Barbara Kopple is a talented filmmaker. However, the amazing detail she captured in American Dream uncovered how unions sometimes can't or won't keep your best interests in mind when they represent you. What you read below may or may not include spoilers, depending on if you are familiar with the Hormel factory story in Austin, Minnesota.
It starts out in 1985 or so at a Hormel meat packing plant, where workers have their wages cut from $10.69 to something significantly less. The local chapter of the union declines the help of their national union and they go it alone, leading to saddening results. While I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who got paid that kind of wage in 1985 for putting little sausages into boxes, having wages cut can be demoralizing. It also means your company doesn't want you anymore. Unfortunately, the employees at the Austin Hormel factory don't see this and decide to strike.
Along the way, they seek the support of fellow Hormel workers at other factories, a decision I hope each and everyone of them regrets. Most fascinating is the infighting among union members, both at the national and local levels. As the strike goes on during the winter, people are forced to decide between their union brothers and sisters, or feeding their families.
The bottom line is that Hormel doesn't have to pay a competitive wage to find people to inspect cans of Spam.
Some will view this story as one failure along the road for unions, others will find it indicative of the union system. Either way, it is required viewing.
It starts out in 1985 or so at a Hormel meat packing plant, where workers have their wages cut from $10.69 to something significantly less. The local chapter of the union declines the help of their national union and they go it alone, leading to saddening results. While I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who got paid that kind of wage in 1985 for putting little sausages into boxes, having wages cut can be demoralizing. It also means your company doesn't want you anymore. Unfortunately, the employees at the Austin Hormel factory don't see this and decide to strike.
Along the way, they seek the support of fellow Hormel workers at other factories, a decision I hope each and everyone of them regrets. Most fascinating is the infighting among union members, both at the national and local levels. As the strike goes on during the winter, people are forced to decide between their union brothers and sisters, or feeding their families.
The bottom line is that Hormel doesn't have to pay a competitive wage to find people to inspect cans of Spam.
Some will view this story as one failure along the road for unions, others will find it indicative of the union system. Either way, it is required viewing.