tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post8740787623319998176..comments2023-05-19T10:04:31.448-04:00Comments on Lower Scioto Blog: Remembering the Norfolk & Western Strike of 1978Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-87491594581643930692009-10-13T11:38:43.872-04:002009-10-13T11:38:43.872-04:00The book you refer to is "The Norfolk and Wes...The book you refer to is "The Norfolk and Western strike of 1978" by Robert E. Bedingfield and edited by Harold S. Taylor (Norfolk and Western Railway Co., 1979). I used it when I originally wrote this article.<br /><br />You comments about the computerization of the work of clerks is on the mark, as it was central to the origins of the strike, while the switch to diesel impacted the other railroaders who respected the BRAC pickets.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.<br /><br />-ALFAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-87351262460483540642009-10-13T10:40:33.088-04:002009-10-13T10:40:33.088-04:00Andrew, supposedly the N&W commissioned a book...Andrew, supposedly the N&W commissioned a book detailing how they operated the railroad during the strike.<br /><br />Do you know if it exists? The basis of the book was the fact that the N&W operated approximately 90% of the trains with 15% of the normal workforce.<br /><br />I was a college student at the time, and had interviewed a Santa Fe official while doing an economics term paper. I asked him to comment on the strike.<br /><br />He stated that those percentages were not sustainable over the long run, but did point out that the railroads needed to stand up to unions because the work rules were so outdated - in the steam days it took 5 persons to run a train. In the Diesel era with new technology, it only took 2.<br /><br />Likewise, the multitude of railcar paperwork was even more problematic - computers could do the work of entire departments, and faster.<br /><br />Bottom line, he mentioned the book, but I never have been able to find it.Medical Office Systems, LLC - John Beckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16758982173905153388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-33764983117671041302009-06-30T19:30:02.588-04:002009-06-30T19:30:02.588-04:00Hey Drew,
Just found your blog.
Both my father an...Hey Drew,<br />Just found your blog. <br />Both my father and grandfather are retired from the N&S (nee N&W). I'll ask them if they, or anyone they know, might be willing to talk with you.<br />Pax,<br />JeremyJeremyhttp://www.anomalymagazine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-45569747555684092572009-05-15T20:41:00.001-04:002009-05-15T20:41:00.001-04:00Thanks for your interest in the project. The good...Thanks for your interest in the project. The good news is that interviews have been completed and others are still in the works. This is a multi-year project. Those interviews that have been completed and prepared for publication on the internet can be found on another website, Lower Scioto Valley History: Shawnee State University's Local History Workshop. Here's the URL: http://omicron.shawnee.edu/Lower_Scioto_Valley_History/Oral_Histories/Oral_Histories.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-336517555263912722009-05-15T20:41:00.000-04:002009-05-15T20:41:00.000-04:00Thanks for your interest in the project. The good...Thanks for your interest in the project. The good news is that interviews have been completed and others are still in the works. This is a multi-year project. Those interviews that have been completed and prepared for publication on the internet can be found on another website, Lower Scioto Valley History: Shawnee State University's Local History Workshop. Here's the URL: http://omicron.shawnee.edu/Lower_Scioto_Valley_History/Oral_Histories/Oral_Histories.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-38532511910949543542009-05-05T17:43:00.000-04:002009-05-05T17:43:00.000-04:00What ever happened to this project? I was born and...What ever happened to this project? I was born and raised in Portmouth, many of my family having worked in the yards,working from the early 1900's through the early 1950's. I have since moved from Portsmouth, and remember the strike very well. I just found this entry in a search, and was wondering if it was ever produced, and if so, where can it be found?<br /><br />Regards! Mark Cross, TennesseeMark Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12718009227517812108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-88737692575786832812008-05-05T09:15:00.000-04:002008-05-05T09:15:00.000-04:00I also wanted to add that we are not looking to un...I also wanted to add that we are not looking to uncover any "secrets." Stories about the strike are being told all the time, rumors have morphed into "true stories." Differing accounts exist. Whether these stories and accounts are recorded for posterity or not, these stories will continue to circulate. Oral history interviews will give the participants a chance to tell their personal side of the story. As for getting people to talk, we already have. And, I'd like to thank those who have volunteered to tell their stories.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-22407243772761769962008-05-04T11:27:00.000-04:002008-05-04T11:27:00.000-04:00I appreciate such concerns about re-opening wounds...I appreciate such concerns about re-opening wounds. It is my hope that the oral history project will actually help our community move forward by gaining a better understanding of what happen in 1978. There are many many people who have come of age or moved here since the strike. Many of us don't understand our city's past and this makes it difficult for us to understand the present. Indeed, the study of the past, research into the 1978 strike, might very well help heal some wounds. My goal in researching the strike is not to stir up trouble, but to record the history of this episode in Portsmouth history. I believe it best to know the past, than to forget it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419648820747123662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602997944491611939.post-82340990738092306282008-05-04T09:19:00.000-04:002008-05-04T09:19:00.000-04:00History is very important, but I'm not so sure dre...History is very important, but I'm not so sure dredging all of this up again is a good idea. As we all know, Portsmouth suffered greatly from the effects of this strike. The outcome was very serious. I'll actually be surprised if you can get these men to talk; as they were sworn to secrecy. It has taken how many years for these wounds to start healing? At a time when N&S has decided to invest in the city of Portsmouth once again; we want to open these wounds again?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com