From the early 20th century until the 1960s, Maine led the nation in paper production. University of Southern Maine economics professor Michael Hillard examines how national conglomerates began absorbing family-owned companies over time, which were subject to Wall Street demands for greater short-term profits after 1980. He tells the story of blue-collar workers and their families, and he analyzes how paper workers formulated a “folk” version of capitalism’s history in their industry. Ultimately, Hillard offers a telling example of the demise of big industry in the United States.
Guests
Michael Hillard, professor of economics, University of South Maine
Lloyd Irland, semiretired forestry consultant who has served in Maine’s Department of Conservation and the State Planning Office; author of numerous publications, including “The Northeast’s Changing Forests”
Peter Kellman, past president of the Southern Maine Labor Council; working with the Movement Building/Education Committee of the Maine AFL-CIO; author of books on labor history, including “Building Unions: Past, Present and Future,” “Pain on Their Faces,” and “Divided We Fall: The Story of the Paperworkers’ Union and the Future of Labor.”
Resources
- "Shredding Paper: The Rise and Fall of Maine's Mighty Paper Industry," by Michael G. Hillard
- "The Northeast's changing forests," by Lloyd C. Irland
- "Building Unions: Past, Present and Future," by Peter Kellman
- "Pain on Their Faces: Testimonies on the Paper Mill Strike, Jay, Maine, 1987-1988," by Peter Kellman
- "Divided We Fall: The Story of the Paperworker's Union and the Future of Labor," by Peter Kellman
