Oral History Interview with Jefferson M. Robinette, July 1977. Interview H-0041. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Jefferson Robinette started mill work at the age of twelve in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent his working life moving between the area's textile mills and furniture factories, and eventually settling into a job at a dairy. In this interview, Robinette recalls these experiences, offering plenty of detail but little reflection. Robinette worked hard to raise four children and care for his wife, but he never pursued wealth and seemed to accept what was offered by his employers. As a result, he never joined a union and worked well into his old age, retiring from his dairy job at the age of eighty-three.
Excerpts
Losing a job at a textile mill
A 1934 strike turns violent
Belief in unions, but only when managed well
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Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
Textile workers--North Carolina
Strikes and lockouts--Textile industry
Charlotte (N.C.)--Social life and customs
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