The 1970s fiscal crises in New York and Cleveland.
The Last Pullman Car
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
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In 1864, George Pullman began selling his famous railroad sleeping cars which helped him build a vast industrial empire that was supposed to last forever. In 1981, however, Pullman workers found themselves in the midst of a fight not only for their jobs but the future of the American rail car industry. One hundred years of government, union and corporate policies are traced in this engaging story.
"What´s great about this film, and many Kartemquin documentaries, is that it develops a theme that feels central to the history of Western civilization: the ordinary person called to greatness by circumstance." ®Michael Phillips, Jr. - South Side Projections
"This film is a battlecry!" ®Studs Terkel
"Never intrusive and avoiding obvious, human interest techniques 'Pullman Car' makes the members of local 1834 come alive on their own terms. By the time the film is over it's impossible to distance oneself from the plight of these workers who are being shunted aside by their company, by their legislators, and by society as a whole." ®Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune
Citation
Main credits
Quinn, Gordon (aut)
Blumenthal, Jerry (aut)
LeRoy, Greg (aut)
Rohrer, Jennifer (aut)
Other credits
Camera, Gordon Quinn; sound, Jerry Blumenthal.
Distributor subjects
Globalization; manufacturingKeywords
Kartemquin Films; Politics; Social Issues; Labor; Organizing; Manufacturing; Strike; Factory; Union; Railroads; Train; "The Last Pullman Car"; Kartemquin Films; documentary; doc; sociss;
WEBVTT
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[MACHINERY NOISE]
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These workers, like many others
across the country, are
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living with the threat of
their plant closing.
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They are finishing what will be
Pullman\'s final passenger
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car order, 284 bi-level sleeping
cars for Amtrak.
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For most of its 114 years,
Pullman has been the world\'s
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leading builder of
mass transit and
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rail passenger cars.
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But in 1979 the company
announced that when the Amtrak
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order was completed, it was
leaving the passenger car
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manufacturing business, claiming
it could no longer
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make a profit.
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In total disregard for the
employees, for the community,
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or for the country\'s needs-
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But the Pullman workers
did not accept
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the company\'s decision.
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For two years the members of the
United Steelworkers Local
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1834 fought to keep
their plan open.
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This is their story.
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Together, we can beat them.
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In 1979, the local launched
their campaign, not only to
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save their jobs, but
to fight for the
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future of their industry.
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[MUSIC PLAYING]
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They marched to the local office
of Indiana senator
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Richard Lugar to protest
his vote against
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mass transit funding.
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He\'s our senator.
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He spent four hours on the floor
filibustering to make
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that bill wasn\'t passed.
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That bill means our jobs.
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They carried their banner in
support of mass transit
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workers and riders.
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It is the total responsibility
of government to assure a
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strong and viable
transit system.
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And in support of railroad
workers and riders, the people
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who use the products
they build.
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It\'s bad policy to cut
Amtrak routes out.
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This country was built
by the opportunity
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that railroads provided.
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And our railroads were
always subsidized.
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They travelled to a conference
in Youngstown, Ohio, where
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plant closings have devastated
an entire city.
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We\'ve got to have a
national movement
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against the shut downs.
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From the point of view of the
money managers at US Steel,
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they\'d rather be in
petrochemicals.
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They\'d rather be
in fertilizers.
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They might rather
be in banking.
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They heard proposals, ranging
in legislation requiring
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corporations to give early
warning of plant closings, to
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the nationalization of
major industries.
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They may own the company.
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But we own the jobs.
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And what it boils down to is we
may have to own them both.
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Back in Chicago, the local held
a rally with workers from
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Wisconsin Steel, a neighboring
plant closed without warning.
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Union leaders and politicians
from the surrounding
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industrial region expressed
concern.
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But they could not change the
corporate decisions that
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affect workers and their
communities.
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[MUSIC PLAYING]
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After months of protest, the
local discussed the need to do
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more than just demonstrate.
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We have to have some kind of
legislation to deal with this
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stuff, to make it unprofitable
for them to just shut their
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gates and forget the employees
or the community.
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And I think that the labor
movement had better get off
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their duff.
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And not just sit back and maybe
pay some lip service.
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Something\'s got to be done.
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Local 1834 members and
unemployed Wisconsin
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steelworkers leave for the
state capital to join an
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Illinois Public Action
Coalition, IPAC,
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for a day of lobbying.
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Keep the people rolling.
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Keep them up.
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They plan to meet with the
governor and other state
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representatives to seek help
for the unemployed, and
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passage of a recently introduced
plant closing bill.
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The bill would require
corporations to give one
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year\'s notice and compensate the
communities they abandon.
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Eight of spades.
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My name\'s John Bauman.
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I represent the workers
at Pullman Standard.
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And I\'d like to know what the
government\'s position is.
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And if he supports house bill
208, Marian Belanoff\'s bill
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against plant closings.
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Now, this country needs some
kind of legislation when a
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company can pick up and close
its doors regardless of the
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worker\'s needs and regardless
of what the country needs.
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Pullman Standard, the last
American corporation that
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builds rail passenger cars
in this country,
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they\'re shutting down.
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Nobody is doing nothing
about it.
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I can\'t speak for the governor
on plant closings.
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I can speak for him on the house
bill, in that he doesn\'t
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take a position until
it actually gets to
00:06:04.080 --> 00:06:05.570 align:middle line:90%
his desk for signature.
00:06:05.570 --> 00:06:08.740 align:middle line:84%
The governor\'s fighting to try
to get some type of increase
00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:11.180 align:middle line:84%
for funding for transportation
throughout the state.
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How can the mass transit systems
buy cars when they
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don\'t have any money?
00:06:14.750 --> 00:06:17.360 align:middle line:84%
They haven\'t funded mass
transit as they should.
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The only railway beds we\'ve got,
and the tracks we\'ve got,
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is what the corporation sucked
dry and then turned over to
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the government.
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That should not have been.
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That should not have been
allowed to happen.
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That\'s why you people were
elected, to represent the
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people in this country, not
just the corporations.
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Jobs in Illinois are the
most important thing.
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If you guys are out of a job,
I mean, what good is state
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government?
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We asked the governor,
would you help us?
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We\'ll look into it and
see what\'s going on.
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We never heard any more.
00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.050 align:middle line:90%
Last week I called.
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I asked for some time
with the governor.
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They said, we will
get back to you.
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That\'s been over a week.
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What I\'ll do for you is this,
if you give me who we should
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contact out of your group.
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The plant number is 8212300.
00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:05.890 align:middle line:90%
00:07:05.890 --> 00:07:09.020 align:middle line:84%
I think that it\'s time that we
get some legislation passed in
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this state-
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The local calls state
legislators off the floor to
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lobby for their support.
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I work for Pullman Standard.
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I represent about 3,000
people there.
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We build mass transit
railcars.
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This company can just uproot,
close its doors, ignore what
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the country needs, ignore
the worker\'s needs-
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Well, what would
you have us do?
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What would I have you do?
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I would have you establish a
commission of workers, some
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businesspeople, I would have
you put in some community
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people, and find out what
the problem is.
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And try to save that business
and keep it open.
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That community needs
that work.
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I have no quarrel with that.
00:07:43.615 --> 00:07:45.060 align:middle line:84%
But if you\'re saying to me
that I should support
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Belanoff\'s bill to prevent them
from leaving for a year
00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.540 align:middle line:90%
or two years, or whatever-
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What we need is some
legislation to
00:07:50.750 --> 00:07:51.690 align:middle line:90%
prevent plant closing.
00:07:51.690 --> 00:07:52.103 align:middle line:90%
You can\'t do that.
00:07:52.103 --> 00:07:54.040 align:middle line:84%
It\'s unconstitutional,
for God\'s sakes.
00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.630 align:middle line:84%
Can we just tell the
country, and the
00:07:56.630 --> 00:07:57.950 align:middle line:90%
communities to go to hell?
00:07:57.950 --> 00:07:59.525 align:middle line:90%
And just close it down.
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And make a ghost
town out of it.
00:08:00.310 --> 00:08:03.120 align:middle line:84%
No, you\'ve got to make the
business climate attractive
00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:05.020 align:middle line:84%
enough for that company
to stay there.
00:08:05.020 --> 00:08:07.220 align:middle line:84%
We have to legislate something
to keep it from destroying
00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:09.410 align:middle line:90%
people\'s lives, don\'t we?
00:08:09.410 --> 00:08:11.290 align:middle line:84%
Tell me what it is, and
I\'ll be glad to do it.
00:08:11.290 --> 00:08:16.550 align:middle line:84%
We have to pass a law on plant
legislation where they can
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give the notice, two years
notice before they can leave.
00:08:20.935 --> 00:08:22.210 align:middle line:84%
How would they know
two years before
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they\'re planning to leave?
00:08:23.520 --> 00:08:25.060 align:middle line:84%
You\'re telling me a man sitting
up there making
00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:28.100 align:middle line:84%
$100,000 a year doesn\'t know
what that business is doing?
00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:30.370 align:middle line:84%
I\'m telling you that\'s very
often the case, sir.
00:08:30.370 --> 00:08:32.010 align:middle line:84%
Well then there\'s
something wrong.
00:08:32.010 --> 00:08:33.830 align:middle line:90%
I don\'t believe that.
00:08:33.830 --> 00:08:36.809 align:middle line:84%
Any company that is going to
go out should have some
00:08:36.809 --> 00:08:39.803 align:middle line:84%
legislation and guidelines
that they have to follow.
00:08:39.803 --> 00:08:40.900 align:middle line:90%
Can I interject something.
00:08:40.900 --> 00:08:41.660 align:middle line:90%
I suppose so.
00:08:41.660 --> 00:08:42.620 align:middle line:90%
I got to get in there.
00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.974 align:middle line:84%
We can stand here all
day and talk.
00:08:43.974 --> 00:08:46.480 align:middle line:84%
How about you stay until \'11
o\'clock tonight when I\'m
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:47.120 align:middle line:90%
through in there?
00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.230 align:middle line:90%
Sir, I\'ll be here.
00:08:48.230 --> 00:08:50.220 align:middle line:84%
Alright then, we can talk
at great leisure.
00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:52.930 align:middle line:84%
How about introducing
legislation that will give
00:08:52.930 --> 00:08:55.500 align:middle line:84%
workers unlimited unemployment
compensation?
00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.700 align:middle line:90%
Unlimited unemployment?
00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:57.870 align:middle line:90%
Who\'s going to pay for it?
00:08:57.870 --> 00:08:58.690 align:middle line:90%
If they can\'t employ us-
00:08:58.690 --> 00:09:01.840 align:middle line:90%
Who\'s going to pay for it.
00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.090 align:middle line:90%
We have an alternative.
00:09:03.090 --> 00:09:05.890 align:middle line:90%
00:09:05.890 --> 00:09:07.320 align:middle line:84%
That\'s why we need
legislation.
00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:09.160 align:middle line:84%
Take Chrysler, the government
give them,
00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:10.030 align:middle line:90%
what, a billion dollars.
00:09:10.030 --> 00:09:13.520 align:middle line:84%
The employees made sacrifices
of, $400 million.
00:09:13.520 --> 00:09:17.130 align:middle line:84%
And Chrysler is working at
building a plant in Mexico, an
00:09:17.130 --> 00:09:19.090 align:middle line:84%
engine plant, one of the
largest in the world.
00:09:19.090 --> 00:09:20.610 align:middle line:84%
How can we allow
that to go on?
00:09:20.610 --> 00:09:22.743 align:middle line:84%
We need some kind of legislation
to stop that.
00:09:22.743 --> 00:09:24.555 align:middle line:84%
Well, it isn\'t going to do
any good in Illinois.
00:09:24.555 --> 00:09:26.110 align:middle line:90%
You\'re not going to stop it.
00:09:26.110 --> 00:09:28.016 align:middle line:84%
Why wouldn\'t it do any
good in Illinois?
00:09:28.016 --> 00:09:29.120 align:middle line:90%
Well it\'s impractical.
00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:30.350 align:middle line:90%
I got to get back in their.
00:09:30.350 --> 00:09:32.390 align:middle line:84%
Well, who should I see to get
an appointment with you?
00:09:32.390 --> 00:09:34.230 align:middle line:90%
I\'m going to be right here.
00:09:34.230 --> 00:09:36.720 align:middle line:90%
I\'ll be right here too.
00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:46.030 align:middle line:90%
00:09:46.030 --> 00:09:49.270 align:middle line:84%
Back at Pullman, the workers
were coming to the end of the
00:09:49.270 --> 00:09:51.116 align:middle line:90%
Amtrak order.
