Side
7/1
Time
24:10
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Scabs Speed Through Lines : Some ticketed but little done about it. Pickets carried on hoods at high speed. Two scabs always refuse to slow down.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
00:35
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Role of Local Government : City officials pretty good. County officials less concerned. District Attorney Doyle wanted to avoid the issue. Unions concerned about MNI pressure on police. MNI ignores law requiring job advertisements to mention strike in progress. Not enforced. Some arrive from out-of-state unaware of strike. MNI's political clout. “They just didn't seem to want to take on MNI.”
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
08:00
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Private Police : Wackenhuts--limited role. Low pay. Before strike, local security. Pinkertons added just before strike. Wackenhuts arrive when strike begins. Only Wackenhuts had top security clearance inside plants. Estimates 20 guards per shift. At first, transport scabs. Later scabs cross on own and number of Wackenhuts reduced. Cameras monitor pickets. Low-paid Wackenhuts--“pretty much a ragtag group.” Wackenhuts establish local foothold as result of strike.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
17:40
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Attorneys : Lee's Iowa attorney handled negotiations. Left when “things started getting nasty.” Washington unionbuster Stanley Straus handled NLRB hearings. Others from his firm also worked for MNI. Madison attorney Joe Melli wanted to be involved--negotiated against Pressmen. Unsure of cost. At NLRB hearings, Gottlieb mentioned $2600 per day. 56 days of hearings. Would have cost less to negotiate with unions. Capital Times “may never recover.”
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
22:05
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Capital Times' Position : “A little bit surprised.” Lee dominant partner at MNI.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
23:25
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Robert Melloon and Elliot Maraniss : Former ITU members blacklisted by Lee after Quad Cities strike. Hired by Evjue.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
24:25
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Miles McMillan : Stayed in background. Strike insurance.
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
25:35
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Strike Insurance
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
26:50
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In Effect, One Company : Lee in control. “It was only when you get to court and you're dealing with technicalities and who signs whose paycheck.... They even run all the checks through the same computer. Kind of silly to say there's three separate companies. But that's how they do it.”
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Tape/Side
7/2
Time
27:50
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Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970 : Guarantee Capital Times survives if Lee survives. Otherwise, Capital Times could not have survived strike.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
00:30
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Boycott : Newspaper buying a habit. Ad rates based on circulation. MNI ignored strike cancellations. Not tell carriers of cancellations--force them to pay. Estimates combined cancellations--12,000 at first. Capital Times hurt the most. Liberal facade damaged. Public aware that not the “social messiah it painted itself as.” Impact lingers.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
06:25
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Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970 (Continued) : Representative Kastenmeier pushed through Congress. Describes encounter with Kastenmeier over the bill in early 1970s--unwilling to appear at ITU meeting.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
07:55
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Boycott (Continued) : State Journal had more circulation outside Dane County. Sports coverage important.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
09:00
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Union Response to Boycott : Not satisfied. If all Dane County unionists had cancelled, strikers would have won. But strong support from some individuals and locals. Madison Federation of Labor leadership a factor in weak response. Told MFL attorney advised against active role in boycott.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
11:25
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International Unions : Helped pull together. Didn't want them too involved on daily basis. Kept them well-informed though. “The internationals were involved when we wanted them to be involved.” Proud of ITU's role--strong support when needed, strike benefits, paid legal bills, paid for strike headquarters. Members impressed.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
19:35
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Importance of Strike to ITU : Other publishers watch Madison. ITU support caused some to think twice. Demonstrated that ITU determined to back smaller locals.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
21:15
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Sitdown Rejected : Discussed. But guards “all over the place.” Probably would have worked at the Square.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
24:35
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Community Support : Not that well prepared in advance.
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
25:00
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1962 Milwaukee Mailers' Cancellation Campaign : Cancellation cards signed before strike. Stewards in other unions take plants to members. Mid-1970s, Milwaukee Journal still not recovered. Did not try here--not put other unions on spot; too busy. “If people wanted to put forth as much before the strike as after it was called, there might not have been a strike.”
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Tape/Side
8/1
Time
27:20
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Local Labor : Mixed response. Teaching Assistants Association, Madison Teachers Inc., Memorial Union Labor Organization, nurses provided good support. Inadequate backing from building trades and union at Oscar Mayer. Notes that not always aware of support from individual members in building trades and other locals.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
00:30
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Local Labor (Continued) : Locals not always inform newspaper workers of own members' support activities.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
01:40
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Outreach : Went to local meetings. Major financial help from American Federation of Teachers Local 243 (MATC teachers) to Welfare Fund.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
03:05
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Welfare Fund : He chaired. Some criticism of his emphasis on structure and evaluation of requests.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
04:00
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Cost-Cutting
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
04:45
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Community Support : Good support from non-labor groups. “Came up kind of short as far as the Federation [of Labor].” Wanted Federation to be active rather than simply pass resolutions.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
06:10
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Individuals' Responses : “The big problem was the newspaper comes in the home.” Refers to union leader who continued to subscribe. Can talk big at meetings but not take issues home.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
08:20
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Stressed Cancellations
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
08:35
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Other Workers' Stake In Strike : When have problem, scabs will cover story. How can a scab not favor the company? “If you're a scab, it's kind of hard to not be on the side of the company when you're doing a story. You're interviewing strikers. You didn't want anything to do with them when you took your job because you didn't have enough fiber or talent to get a job any other way so you became a scab. So you're covering a labor story now as a scab. I mean, what kind of view are you going to have?”
