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J.P. Stevens - Boycott Kit
Publisher: Contact: Stan Clair or Tony Ducharme, Toronto, CanadaYear Published: 1979 Resource Type: Book Cx Number: CX1035 This kit provides extensive background information on the organized boycott against J.P. Stevens and Company Inc. The boycott, now in its third year, was organized to bring wide attention to the unjust and dangerous working conditions in the 85 textile plants of J.P. Stevens. Over 45,000 women and men are employed by the multi-national corporation that operates mostly in North and South Carolina, U.S.A. Abstract: This kit provides extensive background information on the organized boycott against J.P. Stevens and Company Inc. The boycott, now in its third year, was organized to bring wide attention to the unjust and dangerous working conditions in the 85 textile plants of J.P. Stevens. Over 45,000 women and men are employed by the multi-national corporation that operates mostly in North and South Carolina, U.S.A. Included in the kit are fact sheets outlining a sixteen year struggle by J.P. Stevens' employees to unionize. The workers' attempts have been repeatedly squelched. Pro-union workers are either fired or harassed to the point where they promise to have nothing to do with the union. Illegal activities of the company include harassment, out of plant surveillance and threats, discharge for union activity, and discharge for testifying before the National Labor Relations Board. Other issues are discrimination in employment practices and working conditions with very serious health and safety hazards. J.P. Stevens workers are paid 31 per cent less thant the national manufacturing average. Women and blacks are especially underpaid since most of them work in lower-skilled, blue collar jobs. The company also has a high rate of industrial accidents due to lack of safety devices and training for the use of machinery. As many as one in three workers exposed to cotton dust in the plants is likely to develop "brown lung" (byssinosis), a disabling respiratory disease. J.P. Stevens has two Canadian subsidiaries: United Elastic Ltd., and J.P. Stevens and Co. (Canada) Ltd. The boycott is gaining recognition by and support from church leaders and others committed to social justice throughout Canada and the U.S. Also included in the kit are suggestions on how consumers can effectively help the boycott. Subject Headings |