Interview with Ardena Wheeler, Mary Ann James, June 1, 1987

Partial Transcript: Ardena Wheeler.

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler describes the purpose of going to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the strikers in Harlan County. UMWA officials couldn't get a meeting with bishops from the Methodist Church, so UMWA officials decided to come to a Methodist Church conference in Washington, D.C. Lonnie Maynard wanted at least four women to be represented during the Washington meeting. Mary Ann James was invited to attend the meeting, but her husband (Luther) wouldn't allow her. Therefore, Wheeler traveled to Washington, D.C. with Nancy Scott. After Wheeler arrived in Washington, D.C., she spent several hours in the UMWA office preparing for the upcoming meeting with the Methodist Church. In order to gain the attention of Methodist officials, Wheeler and Lonnie Maynard tried getting the attention of the Methodist Church by walking in front and alongside the Methodist Limousine with picket signs. An individual inside the limousine wanted to know what Wheeler was trying to accomplish, however, Lonnie Maynard spoke on Wheeler's behalf. He demanded that the UMWA should meet with Methodist Church officials. The man in the limousine said that the UMWA could have a meeting at 1:00 PM the same day, if Lonnie took Wheeler and the others off the street. The media was taking pictures of the UMWA supporters near the Methodist's limousine, but Lonnie Maynard was very fearful that Wheeler would give reporters a statement that could potentially jeopardize their meeting with the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church also invited the supporters of the UMWA to a luncheon. In addition, Wheeler talks about the meeting with Ted Kennedy. Lonnie Maynard told Wheeler that she didn't have to be the spokesman for the UMWA, but Wheeler wanted to tell Ted Kennedy about the strike's mission and motivations. Another meeting took place this day, which gave Wheeler and James the ability to discuss the actions of the Pikeville Methodist Hospital with others. Overall, Lonnie Maynard believed the Washington, D.C. trip was very positive for their initiative.

Keywords: Conferences; Hospitals; Husbands; Invited; Luncheons; Media; Meetings; Methodist churches; Methodists; Money; Motels; Offices; Picket signs; Pictures; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Presbyterian churches; Presbyterians; Rain; Spokesman; Ted Kennedy; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)

Subjects: Labor unions; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Salaries; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; Washington (D.C.); Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Aren't you going to tell what, uh, church Nancy Scott's husband was the pastor of--

Segment Synopsis: Nancy Scott's husband was the pastor of the Presbyterian church, but the Methodist church caused Nancy's husband to leave Pikeville. Wheeler believed the Pikeville Methodist Hospital treated Nancy very poorly. The Methodist church would leave signs on Nancy's vehicle; however, Wheeler didn't find this out until the D.C. trip. The signs left on her vehicle implied that Nancy's husband must leave Pikeville, if he wanted to continue serving as a pastor. Members of the of the Presbyterian church also experienced the wrath of the Methodist church.

Keywords: Berea (Ky.); Cars; Church members; Medical records; Methodist churches; Pastors; Pike County (Ky.); Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Presbyterian churches; Scandals; Signs; Single; Spokesman; Trips

Subjects: Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Had you ever been to Washington before?

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler describes her experience traveling to Washington, D.C. She also talks about the fun she had in Washington, D.C. In addition, Wheeler discusses how she was always interested in being a spokesperson for the UMWA. In this segment, Wheeler reflects on photographs from the strike and her Washington, D.C. trip.

Keywords: Lonnie Maynard; Pikeville (Ky.); Single; Time; Trips; Union offices; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Washington, D.C.

Subjects: Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Washington (D.C.); Women political activists

Partial Transcript: I want you all to tell your story about going--??

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler and James were invited to the Landmark for a Kiwanis meeting. The duo had been working on a quilt for the children at the Shriner's hospital. Wheeler talks about who she sat by during the lunch portion of the meeting. James told the meeting attendees about the quilt, despite Lee D. Keene being in the audience. Keene was an administrator at the Methodist Hospital. Frank Morris, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, invited Wheeler and James as his guests to the meeting. Keene and the Methodist Hospital chaplain didn't buy tickets. Wheeler talks about how her granddaughter is a frequent patient at the Shriner's Hospital. Therefore, Wheeler would sell tickets that benefited the Shriner's Hospital to neighbors. As years progressed, she would sell more tickets. Wheeler mentions how she tried to display the quilt on the Methodist Church's property with the permission of the city police, but the Methodist Church was still against the quilt being displayed. The Methodist Church thought buying tickets for the quilt was a form of gambling. Wheeler didn't agree with the Methodist Church's stance. During her speech at the Landmark meeting, Wheeler made sure to talk about how buying tickets for Shriner's Hospital isn't a form of gambling. In addition, Wheeler talks about how she almost got into an altercation with the Methodist Church's lawyer, Henry Stratton. He even allegedly broke the nose and glasses of a woman on the picket line. Wheeler didn't see the incident take place because she was attending her daughter's graduation. Wheeler also talks about Tom Rainey, a former senator and UMWA official, who would sit in on Landmark meetings. James didn't attend many meetings because she was on the picket line most of time. Wheeler starts to list frequent meeting attendants. The interviewer clarifies that there were meetings between UMWA and the hospital board members. Wheeler notes that being single allowed her to attend meetings.