00:09:51.116 --> 00:09:58.920 align:middle line:90%
00:09:58.920 --> 00:10:01.890 align:middle line:84%
One of the number one lessons
we have learned, is that it
00:10:01.890 --> 00:10:04.680 align:middle line:84%
will take labor coalitions at
all levels to build a movement
00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:04.940 align:middle line:90%
that will-
00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:07.990 align:middle line:84%
The local continued to pursue
new coalitions in spite of
00:10:07.990 --> 00:10:09.555 align:middle line:90%
continuing layoffs.
00:10:09.555 --> 00:10:12.200 align:middle line:84%
There are 29 applications
in two weeks.
00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:14.600 align:middle line:84%
Well, then they will throw
them out it three months.
00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.003 align:middle line:90%
I don\'t know.
00:10:15.003 --> 00:10:15.810 align:middle line:84%
They claim they\'re keeping
them on file.
00:10:15.810 --> 00:10:16.980 align:middle line:90%
There\'s no openings.
00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.350 align:middle line:84%
So, therefore, what they
will tell you,
00:10:18.350 --> 00:10:19.890 align:middle line:90%
well, we\'re not hiring.
00:10:19.890 --> 00:10:22.530 align:middle line:84%
You have wives who have
absolutely disowned their
00:10:22.530 --> 00:10:25.120 align:middle line:84%
husband because they can\'t
function like they should.
00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.100 align:middle line:84%
When a man is out of a job,
he gets frustrated.
00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:29.700 align:middle line:84%
When his children are hungry,
he gets very frustrated.
00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:30.510 align:middle line:84%
Robots are going
to be replacing
00:10:30.510 --> 00:10:32.150 align:middle line:90%
people in a lot of positions.
00:10:32.150 --> 00:10:37.270 align:middle line:84%
Technology is coming in faster
than people are growing, and
00:10:37.270 --> 00:10:39.260 align:middle line:90%
rapidly developing.
00:10:39.260 --> 00:10:40.420 align:middle line:90%
And nothing wrong with that.
00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:40.950 align:middle line:90%
You got to have technology.
00:10:40.950 --> 00:10:42.960 align:middle line:84%
But also you got to go
to the six hour day
00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:44.023 align:middle line:90%
to adjust for that.
00:10:44.023 --> 00:10:44.710 align:middle line:90%
With no cut in pay.
00:10:44.710 --> 00:10:45.950 align:middle line:90%
With no cut in pay.
00:10:45.950 --> 00:10:49.360 align:middle line:84%
They like them robots because
they don\'t talk back.
00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:52.360 align:middle line:90%
Guys like you talk back.
00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:54.070 align:middle line:90%
Sure.
00:10:54.070 --> 00:10:55.240 align:middle line:84%
Now they\'re sitting there,
yelling about foreign
00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:58.730 align:middle line:84%
competition, when this country,
indeed, sold Japan
00:10:58.730 --> 00:11:00.510 align:middle line:90%
the technology they needed.
00:11:00.510 --> 00:11:02.310 align:middle line:84%
But we didn\'t rebuild
our mills.
00:11:02.310 --> 00:11:06.220 align:middle line:84%
These multi-nationals have got
no loyalty to any country, no
00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:09.420 align:middle line:84%
loyalty to anybody
except money.
00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:12.553 align:middle line:84%
Three weeks after the IPAC labor
lobby day, the local was
00:11:12.553 --> 00:11:15.370 align:middle line:84%
on its way back to Springfield
on a chartered train.
00:11:15.370 --> 00:11:17.850 align:middle line:84%
The Illinois AFL CIO
has called its
00:11:17.850 --> 00:11:19.300 align:middle line:90%
own labor lobby day.
00:11:19.300 --> 00:11:20.140 align:middle line:90%
Good morning Joe.
00:11:20.140 --> 00:11:21.390 align:middle line:90%
Here we go.
00:11:21.390 --> 00:11:30.550 align:middle line:90%
00:11:30.550 --> 00:11:35.470 align:middle line:90%
[TRAIN HORN]
00:11:35.470 --> 00:11:46.786 align:middle line:90%
[BAGPIPE MUSIC]
00:11:46.786 --> 00:11:49.430 align:middle line:84%
You guys want to stand over to
the side and fall in line?
00:11:49.430 --> 00:12:01.680 align:middle line:90%
[BAGPIPE MUSIC]
00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:04.420 align:middle line:84%
The AFL CIO is on
the defensive.
00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:07.270 align:middle line:84%
And is here to oppose spending
legislation that would reduce
00:12:07.270 --> 00:12:10.230 align:middle line:84%
unemployment compensation,
weaken health and safety
00:12:10.230 --> 00:12:15.530 align:middle line:84%
regulations, and create
a right to work law.
00:12:15.530 --> 00:12:18.390 align:middle line:84%
20,000 workers have come
to defend labor\'s past
00:12:18.390 --> 00:12:20.824 align:middle line:90%
accomplishments.
00:12:20.824 --> 00:12:26.464 align:middle line:84%
For all of those legislators
who have been saying to us
00:12:26.464 --> 00:12:30.500 align:middle line:84%
that we don\'t have any
followers, I ask those people
00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.593 align:middle line:84%
to look out the window
here today.
00:12:32.593 --> 00:12:35.910 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:12:35.910 --> 00:12:40.270 align:middle line:84%
We\'ve fought too hard for
everything that we may be
00:12:40.270 --> 00:12:42.090 align:middle line:90%
enjoying today.
00:12:42.090 --> 00:12:44.858 align:middle line:84%
We are not going
to give it up.
00:12:44.858 --> 00:12:54.917 align:middle line:90%
00:12:54.917 --> 00:12:58.460 align:middle line:84%
First of all, I want
to know who\'s here.
00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.510 align:middle line:90%
Where is 134?
00:12:59.510 --> 00:13:01.205 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:01.205 --> 00:13:03.880 align:middle line:90%
00:13:03.880 --> 00:13:05.300 align:middle line:90%
Where are the steelworkers?
00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:07.950 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:07.950 --> 00:13:09.350 align:middle line:90%
Where is building trades?
00:13:09.350 --> 00:13:12.050 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:12.050 --> 00:13:14.880 align:middle line:84%
They told me you originally came
down to talk about some
00:13:14.880 --> 00:13:16.380 align:middle line:90%
labor management issues.
00:13:16.380 --> 00:13:18.520 align:middle line:84%
And they said number
one, right to work.
00:13:18.520 --> 00:13:20.390 align:middle line:84%
And I said, right
to work is dead.
00:13:20.390 --> 00:13:21.820 align:middle line:90%
And right to work is dead.
00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.060 align:middle line:84%
And it\'s never going
to be alive in
00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.554 align:middle line:90%
the state of Illinois.
00:13:24.554 --> 00:13:27.024 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:27.024 --> 00:13:29.670 align:middle line:90%
00:13:29.670 --> 00:13:30.990 align:middle line:90%
Are unions crushed?
00:13:30.990 --> 00:13:33.250 align:middle line:90%
No!
00:13:33.250 --> 00:13:33.915 align:middle line:90%
They\'re not.
00:13:33.915 --> 00:13:36.700 align:middle line:84%
And we have the greatest
leaders in the state.
00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:41.360 align:middle line:84%
And we got some people inside
these doors behind us that we
00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.890 align:middle line:90%
have to change their mind.
00:13:42.890 --> 00:13:46.690 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:46.690 --> 00:13:51.000 align:middle line:84%
And when the call comes from
your leaders again, act
00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:54.080 align:middle line:90%
together, vote together.
00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.294 align:middle line:90%
Thank you very much.
00:13:55.294 --> 00:13:59.740 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.234 align:middle line:90%
Union!
00:14:00.234 --> 00:14:01.720 align:middle line:90%
Union!
00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:04.180 align:middle line:84%
After the rally, the governor
invites everyone to his house
00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:07.740 align:middle line:84%
for a beer, and leaders from
local 1834 try once again to
00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.730 align:middle line:90%
talk to him.
00:14:08.730 --> 00:14:11.160 align:middle line:84%
We would like to enlist your
help in the fight to keep
00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:14.470 align:middle line:84%
Pullman Standard open, the last
American operation that
00:14:14.470 --> 00:14:17.200 align:middle line:84%
builds rail passenger cars
in this country.
00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:19.290 align:middle line:84%
I got an assistant for economic
development by the
00:14:19.290 --> 00:14:21.090 align:middle line:90%
name of Jim Kyley.
00:14:21.090 --> 00:14:24.330 align:middle line:84%
And I will have him in contact
with those people tomorrow to
00:14:24.330 --> 00:14:25.550 align:middle line:90%
see what we can do to help.
00:14:25.550 --> 00:14:27.220 align:middle line:90%
I appreciate it.
00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:29.190 align:middle line:84%
And the Wisconsin steel
people too.
00:14:29.190 --> 00:14:33.070 align:middle line:84%
They\'re in pretty
bad shape too.
00:14:33.070 --> 00:14:36.250 align:middle line:84%
The two Springfield lobby days
did help defeat the proposed
00:14:36.250 --> 00:14:38.480 align:middle line:90%
anti-labor legislation.
00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:41.480 align:middle line:84%
But 1834\'s main concern,
the plant closing
00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:44.380 align:middle line:90%
bill, died in committee.
00:14:44.380 --> 00:14:45.940 align:middle line:84%
So there\'s other organizations
outside labor-
00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.770 align:middle line:84%
At their next meeting,
the local evaluated
00:14:47.770 --> 00:14:49.100 align:middle line:90%
the two lobby days.
00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.850 align:middle line:84%
They concluded that
labor needs new
00:14:50.850 --> 00:14:53.390 align:middle line:90%
strategies and new allies.
00:14:53.390 --> 00:14:56.910 align:middle line:84%
Community groups has got
a lot at stake too.
00:14:56.910 --> 00:15:00.180 align:middle line:84%
Like IPAC is an Illinois
political organization that
00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:03.780 align:middle line:84%
wanted to do something with
the labor movement.
00:15:03.780 --> 00:15:05.670 align:middle line:84%
And the labor movement decided,
well, we want to do
00:15:05.670 --> 00:15:07.150 align:middle line:90%
it by our self.
00:15:07.150 --> 00:15:09.740 align:middle line:84%
I think that the last one we
did in Springfield was to
00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.550 align:middle line:84%
march us out and show
us, and then to put
00:15:11.550 --> 00:15:12.800 align:middle line:90%
us back in the closet.
00:15:12.800 --> 00:15:14.070 align:middle line:84%
That movement should
have went on.
00:15:14.070 --> 00:15:18.060 align:middle line:84%
They had probably 10,
15,000 people there.
00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:22.550 align:middle line:84%
They planned a march in
Washington, the AFL CIO,
00:15:22.550 --> 00:15:25.640 align:middle line:84%
because of the economy
and jobs.
00:15:25.640 --> 00:15:28.530 align:middle line:84%
And I would hope that they
would take that and go
00:15:28.530 --> 00:15:31.070 align:middle line:90%
forward with it.
00:15:31.070 --> 00:15:34.680 align:middle line:84%
The AFL CIO gathered close to
half a million people in
00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:36.240 align:middle line:84%
Washington to protest
the Reagan
00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.770 align:middle line:90%
administration\'s policies.
00:15:37.770 --> 00:15:39.746 align:middle line:84%
Reagan, Reagan he\'s no good,
send him back to Hollywood!
00:15:39.746 --> 00:15:41.228 align:middle line:84%
Reagan, Reagan he\'s no good,
send him back to Hollywood!
00:15:41.228 --> 00:15:42.478 align:middle line:84%
Reagan, Reagan he\'s no good,
send him back to Hollywood!
00:15:42.478 --> 00:15:46.662 align:middle line:90%
00:15:46.662 --> 00:15:49.140 align:middle line:84%
Reagan, Reagan he\'s no good,
send him back to Hollywood!
00:15:49.140 --> 00:15:51.400 align:middle line:90%
Organized labor was not alone.
00:15:51.400 --> 00:15:54.180 align:middle line:84%
Many other groups
came to protest.
00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:56.630 align:middle line:84%
They believed that the Reagan
administration and the
00:15:56.630 --> 00:16:00.000 align:middle line:84%
corporations were using the
economic crisis to undermine
00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.135 align:middle line:84%
the social gains of
the last 50 years.
00:16:02.135 --> 00:16:05.810 align:middle line:90%
00:16:05.810 --> 00:16:09.310 align:middle line:84%
The worst unemployment since the
1930s brought local 1834
00:16:09.310 --> 00:16:12.634 align:middle line:84%
together with workers from
across the country.
