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Action Coalition of Strikers Records

 Collection
Identifier: UR001694

Scope and Content

The records document the coalition’s activities from 1994-2001. Particular focus is given to the strikers' fight against replacement workers in an effort to bring economic, political and moral pressure on the newspaper companies (Gannett and Knight-Ridder) involved in the labor dispute. The records document ACOS strike participation through correspondence, court rulings, evidence of strikers' activities, publications, news clippings, and visual materials such as buttons, stickers, posters, and photographs.

Important Subjects: Detroit free press Detroit news. Detroit Sunday Journal Detroit Typographical Union No. 18 (Mich.) Human rights Labor unions Newspaper Strike, Detroit, Michigan, 1995-2000. Picketing Strikes and lockouts Strikes and lockouts—Newspapers—Michigan—Detroit.

Important Names: Maryann Mahaffey Armand Nevers Frank Vega

Dates

  • 1944 - 2001
  • Majority of material found within 1955 - 1997

Creator

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

History

The Action Coalition of Strikers (ACOS) was a rank-and-file group of strikers and their families who were active during the Detroit Newspaper Strike. Representing reporters, editors, pressmen, and truck drivers, the coalition opposed the newspaper union leadership and their proposed back-to-work offer and instead pressed forward with a campaign to fight to restore all lost jobs. They sponsored peaceful and disciplined mass demonstrations in support of the strikers, and published the weekly Detroit Sunday Journal from 1995-1999, selling copies throughout metro Detroit. They sought to win the broader labor movement’s participation in their struggle, and did enjoy continued support from other local and regional labor unions.

Extent

5 Linear Feet (4 SB, 1 OS)

Abstract

The Action Coalition of Strikers (ACOS) was a rank-and-file group of strikers and their families who were active during the Detroit Newspaper Strike. Representing reporters, editors, pressmen, and truck drivers, the coalition opposed the newspaper union leadership and their proposed back-to-work offer and instead pressed forward with a campaign to fight to restore all lost jobs. They sponsored peaceful and disciplined mass demonstrations in support of the strikers, and published the weekly Detroit Sunday Journal from 1995-1999, selling copies throughout metro Detroit. They sought to win the broader labor movement’s participation in their struggle, and did enjoy continued support from other local and regional labor unions.

The records document the coalition’s activities from 1994-2001. Particular focus is given to the strikers' fight against replacement workers in an effort to bring economic, political and moral pressure on the newspaper companies (Gannett and Knight-Ridder) involved in the labor dispute. The records document ACOS strike participation through correspondence, court rulings, evidence of strikers' activities, publications, news clippings, and visual materials such as buttons, stickers, posters, and photographs.

Arrangement

PLEASE NOTE: Folders in this collection are not necessarily arranged in any particular order. The box folder listing provides an inventory based on their original order. Subjects may be dispersed throughout the collection.

Folders are listed by their location within each box. They are not necessarily arranged, so any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entire collection.

Acquisition

The records of the Action Coalition of Strikers were donated to the Walter P. Reuther Library in August, 2002.

Related Materials

Dale Rich Collection; Detroit Newspaper Guild Local 22: Detroit Records; Ellen Creager Papers; Nancy Dunn Papers

Transfers

Photographs have been transferred to the Reuther’s Audio/Visual Department.

Processing History

Processed and finding aid written by Leslie Van Veen on November 8, 2012.
Title
Guide to the Action Coalition of Strikers Records
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Leslie Van Veen.
Date
2012-11-08
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository

Contact:
5401 Cass Ave.
Detroit MI 48202 USA