Keywords: Chamber of Commerce; Chaplains; Disabilities; Displays; Donate; Donations; Frank Morris; Gambling; Granddaughters; Henry Stratton; Kiwanis Club; Landmark Inn; Lee D. Keene; Lying; Mr. Thomas; Officials; Permission; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Police; Property; Quilts; Secretary; Senators; Shriner's Hospital; Tickets; Tom Rainey; Trouble; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)

Subjects: Communities.; Labor unions; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Why don't we start talking for a while now about the time just before the strike happened?

Segment Synopsis: James was a nurse's aide who worked in the Pikeville Methodist Hospital maternity ward for two years. Wheeler attended training for a few weeks that allowed her to become a nurse's aide. She discusses her gradual pay increase. Despite being a nurse's aide, James also worked in the emergency room. James wanted to leave the emergency room, but Lottie Carter wouldn't allow this decision. Carter was the director of nurses at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. Dr. Cassidy thought James was an asset to the emergency room, and therefore didn't want her to leave. James didn't believe the hospital staff was being considerate about her personal preferences. She worked at Pikeville Methodist Hospital for about thirty-five years and spent seven of those years working in the emergency room. James trained to be a nurse aide for a year; however, Wheeler only trained for about six months. James explains her duties in the emergency room. In addition, Wheeler talks about her starting pay wage and her steps towards becoming a nursing aide at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. Wheeler feels like nurses tolerated the harsh nature of the Methodist Hospital to provide stability for their children. James talks about how nursing aides weren't supposed to give patients medicine, but the hospital administration still expected the aides to distribute medication to patients. James believes the pay wage of nurse aides was too low to distribute medicine. Plus, nurses aides could be held liable for administrating the wrong medication. If a lawsuit did occur, James didn't feel like the Methodist Hospital wouldn't support nurses aides. Wheeler even told the hospital administration about the potential lawsuits, but the Methodist Church made it clear that nurses aides would be on their own. Also, Wheeler didn't feel comfortable carrying the narcotics key around because it put her in a position to be attacked. She also mentions how Pikeville Methodist Hospital employees were abusing medical supplies. The interviewer gains clarification on how many years Wheeler and James worked at the Methodist Hospital. The lack of job opportunities in Pikeville caused James to work at the Methodist Hospital. James' mother worked at the Methodist Hospital, but was laid off by Lee D. Keene. The workers at the Methodist Hospital were a community because everyone was connected to some extent. However, problems occurred when Lee D. Keene joined the hospital's administration. Keene first got rid of the Methodist Hospital's original union without an election and laid off employees. Ultimately, he broke up the hospital's community. Even though Wheeler and James knew each other before the strike, they have grown closer because of the strike.

Keywords: "Flunkies"; Administrators; Children; Classes; Dottie Carter; Dotty Carter; Dr. Cassidy; Emergency room (ER); Hardships; Laboratories; Lawsuits; Lee D. Keene; Licenses; Maternity ward; Medicine; Money; Mothers; Narcotics; Nurse aides; Nurses aides; Pediatrics; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Qualifications; Schools; Sued; Supervisors; Training; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Wages; Wife; Work

Subjects: Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Medicine, Rural; Occupations.

Partial Transcript: Mr. King had been there about five years when we started trying to organize another union.

