W.J. Usery, Jr. oral history collection [sound recording] 1987, Mar. 18 [Tape 11].

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

W.J. Usery, Jr. oral history collection [sound recording] 1987, Mar. 18 [Tape 11].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50771048

Usery discusses his exposure during his war experience to different tradesmen with their reactions to each other, the value of that knowledge in his later life as a mediator and leader, and the leadership role he assumed in the Navy. Usery's account of this war period includes descriptions of the shipboard: spread of sickness; shared responsibilites among tradesmen, with the integration of welders due to the critical nature of the craft; work of machinists, battle stations, sea burials, recreation, and officers; the overall exposure to different ethnic groups and religions and onshore, a variety of cultures. Usery describes the transition back to civilian life, including his child's birth and parents' separation; hiring by Armstrong Cork Company and move to Macon, Ga.; and attendance at Mercer University. Usery describes the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) membership campaigns and the discrimination, via restrictions placed on him, that he experienced as a result of his earliest union activity at Armstrong. Also noted are Usery's election as president of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Lodge No. 918, plus his assignment as chair of the bargaining committee, and the negotiations with Armstrong that led to a one-year contract with the company. Usery describes attending the State Council of Machinists in Atlanta and receiving a special assignment to participate in union trials there.

1 sound cassette.Transcript (34 p.)

Georgia State University

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7632291

Georgia State University

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j788vr (corporateBody)

The Committee for Industrial Organization was formed by the presidents of eight international unions in 1935. The presidents of these unions were dissatisfied with the American Federation of Labor's unwillingness to commit itself to a program of organizing industrial unions. In 1936, the A.F. of L. suspended the ten unions which proceeded to organize an independent federation, the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The CIO subsequently became the A.F. of L.'s chief rival for the leadership of...

Usery, W. J., 1923-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rb8k4z (person)

W.J. Usery (1923- ), machinist, union official, Assistant Secretary and Secretary of Labor, federal and private mediator, born in Hardwick, Georgia. From the description of W.J. Usery papers, 1940, 1952-1985. (Georgia State University). WorldCat record id: 38477540 W.J. Usery, Jr. (1923- ), machinist, union official, Assistant Secretary and Secretary of Labor, federal and private mediator, born in Hardwick, Georgia. From the description of W.J. Usery, Jr. oral hi...

Armstrong Cork Company

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6k39r5w (corporateBody)

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nw3c3q (corporateBody)

Founded in 1888 as the United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers of America, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest trade unions in North America. The organization has been known as the National Association of Machinists (1889-1891) and the International Association of Machinists (1891-1965). From the description of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers artifact collection, 1888-ca. 2000. (Georgia State Univers...

Hough, Leslie S.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zp5mpq (person)