Struggles in Steel

Struggles in Steel (1996)

Genres - Historical Film  |   Sub-Genres - Docudrama  |   Release Date - Jan 18, 1996 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 85 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Sandra Brennan

Documentary maker Tony Buba teams up with retired steel worker Raymond Henderson to present this provocative look at the struggles of black American laborers to find equality in the steel mills. The African-American labor movement began before the Civil Wars when slaves were forced to work the mills. After the wary, the workers were hired by Northern companies who paid them little. This angered the displaced white workers and racial tensions were high right through the 1970s. It did not help that after the formation of unions, white labor leaders often ignored or played down the plight of African American laborers until 1974 when the mills became fully integrated. Ironically, the struggles turned out in vain, for a decade later, many of the mills closed down and workers black and white were unemployed. Over 70 steelworkers were interviewed for this film.

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Keywords

steel-mill, labor [work], steelworker, Black [race], equality, integration, racial-tension, Equal-Rights