[Eddie Burke interviews] 2002, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 [sound recording].

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[Eddie Burke interviews] 2002, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 [sound recording].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/55053948

Burke discusses his family background, his early work experiences at Carbon Fuel, and the events that contributed to his activism, most notably frustrations over his mother's lack of financial support after his father's death, and of his growing awareness that the union needed to be reformed. He provides many examples of the frictions created between the younger members ("long haired communists") and the old guard within the union. Burke recounts his experiences working for Arnold Miller and the Miners for Democracy, including his appointment as observer at the District 17 office and as an assistant during Miller's campaigns. He also describes the end of their association and friendship. Burke has assisted in dozens of strikes, and he describes a number of them, including the Massey Coal Company strike and the strike by the Detroit newspaper unions. The most vivid of his narratives however, is that of the 1989 Pittston strike. He describes in great detail the planning, personalities and tactics involved during the strike, including a whispering campaign used to divert authorities away from Pittston while the strikers took over the Moss 3 coal preparation plant to begin a four-day sit-in. After the Pittston strike, Burke began work coordinating Ron Carey's successful election campaign, a campaign aimed at ousting the Teamster's establishment and reforming the union. He discusses the campaign and compares it to his earlier experiences with the Miners for Democracy efforts.

3 sound cassettes.Transcript (54 p.)5 sound cassettes.Transcript (71 p.)

Georgia State University

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SNAC Resource ID: 7686288

Georgia State University

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International brotherhood of teamsters, chauffeurs, stablemen, and helpers of America

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Labor organization formed in 1903 as International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the result of a merger between members of the Team Drivers' International Union (TDIU) and the Teamsters' National Union of America (TNU). Known from 1909 to 1992 as International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers. Reverted to its pre-1909 name in October 1992. From the description of International Brotherhood of Teamsters records, 1989-1992. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 709...

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Burke, Eddie (Edward), 1949-

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Eddie Burke was born on November 21, 1949 in Cabin Creek, West Virginia. In 1967 he left school and spent a year traveling across the US with friends. His father and elder brother were both members of the United Mineworkers Union. In November 1968, two months after his father's death, Burke began working at the Carbon Fuel Co., where he became active in the United Mineworkers Union as well as the Miners for Democracy. Burke married in 1969, and he and his wife Patty had two children, Hillary and...

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Woodrum, Robert H.

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Miller, Arnold, 1923-

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Voices of Labor Oral History Project.

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