Over the course of three years, film director and producer, Alexandra Lescaze documented the struggles of Pillowtex employees to form a union at the plant. For nearly 70 years, workers pushed for and against unionizing the plant until a union vote narrowly passed in 1999. Lescaze’s documentary, titled “Where Do You Stand: Stories From An American Mill,” was released in 2004, only months after Pillowtex’s collapse. The film follows the mill’s history from conception to bankruptcy. We asked her about her experience in Kannapolis while filming her documentary.
Why did you choose Pillowtex as the subject of your film?
When the majority of Pillowtex workers voted for a union in 1999, it was a huge deal. It was a major press story nationwide because it was the largest private sector union victory in the history of the South. I thought it was fascinating that this one mill really told the whole story of the southern textile industry, from beginning to end, literally. And the five union votes meant there was a lot of footage that documented each era.
What did you learn about the American textile system?
I learned that it is a tough, competitive industry. Towels and sheets are mostly all made overseas now because it’s cheaper, companies can pay workers less. All the big ones (JP Stevens, Westpoint, Springs) are now gone.
Why do you think workers fought against the union so strongly during the four failed union votes?
I think in any work situation it’s always easier to be on the side of management than to go against management. Many workers felt a kind of family loyalty going back to the Cannon days. And, management worked really hard to convince them that the union would be bad for them. Many were afraid. Despite that, that the union would have won the 1991 vote if Fieldcrest had not broken the law. That’s what the National Labor Relations Board decided which is what led to the next votes being held under their supervision.
Was there a common trait that you found in all of the workers you spoke with?
Most everyone had parents or aunts and uncles who had worked in the mill. They all had a lot of stories that had been passed down. I think loyalty and anger would be the top two.
From what you were told, what was mill life like?
In the days of the Cannon company town, I heard that people were very poor but didn’t necessarily know it, because so was everyone around them, and in many ways they felt like a big family. It was fascinating for me to see the old footage of the black part of Kannapolis as compared to the white part of town. It was totally segregated and the black part was worse off.
What did you think of the Kannapolis mill workers?
I thought they were incredible people. Strong, good, honest, hardworking Americans, in many cases struggling, and wanting to be treated fairly and with respect.
Where are those you interviewed now?
Most are still in Kannapolis, as far as I know. A few went back to school, some found other jobs, but it was really tough when the mill closed, especially for those who were older and had been there a long time. It’s hard to start all over again.
+ + +
Lescaze has been a filmmaker for eight years and currently lives in New York with her husband, son, cat and pet goldfish. More information about Lescaze’s film “Where Do You Stand: Stories From An American Mill” may be found at http://www.newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0169.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement