Detroit Newspaper Strike Collection
Collection
Identifier: LR002748
Series 1: Kate DeSmet Records, 1995-1999
Series 2: Esther Ingber Records, 1995-1996
Series 3: Randy Karpinen Records, 1997-1998
Series 4: Ephemera/AV, 1995-1999
Dates
- 1995 - 2001
- Majority of material found within 1995 - 1999
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.
Extent
8 Linear Feet (4 SB, 1 OS)
History
The Detroit Newspaper Strike started on July 13, 1995 with six labor unions and around 2,500 workers striking against the Detroit’s two primary newspapers, the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. The strike ended on February 14, 1997 and was finally resolved in court three years later with the federal courts reversing the NLRB ruling that the newspapers had engaged in unfair labor practices. During the strike, there were local boycotts, legal charges of unfair labor practices and violence. The newspapers continued to print papers while the strikers created their own newspaper called the Detroit Sunday Journal. By the end of 1995 those on strike started to cross the picket line and return to work, the newspapers hired replacement workers and began to print their papers in Toledo, away from strikers blocking the printing facilities. After the strike was called off by the unions, management for the papers said they would not fire the replacement workers and only hired back strikers a few at a time.
This collection contains materials from three different strikers who deposited their materials during an oral history project about the strike. They are Esther Ingber and Kate DeSmet both writers and Randy Karpinen a Teamster. The collection contains meeting minutes, organizing material, various articles and ephemera from the strike.
This collection contains materials from three different strikers who deposited their materials during an oral history project about the strike. They are Esther Ingber and Kate DeSmet both writers and Randy Karpinen a Teamster. The collection contains meeting minutes, organizing material, various articles and ephemera from the strike.
Arrangement
Arranged in four series - Series 1 (Boxes 1-2), Series 2 (Box 2), Series 3 (Box 2), and Series 3 (Boxes 2-5), Folders are arranged alphabetically, Series 4 organized by type and size.
Acquisition
Materials came to the Reuther Library from 2013-2015.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Dan Golodner on February 21, 2017.
- Title
- Guide to the Detroit Newspaper Strike Collection
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Processed by Daniel Golodner.
- Date
- 2017-01-27
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA