New World Productions (:14) delivers a meaty documentary on the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen (AMCBW) . ’24 hours’ details functions and processes of an effective union. AMCBW operated from 1897 to 1979. Amalgamated Meat Cutters was chartered by the AFL in 1897 in order to consolidate local unions in Chicago. Union reps worked closely with and protected retail and packaging house workers. The AMCBW hosted the Big Strike of Packers on July 12, 1904. The benefits of the union is explored through a series of anecdotes. Worker power and union grip slipped into the decline in the 1980’s. Much of the slip was due to outsourcing of industry and greater employer opposition to organized efforts. “24 hours” features footage of prominent figures in the union hierarchy. Sexism in the workplace is discussed as the union representative helps a gaggle of ‘dizzy dames’ under inadequate management.

This is a ‘Golden Reel Award’ film (:36) presented by the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America (:53). Ted Robinson filmed and distributed (1:09). Leon Ames sits in a red lounge chair, flaps a paper shut (1:33). Meat chunks around a conveyor belt at a meat packing plant (2:25). ‘The Butcher Workman’ (3:24) was created by Patrick E. Gorman (3:26). He addresses viewers (3:29) and Secretary Margaret from his office chair. Union work is discussed (4:49). The international headquarters follows (5:19) in Chicago. Union workers filter in (5:47). Union head Earl W. Jimerson (5:58) meets with a member. Members learn of sick benefits, legal rights and health programs (6:36). Pamphlets dictate annual reports (6:45). Union heads meet with workers (6:54). Charlie; a member of the union meets with his union rep, Dave Larson (7:18). Charlie was forced to leave work after his son was in an automotive accident (7:43). Rowdy boys play a dangerous game of chicken in a convertible Buick Roadmaster (8:04). Two perished (8:30); others receive treatment at Foundation Hospital. A replacement was chosen to complete Charlie’s work (9:12). Dave discusses payment options (9:44). Charlie and Mr. and Mrs. Larson (10:19) meet for dinner. Dave counsels Charlie (11:37) over his son’s mental health, encouraging him to push his son into vocational school. The rotary phone buzzes (12:32). Dave springs to action over a call about a foreman harassing female workers. He spits down to his subordinates (14:16). Employees set to walk off the job (14:46). Dave meets with the plant superintendent (15:28) over the Foreman’s behavior. He suggests moving the foreman to another position (16:05). The superintendent refuses (16:30). The process a union representative must follow to support disgruntled employees is traced (17:06). The grievance committee meets (17:10). Dave calls the Vice President at regional headquarters (17:28). He meets with female employees after setting up a meeting with management (18:14). Dave meets Regional President, John McCoy at the airport (18:22). He cites the right to work in an environment free of malaise, free of mischief and free of persecution (18:45). Employees and executive heads of the packing plant meet (18:49). The foreman, Ollie (19:37) refers to the women as ‘dizzy dames’ (20:39). The company discovers the foreman is ill equipped for a management position. Another story features workers at a consolidated plant ham boning operation (23:19). The boning quota was raised (23:51) leaving the employees feeling overworked. Dave sits with the plant manager (24:18) and reconvenes with employees (25:09) to discuss proper chain of command to tackle the issue. He returns to the consolidated plant with the executive from international headquarters (26:46). They meet with members who had filed the complaint (26:54). Union selected technicians perform their own time and motion study (27:55). This case concludes as the company’s technicians are validated and the employee complaint is put to rest. A baby blue Chrysler Windsor (32:24) receives service from Charlie’s son. Union members wait for information about health and welfare plans (34:30). The anti-discrimination department meets (34:38). The City of Hope hospital in California (34:59) and The Harry Silver Apartment Project in Brooklyn, New York is featured (35:10). The Union and the Urban League meet (35:29). This was a New World Production (36:15).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com