00:16:12.634 --> 00:16:17.554 align:middle line:90%
[CHANTING]
00:16:17.554 --> 00:16:19.522 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:16:19.522 --> 00:16:22.490 align:middle line:90%
00:16:22.490 --> 00:16:27.830 align:middle line:84%
We have gone come too far,
struggled too long, to allow
00:16:27.830 --> 00:16:31.050 align:middle line:84%
all the way that we\'ve achieved
for the good of all
00:16:31.050 --> 00:16:34.130 align:middle line:84%
to be swept away without
a fight.
00:16:34.130 --> 00:16:38.980 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:42.260 align:middle line:84%
As local 1834 fought
to save their jobs,
00:16:42.260 --> 00:16:44.150 align:middle line:90%
they faced a new crisis.
00:16:44.150 --> 00:16:47.050 align:middle line:84%
They had to call a strike when
the company refused to extend
00:16:47.050 --> 00:16:48.300 align:middle line:90%
their old contract.
00:16:48.300 --> 00:16:50.916 align:middle line:90%
00:16:50.916 --> 00:16:53.610 align:middle line:84%
The union had agreed to give the
company major concessions,
00:16:53.610 --> 00:16:57.800 align:middle line:84%
including a one year wage
freeze, but on the very last
00:16:57.800 --> 00:17:00.620 align:middle line:84%
day of the contract, the company
made new demands,
00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:02.930 align:middle line:84%
which the union found
unacceptable.
00:17:02.930 --> 00:17:06.589 align:middle line:84%
With 1,200 members laid off,
and only 400 working, the
00:17:06.589 --> 00:17:09.170 align:middle line:84%
union reluctantly
called a strike.
00:17:09.170 --> 00:17:11.280 align:middle line:84%
And the 400, a lot of them
want to go back in.
00:17:11.280 --> 00:17:13.680 align:middle line:84%
They figure they only got a
couple weeks left of work.
00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.339 align:middle line:84%
They\'re just inviting
guys in there.
00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.020 align:middle line:84%
They\'re going to give
them extra pay,
00:17:17.020 --> 00:17:18.109 align:middle line:90%
all kinds of benefits.
00:17:18.109 --> 00:17:22.020 align:middle line:84%
They\'re forcing a division
in the union.
00:17:22.020 --> 00:17:23.944 align:middle line:90%
It\'s a scam!
00:17:23.944 --> 00:17:26.839 align:middle line:90%
00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:30.250 align:middle line:84%
They don\'t want to negotiate any
kind of contract, not six
00:17:30.250 --> 00:17:32.160 align:middle line:84%
months, not a year,
but none at all.
00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:35.230 align:middle line:84%
Not even a simple extension
of the old contract.
00:17:35.230 --> 00:17:38.240 align:middle line:84%
They might have future plans on
building cars here at these
00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.880 align:middle line:90%
Pullman Standard plants.
00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:42.800 align:middle line:84%
So, therefore, if they can get
rid of us and the Union, when
00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:46.240 align:middle line:84%
they decide to build new cars,
they can do it like they want.
00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:49.170 align:middle line:90%
Screw everybody.
00:17:49.170 --> 00:17:53.240 align:middle line:84%
Less money, it\'ll be less money,
and probably no union.
00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:55.156 align:middle line:84%
Or their union, the one
that they pick.
00:17:55.156 --> 00:17:56.440 align:middle line:90%
A sweatshop, you know?
00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.970 align:middle line:84%
You can look back, all the way
back, and see that they\'ve
00:17:58.970 --> 00:18:02.140 align:middle line:84%
been known for starting strikes
and breaking them up
00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:05.808 align:middle line:84%
with violence and any other
way that they can do it.
00:18:05.808 --> 00:18:07.272 align:middle line:90%
Take it easy!
00:18:07.272 --> 00:18:09.224 align:middle line:90%
Come on through!
00:18:09.224 --> 00:18:11.176 align:middle line:90%
You\'re on TV, bro!
00:18:11.176 --> 00:18:13.128 align:middle line:90%
Let him through!
00:18:13.128 --> 00:18:16.490 align:middle line:90%
00:18:16.490 --> 00:18:19.480 align:middle line:84%
After three days, the company
withdrew its demands and the
00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.110 align:middle line:90%
strike was settled.
00:18:21.110 --> 00:18:22.770 align:middle line:84%
People thought that they
couldn\'t survive.
00:18:22.770 --> 00:18:23.922 align:middle line:84%
They didn\'t know how long
this was going to last.
00:18:23.922 --> 00:18:27.401 align:middle line:84%
When I got to the picket line,
I had to pull my car up in
00:18:27.401 --> 00:18:29.910 align:middle line:84%
there, you know, to go across
the picket line.
00:18:29.910 --> 00:18:32.800 align:middle line:84%
But when I saw all the brothers
out there on the
00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:33.980 align:middle line:84%
picket line, I said,
hey, no way.
00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:38.310 align:middle line:84%
I\'ll stand right there with the
guys until this is over.
00:18:38.310 --> 00:18:41.295 align:middle line:84%
And I think we going to
go not only where
00:18:41.295 --> 00:18:42.290 align:middle line:90%
we signed the contract.
00:18:42.290 --> 00:18:44.070 align:middle line:90%
We going further than this.
00:18:44.070 --> 00:18:46.380 align:middle line:84%
You\'d be surprised
what a bunch of
00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:48.605 align:middle line:90%
brothers can do together.
00:18:48.605 --> 00:18:52.170 align:middle line:84%
A man in the back of the room
said the scabs embarrassed us.
00:18:52.170 --> 00:18:53.910 align:middle line:84%
In fact, we embarrassed
the scabs.
00:18:53.910 --> 00:18:55.250 align:middle line:84%
And we embarrassed
the company.
00:18:55.250 --> 00:18:58.160 align:middle line:84%
And that\'s something that the
membership has to be proud of.
00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:01.950 align:middle line:84%
You can be proud of yourselves
for holding that line and not
00:19:01.950 --> 00:19:02.970 align:middle line:90%
crossing it.
00:19:02.970 --> 00:19:06.670 align:middle line:84%
Those who did cross it betrayed
theirself, and their
00:19:06.670 --> 00:19:10.572 align:middle line:84%
union, and the working class
people in this country.
00:19:10.572 --> 00:19:13.740 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:17.420 align:middle line:84%
I think what we better not
forget, that if the company
00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.910 align:middle line:84%
would have enticed enough people
across that line we
00:19:19.910 --> 00:19:21.170 align:middle line:84%
would never have
got a contract.
00:19:21.170 --> 00:19:22.830 align:middle line:84%
And they would have
busted your union.
00:19:22.830 --> 00:19:24.950 align:middle line:84%
Say a year from now, they
decide to start
00:19:24.950 --> 00:19:26.040 align:middle line:90%
building cars again.
00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:27.130 align:middle line:90%
You don\'t have a contract.
00:19:27.130 --> 00:19:31.160 align:middle line:84%
And you don\'t have any rights,
whatsoever, to them jobs.
00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.790 align:middle line:90%
Roosevelt?
00:19:32.790 --> 00:19:33.790 align:middle line:90%
They have no promises.
00:19:33.790 --> 00:19:36.450 align:middle line:84%
They have no new orders
of nothing?
00:19:36.450 --> 00:19:39.205 align:middle line:84%
No promises, during that whole
negotiations they said that
00:19:39.205 --> 00:19:40.490 align:middle line:84%
they may have something
to tell us.
00:19:40.490 --> 00:19:42.450 align:middle line:84%
And they never told
us a thing.
00:19:42.450 --> 00:19:45.530 align:middle line:84%
And that\'s why we have to now
turn all of our efforts on
00:19:45.530 --> 00:19:47.260 align:middle line:90%
saving the jobs.
00:19:47.260 --> 00:19:50.470 align:middle line:84%
But that\'s what we was doing
before the contract-
00:19:50.470 --> 00:19:53.270 align:middle line:84%
And that\'s what we\'re going
to continue to do.
00:19:53.270 --> 00:19:56.080 align:middle line:84%
But you have nothing definitely
from the company?
00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.250 align:middle line:90%
No commitment.
00:19:57.250 --> 00:19:58.440 align:middle line:90%
No commitment at all?
00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:00.540 align:middle line:84%
No commitment that they\'re going
to take another order or
00:20:00.540 --> 00:20:01.790 align:middle line:90%
stay in the business.
00:20:01.790 --> 00:20:04.770 align:middle line:90%
00:20:04.770 --> 00:20:08.050 align:middle line:84%
If the union could not protect
the worker\'s jobs, having
00:20:08.050 --> 00:20:11.430 align:middle line:84%
defended the contract would
be a hollow victory.
00:20:11.430 --> 00:20:14.130 align:middle line:84%
For the first time in their
100 year struggle with the
00:20:14.130 --> 00:20:17.060 align:middle line:84%
company, the workers had to
face the possibility of
00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:19.970 align:middle line:84%
Pullman leaving the passenger
car business.
00:20:19.970 --> 00:20:22.300 align:middle line:84%
And they wanted to know
why their union was
00:20:22.300 --> 00:20:24.640 align:middle line:90%
helpless to stop it.
00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:27.800 align:middle line:84%
The answer lies in the history
of how American unions were
00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:31.270 align:middle line:84%
formed to confront industrial
monopolies, and how the
00:20:31.270 --> 00:20:35.460 align:middle line:90%
monopolies eventually changed.
00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:38.740 align:middle line:84%
When Pullman workers first tried
to organize, they had no
00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:42.540 align:middle line:84%
contract, no say in wages,
seniority, safety conditions,
00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:44.060 align:middle line:90%
or work roles.
00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:46.455 align:middle line:90%
But they didn\'t have jobs.
00:20:46.455 --> 00:20:49.440 align:middle line:84%
Pullman was building a sleeping
car monopoly, and was
00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:52.990 align:middle line:84%
totally committed to the
railcar industry.
00:20:52.990 --> 00:20:56.540 align:middle line:84%
19th century monopolies and
trusts maximized their profits
00:20:56.540 --> 00:21:01.670 align:middle line:84%
by controlling an entire market
and, thus, its prices.
00:21:01.670 --> 00:21:04.610 align:middle line:84%
Of all the monopolies,
the railroads
00:21:04.610 --> 00:21:08.040 align:middle line:90%
were the most powerful.
00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:11.135 align:middle line:84%
Subsidized by government land
grants and franchises, the
00:21:11.135 --> 00:21:14.180 align:middle line:84%
railroads kept the economy
expanding.
00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:16.830 align:middle line:84%
They provided investment
opportunity for the wealth
00:21:16.830 --> 00:21:19.620 align:middle line:84%
being created by America\'s
booming industries.
00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:22.550 align:middle line:84%
By the turn of the century, half
of the investment capital
00:21:22.550 --> 00:21:23.800 align:middle line:84%
in America was going
to the railroads.
00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:26.380 align:middle line:90%
00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:32.450 align:middle line:84%
George Pullman built his
first car in 1859.
00:21:32.450 --> 00:21:35.620 align:middle line:84%
He went on to construct a huge
plant south of Chicago where
00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:39.650 align:middle line:84%
he controlled everything,
raw materials,
00:21:39.650 --> 00:21:44.340 align:middle line:90%
construction, and operation.
00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:47.060 align:middle line:84%
He even built a company town
to house his workers.
00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:49.840 align:middle line:90%
00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:51.990 align:middle line:90%
Today, everything has changed.
00:21:51.990 --> 00:21:54.890 align:middle line:90%
00:21:54.890 --> 00:21:57.260 align:middle line:84%
A group of Pullman workers
tour the company town and
00:21:57.260 --> 00:22:00.720 align:middle line:84%
factory with labor history
Professor Bill Adelman.
00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:04.190 align:middle line:84%
So his theory was, in order
to prevent strikes and any
00:22:04.190 --> 00:22:08.150 align:middle line:84%
trouble from his workers, bring
them out here and create
00:22:08.150 --> 00:22:12.230 align:middle line:84%
this perfect environment, with
the workers and the town all
00:22:12.230 --> 00:22:17.090 align:middle line:84%
handpicked, basically
Anglo-Saxon Protestants.
00:22:17.090 --> 00:22:18.030 align:middle line:90%
What about blacks?
00:22:18.030 --> 00:22:21.670 align:middle line:84%
Blacks were only supposed to
be sleeping car porters.
00:22:21.670 --> 00:22:23.940 align:middle line:84%
And in the Pullman car, you
were supposed to have the
00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:26.570 align:middle line:84%
wonderful meals, and
people serving you.
00:22:26.570 --> 00:22:30.520 align:middle line:84%
And the idea- and black
people serving you.
00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:35.500 align:middle line:84%
In 1893 and 94, Pullman reduced
everybody\'s wages 24
00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:39.380 align:middle line:84%
to 54%, but he refused to reduce
what the workers had to
00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:42.210 align:middle line:84%
pay for company housing
and utilities.
