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Herman and Gladys Adkins oral history interview, July 6, 1995

 Item — othertype: Oral History
Identifier: L1995-12-02

Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Christine Lutz: Adkins discusses his early work experience in Kentucky coal mining and the dangerous conditions in which he worked. He also talks about struggles in organizing the United Mine Workers, Joe Yablonski, labor organizing in Georgia and the perils of union work during the 1960s and 1970s. On the dangers of unionizing Adkins asks, “Which is the best – get shot or see your children starve?” Adkins relates his experience with the Allied and Technical Workers and United Steelworkers of America, plus District 50 within those organizations. Adkins also discusses the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), as well as women’s involvement in labor unions—trying to gain the better paying jobs.

Dates

  • Creation: July 6, 1995

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

Herman Adkins was born July 16, 1918 in Belcher, Kentucky. Over the course of his career he has been affiliated with several labor unions, including the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), 1932-1969, Allied and Technical Workers, 1969-1972, and United Steelworkers of America (USWA), 1972-1980. As a union leader in these organizations Adkins held many leadership positions. These include serving as Vice President of a UMWA local in 1939, President of UMWA local from 1939 to 1942, President of UMWA Local 6112, Representative of District 50 UMWA in 1950, Regional Director of the UMWA in 1952, and Sub-District Director, Georgia United Steelworkers, 1975. He passed away July 24, 1999 in Morrow, Georgia.

Extent

2 Item(s) (transcript (65 pages) audio (3:15:29))

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

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