On the Line Publishing Collective
Organization profile published 1986

Year Published:  1986
Resource Type:  Organization
Cx Number:  CX3123

Abstract: 
ON THE LINE PUBLISHING COLLECTIVE was formed in 1983 to produce a songbook by activist singer-songwriter Arlene Mantle. Arlene teamed up with Jayne Walker, who had been involved in union organzing , daycare and otehr struggles. The 64-page songbook ($3 + postage) contains 19 songs and stories about them.

Much of the music that Arlene performs is written collectively. After discussing the issues a particular group is facing (daycare, health and safety, sexual harassment, etc.), the group creates a song from what has been said. Arlene pefers this way of writing, as she believes that the personal, when presented collectively is strong political statement.

Shortly after publishing the songbook, the collective produced tape, "On The Line" ($7 + postage) of all the songs. The demand was so great that a second tape, Voices of Struggle ($8 + postage) was produced in 1984, containing ten additional songs for social change.

Although much of the collective's work centres on Arlene's music, it is expanding into new areas. A 35-minute slide show, Chile - Tomorrow Is Now, is available and a book of stories about Ontario women organizing for welfare rights is being written. The collective is also involved with the Labour, Art, Mdiea Working Group in creating a resource list of cultural workers who have worked with the labour movement.

This abstract was published in the Connexions Digest in 1986.