The Union With a Future in the Industry of the Future is a documentary produced by the International Chemical Workers Union. The film outlines the union’s central purpose as well as its organizational structure and its productivity, emphasizing the union’s commitment to the future. The film contains footage of then-President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson side by side with union head Walter Mitchell and other union representatives. President Kennedy makes a speech promoting union ideals in America, describing unions as key for a bright future in 1960s America. (Note: it seems very likely that the remarks John F. Kennedy makes in the film are at least partially from a September 1960 speech he made at Atlantic City during his run for the presidency, when he was still a U.S. Senator. In that speech he appealed for Democratic leadership and addressed labor issues, including the effects of automation on employment.)
The film opens with a montage showing various types of workers in the Chemical Workers Union, from assembly line workers to office workers, also showing a cross-sample of industry machines, from chemical manufacture to packaging and office filing. Voice-over states, “You have a future with the chemical workers union—because the chemical workers, are on the go. Top leaders of our country have recognized this fact.” President Kennedy is shown at a union conference (01:31). Union president Walter Mitchell reads a statement from Kennedy addressing the union in 1962. A wide shot of the union conference hall reveals a nicely designed union banner with the words, “FORMULA FOR GROWTH AND STRENGTH” (03:14).
The film transitions to a montage of various chemical union workers (03:20) leading into shots of the Union Headquarters in Akron Ohio (03:46). Narrative voiceover continues throughout, with statements such as: “The chemical workers know that an informed member is a good member.“ The union newspaper is shown (04:21) along with shots of bustling union offices. A conference table surrounded by various experts in fields pertaining to union practice is shown, along with a close up of a research bulletin (5:13). Mention is made of relations between union branches in the U.S. and Canada, and the Canadian Research and Education Director is shown (6:27). Assistant Secretary of Labor James Reynolds is shown at the union conference and makes a short speech (08:25). The film then cuts to the White House (09:01) and Lyndon Johnson as union heads sign a Pledge of Cooperation with the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. Johnson makes a statement including, “there must be equal rights for all, or there is no democracy.” We then see Union President Mitchell making a speech at the conference regarding union facts and figures and yearly progress (10:40). President Kennedy is shown making a rousing speech asking those who “are satisfied with things as they are” to step out of the way, while urging those who want change for a better future to move with him into the 1960s (12:03). The film ends with a brief montage of chemical workers in action (end title at 13:22).
The Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union (OCAW) was a trade union in the United States which existed between 1917 and 1999. At the time of its dissolution and merger, the International represented 80,000 workers and was affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
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