Segment Synopsis: James mentions that Lee D. Keene had been working for Pikeville Methodist Hospital for about five years when she tried to organize. However, employees had to be very cautious about getting union cards signed. Wheeler started working on the organization process at the old hospital. Therefore, Wheeler wanted to enough cards before the Methodist Hospital moved into the UMWA Hospital. However, the preliminary strike requirements were not met. In order to strike, Wheeler and other employees needed to get at least 7 percent of their co-workers to sign cards to accept a new union. A fellow Methodist Hospital employee told Wheeler that he had been fired for engaging in union activities; therefore, this motivated the union to speed up the strike organization process. Keene was also sent a telegram urging him to rehire employees he fired for partaking in strike activity. If he didn't comply, he was made aware that his employees would strike. Each department at the Methodist Hospital was given cards based on their interest level. Wheeler was warned by a Methodist Hospital employee that she would no longer have her job if she went on strike. The segment discusses events that took place after the picket line was set up. Wheeler talks about how the picket line prevented employees from going to work. Henry Stratton is an example of how employees were prevented from working. Stratton was angered by the picket line, so he allegedly physically assaulted a female picketer. Wheeler and a fired Methodist Hospital employee were the two main people who wanted to organize the Methodist Hospital. The two had difficulty finding a new union that would be suitable for Pikeville Methodist Hospital. In addition, Wheeler and other willing employees had to wait for the passage of a law that allowed hospital employees to form their own unions. The CWA was seen as the most supportive and suitable union, according to Wheeler. The CWA paid the bills of Methodist Hospital employees on strike, which put strikers in a better position compared to working under the Methodist Hospital with no union. Wheeler points out the wage gap between employees as another factor that drove underpaid and loyal Pikeville Methodist Hospital employees to strike.

Keywords: Bills; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Departments; Employees; Fired; Henry Stratton; Hours; Lee D. Keene; Nurse aides; Nurses aides; Obstetrics (OB); Old hospital; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Signed; Signers; Telegrams; UMWA hospitals; Union cards; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Votes; Working

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: And when I was working in the emergency room before the strike...

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler recalls what it was like not being licensed in the emergency room. She remembers seeing Vivian Day and Henry Stratton, two Pikeville Methodist Hospital board members, waiting in the lobby one day. This caused Wheeler to be fearful, since neither she or the receptionist working this shift were licensed to work in the emergency room. Day and Stratton were watching Wheeler and the receptionist to make sure they weren't talking to union organizers. Wheeler didn't want to give Stratton or Day the ability to terminate her or the receptionist. In addition, James reveals that many employees would wait until off-duty hours to discuss strike related activity. Wheeler even mentioned how other employees would try to trick other employees who supported the strike to discuss their strike related plans. Wheeler figured out this ploy, so she would often ignore employees that were asking about strike information. Wheeler and James felt like they were constantly being watched by Methodist Hospital employees who opposed the strike. Employees who opposed the strike even resulted to asking patients if they heard information about the strike.

Keywords: Answers; Board of directors; Board of trustees; Clues; Coal mines; Doctors; Emergency room (ER); Fights; Henry Stratton; Lawyers; Licenses; Members; Patients; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Supervisors; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Vivian Day; Work

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Occupations.; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Rural health--Kentucky; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: What kinds of things did you have to do in the ER?

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler discusses her duty as an emergency room nurses aide. Even though she wasn't licensed, the Methodist Hospital still made her obligated to fulfill her assigned duties. In addition, Wheeler adds that she wasn't comfortable carrying the narcotics key. The interviewer wants to know which department Wheeler preferred over the emergency room. Bedside nursing is the department that Wheeler wanted to work in. Wheeler remembers the assistant director of nurses at the Methodist Hospital calling her on the telephone to discuss returning to work. The assistant director wanted Wheeler to return to working in the emergency room because of a shortage of nurses due to the strike. However, Wheeler declined to return to work.

Keywords: Bedside; Director of nurses; Doctors; Emergency room (ER); Jobs; Licensed; Licenses; Medications; Narcotics; Nurses; Nursing; Patients; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Strikes

Subjects: Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Physicians--Kentucky; Strikebreakers

Partial Transcript: Well, what did you all think the strike was going to be like?

Segment Synopsis: James didn't know what the strike would entail. However, she cites the strike as one of the best experiences of her life. The strike taught James about other people and heartache, but she still had fun regardless. James' father was a coal miner who was a member of a coal mining union. James' mother also believed in the mission of the strike. James talks about how the Methodist Hospital mistreated her mother in the past. If the Methodist Hospital had a union, James believes that her mother would have been treated fairly. Wheeler's stepfather was also a coal miner who was a supporter of unions. Wheeler describes how miners from her stepfather's generation didn't have to go on strike. Wheeler didn't know what going on strike would entail either. However, she views the strike as a learning experience. The nature of the strike also caused Wheeler and James to strengthen their friendship. Wheeler also discusses how local businesses were afraid of the growing support toward unions. Wheeler thinks that other businesses could have been organized under a union. James and Wheeler talk about how individuals against the picket line and unionization used their vehicles to threaten the safety of picketers.