00:22:42.210 --> 00:22:44.190 align:middle line:84%
Some workers ended up
with paychecks of
00:22:44.190 --> 00:22:46.601 align:middle line:90%
only three or $0.4.
00:22:46.601 --> 00:22:54.150 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:22:54.150 --> 00:22:57.970 align:middle line:84%
The great Pullman Strike of 1894
was the decisive battle
00:22:57.970 --> 00:23:00.150 align:middle line:84%
between the railroad monopolies
and one of the
00:23:00.150 --> 00:23:04.320 align:middle line:84%
first industrial unions, the
American Railway Union,
00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:07.340 align:middle line:90%
founded by Eugene V. Debs.
00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:10.980 align:middle line:84%
Debs had seen many strikes by
railroad craft workers crushed
00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:14.770 align:middle line:84%
as the monopolies played one
craft against another.
00:23:14.770 --> 00:23:18.050 align:middle line:84%
He had also seen the railroads
form cartels to support each
00:23:18.050 --> 00:23:20.410 align:middle line:90%
other during strikes.
00:23:20.410 --> 00:23:23.760 align:middle line:84%
Debs believed labor had to be
organized on the same scale as
00:23:23.760 --> 00:23:26.700 align:middle line:84%
the monopolies , all the crafts
from all the railroads
00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:33.906 align:middle line:84%
in one industrial, a new path
for American labor.
00:23:33.906 --> 00:23:38.110 align:middle line:84%
When Pullman refused to
negotiate, the American
00:23:38.110 --> 00:23:40.940 align:middle line:84%
Railway Union called
a boycott.
00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:43.320 align:middle line:90%
Rail traffic was crippled.
00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:46.780 align:middle line:84%
The monopolies and the
press blame Debs.
00:23:46.780 --> 00:23:50.400 align:middle line:84%
The strike seemed to
be a standoff.
00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.820 align:middle line:84%
But the monopolies had a friend
in President Grover
00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:56.480 align:middle line:84%
Cleveland\'s cabinet, Attorney
General Richard Olney, a
00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:59.480 align:middle line:84%
director of two of the
strike-bound railroads.
00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:02.490 align:middle line:84%
Olney invoked the Sherman
Antitrust Act, designed to
00:24:02.490 --> 00:24:06.240 align:middle line:84%
break up monopolies, and used
it against the union.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:10.660 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.010 align:middle line:84%
Federal troops broke
the boycott.
00:24:12.010 --> 00:24:16.270 align:middle line:90%
00:24:16.270 --> 00:24:18.630 align:middle line:90%
Twelve people were killed.
00:24:18.630 --> 00:24:23.110 align:middle line:84%
Debs was jailed, and
the strike crushed.
00:24:23.110 --> 00:24:26.260 align:middle line:84%
Debs said of the federal
intervention, in the gleam of
00:24:26.260 --> 00:24:29.590 align:middle line:84%
every bayonet, and the flash
of every rifle, the class
00:24:29.590 --> 00:24:32.300 align:middle line:90%
struggle was revealed.
00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:36.250 align:middle line:84%
Debs went on to co-found
the IWW, and became the
00:24:36.250 --> 00:24:38.940 align:middle line:84%
presidential candidate of
the Socialist Party.
00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:41.450 align:middle line:84%
He now believed that industrial
unions were not
00:24:41.450 --> 00:24:44.660 align:middle line:84%
enough, and that workers would
have to gain political, as
00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:47.280 align:middle line:84%
well as economic, power to
stand up to corporate
00:24:47.280 --> 00:24:48.530 align:middle line:90%
capitalism.
00:24:48.530 --> 00:24:51.650 align:middle line:90%
00:24:51.650 --> 00:24:53.960 align:middle line:84%
A federal commission recommended
that unions should
00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:57.390 align:middle line:84%
have the right to organize
and bargain collectively.
00:24:57.390 --> 00:24:59.460 align:middle line:84%
But the workers wouldn\'t
gain these rights
00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:01.285 align:middle line:90%
for another 40 years.
00:25:01.285 --> 00:25:04.470 align:middle line:90%
00:25:04.470 --> 00:25:07.720 align:middle line:84%
By the turn of the century,
Pullman completed its sleeping
00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.320 align:middle line:90%
car monopoly.
00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:12.820 align:middle line:84%
It tightened its control over
the workers with Frederick W.
00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:17.330 align:middle line:84%
Taylor\'s scientific management
techniques.
00:25:17.330 --> 00:25:21.740 align:middle line:84%
By 1904, stockholders were
earning 35% a year, while the
00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:25.166 align:middle line:84%
workers were forced to
accept wage cuts.
00:25:25.166 --> 00:25:29.750 align:middle line:84%
In WWI, President Wilson
nationalized the railroads.
00:25:29.750 --> 00:25:32.390 align:middle line:84%
He declared unions essential
to the war effort and
00:25:32.390 --> 00:25:35.080 align:middle line:90%
permitted them to organize.
00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:38.160 align:middle line:84%
But after the war, Pullman and
the railroads demanded wage
00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:44.400 align:middle line:84%
cuts, and 400,000 railroad shop
workers went on strike.
00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:47.210 align:middle line:84%
As in 1894, the government
intervened
00:25:47.210 --> 00:25:49.920 align:middle line:90%
to break the strike.
00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:53.090 align:middle line:84%
The all-white union at Pullman
was destroyed when the company
00:25:53.090 --> 00:25:54.735 align:middle line:90%
hired 3,000 black workers.
00:25:54.735 --> 00:25:57.320 align:middle line:90%
00:25:57.320 --> 00:26:00.710 align:middle line:84%
Pullman president E.F. Carey
said, as long as they remain
00:26:00.710 --> 00:26:03.110 align:middle line:90%
unorganized, I\'ll hire blacks.
00:26:03.110 --> 00:26:08.480 align:middle line:84%
If I have to deal with unions,
I\'ll bring back the whites.
00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:11.620 align:middle line:84%
In the depression of the 1930s,
there was a resurgence
00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:13.160 align:middle line:84%
of industrial union
organizing.
00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:18.750 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:26:18.750 --> 00:26:20.500 align:middle line:90%
The CIO was formed.
00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:24.420 align:middle line:84%
And in 1936, the Wagner Act
finally gave workers what the
00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:28.450 align:middle line:84%
federal strike commission had
recommended in 1894, the right
00:26:28.450 --> 00:26:33.550 align:middle line:84%
to organize, hold elections,
and bargain collectively.
00:26:33.550 --> 00:26:35.980 align:middle line:84%
Pullman successfully
resisted the shop
00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.660 align:middle line:90%
workers efforts to organize.
00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:41.730 align:middle line:84%
But in 1937, the Brotherhood
of Sleeping Car Porters won
00:26:41.730 --> 00:26:45.410 align:middle line:84%
the first real union contract
with the company.
00:26:45.410 --> 00:26:48.550 align:middle line:84%
Their president, A. Phillip
Randolph, led the fight to
00:26:48.550 --> 00:26:49.800 align:middle line:90%
open unions to blacks.
00:26:49.800 --> 00:26:52.740 align:middle line:90%
00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:55.882 align:middle line:84%
Despite the Wagner Act, and
growing unity in the labor
00:26:55.882 --> 00:26:58.810 align:middle line:84%
movement, many corporations,
including Pullman, were still
00:26:58.810 --> 00:27:01.690 align:middle line:84%
totally opposed to the idea
of industrial unionism.
00:27:01.690 --> 00:27:04.610 align:middle line:90%
00:27:04.610 --> 00:27:06.930 align:middle line:84%
The Chicago Police attacked
the CIO Steelworkers at
00:27:06.930 --> 00:27:11.750 align:middle line:90%
Republic Steel in 1937.
00:27:11.750 --> 00:27:13.000 align:middle line:90%
Ten people were killed.
00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:15.950 align:middle line:90%
00:27:15.950 --> 00:27:19.750 align:middle line:84%
It was not until 1944, during
the wartime conversion, that
00:27:19.750 --> 00:27:21.940 align:middle line:84%
the Pullman shop workers
finally won
00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:24.140 align:middle line:90%
an industrial union.
00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:26.660 align:middle line:84%
As in WWI, the government
had to force an
00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:28.040 align:middle line:90%
agreement on Pullman.
00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:33.540 align:middle line:90%
00:27:33.540 --> 00:27:37.340 align:middle line:84%
Organized by the CIO
steelworkers, local 1834
00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:39.270 align:middle line:84%
members proudly named
themselves
00:27:39.270 --> 00:27:41.200 align:middle line:90%
after Eugene V. Debs.
00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:44.000 align:middle line:84%
And, along with other Pullman
workers, began to bargain for
00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:46.880 align:middle line:84%
wages and working conditions
that would eventually be among
00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.541 align:middle line:90%
the best in the country.
00:27:48.541 --> 00:27:58.380 align:middle line:90%
00:27:58.380 --> 00:28:01.700 align:middle line:84%
In the post-war prosperity,
American corporations were
00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:03.070 align:middle line:90%
dominating world markets.
00:28:03.070 --> 00:28:05.080 align:middle line:90%
They were making huge profits.
00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:07.170 align:middle line:84%
And the industrial unions
were able to win
00:28:07.170 --> 00:28:08.650 align:middle line:90%
workers their share.
00:28:08.650 --> 00:28:13.851 align:middle line:84%
The United Steelworkers of
America TV monthly meeting.
00:28:13.851 --> 00:28:16.820 align:middle line:84%
Eugene Debs early goal of
industrial unionism was
00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:20.330 align:middle line:84%
finally being achieved, backed
by the very kinds of laws the
00:28:20.330 --> 00:28:22.631 align:middle line:84%
1894 strike commission
had recommended.
00:28:22.631 --> 00:28:25.280 align:middle line:90%
00:28:25.280 --> 00:28:30.170 align:middle line:84%
But by 1947, the Taft-Hartley
Law, passed over Truman\'s
00:28:30.170 --> 00:28:33.970 align:middle line:84%
veto, limited labor\'s
right to organize.
00:28:33.970 --> 00:28:36.540 align:middle line:84%
The industrial unions began
to focus more on
00:28:36.540 --> 00:28:38.530 align:middle line:90%
protecting past gains.
00:28:38.530 --> 00:28:41.430 align:middle line:84%
They backed away from militant
organizing, and from
00:28:41.430 --> 00:28:45.840 align:middle line:84%
challenging the corporations
right to control the economy.
00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:49.570 align:middle line:84%
In 1959, the steel companies
tested the strength of the
00:28:49.570 --> 00:28:53.080 align:middle line:84%
United Steelworkers to see if
the union could still protect
00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:55.940 align:middle line:84%
the wages and working conditions
won since the war.
00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:59.790 align:middle line:84%
We have stated time and again
that we want to negotiate a
00:28:59.790 --> 00:29:03.510 align:middle line:84%
non-inflationary settlement,
which would permit our
00:29:03.510 --> 00:29:06.030 align:middle line:84%
members, as well as the
stockholders management and
00:29:06.030 --> 00:29:09.690 align:middle line:84%
the general public, to share in
the steel industry\'s vast
00:29:09.690 --> 00:29:11.530 align:middle line:90%
prosperity.
00:29:11.530 --> 00:29:14.500 align:middle line:84%
Ladies and gentlemen, the
steel industry has the
00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:18.440 align:middle line:84%
temerity to demand that the
union give up the rightful
00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:21.420 align:middle line:84%
standards of living and working
which enlightened
00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:25.480 align:middle line:84%
leaders of industry and of the
United Steelworkers Union have
00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:29.880 align:middle line:84%
built in years of hard,
honest bargaining.
00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:32.460 align:middle line:84%
Debs had warned that industrial
unions alone were
00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:35.170 align:middle line:84%
not enough to protect
the workers.
00:29:35.170 --> 00:29:39.725 align:middle line:84%
But in this bitter 116 day
nationwide strike, the union
00:29:39.725 --> 00:29:42.650 align:middle line:90%
protected its contract.
00:29:42.650 --> 00:29:44.960 align:middle line:84%
The wage settlement with
small, but the union\'s
00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:47.560 align:middle line:84%
willingness to fight eventually
forced companies to
00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:49.730 align:middle line:84%
accept a continually-rising
standard of
00:29:49.730 --> 00:29:51.650 align:middle line:90%
living for the workers.
00:29:51.650 --> 00:29:54.700 align:middle line:84%
During the \'50s and \'60s, at
least for those workers in
00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:57.492 align:middle line:84%
them, industrial unions
seemed to deliver.
