- Collection:
- W.J. Usery, Jr., Papers
- Title:
- W. J. Usery, Jr., oral history interview, 1987-08-27 (Tape 19)
- Creator:
- Usery, W. J., Jr., 1923-
- Contributor to Resource:
- Hough, Leslie S.
Southern Labor Archives - Publisher:
- W. J. Usery, Jr. Papers, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library
- Date of Original:
- 1987-08-27
- Subject:
- Labor laws and legislation
Collective bargaining
Strikes and lockouts
Usery, W. J., Jr., 1923-
United States. Department of Labor
United Mine Workers of America
Boyle, William Anthony, 1904-1985
Shultz, George Pratt, 1920-
Hodgson, James D., 1915-2012
Seafarers' International Union of North America
United States. National Mediation Board
United States. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - Location:
- United States, District of Columbia, Washington, 38.89511, -77.03637
United States, Louisiana, Orleans Parish, New Orleans, 29.95465, -90.07507 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Text
Sound - Description:
- Usery's work as Assistant Secretary of Labor is recounted here, with Usery detailing the various aspects of the Department of Labor, including the chain of command and proper protocol within the Department, the breaking down of the Department into various programs, the description of responsibilities of the office, and the length of hours involved. He also emphasizes the necessity of caution in the decision making process. The Landrum-Griffin and Len Lurry cases are explored, and Usery describes the legal side of the Labor Department. Usery mentions utilizing cautionary behavior as Secretary because of fears of false judgement by his staff, and he notes the importance of building a social foundation of interaction. Collective bargaining in the federal sector, the Mine Workers investigation, and Tony Boyle are mentioned, along with Usery's recounting of public and federal labor relations, Labor Department processes, and his relationships with George Shultz and Jim Hodgson. Usery describes the emergency board, the dock workers' strike in New York, and the Seafarers International Union. Paul Hall and Usery's meeting with him in New Orleans are noted. Usery speaks to the problems with serving subpoenas and with labor relations, describes the system of power at the Labor Department, and explains the workings of the [National] Mediation Board. Curt Counts, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, is mentioned at some length. Usery describes his relationship with Counts, noting the process of his [Usery's] appointment as National Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
http://research.library.gsu.edu/c.php?g=115649&p=752736 - Local Identifier:
- L1985-12_AV0109
- Metadata URL:
- http://digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/usery/id/761
- Language:
- eng
- Rights Holder:
- This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: W. J. Usery, Jr., in an interview conducted by Les Hough, August 26-27, 1987, Washington, D.C. L1985-12_AV0109, Southern Labor Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library.
- Extent:
- 01:31:24
- Holding Institution:
- Georgia State University. Special Collections
- Rights:
-