Keywords: Businesses; City workers; Coal miners; Contracts; Educated; Experiences; Fathers; Friends; Mothers; Pikeville (Ky.); Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Pro-union; Right; Union presidents

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: And you felt like there was a lot of union sentiment in town then?

Segment Synopsis: James discusses how many city workers walked the picket line with Methodist Hospital employees on strike. She also establishes how the Methodist Hospital knew that the strike would bring attention to the low wages of hospital employees. However, James believed that the strike would motivate the Methodist Hospital administration to raise the pay of hardworking employees. She also talks about how the power and telephone company are the only companies that pay their employees livable wages, while other employers in Pikeville only pay their employees minimum wage.

Keywords: City workers; Leadership; Organized; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Presidents; Salary; Telephone company; Wages

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Salaries; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: You said, Mary Ann, that you think that you might have been able to do it if you had a president who was more interested in...

Segment Synopsis: An individual and outside observer of the Methodist Hospital strike told James that having a black union president would hinder the progress of the union's initiative. James recognizes how race impacted the power of CWA's leadership. The Methodist Hospital board was more inclined to speak with a white CWA president. The interviewer identifies the complex factors that influenced the strike. Overall, Wheeler learned a great deal by walking the picket line. In addition, Wheeler discusses how she wouldn't go back on a strike at her current age. She cites the long strenuous hours that walking the picket line required as the main reason she couldn't return to a strike. The interviewer would like to understand the culture of the picket line better. Wheeler talks about how picketers would play ball, make music, and dance. Wheeler and James both talk about how motor vehicles used by the opposition caused them to have physical injuries. James and Wheeler reflect on the nights they spent on the picket line together. Even though strike organizers tried to separate the two, Wheeler and James still managed to be together. James discusses how she picked up a job at a store while on strike. However, the manager of the store later revealed to Wheeler that he wouldn't have her hired her if he knew that she was a Methodist Hospital employee on strike. Wheeler wanted to work because she wanted a stable source of income if the CWA stopped financially supporting Methodist Hospital employees on strike. She believes that Methodist Hospital employees struggled to find new employment due to involvement in the strike.

Keywords: African Americans; Ages; Beds; Black people; Board members; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Dancing; Fired; Friends; Hospitals; Hours; Income; K-Mart; Managers; Men; Murphy's; Music; Nights; Presidents; Problems; Settled; Telephones; Towns; Wages; White people; Work; Workers

Subjects: African Americans--Social conditions.; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Labor unions--Strike benefits; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Race discrimination.; Race relations--Kentucky; Rural health services; Strikebreakers; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: And, uh, we had a black mark on our name.

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer wants to know if Wheeler or James wanted to obtain jobs in healthcare again. James and Wheeler both applied for jobs at Highlands Regional Hospital in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. However, their association with the Methodist Hospital strike prevented the two from getting hired at Highlands Regional Hospital. Wheeler ended up working as a short order cook at the Dinner Bell restaurant. Now, Wheeler is a bedside nurse aide at Mountain Manor Nursing Home. When a flood struck Pikeville, Wheeler volunteered at the Mountain Manor Nursing Home. The director of Mountain Manor Nursing Home noticed Wheeler's work ethic and decided to hire her. The Mountain Manor Nursing Home tried to organize and employees stopped working for two days. The CWA tried to hold an election for the Mountain Manor Nursing Home, which caught the attention of the Pikeville Methodist Hospital board and other companies afraid of unionization. Wheeler discusses how the opponents of the CWA union, like Lee D. Keene, attempted to persuade Mountain Manor employees to not vote for the CWA union.

Keywords: 1977; Applications; Applied; Board members; Cash; Checks; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Floods; Highlands Regional Hospital; Hospitals; Jobs; Money; Nurse aides; Nurses aides; Nursing homes; Organized; Paid; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Prestonsburg (Ky.); Restaurants; Retirement; Union cards; Volunteers; Votes; Voting; Wages

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Occupations.; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural conditions; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Voting; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: I think some of the doctors had a lot of influence on 'em too...

