Paul Apostolidis interviews and research materials on Pasco meatpacking plant workers, 1980-2006
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Apostolidis, Paul, 1965-
- Title
- Paul Apostolidis interviews and research materials on Pasco meatpacking plant workers
- Dates
- 1980-2006 (inclusive)19802006
1997-2006 (bulk)19972006 - Quantity
- 4.31 cubic feet, (4 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6284
- Summary
- Interviews and research materials gathered by Apostolidis regarding immigrant meatpacking workers in Pasco, Washington
- Repository
- University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access for paper-based materials; however, no user access copy is currently available for VHS tapes and audiocassette. Users may obtain a reproduction of the media for a fee by contacting Special Collections.
Access to VHS tapes and interview audiocassette is restricted. An appointment with the Labor Archives curator is required prior to viewing. Contact UW Special Collections for more details or to request an appointment.
- Languages
- Collection materials are in English.
- Sponsor
- Full processing supported by the Labor Archives Fund and the Labor Archives of Washington State Budget
Biographical Note
Paul Apostolidis teaches in the Government Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, UK. Apostolidis was previously the T. Paul Chair of Political Science at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington where he taught classes on political theory and U.S. politics. His research focused on Latinx migrant laborers' work experiences, political organizations, and languages of collective action. His books include The Fight for Time: Migrant Day Laborers and the Politics of Precarity (Oxford University Press, 2019), Breaks in the Chain: What Immigrant Workers Can Teach America about Democracy (University of Minnesota Press, 2010), and Stations of the Cross: Adorno and Christian Right Radio (Duke University Press, 2000). Paul is co-editor of Public Affairs: Politics in the Age of Sex Scandals (Duke University Press, 2005). His current research explores neoliberal power relations via an analysis of work experiences and political organizing among migrant day laborers.
Content Description
The collection contains interviews and research materials created and gathered by Paul Apostolidis which formed the basis for his 2010 book Breaks in the Chain: What Immigrant Workers Can Teach America about Democracy.
Paper-based research materials include print transcriptions, newspaper articles, scholarly papers, materials from courses taught by Apostolidis at Whitman College, legal records, and correspondence with Teamsters, Tyson, and research team members.
Audiovisual material consists primarily of original recordings on audiocassettes and minicassettes of about 40 interviews with immigrant meatpacking workers in Pasco who were members of International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 556 (the local represented workers at the Tyson/IBP beef plant in Wallula, WA just outside Pasco; in 2005, Tyson destroyed the union through company-engineered decertification elections). Other audiovisual materials include VHS tapes, a DVD of news coverage, and depositions of employees.
Other Descriptive Information
Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.
Preferred Citation
Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, Paul Apostolidis interviews and research materials on Pasco meatpacking plant workers, 6284-001, box number, folder number.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Collection is currently arranged as it was received upon donation, divided into the following two series:
- Series 1, Papers
- Series 2, Audiovisual Material
Acquisition Information
Donated by Paul Apostolidis.
Related Materials
Wikidata is available for this collection
Processing Note
The collection was rehoused and inventoried by Labor Archives Volunteer, JoAnn Keenan, with no further arrangement imposed on the collection beyond a paper and audiovisual series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1, Papers, 1990-2006, bulk: 1997-2006
- Description: Letters: Martinez et al vs. International Brotherhood of Teamsters
References David Mark, James P. Hoffa, and Allen Hobart
Dates: 1999 November 2-2000 April 3Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 1 - Description: Letters, notices, handwritten ballot counts, news articles: Wallula, WA strike and boycott
Includes information about Teamsters Local 556 vs. IBP, Inc. (Joint Council of Teamsters, JC-28, Food Processing Division)
Dates: 1999 June 28-2000 March 3Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 2-4 - Description: "Pasco 200 Years in the Making," Ben Sadler and Alison Wallisch (brief history of events from 1805-2003)Dates: 2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 5
- Description: Voting behavior in Franklin County, Washington (from election data, 1989-2003)Dates: 2004 October 29Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 6
- Description: Demographic Analysis: Columbia and Benton Counties (1990 and 2000) with brief note to reader, census dataDates: 1990-2000Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 7
- Description: Local candidates for Franklin County: candidate interviews, receipts and expenditures, registration forms
References Griffith, Johnson, and Vaux
Dates: 2004 October 29Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 8 - Description: United States naturalization and citizenship training information
Includes Whitman College politics resource guide, INS examination, test questions, instructions, and requirements
Dates: approximately 2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 9 - Description: "Greasing the Wheels of Pork Barrel Politics," Max Hensley, Kyle KrohnDates: 2004 October 29Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 10
- Description: The Race to the Finish: Federal Election Candidates 2004: US Campaigns and Elections, Whitman CollegeDates: 2004 October 27Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 11
- Description: "Political Activity among Latinos in Pasco, Washington: A Case Study in Power", thesis by Matthew P. OsdolDates: 2004 April 20Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 12
- Description: Final Report of the Community-Based Learning Partnership
Includes transcripts of IBP worker interviews on occupational safety and health problems, light duty experiences, and food safety and corporate research on Tyson/IBP
Dates: 2002 December 8Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 13-17 - Description: University of Oregon, Effective Joint Labor-Management Health and Safety CommitteesDates: 2002 SeptemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 18
- Description: LERC (Labor Education and Research Center), University of Oregon: Training materials in SpanishDates: 2002Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 19