00:29:57.492 --> 00:30:05.470 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:30:05.470 --> 00:30:08.390 align:middle line:84%
To the leaders of the industrial
unions, Debs vision
00:30:08.390 --> 00:30:10.760 align:middle line:84%
of a larger political movement
that would challenge the
00:30:10.760 --> 00:30:14.290 align:middle line:84%
corporations control of the
economy seemed unnecessary.
00:30:14.290 --> 00:30:16.920 align:middle line:84%
Main gate of the plant, where
he spoke to the assembled
00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.870 align:middle line:90%
steelworkers.
00:30:17.870 --> 00:30:23.110 align:middle line:84%
Fellow steelworkers, I know that
you would not permit me,
00:30:23.110 --> 00:30:26.140 align:middle line:84%
if I wanted to, to give
up these hard
00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:27.580 align:middle line:90%
won rights of yours.
00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:30.420 align:middle line:84%
I know you would not permit
me to give up The United
00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:33.570 align:middle line:84%
Steelworkers of America, because
I know how you love
00:30:33.570 --> 00:30:35.180 align:middle line:84%
The United Steelworkers
of America.
00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:38.240 align:middle line:84%
And you\'re all strong
men of steel.
00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:42.520 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:30:42.520 --> 00:30:45.480 align:middle line:84%
But in recent years, The United
Steelworkers of America
00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:49.440 align:middle line:84%
has lost half of its 1.3
million members.
00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:52.700 align:middle line:84%
Today, American corporations
are abandoning the older,
00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.950 align:middle line:90%
unionized industries.
00:30:53.950 --> 00:30:56.460 align:middle line:90%
00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:59.450 align:middle line:84%
Workers are finding that the
power to bargain collectively,
00:30:59.450 --> 00:31:02.680 align:middle line:84%
backed by the right to strike,
is not enough to protect even
00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:04.120 align:middle line:90%
their past gains.
00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:06.700 align:middle line:90%
00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:08.910 align:middle line:84%
Pullman Standard just
doesn\'t seem to care
00:31:08.910 --> 00:31:10.350 align:middle line:90%
about the working people.
00:31:10.350 --> 00:31:13.050 align:middle line:84%
All they care about is
the almighty buck.
00:31:13.050 --> 00:31:14.960 align:middle line:84%
What they\'re telling us now,
we\'ve got to pack up and move.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:19.330 align:middle line:84%
I mean, that\'s not right,
in order to find a job.
00:31:19.330 --> 00:31:22.360 align:middle line:90%
You know, I\'m kind of scared.
00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:23.900 align:middle line:84%
I just got married
not too long ago.
00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:25.330 align:middle line:90%
And I got a wife and kids.
00:31:25.330 --> 00:31:27.030 align:middle line:84%
And I don\'t know what
I\'m going to do.
00:31:27.030 --> 00:31:29.425 align:middle line:84%
You get the feeling that you\'re
being let down, that
00:31:29.425 --> 00:31:31.350 align:middle line:90%
they\'re letting us down.
00:31:31.350 --> 00:31:33.140 align:middle line:90%
Nobody cares anymore.
00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:34.390 align:middle line:90%
And that\'s the wrong way.
00:31:34.390 --> 00:31:37.750 align:middle line:84%
We have to have the government
and our company behind us.
00:31:37.750 --> 00:31:41.290 align:middle line:84%
Then we\'re willing to stand
up and work, and
00:31:41.290 --> 00:31:41.870 align:middle line:90%
fight for our rights.
00:31:41.870 --> 00:31:43.450 align:middle line:90%
And our rights are to work.
00:31:43.450 --> 00:31:53.165 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:31:53.165 --> 00:31:56.950 align:middle line:84%
For the 1970s, the postwar
balance of power worked out
00:31:56.950 --> 00:32:01.980 align:middle line:84%
between the unions and the
corporations was changing.
00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:05.110 align:middle line:84%
The new industrial powers of
Japan and Western Europe have
00:32:05.110 --> 00:32:07.990 align:middle line:84%
challenged the American
monopolies domination of world
00:32:07.990 --> 00:32:14.978 align:middle line:84%
markets with modern plants,
advanced designs, and lower
00:32:14.978 --> 00:32:16.950 align:middle line:90%
profit rates.
00:32:16.950 --> 00:32:20.730 align:middle line:84%
But American corporations
were slow to modernize.
00:32:20.730 --> 00:32:23.130 align:middle line:84%
They were reluctant to cut their
profits and make the
00:32:23.130 --> 00:32:24.940 align:middle line:84%
investments necessary
to compete.
00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:29.210 align:middle line:90%
00:32:29.210 --> 00:32:32.220 align:middle line:84%
The era of monopoly
profits was gone.
00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:35.350 align:middle line:84%
Now the American corporations
developed a new approach,
00:32:35.350 --> 00:32:37.836 align:middle line:90%
capital mobility.
00:32:37.836 --> 00:32:41.130 align:middle line:84%
The corporations moved their
capital with computer like
00:32:41.130 --> 00:32:43.240 align:middle line:84%
speed to invest in
whatever areas
00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:45.400 align:middle line:90%
produced the highest process.
00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:48.300 align:middle line:84%
Because they were no longer
tied to a single industry,
00:32:48.300 --> 00:32:51.270 align:middle line:84%
corporations could now afford
to leave workers and their
00:32:51.270 --> 00:32:53.640 align:middle line:90%
unions behind.
00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:56.320 align:middle line:84%
The monopolies were evolving
into multinational
00:32:56.320 --> 00:32:57.480 align:middle line:90%
conglomerates.
00:32:57.480 --> 00:33:02.060 align:middle line:84%
And Pullman was one of
the first to change.
00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:04.600 align:middle line:84%
The wartime conversion had
brought the Pullman shop
00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:06.100 align:middle line:90%
workers their union.
00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:07.320 align:middle line:90%
It had also brought the Pullman
00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:08.860 align:middle line:90%
corporation enormous profits.
00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:12.130 align:middle line:90%
00:33:12.130 --> 00:33:14.550 align:middle line:84%
Anticipating the post-war
change in America\'s
00:33:14.550 --> 00:33:17.950 align:middle line:84%
transportation priorities,
Pullman used these profits to
00:33:17.950 --> 00:33:19.260 align:middle line:90%
begin diversifying.
00:33:19.260 --> 00:33:23.350 align:middle line:84%
In 1944, it bought the world\'s
second largest builder of oil
00:33:23.350 --> 00:33:24.980 align:middle line:90%
refineries.
00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:26.830 align:middle line:84%
The easy profits were
no longer in
00:33:26.830 --> 00:33:28.080 align:middle line:90%
the railroad business.
00:33:28.080 --> 00:33:30.680 align:middle line:90%
00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:33.540 align:middle line:84%
Now it was automobile that
was changing the economic
00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:34.790 align:middle line:90%
geography of the country.
00:33:34.790 --> 00:33:39.550 align:middle line:90%
00:33:39.550 --> 00:33:42.865 align:middle line:84%
The automobile industries had
the government subsidies and
00:33:42.865 --> 00:33:45.570 align:middle line:84%
were absorbing the vast amounts
of investment capital
00:33:45.570 --> 00:33:49.200 align:middle line:84%
needed to fuel the post-war
prosperity.
00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:51.885 align:middle line:84%
And the railroad industries,
with their subsidies long
00:33:51.885 --> 00:33:53.850 align:middle line:84%
gone, found it difficult
to attract
00:33:53.850 --> 00:33:56.610 align:middle line:90%
desperately needed capital.
00:33:56.610 --> 00:34:00.430 align:middle line:84%
By 1970, Pullman was a
full-fledged multinational
00:34:00.430 --> 00:34:01.680 align:middle line:90%
conglomerate.
00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:03.620 align:middle line:90%
00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:07.040 align:middle line:84%
And Samuel Casey became its
first chief executive officer
00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:09.060 align:middle line:90%
without a railroad background.
00:34:09.060 --> 00:34:11.719 align:middle line:84%
He said of the railcar building
division, it might be
00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:14.360 align:middle line:84%
like the pulp selling the
Vatican, but either it makes
00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:16.370 align:middle line:90%
money or out it goes.
00:34:16.370 --> 00:34:20.409 align:middle line:84%
In 1975, Casey brought in the
former astronaut James
00:34:20.409 --> 00:34:23.900 align:middle line:84%
McDivitt to head the railcar
building division.
00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:26.469 align:middle line:84%
He hoped that McDivitt could
bring its profits up to the
00:34:26.469 --> 00:34:30.139 align:middle line:84%
level of the rest of
the conglomerate.
00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:32.758 align:middle line:90%
But it didn\'t work.
00:34:32.758 --> 00:34:38.110 align:middle line:90%
00:34:38.110 --> 00:34:40.690 align:middle line:84%
They had the New York order
where they started out no mock
00:34:40.690 --> 00:34:42.739 align:middle line:84%
of car, ran into all
kinds of problems.
00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:45.040 align:middle line:84%
They went into the Amtrak orders
the very same way, no
00:34:45.040 --> 00:34:47.550 align:middle line:84%
mock of car, ran into 32,000
engineering changes.
00:34:47.550 --> 00:34:49.620 align:middle line:84%
The union tried to explain
to them what some of
00:34:49.620 --> 00:34:50.989 align:middle line:90%
the problems were.
00:34:50.989 --> 00:34:54.960 align:middle line:84%
We had a lounge cafe car that
they, indeed, decided to build
00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.469 align:middle line:90%
a mockup car on.
00:34:56.469 --> 00:34:58.970 align:middle line:84%
And made money if they would
have done it on the Amtrak.
00:34:58.970 --> 00:35:03.630 align:middle line:84%
Coaches, the lounges, the
sleepers, we would not be
00:35:03.630 --> 00:35:04.870 align:middle line:90%
where we were at today.
00:35:04.870 --> 00:35:07.300 align:middle line:84%
They had a professional car
builder in the company that
00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:09.800 align:middle line:90%
have 40 years experience.
00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:12.810 align:middle line:84%
This car builder told Mr.
McDivitt that it was
00:35:12.810 --> 00:35:16.270 align:middle line:84%
impossible to build the cars at
the rate that Mr. McDivitt
00:35:16.270 --> 00:35:18.440 align:middle line:90%
wanted the cars to be built.
00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:21.210 align:middle line:84%
But they brought people from
the aerospace industry.
00:35:21.210 --> 00:35:24.030 align:middle line:84%
They brought people into very
important jobs with very
00:35:24.030 --> 00:35:26.030 align:middle line:84%
limited car building
experience.
00:35:26.030 --> 00:35:29.520 align:middle line:90%
And it just ended in a fiasco.
00:35:29.520 --> 00:35:32.160 align:middle line:84%
That order, going in,
had a built in
00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:34.530 align:middle line:90%
profit of $35 million.
00:35:34.530 --> 00:35:39.280 align:middle line:84%
And to make a long story short,
that order ended in a
00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:41.100 align:middle line:90%
loss of over $200 million.
00:35:41.100 --> 00:35:43.780 align:middle line:84%
Like engineering, they\'ll
come over and say,
00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:44.600 align:middle line:90%
well, what do you think?
00:35:44.600 --> 00:35:46.020 align:middle line:84%
And they\'re the ones who
designed the car.
00:35:46.020 --> 00:35:47.440 align:middle line:90%
That\'s what I\'m saying.
00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:51.340 align:middle line:84%
I\'m going to tell you right now,
if the workers didn\'t use
00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:55.050 align:middle line:84%
their common sense, we\'d have
been here another five years.
00:35:55.050 --> 00:35:58.520 align:middle line:84%
When you get a company that the
employees don\'t want to
00:35:58.520 --> 00:36:02.200 align:middle line:84%
become supervises, you know
something is wrong with
00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:03.000 align:middle line:90%
management.
00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:07.850 align:middle line:84%
If I were the chief executive
of the company, I would make
00:36:07.850 --> 00:36:10.320 align:middle line:84%
every effort to stay in the
business because I don\'t think
00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:12.560 align:middle line:84%
there\'s any questions that
there is a future.
00:36:12.560 --> 00:36:13.840 align:middle line:84%
I enjoyed working
with everybody.
00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:15.470 align:middle line:90%
And it\'s been good.
00:36:15.470 --> 00:36:18.940 align:middle line:84%
But for the workers at Pullman,
there was no future.
00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:21.230 align:middle line:84%
The company has announced that
with the completion of the
00:36:21.230 --> 00:36:24.820 align:middle line:84%
Amtrak order, the passenger car
plants where it all began
00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:29.200 align:middle line:84%
114 years ago, would
be closed.
00:36:29.200 --> 00:36:32.580 align:middle line:84%
If you would have told me 13
years ago that Pullman was
00:36:32.580 --> 00:36:35.085 align:middle line:84%
going to go under I would have
called you a damn liar right
00:36:35.085 --> 00:36:36.680 align:middle line:90%
to your face.