Segment Synopsis: James discusses how many doctors at the Methodist Hospital didn't want a union. The presence of a union would require the salaries of other lower level employees to be raised. The interviewer wants to know why some businesses were anti-union. She believes unions could allow local businesses to grow. Wheeler thinks people in powerful positions in this region of the country are very hesitant of institutions or other forces that claim to improve the lives or working conditions of workers. James recalls how a doctor at the Methodist Hospital alerted authorities to arrest her on the picket line. However, fellow women on the picket line came to James' defense. The noise that James was making during a ballgame caused her to get arrested for disturbing the peace. James talks about a picket line crosser who would taunt picketers by making lewd gestures and throwing objects. Therefore, James and others decided to buy a bushel of tomatoes. James and others followed this individual home and decided to throw an entire bushel of tomatoes at her. This picket line crosser didn't return to work after this incident. Wheeler talks another mischievous activity that involved scaring off another picket line crosser by using a toy pistol. James discusses how she had to go to court for the "Tomato queen incident," but this picket line crosser couldn't identify her attackers. Wheeler and James continue to discuss how they tried to ward off picket line crossers, despite retaliation by Lee D. Keene. Wheeler and James also talk about businesses they no longer support.

Keywords: "Scabs" (strikebreakers); "Tomato queen"; Arrests; Balls; Businesses; Community; Convinced; Country; Courts; Disturbing; Doctors; Employees; Girls; Judges; Kitchens; Mayors; Money; Peace; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Pistols; Police; Raises; Receptionists; Tomatoes; Toys; Whip; Wigs

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Appalachian Region--Social life and customs; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Family histories.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Medicine, Rural; Physicians--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Salaries; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; Unionization; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: We had a lot of good people that supported us.

Segment Synopsis: There were some local businesses that supported the picket line at the Methodist Hospital, according to Wheeler and James. Wheeler discusses how her brother-in-law defended the Methodist Hospital employees against individuals who were critical of the strike. Also, Wheeler expresses gratitude to Kroger for bringing picketers food. She also gives credit to people who donated food items to picketers. The interviewer wants to know if Wheeler or James had encounters with Methodist Hospital board members. Wheeler and James admit that they taunted Lee D. Keene by shouting "Lee baby" at him in public settings. James reveals that picketers would protest outside of a board member's laundromat business. The last name of the board member was Elliot. James recalls that laundromat customers were either supportive or against the presence of picketers at the laundromat. A court order caused the picket line outside of the laundromat to dissolve. James discusses how picket lines outside of local businesses had to be approved by union organizers. James wishes she could go back in time and set up a picket line outside of a local funeral home operated by Charles Morris. This local funeral home helped scabs cross the picket line outside of the Methodist Hospital by using ambulances. James says that the picket line did allow ambulances to cross. However, they soon figured that ambulances were being used to haul employees into the Methodist Hospital. Methodist Hospital staff on the picket line, including Wheeler and James, even offered to help sick patients during emergencies. Wheeler even tried bringing this issue to the attention of Perry Justice. Lonnie Maynard, a lead union organizer, thought Wheeler made a good choice by informing Justice about ambulances being used to transport scabs across the picket line.

Keywords: "Scabs" (strikebreakers); Ambulances; Brother-in-laws; Businesses; Conversations; Courts; Employees; Food; Judges; Kroger; Meetings; Permission; Perry Justice; Piggly Wiggly; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Scabs; Sick; Towns; Work

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Well, when you all would decide to do things like, um, go talk to Perry Justice or go picket...

Segment Synopsis: James does note that she understood how to inform board members about the picket line's demands without going through the union's red tape. Lonnie Maynard and other strike organizers didn't approve of some of the strategies proposed by picketers. James believes that being familiar with the people involved with the Methodist Hospital or the picket line helped formulate strategies. Wheeler admits that without the influence of scabs, the Methodist Hospital would have to either close or give their employees a union. Lonnie Maynard tried to use religion and reaching out to churches as a way to make the demands of the Methodist Hospital employees salient to the Methodist Hospital's board members and leadership. According to James, some residents of the Pikeville area aren't familiar with religion. Also, Wheeler and James believe that Maynard's secretive tactics helped get the attention of the Methodist Church and hospital. Wheeler remembers reaching a point where she believed Maynard's efforts started to lose momentum. Wheeler declined to travel to Charleston, South Carolina on behalf of the picket line. James thinks that stopping scabs from entering the Methodist Hospital would have helped the strike be more successful. The interviewer want to discuss how stopping patients from coming to this Methodist Hospital might have helped the strike's momentum. Wheeler and James list several other hospitals that patients could have been redirected to. However, Wheeler mentions that people weren't willing to boycott against the Methodist Hospital.

Keywords: "Scabs" (strikebreakers); Churches; Ideas; Jobs; Laundry; Lonnie Maynard; Meetings; Methodist churches; Perry Justice; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Scabs; Service; Set-up; Strategies; Strategy; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Volunteers; Wives

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Religion; Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Regionalism--Appalachian Region; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: We felt like, you know, if we could be ready, you know, it being a UMWA hospital that, uh, we could've, uh, done better if we'd have been ready then...