- Description: Poultry Worker Justice Legal Advocacy Conference, Nashville, TennesseeDates: 2001 NovemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 20
- Description: Memorandum, Law Office of David N. Mark: Teamster trusteeship document production, Local 556 membership meetingsDates: 1999 March 29 - July 28Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 21-22
- Description: Local 556: complaint sheets, notices, newsletters, news articlesDates: 2000 September 22-2002 October 1Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 23
- Description: Teamsters Local 556: handwritten notes, letters, newspaper articles
Includes issue of Spanish language Teamster newspaper ¡Adelante! and Su Periódico La Voz
Dates: approximately 2001-2002Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 24 - Description: Final Report of the Community-Based Learning Partnership
Includes transcript of IBP worker interviews on occupational safety and health problems, light duty experiences, and food safety. Prepared for Teamsters Local 556 by Students in Paul Apostolidis' Politics 313 course at Whitman College.
Dates: 2002 December 8Container: Box 6284-001 Box 1, Folder 25-26 - Description: Final report of the Whitman College/Teamsters Local 556 Community Partnership: research on Tyson Fresh Meats, Incorporated and Smith Frozen Foods
Includes Apostolidis' Politics 313 Course Introduction, Latina Policy and Issues Brief, Tyson wages handout, and 2 short student papers on health and safety and consumer advocacy
Dates: 2004 MayContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 1-3 - Description: Teamsters Local 556/Tyson Fresh Meats: flyers, other communication regarding health care cost changesDates: 2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 4
- Description: Teamsters Local 556 contract proposals to Tyson Fresh Meats, Pasco, WashingtonDates: 2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 5
- Description: International Brotherhood of Teamsters Research Department Agreement Summary Report
Contains information on EXCEL Corporation, IBP Inc., and bargaining agreement between Smith Frozen Foods and Teamsters Local 556
Dates: 1997 November 10-2006 February 25Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 6 - Description: International Brotherhood of Teamsters: election letters, hearing documents, flyer, news item regarding dispute of Maria Martinez and Maria Sauceda vs. Allen HobartDates: 1999-2000Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 7
- Description: Land title of Walla Walla County property inquiry: Teamsters Local 556 property at 1750 Portland Ave., Walla Walla, WashingtonDates: 2004 February 4Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 8
- Description: Order from Chief United States District Judge, Eastern District of Washington: Maria Martinez and Maria Sauceda vs. International Brotherhood of TeamstersDates: 2000 March 3Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 9
- Description: Copies of letters, petitions regarding Martinez vs. the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 556: Fax transmissions from Ken Pedersen to David N. MarkDates: 2000 January 14Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 10
- Description: General Teamsters, Warehousemen, and Cannery Workers, Local Union 556: consolidated financial statementDates: 1998 December 31Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 11
- Description: Meeting with members of Local 556: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, Pasco, WashingtonDates: 1999 August 9Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 12
- Description: Teamsters Local 556, Walla Walla, WA: Legal documents, Trustee's reports, labor organization reportsDates: 1997-1999Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 13
- Description: Local 556 Communication: letters, depositions, statement of assets and liabilities, copy of settlement agreement regarding Martinez et. al v. the International Brotherhood of TeamstersDates: 1998 June 16-2000 August 21Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 14
- Description: Trusteeship 0556: petitions in support, letters, and information requests (07/12/1999)Dates: 1999 July-2000 JanuaryContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 15
- Description: Color photographs: Teamsters Local 556Dates: approximately 2000Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 16
- Description: Meatpacking Industry Workers Bill of Rights
Includes letter from Governor Johanns
Dates: 2000 July 27- 2004 June 30Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 17 - Description: Research Education Advocacy People (REAP) General Profile on Tyson Foods, Inc. and IBP, Inc.Dates: 2001 DecemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 18
- Description: Letter from Rick Bender, President of Washington State Labor Council, opposing ballot measures
Includes flyers concerning Initiatives 807 (to reimpose state spending limits) and 841 (to impose new supermajority requirement for tax increases or repealing business tax breaks)
Dates: 2003 April 21Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 19 - Description: Organizing to Win Strong Contracts, TDU Annual Convention, Detroit, Michigan: printed materials and notesDates: 2003 October 26Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 20
- Description: Teamsters Local 556: letters from Maria Martinez supporting contract bargaining, proposal list, copies of supporting published articlesDates: 1998-2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 21
- Description: Tyson Foods and Jefferson Strike: flyer and articlesDates: 2000-2003Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 22
- Description: "Road to Freedom" Tri-City Herald article
Relates to Freedom Ride from Seattle to Washington, D.C. to draw attention to Civil Rights issues faced by immigrants
Dates: 2003 September 24Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 23 - Description: Meeting with Walla Walla community, Walla Walla Community College and Alliance for Workplace Justice
Includes materials from Whitman/Community Forums and related organizing items as well as agendas, news articles, feedback letter from Paul Apostolidis, follow-up articles, flyers, and notes
Dates: 2003-2005Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 24 - Description: Teamsters Local 556: letters, articles calling for support for local 556 workers, including outreach to Japanese workers and consumersDates: 2004 June 24-July 31Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 25
- Description: One Million Voices Campaign materials on immigrant workers' rightsDates: 2002Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 26
- Description: Paul Apostolidis documents: letters and writings concerning Local 556 decertification electionDates: 2004 March 11-2005 February 25Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 27
- Description: Agreement summary reports/ food processing: pay schedules, job brackets
References Great Bend Meat Packing, Excel Corporation, Clougherty Packing Company, and IBP, Inc.