00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:39.160 align:middle line:84%
My God, they got a fault over is
as big as this room full of
00:36:39.160 --> 00:36:43.870 align:middle line:84%
blueprints and diagrams that go
all the way back to 1900.
00:36:43.870 --> 00:36:45.320 align:middle line:84%
How come they can\'t
produce a car?
00:36:45.320 --> 00:36:47.530 align:middle line:84%
We\'re talking about a whole
damn generation now.
00:36:47.530 --> 00:36:49.760 align:middle line:84%
Your father used to run the
Chicago surface legs.
00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:54.200 align:middle line:84%
My grandfather before him went
to work for Pullman Standard
00:36:54.200 --> 00:36:55.330 align:middle line:90%
as a painter.
00:36:55.330 --> 00:36:59.240 align:middle line:84%
Myself 45 years later goes
to work at Pullman.
00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:02.155 align:middle line:84%
You know yourself Pete, we spent
many, many hours down in
00:37:02.155 --> 00:37:03.120 align:middle line:90%
damn holes.
00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.900 align:middle line:90%
Why?
00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:05.660 align:middle line:90%
Because we felt obligated.
00:37:05.660 --> 00:37:08.240 align:middle line:84%
But now the other side of the
coin is, doesn\'t management
00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:10.330 align:middle line:84%
feel obligated to
the employees?
00:37:10.330 --> 00:37:11.940 align:middle line:90%
No they don\'t.
00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:15.770 align:middle line:84%
As you know, we\'re down to
maybe 50, 60 members-
00:37:15.770 --> 00:37:18.380 align:middle line:84%
For the Pullman workers, the
union has been their only
00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:20.510 align:middle line:84%
protection and their
only hope.
00:37:20.510 --> 00:37:24.560 align:middle line:84%
But by the summer of 1981, after
the strike, after all
00:37:24.560 --> 00:37:28.020 align:middle line:84%
the demonstrations and all the
lobbying, the local save our
00:37:28.020 --> 00:37:30.810 align:middle line:90%
jobs campaign is faltering.
00:37:30.810 --> 00:37:33.690 align:middle line:84%
Almost the entire membership
is laid off.
00:37:33.690 --> 00:37:36.380 align:middle line:84%
And the staff man who services
local for the United
00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:39.610 align:middle line:84%
Steelworkers International is
demanding that the local stop
00:37:39.610 --> 00:37:40.690 align:middle line:90%
spending money.
00:37:40.690 --> 00:37:43.800 align:middle line:84%
Overall, you must comply
with the Constitution.
00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:47.010 align:middle line:84%
And if that means abstaining
from programs that are
00:37:47.010 --> 00:37:50.390 align:middle line:84%
otherwise very worthwhile,
that\'s what you\'ve got to do.
00:37:50.390 --> 00:37:52.580 align:middle line:90%
You\'ve got to bite the bullet.
00:37:52.580 --> 00:37:57.810 align:middle line:84%
Now, you do have $411,000
in your treasury.
00:37:57.810 --> 00:38:00.760 align:middle line:84%
But you\'re not going to have
that very long at the rate
00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:01.770 align:middle line:90%
that you\'re spending.
00:38:01.770 --> 00:38:05.590 align:middle line:84%
You know, the life of our
local is in danger.
00:38:05.590 --> 00:38:09.300 align:middle line:84%
And any questions that we can\'t
spend more than $200 a
00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:12.480 align:middle line:84%
month because that\'s all we take
in dues money, I don\'t
00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:13.820 align:middle line:90%
think is right.
00:38:13.820 --> 00:38:16.240 align:middle line:84%
And I think there\'s nothing
better to spend this money on
00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:19.900 align:middle line:84%
then fighting to build a
movement to save our jobs.
00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:22.940 align:middle line:84%
I would like to put a motion on
the floor saying that the
00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:26.530 align:middle line:84%
membership approves the
expenditures of money to try
00:38:26.530 --> 00:38:28.260 align:middle line:84%
to save the life of
our organization
00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.540 align:middle line:90%
and save our jobs.
00:38:29.540 --> 00:38:31.370 align:middle line:84%
Look, I\'ve already
told you once.
00:38:31.370 --> 00:38:35.580 align:middle line:84%
You\'ve appropriated far more
money than you take in.
00:38:35.580 --> 00:38:39.780 align:middle line:84%
Now, it\'s my duty to report this
to the district director.
00:38:39.780 --> 00:38:42.330 align:middle line:84%
And that\'s what I intend
to do tomorrow morning.
00:38:42.330 --> 00:38:44.820 align:middle line:84%
By reporting the local spending,
the staff man is
00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:46.260 align:middle line:84%
indicating that the
local should be
00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:48.390 align:middle line:90%
placed under his control.
00:38:48.390 --> 00:38:51.390 align:middle line:84%
It is the policy of the
Steelworkers Union to put a
00:38:51.390 --> 00:38:53.910 align:middle line:84%
local under the
administratorship of the staff
00:38:53.910 --> 00:38:56.830 align:middle line:84%
man when a local\'s
plant closes.
00:38:56.830 --> 00:39:00.240 align:middle line:84%
But local 1834\'s leadership
believes that the old union
00:39:00.240 --> 00:39:02.890 align:middle line:84%
policies are no longer
effective.
00:39:02.890 --> 00:39:05.310 align:middle line:84%
They want new strategies that
will fight corporate
00:39:05.310 --> 00:39:08.960 align:middle line:84%
disinvestment and
plant closings.
00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.360 align:middle line:84%
Now you\'re talking
about the members
00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:11.460 align:middle line:90%
that are on the street.
00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:14.060 align:middle line:84%
If the programs don\'t go
through, and these fellows
00:39:14.060 --> 00:39:16.590 align:middle line:84%
don\'t go talk to these fat
cats that are in control,
00:39:16.590 --> 00:39:20.182 align:middle line:84%
these people aren\'t
never coming back.
00:39:20.182 --> 00:39:22.750 align:middle line:84%
So I would personally like to
ask Mr. Stapie on behalf of
00:39:22.750 --> 00:39:25.090 align:middle line:84%
the local, to keep a lid on
the report for at least a
00:39:25.090 --> 00:39:25.730 align:middle line:90%
couple months.
00:39:25.730 --> 00:39:29.422 align:middle line:84%
And bear with us and let us push
these programs through.
00:39:29.422 --> 00:39:32.310 align:middle line:84%
You\'re asking me to violate
my duties and my
00:39:32.310 --> 00:39:34.910 align:middle line:90%
responsibilities.
00:39:34.910 --> 00:39:36.780 align:middle line:84%
Pardon me, I didn\'t interrupt
you, Mike.
00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:38.590 align:middle line:84%
When I\'m through you,
your president may
00:39:38.590 --> 00:39:40.740 align:middle line:90%
recognize you again.
00:39:40.740 --> 00:39:42.590 align:middle line:90%
Let\'s follow the Constitution.
00:39:42.590 --> 00:39:45.210 align:middle line:84%
Then we\'re all going
to be all right.
00:39:45.210 --> 00:39:48.880 align:middle line:84%
And if we don\'t, then we\'re all
going to be in trouble.
00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:51.530 align:middle line:84%
And I don\'t intend
to be in trouble.
00:39:51.530 --> 00:39:54.580 align:middle line:84%
It is hard to figure, John,
because if you do what you
00:39:54.580 --> 00:39:56.220 align:middle line:84%
say, there\'ll be no more
local newspaper.
00:39:56.220 --> 00:39:58.900 align:middle line:84%
There\'ll be no activities
in this local.
00:39:58.900 --> 00:40:02.340 align:middle line:84%
To me, right now, we is on
administration already.
00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:04.120 align:middle line:84%
We is taking word
from Mr. Stapie.
00:40:04.120 --> 00:40:05.840 align:middle line:90%
We is doing what he say to do.
00:40:05.840 --> 00:40:07.890 align:middle line:84%
We is not doing what
we want to do.
00:40:07.890 --> 00:40:09.460 align:middle line:84%
And this is not right
for our local.
00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:10.917 align:middle line:90%
We is getting weak.
00:40:10.917 --> 00:40:17.820 align:middle line:90%
00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:20.450 align:middle line:84%
Three weeks later, the staff
man has told them to close
00:40:20.450 --> 00:40:22.180 align:middle line:90%
their office.
00:40:22.180 --> 00:40:24.840 align:middle line:84%
He says no matter what you guys
do you\'re going under.
00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:27.500 align:middle line:90%
That\'s it.
00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.880 align:middle line:84%
No matter what you do, we\'re
going to put you under
00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:32.720 align:middle line:84%
administratorship If this is
their answer to deal with
00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:38.420 align:middle line:84%
plant closings in this country
the working man is in trouble.
00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:49.437 align:middle line:90%
00:40:49.437 --> 00:40:51.372 align:middle line:90%
Now you can understand why.
00:40:51.372 --> 00:41:07.090 align:middle line:90%
[BANGING]
00:41:07.090 --> 00:41:09.480 align:middle line:90%
Whoa!
00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:12.503 align:middle line:84%
Yeah, I was watching
what wall there.
00:41:12.503 --> 00:41:22.695 align:middle line:90%
00:41:22.695 --> 00:41:24.750 align:middle line:90%
Well, how does it look John?
00:41:24.750 --> 00:41:26.740 align:middle line:90%
You said tear everything out.
00:41:26.740 --> 00:41:28.643 align:middle line:84%
Unless you want to pay
them another, you
00:41:28.643 --> 00:41:32.430 align:middle line:90%
know, almost $600.
00:41:32.430 --> 00:41:35.210 align:middle line:84%
When are you going to call the
phone company about shutting
00:41:35.210 --> 00:41:37.965 align:middle line:90%
off the phones?
00:41:37.965 --> 00:41:43.815 align:middle line:90%
00:41:43.815 --> 00:41:44.300 align:middle line:90%
A lot of work.
00:41:44.300 --> 00:41:47.247 align:middle line:84%
You come have come
and helped us.
00:41:47.247 --> 00:41:58.724 align:middle line:90%
00:41:58.724 --> 00:42:00.720 align:middle line:90%
The last car is completed.
00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:02.580 align:middle line:84%
And everyone is laid off
but a skeleton crew.
00:42:02.580 --> 00:42:05.696 align:middle line:90%
00:42:05.696 --> 00:42:08.260 align:middle line:84%
This, of course, is a sad day
as well as a happy day.
00:42:08.260 --> 00:42:11.840 align:middle line:84%
It\'s the last car
of the contract.
00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:14.365 align:middle line:84%
The significance of this
plaque is this
00:42:14.365 --> 00:42:15.850 align:middle line:90%
is car number nine.
00:42:15.850 --> 00:42:19.980 align:middle line:84%
And George Pullman\'s first
car was car number nine.
00:42:19.980 --> 00:42:21.720 align:middle line:90%
It was a sleeping car.
00:42:21.720 --> 00:42:24.990 align:middle line:84%
There\'s a possibility this might
be the last sleeping car
00:42:24.990 --> 00:42:27.104 align:middle line:90%
that Pullman builds.
00:42:27.104 --> 00:42:41.640 align:middle line:90%
00:42:41.640 --> 00:42:48.890 align:middle line:84%
I\'d like to announce that,
effective July 8th, 1981, the
00:42:48.890 --> 00:42:53.860 align:middle line:84%
officers of local 1834 were
relieved from their duties,
00:42:53.860 --> 00:42:59.400 align:middle line:84%
and administratorship was
installed on local 1834,
00:42:59.400 --> 00:43:03.010 align:middle line:84%
simply because the manufacturing
had ceased.
00:43:03.010 --> 00:43:03.980 align:middle line:90%
Yes, brother?
00:43:03.980 --> 00:43:07.310 align:middle line:84%
Since the local is placed under
administratorship, it
00:43:07.310 --> 00:43:11.070 align:middle line:84%
seems that the body itself, the
membership itself has lost
00:43:11.070 --> 00:43:14.450 align:middle line:84%
some kind of communication
with the job situation.
00:43:14.450 --> 00:43:18.020 align:middle line:84%
I think you should take a long,
hard serious look in
00:43:18.020 --> 00:43:21.050 align:middle line:84%
restarting the local union
newspaper to keep the people
00:43:21.050 --> 00:43:23.380 align:middle line:84%
that are laid off informed
of what\'s
00:43:23.380 --> 00:43:25.310 align:middle line:90%
going on with the situation.
00:43:25.310 --> 00:43:29.720 align:middle line:84%
Our 1834 paper came out, at
best, only once a month.