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler reveals that the Methodist Hospital was only paying interest on the UMWA Hospital. She also talked to miners about their unions. In addition, Wheeler talks about how she contributed to help get a petition signed that advocated for the welfare of miners. However, the petition didn't help change the situation. Wheeler believes the support of the United Mine Workers would have helped the hospital strike become more successful.

Keywords: District 30; District thirty; Hospital cards; Hospitals; Petitions; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Strong; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)

Subjects: Coal miners--Kentucky; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Coal miners--Labor unions.; Coal miners.; Coal mines and mining; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Did you all go to the Pittsburgh convention?

Segment Synopsis: Neither Wheeler or James went to the Pittsburgh convention, even though Wheeler was invited to attend. James lists the names of people who attended the Pittsburgh convention. The purpose of the Pittsburgh convention was to encourage the CWA to pull the cards, according to the interviewer. Both Wheeler and James admit that they would prevent strikebreakers from entering the Methodist Hospital. James also believes that she should have been more proactive about using her rights. She also thinks that a lack of knowledge related to strike organization prohibited her from fully understanding how to contribute to the strike. Wheeler also agrees with James' stance. Even though James would go back and participate in the Methodist Hospital strike again, Wheeler establishes that she wouldn't. James credits her knowledge and the experience she gained from the Methodist Hospital strike as motivation to participate again. James discusses walking the picket line in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. In addition, James believes the support of other unions would've given the Methodist Hospital strikers an advantage. Both Wheeler and James compare and contrast the union organization at the Pikeville Methodist Hospital and the Highlands Regional Hospital.

Keywords: Communications Workers of America (CWA); Conventions; Dinner Bell; Educated; Education; Energy; Invitations; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Pittsburgh convention; Prestonsburg (Ky.); Prestonsburg, Kentucky; Schooling; Situation; Training; United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); Winning; Work

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Education; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikebreakers; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: What about, um, road blocks?

Segment Synopsis: James remembers there being several road blocks that helped strikers with transportation, receive food, and pay their bills. She also talks about how road blocks and other donations helped strikers pay their telephone bills and insurance. The benefactors that donated money to the Methodist Hospital strikers helped provide strikers with necessities, for example, glasses. Wheeler talks about how some people received the road blocks positively. However, James discusses how people tried to run over the strikers on the road block. The opposition of road blocks would try to provoke women strikers to leave. Wheeler and James both agree that their gender wasn't the only factor that caused a response from the opposition. Just being on strike angered the opposition. However, Wheeler and James would have responses to the criticisms of the opposition. James discusses the different duties of CWA officers and the CWA-affiliated local committee. In addition, James clarifies how monetary donations were distributed to strikers and how their bills were paid by the CWA. James talks about how some women were afraid of being seen on the picket line out fear that their husband could potentially lose their job. Therefore, women in this position would be assigned office jobs.

Keywords: Bills; Committees; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Donations; Family; Funds; Home; Husbands; Insurance; Jobs; Local; Meetings; Officers; Offices; Pikeville (Ky.); Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Rent; Road blocks; Strategy; Telephones

Subjects: Charity; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Labor unions--Strike benefits; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Well, let me switch gears again.

Segment Synopsis: James reveals that Methodist Hospital strikers were willing to cooperate with the press. According to James, the strike didn't receive much coverage from Pikeville media sources. James cites the Courier-Journal as a media outlet that covered the strike. Even though James didn't write press releases, she knows that they were sent out to various media outlets.

Keywords: Advertisements; Board members; Coverage; Louisville Courier Journal; Media; New releases; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Press; WRSI

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Courier-journal (Louisville, Ky.); Labor unions; Mass media--Influence--United States; Media; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: When you think back about the picket line and the strike, what stands out the most in your mind?

