American dream / directed by Barbara Kopple ; produced by Barbara Kopple and Arthur Cohn ; Cabin Creek Films.

Format:

Video

Contributor:

Kopple, Barbara, director, producer.

Cohn, Arthur, 1928- producer.

Cabin Creek Films, production company.

Series:

Academic Video Online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Geo. A. Hormel & Company Strike, Austin, Minn., 1985-1986.

Labor unions--Minnesota--Austin.

Labor unions.

Packing-house workers--Labor unions--United States.

Packing-house workers.

Strikes and lockouts--Meat industry--Minnesota--Austin.

Strikes and lockouts.

Genre:

Documentary films.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (99 minutes)

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Cabin Creek Films, 1990.

Language Note:

In English.

System Details:

video file

Summary:

Since FDR implemented the New Deal, it has been eroded year after year by the power of increasingly ruthless corporate profiteering and competition. Labor Unions have been under attack, largely by Republican administrations and policies, and the attitude of big business is less and less caring and humanitarian. In the face of job loss or massive wage cuts, one union fought back. But between such unequal bargaining partners, the union workers' only power was in their willingness to stand together and persevere. This film follows one incident where a union group fought back against unfair treatment - and ultimately lost the battle. But the struggle goes on to have a life where hard work is fairly rewarded and families can keep up with the rising cost of living - let alone get ahead and prosper. Barbara Kopple has somehow managed to capture an intimate portrait of the people involved in this incident. Her film takes us into the meetings, the conversations, and the interviews of the characters involved. We get an understanding of the dynamics and strategies, the positions and attitudes of both sides and the personal conflicts and pressures that face workers who seek to take a stand against employer give backs and job cuts. It is not a pretty picture or one with a rosy ending. Hopes and dreams get crushed; desperation, despair, and disunity challenge the union workers despite their efforts to stand together. Without commentary, the film simply observes and records the history.

Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed August 25, 2020).

OCLC:

1195889873