Doris Labbe was a mill worker that stayed in the stitching department. She discusses growing up during the Great Depression and the effect it had on her family. She also talks about her job in the mill and her life in Maine.
Beatrice Caron was a mill worker from 16 to 63 years old. She discusses her family’s transition from Canada to the U.S. and the Quebecois who worked at the mills. The seniority structure of the mill, including how people moved around jobs, is recounted as well....
Charlie Herrick worked in the Bates Mill beginning in 1970. He discusses the night shift and unions at the Bates Mill. He also talks about how the changing technology and business practices impacted the work in the mill over time.
Betty Dutil worked at shoe mills starting at the age of 16. She discusses the community at the shoe mills, how work was completed and pay was earned, as well as the evolution of the shoe mills and their departure from Maine.
Danny was a mill worker from the 1970s to the 1990s. He discusses his family history of working at the mills and the community that resulted from working there. He also recounts how people adapted as the mills began closing down, and the different positions he had...
