Abstract
The heart of the former International Harvester and Johnson Controls employees’ narratives of their experiences working for those plants is their explanations for why the plants closed. With these stories the workers provide their perspectives on the problems in the companies that led to the closures, lay blame for the failure of the facilities where they believe it belongs, explain the process by which the employees learned about the impending loss of their jobs, and convey their immediate reactions to it.
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Notes
For the national story of Harvester’s fortune s in the late 19 70s and earl y 1980s, see Carol J. Loomis, “Strike that Rained on Archie McCardell’s Parade,” Fortune, May 19, 1980, 90–99; David Pauly with Donna M. Foote, “Harvester Faces Post-Strike Blues,” Newsweek, June 2, 1980, 72; Carol J. Loomis, “Archie McCardell’s Absolution,” Fortune, December 15, 1980, 89–98; “Hard Times at Harvester,” Time, May 25, 1981, 67; “Goodbye, Archie,” Time, May 17, 1982, 57.
Ben Z. Hersh berg and Jay Lawrence, “Harvester Slowdown Will Result in Layoffs of 1,600 in Louisville,” Courier Journal , February 6, 1982; “GE, Harvester Set Summer Shutdowns,” Courier Journal, June 18, 1982; Ben Z. Hersh berg, “Harvester May Close Some of Plant Temporarily,” Courier Journal, July 13, 1982; Ben Z. Hershberg, “International Harvester to Close Plant,” Courier Journal, July 30, 1982; “Harvester to Begin Shutting Down Plant by End of Month,” Courier Journal, September 3, 1982; “Harvester Exploring Prospects for Foundry in Louisville,” Courier Journal, September 30, 1982; Bob Johnson and Jay Lawrence, “Metts Exploring Rescue of Harvester Foundry,” Courier Journal, October 9, 1982; Joe Ward, “Harvester to Close Louisville Foundry, Idling 710 Workers,” Courier Journal, November 19, 1983; Jim Th ompson, “Harvester to Sell Plant to 2 Local Businessmen,” Courier Journal, December 12, 1984; Michael J. Upsall, “Harvester Shuts Down Last of Local Operations,” Courier Journal, April 10, 1985.
For official history of Johnson Controls see http://www.johnsoncon-trols.com/publish/us/en/about/history.html. The national financial press devoted very little attention to the fortunes of Johnson Controls’ battery division, beyond coverage of a lawsuit against the company regarding the employment of women in the division. For information on the closing of the Louisville plant see Joe Ward, “Johnson Controls Will Stop Making DieHards Wh en Sears Pact Runs Out,” Courier Journal, April 24, 1994; Joe Ward, “Battery Firm Plans to Close Louisville Plant; 245 Jobs to End,” Courier Journal, April 25, 1995; Joe Ward, “Battery Plant Closing; Area Losing 241 Jobs,” Courier Journal, June 28, 1995.
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© 2009 Tracy E. K’Meyer and Joy L. Hart
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K’Meyer, T.E., Hart, J.L. (2009). “I Knew That Factory Wasn’t Going to Last”. In: I Saw It Coming. Palgrave Studies in Oral History. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230102262_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230102262_4
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-53750-1
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