00:43:29.720 --> 00:43:33.640 align:middle line:84%
The news that comes out today
and people read it in 1834 a
00:43:33.640 --> 00:43:37.140 align:middle line:84%
month later, that\'s
not news anymore.
00:43:37.140 --> 00:43:40.240 align:middle line:84%
Now, when there were 1800 people
working in the two
00:43:40.240 --> 00:43:44.380 align:middle line:84%
plants, it was a simple matter
to be in communication.
00:43:44.380 --> 00:43:47.680 align:middle line:84%
Our problem today is that the
other people are scattered,
00:43:47.680 --> 00:43:51.160 align:middle line:84%
literally, all over the country
looking for jobs.
00:43:51.160 --> 00:43:53.930 align:middle line:84%
So you could send out
the paper to maybe
00:43:53.930 --> 00:43:55.900 align:middle line:90%
13, or 1,400 people.
00:43:55.900 --> 00:43:58.665 align:middle line:84%
I still have to count
1800 members.
00:43:58.665 --> 00:44:00.670 align:middle line:84%
What if some people volunteered
to come down and
00:44:00.670 --> 00:44:02.110 align:middle line:90%
help put the thing together.
00:44:02.110 --> 00:44:03.580 align:middle line:84%
It wouldn\'t cost you
a cent except the
00:44:03.580 --> 00:44:05.080 align:middle line:90%
postage to mail it out.
00:44:05.080 --> 00:44:09.420 align:middle line:84%
Well, if something warrants that
be done, then I would be
00:44:09.420 --> 00:44:10.420 align:middle line:90%
in touch with you.
00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.970 align:middle line:84%
And I appreciate your
volunteering.
00:44:11.970 --> 00:44:15.872 align:middle line:90%
00:44:15.872 --> 00:44:17.360 align:middle line:90%
OK, is there anything else?
00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:20.649 align:middle line:84%
I think, you know, have some of
the Sunday, yes, brother?
00:44:20.649 --> 00:44:25.050 align:middle line:90%
00:44:25.050 --> 00:44:27.350 align:middle line:84%
The entire Pullman conglomerate
had been taken
00:44:27.350 --> 00:44:30.500 align:middle line:84%
over by the Wheelabrator-Frye
conglomerate eight months
00:44:30.500 --> 00:44:33.790 align:middle line:84%
before the local was put under
administratorship There were
00:44:33.790 --> 00:44:36.660 align:middle line:84%
now rumors that if the union
would make concessions, the
00:44:36.660 --> 00:44:39.810 align:middle line:84%
new owners would seek the New
York City subway car order and
00:44:39.810 --> 00:44:42.630 align:middle line:90%
reopen the plant.
00:44:42.630 --> 00:44:45.390 align:middle line:84%
But the talks broke down
and the union called
00:44:45.390 --> 00:44:46.880 align:middle line:90%
an emergency meeting.
00:44:46.880 --> 00:44:49.710 align:middle line:84%
Wheelabrator-Fye had announced
to the press that it was
00:44:49.710 --> 00:44:53.040 align:middle line:84%
abandoning the passenger car
business, blaming the economy
00:44:53.040 --> 00:44:55.930 align:middle line:84%
and insufficient concessions
by the union.
00:44:55.930 --> 00:45:00.310 align:middle line:84%
The membership of local 1834,
despite their frustration with
00:45:00.310 --> 00:45:03.520 align:middle line:84%
the administratorship, had
requested the international
00:45:03.520 --> 00:45:05.770 align:middle line:84%
and the new district director
Jack Parton to
00:45:05.770 --> 00:45:07.710 align:middle line:90%
negotiate for them.
00:45:07.710 --> 00:45:10.880 align:middle line:84%
Although Pullman has attempted
to blame the union, we will
00:45:10.880 --> 00:45:14.470 align:middle line:84%
not allow ourselves to be the
fall guy for failure to reach
00:45:14.470 --> 00:45:15.420 align:middle line:90%
a settlement.
00:45:15.420 --> 00:45:17.420 align:middle line:84%
The United Steelworkers of
America offer to make
00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:19.720 align:middle line:84%
significant concessions
to Pullman.
00:45:19.720 --> 00:45:22.130 align:middle line:84%
It appeared we had reached
a tentative agreement.
00:45:22.130 --> 00:45:24.340 align:middle line:84%
However, Pullman representatives
ultimately
00:45:24.340 --> 00:45:27.990 align:middle line:84%
withdrew from negotiations by
simply throwing at us this
00:45:27.990 --> 00:45:30.800 align:middle line:84%
take it or leave it proposal
that could only be described
00:45:30.800 --> 00:45:34.120 align:middle line:84%
as a bomb that would destroy
all workers\' rights.
00:45:34.120 --> 00:45:37.610 align:middle line:84%
And, I think, more importantly
a lack of interest in bidding
00:45:37.610 --> 00:45:40.350 align:middle line:84%
on the MTA New York
car project.
00:45:40.350 --> 00:45:43.850 align:middle line:84%
I want to read to you what
they asked us to accept.
00:45:43.850 --> 00:45:46.550 align:middle line:84%
If an employee is scheduled or
notified to report for work
00:45:46.550 --> 00:45:49.040 align:middle line:84%
and his regular assigned work
is not available, at this
00:45:49.040 --> 00:45:51.100 align:middle line:84%
point they wanted to
send you home.
00:45:51.100 --> 00:45:53.400 align:middle line:84%
They were saying to us, if we
schedule you and have you out
00:45:53.400 --> 00:45:55.990 align:middle line:84%
there, then we don\'t need you,
we\'re going to send you back,
00:45:55.990 --> 00:45:57.970 align:middle line:84%
and we have no obligation
to you.
00:45:57.970 --> 00:46:00.550 align:middle line:84%
We\'re not going to go
back to them days.
00:46:00.550 --> 00:46:03.780 align:middle line:84%
Very good one here, the company
may require employees
00:46:03.780 --> 00:46:05.960 align:middle line:84%
to take a lie detector
test, provide
00:46:05.960 --> 00:46:08.150 align:middle line:90%
urine samples for testing.
00:46:08.150 --> 00:46:10.830 align:middle line:84%
Refusal to submit to any such
searches or tests shall be
00:46:10.830 --> 00:46:12.630 align:middle line:90%
grounds for discharge.
00:46:12.630 --> 00:46:15.530 align:middle line:84%
And without any showing of any
reasonable cause to believe
00:46:15.530 --> 00:46:17.930 align:middle line:84%
that an infraction
has occurred.
00:46:17.930 --> 00:46:21.390 align:middle line:84%
I think here was probably
the most upsetting one.
00:46:21.390 --> 00:46:24.380 align:middle line:84%
Up to 20% of the employees on
the existing seniority roster
00:46:24.380 --> 00:46:26.860 align:middle line:84%
may be stricken from the list
in the company\'s discretion
00:46:26.860 --> 00:46:30.342 align:middle line:84%
and without showing any
cause, 20% of you.
00:46:30.342 --> 00:46:33.120 align:middle line:90%
00:46:33.120 --> 00:46:36.790 align:middle line:84%
Why doesn\'t the union lax in
its demands a little bit?
00:46:36.790 --> 00:46:38.300 align:middle line:84%
There\'s a lot of people
hurting for money.
00:46:38.300 --> 00:46:40.850 align:middle line:84%
I\'m sure they wouldn\'t mind
throwing a couple switches or
00:46:40.850 --> 00:46:43.668 align:middle line:84%
doing a little bit extra work,
or taking a couple dollars cut
00:46:43.668 --> 00:46:46.590 align:middle line:84%
in pay for a job nowadays,
because there\'s a lot of
00:46:46.590 --> 00:46:48.190 align:middle line:90%
people out of jobs.
00:46:48.190 --> 00:46:50.060 align:middle line:90%
Well, let me say this to you.
00:46:50.060 --> 00:46:52.240 align:middle line:84%
The agreement that they wanted
us to accept what would even
00:46:52.240 --> 00:46:53.990 align:middle line:84%
violate your rights
as a citizen.
00:46:53.990 --> 00:46:55.480 align:middle line:84%
Certainly, I don\'t intend
to accept it.
00:46:55.480 --> 00:47:00.360 align:middle line:84%
Or even bring it down here
and propose it to you.
00:47:00.360 --> 00:47:03.700 align:middle line:84%
The union is trying to make
some concessions.
00:47:03.700 --> 00:47:06.040 align:middle line:84%
They walk away from the table
and put it in their pocket.
00:47:06.040 --> 00:47:08.000 align:middle line:84%
And they come back
and want more.
00:47:08.000 --> 00:47:12.100 align:middle line:84%
Now all this is before they
even bid on an order.
00:47:12.100 --> 00:47:13.710 align:middle line:84%
Everyone know they trying to
break the back of labor at
00:47:13.710 --> 00:47:14.880 align:middle line:90%
this moment.
00:47:14.880 --> 00:47:16.800 align:middle line:90%
We think they jiving.
00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:18.250 align:middle line:84%
Makes me wonder if they didn\'t
bring George Pullman back to
00:47:18.250 --> 00:47:20.100 align:middle line:90%
the chief negotiator.
00:47:20.100 --> 00:47:23.670 align:middle line:84%
Now, if Pullman is going to
close, then let them close.
00:47:23.670 --> 00:47:26.650 align:middle line:84%
We don\'t want to stand
in limbo anymore.
00:47:26.650 --> 00:47:29.480 align:middle line:84%
We want to know either you\'re
going to close or
00:47:29.480 --> 00:47:30.410 align:middle line:90%
you\'re going to open.
00:47:30.410 --> 00:47:33.030 align:middle line:84%
If you\'re going to close,
then pay the man off.
00:47:33.030 --> 00:47:35.157 align:middle line:84%
If you\'re going to open,
then keep it open.
00:47:35.157 --> 00:47:38.140 align:middle line:90%
00:47:38.140 --> 00:47:40.850 align:middle line:84%
I think the steelworkers would
be willing to take this thing
00:47:40.850 --> 00:47:43.790 align:middle line:84%
to court in order to get
your severance paid.
00:47:43.790 --> 00:47:45.590 align:middle line:84%
But again I want to reiterate
one thing.
00:47:45.590 --> 00:47:48.680 align:middle line:84%
I never come here today to try
to get you your severance pay.
00:47:48.680 --> 00:47:51.010 align:middle line:84%
I\'m here today to try to
get this plant open.
00:47:51.010 --> 00:47:52.831 align:middle line:84%
And I\'m not going to
quit until we\'re
00:47:52.831 --> 00:47:53.793 align:middle line:90%
successful with it.
00:47:53.793 --> 00:48:01.008 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:48:01.008 --> 00:48:05.000 align:middle line:84%
You come up with a lug like
that, that ain\'t work a buck.
00:48:05.000 --> 00:48:07.146 align:middle line:84%
The problem is that half
these people out
00:48:07.146 --> 00:48:08.816 align:middle line:90%
here need they money.
00:48:08.816 --> 00:48:13.120 align:middle line:84%
Pullman ain\'t going to open,
so give us our dough.
00:48:13.120 --> 00:48:16.220 align:middle line:84%
I think that we ought to put the
blame where it should lie.
00:48:16.220 --> 00:48:18.920 align:middle line:90%
And that\'s with the company.
00:48:18.920 --> 00:48:21.160 align:middle line:84%
It\'s the company that\'s making
these decisions.
00:48:21.160 --> 00:48:23.900 align:middle line:84%
And it\'s the company that\'s
screwing you.
00:48:23.900 --> 00:48:28.220 align:middle line:84%
You need to stop arguing among
yourself and back the people
00:48:28.220 --> 00:48:31.020 align:middle line:84%
that you put your money in and
took it out your check.
00:48:31.020 --> 00:48:34.460 align:middle line:84%
We\'re talking about eight weeks
of severance pay, four
00:48:34.460 --> 00:48:35.740 align:middle line:90%
weeks of severance pay.
00:48:35.740 --> 00:48:38.860 align:middle line:84%
And how long would that money
last your family?
00:48:38.860 --> 00:48:44.340 align:middle line:84%
And you\'ve got house notes, car
notes, and babies to feed.
00:48:44.340 --> 00:48:46.220 align:middle line:90%
We don\'t want severance pay.
00:48:46.220 --> 00:48:49.950 align:middle line:84%
We want to back Mr. Parton
and the committee
00:48:49.950 --> 00:48:51.980 align:middle line:90%
the best of our ability.
00:48:51.980 --> 00:48:54.481 align:middle line:90%
We want to keep running.
00:48:54.481 --> 00:48:57.260 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:48:57.260 --> 00:49:00.230 align:middle line:84%
The motion is to back the
negotiating committee in its
00:49:00.230 --> 00:49:02.880 align:middle line:84%
efforts to restore the
people\'s jobs.