Segment Synopsis: James highlights getting arrested and having her life threatened as two moments she clearly remembers from the strike. James wasn't familiar with the individual who threatened to take her life. The woman who threatened James was placed in jail for a day and fined. Wheeler cites calling Drew Taylor a scab was an event that she reminiscences on. Taylor and Wheeler got into a verbal confrontation; however, Luther used threats to make Taylor leave Wheeler alone. There were other people in Taylor's vehicle and Wheeler didn't know what their capabilities were. Therefore, she is fortunate that Luther was there. Wheeler thinks she was targeted by Taylor because he probably assumed she was alone on the picket line. James describes how she was afraid of cars on the picket line. She didn't know if people in the cars would commit acts of violence against picketers. She says getting hit and physically harmed by a car heightened her fear. Also, Wheeler discusses how she was afraid that people in cars used dogs as a fear tactic. Wheeler reveals that the people causing disruption and fear on the picket line were possibly hired by the Methodist Hospital. Both Wheeler and James believe that security guards from Lexington tried to get information about the strike by creating conversation with picketers. James also says that picketers would enlist the help of their friends to find out about activities within the Methodist Hospital. Friends of picketers were allowed to the cross the picket line to find out information. RNs would even give picketers information, according to James. She thinks that some of the compassionate RNs would have participated in the strike if they were in position to do so. Wheeler says the Methodist Hospital allowed employees to live in the hospital, however, the Methodist Hospital had to cease this activity because it violated Kentucky law.

Keywords: "Scabs" (strikebreakers); Cars; City police; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Dogs; Drew Taylor; Fines; Guns; Hospitals; Jails; Lexington (Ky.); Lexington, Kentucky; Luther James; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Registered nurse (RN); Scabs; Security guards; Shooting; Threatened; Threats; cliff

Subjects: Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; Threats; United Mine Workers of America; Violence; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Ardena, was there ever any time during the strike where you thought about just moving away and working somewhere else?

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer wants to understand if Wheeler or James ever considered moving away from the strike. Wheeler never considered moving away because she considered Pikeville her home. She didn't ever plan to return to the workforce, but she received a job offer from the Dinner Bell. Both Wheeler and James talk about how they want Methodist Hospital strikers to have a reunion. The interviewer notes that James regrets not picketing the Justice funeral home. On the other hand, Wheeler doesn't have regrets about her contributions to the strike. She discusses how she is proud of the strike in its entirety. James talks about how wants to share the impact of the Methodist Hospital picket line with her grandchildren. James' children actually sat on the picket line with her. James and Wheeler both express no regrets or remorse for their actions on the picket line. James and Wheeler also express the advice they would give to an individual preparing to enter a strike. The interviewer wants to obtain more information about union meetings. Wheeler was a frequent attendant of union hall meetings. These meetings took place at the courthouse. Strike strategy was topic that was discussed between Lonnie Maynard and the strikers. James misses participating in strike-related activities with fellow strikers. Since the strike concluded, most strikers had to leave to find new employment. Local employers didn't want to hire Methodist Hospital strikers, because they were fearful that ex-strikers might try to organize their company.

Keywords: Advice; Courthouses; Experiences; Funeral homes; Grandchildren; Home; Jobs; Leaving; Magazines; Meetings; Mothers; Moving; Organizers; Picnics; Pictures; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Regrets; Roles; Sons; Support; Union halls; letters

Subjects: Children; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural children; Rural health services; Rural health--Kentucky; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: When, uh, we all got letters to--they was calling us back to come back to work at the hospital, everybody left the nursing home but me and Bebe.

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler and another former striker are the only two individuals who continued to work at the local nursing home. When the Methodist Hospital asked some of the strikers to come back, the nursing home was left to fill many empty spots. Wheeler didn't want to work in the hospital because she didn't want to be mistreated for going on strike. The strikers who returned to work were mistreated and weren't employed at the Methodist Hospital very long. Wheeler and James discuss receiving their back pay checks from the Methodist Hospital. James' daughter didn't receive her back pay check because she left her position shortly before the strike started. The strike didn't separate James' family. She talks about how her oldest son Bill would bring food to strikers on the picket line. Luther was also another family member who was very supportive of the strike. James' household adjusted to her being on the picket line daily. It's also revealed that teenagers participated on the picket line. Wheeler's son was about 15 or 16 years old when he participated in the strike. Wheeler viewed picketing like a job because the CWA was paying the bills of Methodist Hospital workers on strike. Strike benefits were the only source of income that Wheeler and James depended on. When Wheeler applied for food stamps, she was denied. Wheeler's son worked part-time at local service station. Compared to Methodist Hospital wages, the CWA strike benefits were better. Wheeler cleaned an insurance office so she could have money to feed her family. Wheeler's son helped contribute to household chores during the strike. The interviewer wants to know if Wheeler faced any family crises during the strike. However, her mother passed away twenty before the strike took place. As a result, Wheeler didn't believe she had any more problems.