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
10:00
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Madison Federation of Labor Response : Compares to politicians--want names in print. Despite boycott, some union leaders give interviews. Worse to give interview than to subscribe--gives MNI credibility. A newspaper “lives on” credibility. Strike a controversial issue at MFL but not dealt with in open. Role in changes at MFL--affected alliances.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
16:50
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Union Response to Picketlines : Five ITU members (all supervisors) scabbed. One supervisor struck. Other units' own supervisors struck. Most scabs marginal employees--often carried by fellow unionists prior to strike.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
21:00
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Teamsters : Tell members not to cross but to call supervisor (to drive across). More support from nonunion drivers (afraid would tell Teamsters). Out-of-town Teamsters ignored picketlines. Strikers bitter.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
24:40
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Strikers and the Law : No major concern over anti-picketing injunction. Believes strike a factor in Mayor Soglin's decision not to seek reelection. Knew what was proper conduct on picketlines--discussed with police. MNI also contacted police. At rush hour, only allowed to stop cars for 30 seconds.
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Tape/Side
8/2
Time
27:05
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Plans for Strike Paper : Plan in advance as a way to get views across. Thirty strikers contribute $1,000 each to pay for equipment.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
00:30
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Press Connection Equipment : ITU and Pressmen's members provided most of money. Used his severance check. Top-of-the-line typesetting equipment.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
03:20
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Presses : Beaver Dam, then Stoughton. Problem getting to Post Office in time for same day delivery outside Madison, Made special run to solve problem.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
05:20
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Local News : At first, Press Connection to emphasize local news. Then, people “started getting a little lazy.” Overemphasis on need for wire copy. ITU resentment over violation of initial agreement on amount of wire copy.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
09:00
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Conflicts at Press Connection : Political differences. In part, age differences. Some use as excuse to picket rather than work on Press Connection. Problems result from violation of agreement concerning proportion of local news and promise that all Press Connection workers would have input on editorial content. Anger over elitism.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
11:30
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Control : “It wasn't so much that they wanted [a say] initially. It's that the editorial people told them that this was the way it was going to be.”
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
12:25
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Staffing Levels : Spring, 1978. Discuss going private. Many in editorial feel strike over. Set staff levels. Composing room, press room, mailers cut staff. Editorial refuses to trim when shift to paid staff. On payroll when could have been on strike roll. Eventually cut by attrition. Resentment among many production workers.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
18:55
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Cardinal Benefits : Almost all proceeds to reporters and district managers. Money not funnelled through strikers' Welfare Fund. Perhaps done “in spite of the welfare committee because we were considered too bureaucratic because we did not willingly give up money without knowing why.” Guild created its own fund without telling others.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
21:40
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Advertising and Circulation for Press Connection : MNI threatened some advertisers. Some advertisers willing to deal with Press Connection, others refuse on principle. As weekly, bigger circulation than MNI papers. Circulation drops from 67,000 to under 15,000 when go to paid circulation. Mistake. Might have been able to get comics for Sunday and put out Wednesday edition with grocery ads and coupons. Some use coupons as an excuse to justify buying scab paper.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
26:35
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Going Daily : Gave strikers a daily routine. “Best damn therapy in the world.” Prove to selves that retain skills and able to do the job.
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Tape/Side
9/1
Time
27:25
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Cost to MNI : Cancellations. Court costs. Security costs. Credibility with readers (“lifeblood of the newspaper”).
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
00:30
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National Labor Relations Board (Continued) : Focus--who's strongest. 1977 pay cut--“good, hard bargaining.” “Paper tigers” with weak remedies. Changed view once strike began. Labor laws--“pro-management.”
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
03:40
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ITU Settlement : Recall list as for an economic strike. $443,000. Guild had settled earlier on own without telling others. Pressmen start own negotiations in secret. Mailers--half share to those who left early, remainder divided equally. Pressmen--divided equally. ITU gave $25,000 to local. Had to satisfy NLRB on distribution. All printers got $1,000. Rest divided in inverse proportion to earnings during strike. Board had vetoed Guild's proposed settlement based on length of strike involvement.
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
11:20
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Decision to Settle : Some had other jobs. Some not active in strike. He voted against it although best he could bargain. Wanted ruling on unfair labor practice charges. “Personally, I got more money but that wasn't what it was about when it started.” Most members pleased with settlement though.
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
15:35
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NLRB Ruling Imminent : MNI acted because expected ruling with a few weeks.
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
19:05
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Impact on Families : In some locals, divorces. Alcoholism. Standard of living--changed expectations. Biggest effect--dealing with friends and relatives (lack of understanding concerning long strike). Impact on children. Christmas.
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
22:20
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Jobs for ITU Members : Ten of fifty-two now working regularly as printers. A few others retired.
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
23:20
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Attitudes towards Jobs : Most would do it again. Found that other jobs could be rewarding. Benefits, no deadline, weekends off. Demystification of working for the newspaper. “As a whole, people are better people because of that strike.”
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
26:35
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Strike's Impact on Values : Values different. “People have learned they can do without their credit cards. They can do without a new car every two years.” “The most important thing to them is their loved ones--not the material things to impress their neighbors. It's a more intimate life now than there was before.”
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Tape/Side
9/2
Time
28:05
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Strike's Meaning for Madison Labor Movement : Scabs cover labor stories.
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Tape/Side
10/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
10/1
Time
00:25
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Lessons of Strike : Need aggressive approach. MNI strike--no alternative. Laws handicap unions.
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Tape/Side
10/1
Time
02:55
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Reaction of Other Unions : Sympathetic but felt secure. Many unwilling to risk challenging the press.
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End of Interview
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