77-6 Resolution in Support of the J. P. Stevens Boycott
The work which an individual performs is perhaps the activity which has the most influence over his/her life and the standard by which he/she is most often judged. The dignity of the individual is enhanced when the worker has the right to work at a decent wage, the right to freely associate, and the right to equal treatment in employment and promotion practices. J. P. Stevens Company, the second largest textile manufacturer in the U.S., has shown over the past several years that it holds these values in complete disregard.
Boyd Leedom, chairperson of the National Labor Relations Board during the Eisenhower presidency, has described Stevens as “so out of touch with a humane civilized approach to industrial relations that it should shock even those least sensitive to honor justice, and decent treatment.” In the past, Stevens has and continues to harass and fire workers for supporting any form of union representation, it closed a plant in Statesboro, GA, after the employees had voted for a union certification election, tapped phones of union organizers, pays wages significantly below the national average, and pays pensions which amount for a worker with 30 years service, retiring at age 65 in 1976, $20 a month. In addition, Stevens discriminates against women and blacks in employment and promotion practices, and maintains plants with illegally unsafe noise and cotton dust levels. These practices have moved the National Labor Relations Board to bring Stevens to court fifteen times (more than any other American corporation), and each time for several violations. In spite of the efforts of the NLRB, Stevens still refuses to bargain in good faith with the Textile Workers Union of America (TWUA) after the seven plants in Roanoke Rapids, NC, voted to be represented by the Union in August, 1974.
After 13 years of trying to persuade Stevens to comply with the National Labor Relations Act and witnessing the weakness of the NLRB in dealing with Stevens unfair and illegal practices, and seeing no change in the position of Stevens’ management on these practices, the TWUA announced in June, 1976 a nation-wide boycott of Stevens’ products in the hope that such action would force the company to come to the bargaining table at Roanoke Rapids, and begin the process by which the rights of the workers of J. P. Stevens might be guaranteed.
1) That LSM-USA support the boycott of J. P. Stevens’ products because we believe our Christian faith calls us to speak out against such unjust practices and others and be a force in the world for social change.
2) That LSM-USA encourage its local groups to inform their communities of the issues involved at J. P. Stevens and promote support for the boycott.
3) That Columbia University provide information to local groups on the boycott through the LSM-USA NEWSLETTER. Ed Gray will serve as the contact person at Columbia University.
Background bibliography:
1) Ed McConville, “The Southern Textile War,” Nation, October 2, 1976.
2) Rev. William Somplatsky-Jarman, “Guest Editorial: The JP Stevens Campaign,” Corporate Examiner. February 1977
3) “Corporate Social Responsibility Challenges,” The Corporate Examiner. March 1977
4) J. Gary DiNunno, “JP Stevens: Anatomy of an Outlaw.” AFL-CIO American Federationist, April 1977
5) Paul H. Sherry & Robert T. Strommen, “The Textile Workers vs. JP Stevens.” Christianity and Crisis, April 4, 1977
6) Valerie Heinone, Report on Church Proxy Resolutions, January 1977. New York: (Copies Available) Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 566, NY, NY 10027.
+ LSM’s position has influenced LCA’s formulation of a position on the boycott. LCA delegates to the National Council of Churches Governing Board meeting were given copies of the resolution and a letter of endorsement from New York City’s campus minister urging them to vote in favor of the National Council of Churches resolution supporting the boycott. (The resolution passed).
Dr. Dorothy Marple, Assistant to the President (LCA) and a delegate to the National Council of Churches Governing Board, speaking for the other delegates, felt that these (LSM’s) materials were useful in reaching a decision.
+ Articles appeared in the Fall ’77 and Winter ’78 issues of the LSM-USA NEWSLETTER providing information on the boycott.
+ Actions or involvement of local groups concerning this resolution which may have occurred during the past year were not reported to the LSM-USA national office.
+ Recently, labor organizers have been allowed into the J.P. Stevens plants to speak with workers during breaktime and to answer questions workers might have about labor unions.