Don't Sleep with Stevens!: The J. P. Stevens Campaign and the Struggle to Organize the South, 1963-1980 (New Perspectives on the History of the South)

Nine leading historians of the new military history offer a fresh look at a critical period in the history of the Atlantic world. They examine the three major North American conflicts that disrupted the British Empire between 1754 and 1815: the Seven Years'War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812. In " Don't Sleep With Stevens! ," Timothy Minchin explores a major union campaign to organize J. P. Stevens, a giant textile firm that employed over 40,000 southern workers. Between 1963 and 1980, textile unions targeted Stevens because they reasoned that if they could organize such a large employer, it would open up the South to organized labor. Stevens, however, vehemently resisted the organizing drive, repeatedly breaking labor laws in the process.The high-profile battle took on a symbolic importance, especially after the union initiated a boycott of the company's products. Launched in 1976, the boycott secured national press coverage and mobilized many supporters, including political leaders, civil rights activists, feminists, students, and church groups. The campaign also inspired the Oscar-winning film Norma Rae (1979). Feeling the pressure, in October 1980 managers finally agreed to a truce.Despite the prominence of the Stevens campaign, this is the first book-length account, and it draws on a rich body of underutilized archival material.Blending these records with oral histories and press accounts, Minchin highlights the important influence that the case had on American labor relations, especially in encouraging other firms to copy Stevens' tactics. For the first time, Minchin also explores the role that race played in determining the fate of organizing efforts, showing how difficult it was to build grassroots interracial unions.A lively and accessible account, Don't Sleep with Stevens! challenges prevailing conceptions about the lack of activism in the 1970s. It also shows how the company's tactics shifted over time, as managers gradually became less reliant on the labor law violations.Although the union eventually won a breakthrough, Minchin closes by detailing how the recent decline of the southern textile industry has prevented organizers from capitalizing fully on it. In Don't Sleep With Stevens! Timothy Minchin Explores A Major Union Campaign To Organize J. P. Stevens, And Giant Textile Firm That Employed Over 40,000 Southern Workers. Between 1963 And 1980, Textile Unions Targeted Stevens Because They Reasoned That If They Could Organize Such A Large Employer, It Would Open Up The South To Organized Labor. Stevens, However, Vehemently Resisted The Organizing Drive, Repeatedly Breaking Labor Laws In The Process. The High-profile Battle Took On A Symbolic Importance, Especially After The Union Initiated A Boycott Of The Company's Products.. Despite The Prominence Of The Stevens Campaign, This Is The First Book-length Account, And It Draws On A Rich Body Of Underutilized Archival Material. Blending These Records With Oral Histories And Press Accounts, Minchin Highlights The Important Influence That The Case Had On American Labor Relations, Especially In Encouraging Other Firms To Copy The Stevens Company's Tactics. For The First Time, Minchin Also Explores The Role That Race Played In Determining The Fate Of Organizing Efforts, Showing How Difficult It Was To Build Grassroots Interracial Unions.--book Jacket. Selecting A Target -- Persistent Unremedied Violations -- Changing Gears, 1966-1969 -- Saving The Campaign, 1970-1974 -- Planning A Boycott -- Stirring The Nation's Conscience -- Corporate Campaigns And Boycotts -- The Backlash -- The New Stevens Strategy -- We Need More White Involvement -- Settlement. Timothy J. Minchin ; Foreword By John David Smith. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 215-219) And Index. Contents ......Page 10 Foreword by John David Smith......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 1 Selecting a Target......Page 26 2 Persistent Unremedied Violations......Page 44 3 Changing Gears, 1966–1969......Page 62 4 Saving the Campaign, 1970–1974......Page 77 5 Planning a Boycott......Page 92 6 Stirring the Nation’s Conscience......Page 107 7 Corporate Campaigns and Boycotts......Page 128 8 The Backlash......Page 144 9 The New Stevens Strategy......Page 157 10 “We Need More White Involvement”......Page 171 11 Settlement......Page 183 Epilogue......Page 196 Notes......Page 202 Bibliography......Page 232 Index......Page 238 Timothy Minchin explores a union campaign to organize J.P. Stevens, a textile firm that employed over 40,000 southern workers. Between 1963 and 1980, unions targeted Stevens, arguing that if they could organize such a large employer, it would open up the South to organized labor. Stevens resisted, repeatedly breaking labor laws in the process. Nine leading historians of the new military history offer a fresh look at a critical period in the history of the Atlantic world. They examine the three major North American conflicts that disrupted the British Empire between 1754 and 1815: the Seven Years' War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812