Transcript
Index
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:22 - Work experience at a battery-making shop--the process of making batteries
00:04:38 - Health hazards in the battery shop--state inspection resulted in the shop's closing
00:07:56 - Work at the Walsh Brothers Farm--New Deal public works projects--removing wooden blocks from downtown streets--sewer line on west side--Riverside Park
00:14:09 - Getting a job at Fairbanks-Morse in 1938--casting molds for the YLA engine--work as a chipper and grinder--hazards, “a jungle to work in”--pouring as especially dangerous work, the death of a friend
00:23:19 - Work in the F-M brass foundry--dangers of brass fumes, brass chills--alcohol as antidote for brass chills--construction or new brass foundry--long term effects of brass fumes
00:31:01 - The process of casting brass--pay--the hierarchy of jobs at F-M
00:35:21 - Black workers confined to the foundry--also jobs in the power house for black workers--high noise level in power house--further comments on health hazards--effects of OSHA regulations--wearing goggles
00:41:28 - Little done about health hazards until recent years--working overtime in “the hole,” George Hilliard--sand slinger accident
00:44:29 - Organization of the Steelworkers local at F-M--Ben Gordon enthusiastic supporter of union--many feared losing jobs
00:46:59 - The company union--tearing up the company union cards
00:48:08 - Jack Davis as the union leader--sitdown--company promotion of Jack Davis
00:53:23 - Company reaction to union after the sitdown strike--the development of Ben Gordon's interest in the union, influence of the Chicago Defender
00:55:58 - Introduction for part two
00:56:06 - The union and discrimination--eventual breakdown of job discrimination at F-M, government rules for defense contractors during World War II
00:58:39 - AF of L craft unions at F-M, no black members--interracial cooperation in organising the CIO local, forced by national leadership--Neal Harris and Herron Johnson as black union leaders
01:05:49 - Neal Harris as a grievance committee man--job classification under the union, grievances
01:09:05 - Need for union, wages and working conditions--broke power of foremen--Ben Gordon fired, took case to Industrial Commission and won--foremen lose power
01:14:34 - Company reaction to the union--community reaction to the union, much support--running grocery bills--exploitation by some grocers and support from others
01:21:38 - Leaving Fairbanks-Morse for Walsh brothers Farm--George Zabel wanted B.G. to stay at F-M--pay cut at Walsh's, but free home and produce--Ben Gordon as herdsmen for prize swine--good experience for Gordon children, son became a veterinarian
01:26:48 - The swine business--offers to Ben Gordon from other producers--purebred breeding stock, sold nationwide--B.G. as the swine manager--fellow workers
01:33:04 - Ben Gordon made a partner in the Walsh Farm--Walshes as prosperous farmers--Gordon children at the state fair, blue ribbon winners--left farm in 1954 after first wife's death--schooling for children
01:39:28 - Back to F-M, opposed piston division--then into the atomic energy project--subsequent work experiences
01:43:43 - Story of half-brother James H. Gordon, hurt by foundry work in St. Louis--reason for James leaving Mississippi, refused to call a white friend “Mister,” became an issue between the families, James eventually left as a result