00:49:02.880 --> 00:49:04.326 align:middle line:84%
Please stand if you\'re
in favor.
00:49:04.326 --> 00:49:09.630 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:49:09.630 --> 00:49:11.113 align:middle line:90%
And I want to caution.
00:49:11.113 --> 00:49:16.020 align:middle line:84%
I would ask that you not be
upset or pissed off at your
00:49:16.020 --> 00:49:17.490 align:middle line:90%
union leadership.
00:49:17.490 --> 00:49:20.220 align:middle line:84%
You should be pissed off at that
company who is failing to
00:49:20.220 --> 00:49:21.314 align:middle line:90%
negotiate in good faith.
00:49:21.314 --> 00:49:23.750 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:49:23.750 --> 00:49:26.900 align:middle line:84%
We\'ve had for two years
now a save our jobs
00:49:26.900 --> 00:49:28.150 align:middle line:90%
committee in the local.
00:49:28.150 --> 00:49:31.150 align:middle line:84%
And we\'re anxious to work with
you and the international and
00:49:31.150 --> 00:49:32.600 align:middle line:90%
get back involved.
00:49:32.600 --> 00:49:35.370 align:middle line:84%
Since we\'ve been placed under
administratorship, a lot of
00:49:35.370 --> 00:49:37.840 align:middle line:84%
that has fallen by
the wayside.
00:49:37.840 --> 00:49:40.930 align:middle line:84%
Instead of just sitting here
taking all the blame for the
00:49:40.930 --> 00:49:45.250 align:middle line:84%
closing, and for the
failure of Pullman.
00:49:45.250 --> 00:49:48.760 align:middle line:84%
Maybe there\'s another avenue,
trying to own our own
00:49:48.760 --> 00:49:53.580 align:middle line:84%
companies and have more
input as workers.
00:49:53.580 --> 00:49:56.360 align:middle line:84%
You\'re talking about the
employees buying the plant and
00:49:56.360 --> 00:49:56.920 align:middle line:90%
operating it.
00:49:56.920 --> 00:49:59.720 align:middle line:84%
You\'re talking about a lot
longer period of time.
00:49:59.720 --> 00:50:01.510 align:middle line:84%
I could get some information
on that.
00:50:01.510 --> 00:50:05.180 align:middle line:84%
And if Pullman doesn\'t want to
build passenger cars, then get
00:50:05.180 --> 00:50:06.750 align:middle line:90%
the hell out of the way.
00:50:06.750 --> 00:50:10.190 align:middle line:84%
We can build the cars for the
communities, for the country,
00:50:10.190 --> 00:50:11.490 align:middle line:90%
because it\'s what they need.
00:50:11.490 --> 00:50:17.250 align:middle line:90%
[CHEERS]
00:50:17.250 --> 00:50:20.270 align:middle line:84%
Corporate investment in the
railroads, and then the
00:50:20.270 --> 00:50:24.950 align:middle line:84%
automobile industries, once
fueled an expanding economy.
00:50:24.950 --> 00:50:28.050 align:middle line:84%
And unions fought for workers to
get their fair share of the
00:50:28.050 --> 00:50:29.740 align:middle line:90%
wealth created.
00:50:29.740 --> 00:50:32.780 align:middle line:84%
But today, the investment trend
is corporate takeovers
00:50:32.780 --> 00:50:33.550 align:middle line:90%
and mergers.
00:50:33.550 --> 00:50:40.250 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:50:40.250 --> 00:50:44.150 align:middle line:84%
This can result in inflation
and plant closings and cost
00:50:44.150 --> 00:50:48.560 align:middle line:90%
workers their jobs.
00:50:48.560 --> 00:50:53.320 align:middle line:84%
The first thing I\'ll do, then,
is read the telegram, subject,
00:50:53.320 --> 00:50:58.260 align:middle line:84%
permanent closing of Pullman
car works one and two.
00:50:58.260 --> 00:51:04.200 align:middle line:84%
Dear Mr. Parton, pursuant to
section 23, subsection a, of
00:51:04.200 --> 00:51:07.380 align:middle line:84%
the collective bargaining
agreement between Pullman
00:51:07.380 --> 00:51:11.350 align:middle line:84%
Standard and the United
Steelworkers of America, we
00:51:11.350 --> 00:51:15.660 align:middle line:84%
regretfully must inform you of
the company\'s intention to
00:51:15.660 --> 00:51:20.440 align:middle line:84%
permanently close PCW
one and PCW two,
00:51:20.440 --> 00:51:24.650 align:middle line:90%
effective February 3, 1982.
00:51:24.650 --> 00:51:29.480 align:middle line:84%
Signed, John F. Rosner, Pullman
Standard 200 South
00:51:29.480 --> 00:51:32.170 align:middle line:90%
Michigan, Chicago, Illinois.
00:51:32.170 --> 00:51:36.250 align:middle line:84%
Now, Director Parton will do his
utmost in the hopes that
00:51:36.250 --> 00:51:40.300 align:middle line:84%
either Kawasaki or someone else
is going to get the New
00:51:40.300 --> 00:51:44.530 align:middle line:84%
York order, almost $2 billion
worth of cars.
00:51:44.530 --> 00:51:49.370 align:middle line:84%
And to ensure that they would
want to use the most
00:51:49.370 --> 00:51:52.990 align:middle line:84%
highly-skilled passenger car
makers in the country.
00:51:52.990 --> 00:51:56.280 align:middle line:84%
And that\'s you ladies and
gentleman sitting here.
00:51:56.280 --> 00:51:59.370 align:middle line:90%
Now, I have to face reality.
00:51:59.370 --> 00:52:02.810 align:middle line:84%
For all these past three years,
I have never wanted to
00:52:02.810 --> 00:52:06.580 align:middle line:90%
build anyone\'s hopes falsely.
00:52:06.580 --> 00:52:08.410 align:middle line:90%
Yes, brother?
00:52:08.410 --> 00:52:10.540 align:middle line:84%
We had a job movement
at one time.
00:52:10.540 --> 00:52:13.540 align:middle line:84%
Once the local was taken over,
it kind of fizzled out.
00:52:13.540 --> 00:52:16.660 align:middle line:84%
We got $400,000 some sitting
in the treasury.
00:52:16.660 --> 00:52:18.050 align:middle line:90%
I think we got the resources.
00:52:18.050 --> 00:52:19.185 align:middle line:90%
We got the energy.
00:52:19.185 --> 00:52:21.140 align:middle line:84%
I understand that they announced
the closing.
00:52:21.140 --> 00:52:22.390 align:middle line:90%
But these are our jobs.
00:52:22.390 --> 00:52:24.810 align:middle line:90%
And it shouldn\'t go overseas.
00:52:24.810 --> 00:52:29.125 align:middle line:84%
Well, where we go from here,
that\'s a good question.
00:52:29.125 --> 00:52:32.620 align:middle line:90%
And I don\'t have the answer.
00:52:32.620 --> 00:52:33.810 align:middle line:90%
The meeting\'s adjourned.
00:52:33.810 --> 00:52:35.584 align:middle line:90%
See you next month.
00:52:35.584 --> 00:52:39.670 align:middle line:90%
00:52:39.670 --> 00:52:41.360 align:middle line:84%
The Pullman workers
get together for
00:52:41.360 --> 00:52:43.393 align:middle line:90%
their last union picnic.
00:52:43.393 --> 00:52:53.760 align:middle line:90%
00:52:53.760 --> 00:52:57.910 align:middle line:84%
The $2 billion New York City
subway car order has gone to a
00:52:57.910 --> 00:52:58.710 align:middle line:90%
Canadian firm.
00:52:58.710 --> 00:53:02.290 align:middle line:84%
And the members of local 1834
share their concern for their
00:53:02.290 --> 00:53:05.130 align:middle line:84%
own future, and the future
of American industry.
00:53:05.130 --> 00:53:07.720 align:middle line:84%
OK, we\'re paying them people
in another country
00:53:07.720 --> 00:53:08.490 align:middle line:90%
to build them cars.
00:53:08.490 --> 00:53:10.320 align:middle line:84%
That money ain\'t coming
back to us.
00:53:10.320 --> 00:53:12.840 align:middle line:84%
Over here, at least, as long
as they\'re paying us, we\'re
00:53:12.840 --> 00:53:14.373 align:middle line:84%
giving that money right
the government any
00:53:14.373 --> 00:53:15.365 align:middle line:90%
way you look at it.
00:53:15.365 --> 00:53:16.518 align:middle line:84%
Either you\'re going to buy it
in food, or you\'re going to
00:53:16.518 --> 00:53:18.405 align:middle line:84%
buy it in clothing, or you\'re
going to buy it in services.
00:53:18.405 --> 00:53:22.920 align:middle line:84%
Like, say France and Italy,
super liners, what do they
00:53:22.920 --> 00:53:24.980 align:middle line:90%
going 110 miles an hour?
00:53:24.980 --> 00:53:27.890 align:middle line:84%
They want mass transit, the
government gives it to them.
00:53:27.890 --> 00:53:28.960 align:middle line:84%
And they follow through
with it.
00:53:28.960 --> 00:53:32.560 align:middle line:84%
But here are crossings are
bad, everything\'s bad.
00:53:32.560 --> 00:53:34.520 align:middle line:90%
Well, gee, here, I\'m laid off.
00:53:34.520 --> 00:53:36.400 align:middle line:90%
Steve right here is laid off.
00:53:36.400 --> 00:53:41.278 align:middle line:84%
Why can\'t they put us to work
with some railroad line, to
00:53:41.278 --> 00:53:43.758 align:middle line:90%
fix these [INAUDIBLE]?
00:53:43.758 --> 00:53:57.180 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
00:53:57.180 --> 00:54:00.360 align:middle line:84%
The only railway beds we\'ve got,
and the tracks we\'ve got,
00:54:00.360 --> 00:54:02.670 align:middle line:84%
is what the corporations sucked
dry and then turned
00:54:02.670 --> 00:54:03.400 align:middle line:90%
over to the government.
00:54:03.400 --> 00:54:05.370 align:middle line:84%
And that should not have
been allowed to happen.
00:54:05.370 --> 00:54:07.230 align:middle line:84%
We\'ve got to have a
national movement
00:54:07.230 --> 00:54:08.680 align:middle line:90%
against the shut downs.
00:54:08.680 --> 00:54:11.020 align:middle line:84%
Can we just tell the
country, and the
00:54:11.020 --> 00:54:12.635 align:middle line:90%
communities to go to hell?
00:54:12.635 --> 00:54:15.950 align:middle line:84%
And just close it down and make
a ghost town out of it?
00:54:15.950 --> 00:54:17.610 align:middle line:84%
If they think that the
membership is going to sit
00:54:17.610 --> 00:54:21.170 align:middle line:84%
there, lay down and die, and
give up virtually everything
00:54:21.170 --> 00:54:23.170 align:middle line:84%
that the labor struggle
has always done,
00:54:23.170 --> 00:54:24.340 align:middle line:90%
they\'ve got to be crazy.
00:54:24.340 --> 00:54:27.180 align:middle line:84%
We have to have a government
and our company behind us.
00:54:27.180 --> 00:54:30.340 align:middle line:84%
Then we\'re willing to stand
up and work, and
00:54:30.340 --> 00:54:31.220 align:middle line:90%
fight for our rights.
00:54:31.220 --> 00:54:34.330 align:middle line:90%
And our rights are to work.
00:54:34.330 --> 00:54:37.430 align:middle line:84%
Out of all the things that
George Pullman and his
00:54:37.430 --> 00:54:41.590 align:middle line:84%
establishment did, it seems like
today they still got the
00:54:41.590 --> 00:54:45.550 align:middle line:84%
last laugh because all the money
and all the billions of
00:54:45.550 --> 00:54:50.280 align:middle line:84%
dollars they made, they shipped
it overseas somewhere
00:54:50.280 --> 00:54:53.530 align:middle line:84%
to let somebody else build
the cars for are all
00:54:53.530 --> 00:54:55.540 align:middle line:90%
Americans to ride on.
00:54:55.540 --> 00:54:58.990 align:middle line:84%
And all the Pullman workers,
know matter how much time they
00:54:58.990 --> 00:55:01.360 align:middle line:90%
had, our out of work here.
00:55:01.360 --> 00:55:05.270 align:middle line:84%
And so, in essence, he still got
the last laugh, took the
00:55:05.270 --> 00:55:07.363 align:middle line:90%
money, and ran.
00:55:07.363 --> 00:56:56.794 align:middle line:90%
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Distributor: Kartemquin Films
Length: 56 minutes
Date: 1983
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Color/BW:
/ 
Closed Captioning: Available
Interactive Transcript: Available
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