The Betrayal of Local 14

A detailed Summary of The Betrayal of Local 14

The book The Betrayal of Local 14, by Julius Getman is a very interesting book that explains the seventeen month strike that occurred at the International Paper Company, at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine. Twelve hundred workers were represented by Local 14 of United Paperworkers International Union.

The Androscoggin Mill struck with unions in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, and Depere, Wisconsin. The strike started in June of 1987 and only ended in October of 1988. The main cause of the strike was because International Papers wanted to lower labor costs, reduce some jobs, and gain more management for the company. The company proposed to eliminate Sunday premium, and the Christmas shutdown. The union workers refused these items, and after negotiations were not successful, they went on strike. During this decade there were major anti-concession strikes that were routinely defeated, so this should have been a warning for the Androscoggin Mill that this would not be an easy battle. If the union workers would have evaluated some previous strikes during the 80s, they may have been able to avoid some of the money and time lost in this strike. Many times history just repeats itself.

The union was led by president Bill Meserve

This was similar to a strike that occurred in the 1930s. This battle was very costly in more than one way, money spent, productivity diminished, and lost corporate goodwill. Local 14 had never had to battle for recognition, and it had never before gone on a strike. The author of this book took interest in Local 14 because he testified before the United States Senate Labor Committee on behalf of a bill to prohibit employers from hiring permanent replacement workers during strikes.

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Before resulting to a strike, the union made several offers, including the offer to renew the previous years' contract. The company declined this offer. The company also offered to a two-year extension, but the company once again declined this. This book also explains that the union tried strongly to avoid a strike.

I thought this book had a very interesting introduction. The book starts off by explaining how Gary McGrane, a worker at the mill, dressed up as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, and stood outside at the mill making a collection for the strikers who had lost their job in the strike, and not been rehired. He was collecting money for these former employees so that they would be able to provide their family with something at Christmas time. Gary

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 894
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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The Betrayal of Local 14

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