Dates: 1997-2006Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 28 - Description: Evaluation of worker health and safety, food safety, and humane slaughter at the Tyson Fresh Meats Plant in Pasco, Washington
Includes English and Spanish surveys for workers.
Dates: 2005 January 28Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 29 - Description: Work safety, food processing, wages, and Initiative 841: news items, articles, flyersDates: 2003-2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 30
- Description: Tyson and Meatpacking news clippingsDates: 1998 May 22-2007 March 18Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 31
- Description: Safe Works/Safe Food: incorporation documents, minutes, supporting documents and lettersDates: 2004 June 4 - August 4Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 32
- Description: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride: news clippingsDates: 2003 September 17-October 6Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 33
- Description: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride: news clippings, color photographsDates: 2003 SeptemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 34
- Description: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride: organizing materialsDates: 2003-2004Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 35
- Description: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride: Media packet and handouts, IWFR, Walla WallaDates: 2003 SeptemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 36
- Description: Labor Notes newspaper issuesDates: 2001 November-2002 DecemberContainer: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 37
- Description: Newspaper articles reporting labor issuesDates: 1999 June 7-2006 April 17Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 38
- Description: Campaign materials, Teamsters Local 556Dates: approximately 2001-2003Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 39
- Description: Labor Agreements, Teamsters Local 556, with IBP, Inc. and Lamb-Weston
Includes legal declaration supporting Maria Ramirez and Maria Saucedo.
Dates: 1999 July 8-2002 April 1Container: Box 6284-001 Box 2, Folder 40
Series 2, Audiovisual Material, 1980-2005
- Description: John Carter Deposition (3 VHS Tapes)
Access Restricted
Dates: 2000 January 10Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3 - Description: Al Hobart Deposition (3 VHS tapes)
Access Restricted
Dates: 2000 January 11Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3 - Description: "Can't Take No More", U.S. Department of Labor (VHS Tape)Dates: 1981Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: "Safety Pays" (VHS Tape)Dates: approximately 1980-2000Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: "The Prophetic Witness", National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (VHS Tape)Dates: 2002Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: NOW with Bill Moyers. Tyson Strike (VHS Tape)Dates: 2003Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: "Get On the Bus": Remarks by Dr. Bennie Mitchell, National Baptist Convention - USA, Inc. to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union 5th Regular Convention (VHS Tape)Dates: 2003 August 1Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Un Mensaje Importante para usted y su familia, "Una Trayectoriia Nueva Junto" (VHS Tape)Dates: approximately 2002 - 2003Container: Box 6284-001 Box 3
- Description: "Tyson 'No'" (DVD)Dates: approximately 2002-2005Container: Box 6284-001 Box 4
- Description: Teamsters Local 556 Migrant Worker Interview Audio Recordings
Access Restricted
Dates: 2002-2005Container: Box 6284-001 Box 4
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Labor movement--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Labor unions--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Labor--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Meat industry and trade--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Packing-house workers--Labor unions--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Packing-house workers--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Packing-houses--Washington (State)--Pasco--History--Sources
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Form or Genre Terms
- Business correspondence
- Course materials
- Interviews
- Law materials
- Newspaper clippings
Titles within the Collection
- Breaks in the chain--Sources
Other Creators
Personal Names
- Apostolidis, Paul, 1965---Archives
Corporate Names
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Local 556 (Pasco, Wash.)--History--Sources
- Tyson (Firm)--Employees--History--Sources
- Tyson (Firm)--History--Sources
