Andre Giasson was born and raised In Auburn. He shares his experience being one of 8 children while his dad was working at the mills. He also talks about his own experience working as a weaver and hand sewer at Bates Mill. He mentions what the working conditions were...
Jeannine Roy was a shoe worker in Lewiston as a stitcher in the shoe shops. She discusses what she did there and the shops that she worked at. She also discusses places in Lewiston and her family’s immigration to Maine.
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.
