(1 - 3 of 3)
- Identifier
- wwu:29338
- Title
- Larry Harvey oral history interview (transcript)
- Date
- 2006-05-09
- Description
- Mr. Harvey talks about his place of birth, education, and family background, and also describes the Bellingham waterfront during the 1950s. He talks about a typical day of work as a slipman and pipefitter in the GP pulp mill. He also describes some of the byproducts created during the pulping process that were useful in other industries. He talks extensively about his involvement with the union and its influence on jobs at the mill. He also discusses positive aspects of working at the plant including the camaraderie shared among employees. Mr. Harvey talks about the presence of mercury in chlorine plant operations, pointing out the influence of environmentalist groups and the community's changing perception of the mill. He describes some of the most important events in the mill's history including the workers' strikes and the mill's being taken over by GP in the 1960s. He talks about what he would like future generations to remember about the Bellingham plant, and his thoughts regarding the future of the waterfront and the mill site.
- Digital Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project
- Type of resource
- Text
- Object custodian
- Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
- Related Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project records
- Local Identifier
- wohp_harvey20060509
- Text preview (might not show all results)
- Larry Harvey Interview 1 Title: Interview with Larry Harvey Interviewer: Scott Ranney, David Albright Date: 2006 April 18 Collection: Waterfront Oral History Project Repository: Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Washington University Transcription: Scott Ranney Revisions: Transcript revi
- Identifier
- wwu:29344
- Title
- Archie Parker oral history interview (transcript)
- Date
- 2006
- Description
- Mr. Parker talks about the various positions he held at GP's Bellingham pulp mill, including that of floor boy, converter, supervisor, and then working in maintenance and the auto shop. He discusses the workers' strike, describing what he did to occupy his time while not working. He talks about an explosion in the steam plant and a power crisis, both of which lead to increased safety and environmental regulations. He speculates about fluctuations in the worldwide pulp market that, combined with other economic factors, he believes led to the eventual closure of the mill. He talks about the changing attitudes of the community towards the mill.
- Digital Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project
- Type of resource
- Text
- Object custodian
- Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
- Related Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project records
- Local Identifier
- wohp_parker2006
- Text preview (might not show all results)
- Archie Parker interview 1 Title: Interview with Archie Parker Interviewer: David Albright Date: 2006 Collection: Waterfront Oral History Project Records Repository: Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Washington University Transcription: Transcribed by Laurie Brion, July 2008 PARKER: My na
- Identifier
- wwu:29346
- Title
- Art Runestrand oral history interview (transcript)
- Date
- 2006
- Description
- Mr. Runestrand began working at the pulp mill as a training director and then moved to assistant industrial management director where his major concern was with the health and safety of mill employees. He points out that, early on, relationships among employees at the mill were very good. He then discusses the labor strike of the 1970s, explaining how the mill continued to operate by using salaried staff and supervisors to cover empty shifts. He talks about some the repercussions of being one of the employees who stayed on, including having tacks and nails strewn across his driveway, finding his house covered in graffiti, and even receiving a death threat. He also mentions that there were attempts to sabotage operations at the mill but they were always thwarted by security. Mr. Runestrand talks about creating an alcoholism recovery program at the mill that provided support to employees. He also describes an educational program that helped employees complete their high school diplomas. He speculates about causes for the mill's closure while also commenting on the community's changing attitudes towards the company. He concludes with optimistic remarks regarding the future of Bellingham's waterfront.
- Digital Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project
- Type of resource
- Text
- Object custodian
- Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
- Related Collection
- Waterfront Oral History Project records
- Local Identifier
- wohp_runestrand2006
- Text preview (might not show all results)
- Art Runestrand interview 1 Title: Interview with Art Runestrand Interviewer: David Albright Date: 2006 Collection: Waterfront Oral History Project Records Repository: Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Washington University Transcription: Transcribed by Laurie Brion, May 2008 RUNESTRAND: