Don Stone Oral History

Don Stone Oral History

This interview takes place in three parts. Part I discusses Stone’s early years in Wisconsin, attending the University of Wisconsin, and working as a stripper in a Lithography shop. In 1940 Stone became recording secretary of his local union in the ALA and in 1946 ran and won the election for editor of The Lithographers ‘Journal.He moved to New York City and recalls the social issues he dealt with as editor of the journal and the political strength he gained in that position. In part II Stone traces the background of the issue of the union label and jurisdiction which led to the withdrawal of the ALA from the AFL-CIO in 1958. He discusses internal union politics during the fifties and recalls the Poughkeepsie strike in 1954. Stone then begins to trace the move toward graphic arts unity, and he gives his opinion President Ken Brown’s decision to re-affiliate with the AFL-CIO. In part III Stone goes into more detail about the disaffiliation from the AFL-CIO in 1958 and then moves to the subject of efforts that have been made over the years with respect to merger, federation, or amalgamation. Stone discusses the internal union politics that culminated in the withdrawal from the International of Local One, New York. The interview is finished with stone describing the circumstances that led to moving the International headquarters from New York to Washington in 1971 and reflects on the nature of Ken Brown’s presidency.

Hoffman, Alice; Giebel, Greg

Stone, Donald W., 1910-

1974-08-12

1932-1974