Keywords: Administration; Administrative; Back pay; Bills; Checks; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Daily routines; Daughters; Family; Food stamps; Groceries; Household; Income; Jobs; Kids; Letters; Mail; Mistreated; Mistreatment; Nursing; Nursing homes; Patients; Payment; Picket lines; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Schools; Sons; Teenagers

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Children; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community development; Community organization.; Debt.; Food insecurity; Labor unions; Labor unions--Strike benefits; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; Teenager and parent; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Alright, now tell me your life history.

Segment Synopsis: Wheeler was born in Esco, Kentucky on August 29th, 1924. Her father was a miner and her mother was a housekeeper and worked on their farm. Wheeler was seventeen when she moved to Pikeville. She attended Penny School until the 8th grade. Wheeler's mother got sick, so she had to drop out of school to help her mother with responsibilities. Wheeler has five sisters and two brothers; they were all very supportive of the strike. Wheeler considers working on the farm as her first job. When Wheeler moved to Pikeville, she worked at a local grocery store. After working there for three months, she went to work at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. Wheeler met her husband in Pikeville and was married at the age of twenty-three. The couple had two boys and one girl: Arnold, Joyce-Ann, and Larry. Wheeler divorced her husband when Larry was five years old, due to his excessive drinking. He was sent to the penitentiary for a year because he was an absent father. Wheeler expresses how she in content with living at the Pikeville Tower. She has been living in the apartment building for a total of five years.

Keywords: Brother-in-law; Brothers; Country; Farms; High schools; Hospitals; Husbands; Jobs; Louisville (Ky.); Mothers; Penny School; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Public jobs; Scattered; Sickness; Sisters; Strikes; Tennessee

Subjects: Children; Families.; Family farms--Management; Family farms.; Family histories.

Partial Transcript: Who's this?

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer reviews photographs from the strike with James and Wheeler. James reveals that she lived in Pikeville during the strike with Luther and her six children: Freddy, Linda-Sue, Herbert, Edna-Anne, Lena, and Bill. James begins to order her children based on birth year with the interviewer. All the children, except for Bill, were still living at James' home during the strike. When the strike was taking place, Luther was about fifty-five years old. Also, not all of James' children were enrolled in school during the strike. Lana was working at the hospital and as a babysitter. Edna was out of school and wasn't working, but still lived at home. Herbert and Linda-Sue both were both attending school in Pikeville during the strike. The James household was dependent on James' strike benefits and Luther's Social Security. It's also mentioned that Luther had a military pension. According to James, the CWA benefits allowed her to be better off financially. The interviewer wants to know if James had to deal with family issues during the strike. Two of James' daughters (Edna and Linda-Sue) got married during the strike. James' daughters helped maintain their family's household. However, Luther helped become the protective presence on the picket line instead of helping with household duties, according to James. James reveals that she was mostly responsible for handling the household budget and expenses. As a family, the James' household would go for walks, take trips, and attend athletic events for recreation. James was born and raised in Robinson Creek, Kentucky. Both of James' parents were from Robinson Creek. Her father was a farmer for a dollar a day, but he eventually went to work in the mines. When all of James' siblings left home, their mother went to work at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. At the age of sixteen, James left home and got married to her first husband. Ed Spears, James' first husband, is the father of five of James' children. James dropped out of high school her sophomore year. Spears joined the military and abandoned his family when James was pregnant with their fifth child. He did pay child support when James brought him before a grand jury. James met Luther when she was working at Pikeville Methodist Hospital and the two got married in 1956. For a total of 3 years, Luther worked at the Methodist Hospital. After working for Sally Baker, Luther went to work for the Pikeville police and fire department. However, he had a stroke and had to leave the police and fire department. Before working at the Methodist Hospital, James worked at Murphy's. Then after strike, James worked at the Magic Mart, Pick and Pay Shoes, and at the CPA, Party Goods, and Gibson's Cards. Currently, she is an office housekeeper for one day a week. The strike wasn't a reason that impacted her decision to change jobs. Luther's health was the main reason James changed employment. The interviewer wants to know James' favorite place to live. James enjoyed living by the railroad tracks in Pikeville because it was very secluded. Now, James is planning to relocate to a secluded area in Florida.

Keywords: Babysitters; Bills; Bodyguards; Budgets; Children; Farms; Fathers; Florida; High schools; Home; Hospitals; Houses; Jobs; Married; Military pensions; Mothers; Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Robinson Creek (Ky.); Schools; Social Security; Strikes; Towns; Trips; Working; Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Economic conditions; Budget.; Children; Coal mines and mining; Communities.; Education--Kentucky; Labor unions--Strike benefits; Picketing.; Protest and social movements; Recreation; Rural children; Traditional farming--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: When the strike was going on, what did you think your future would be like?

Segment Synopsis: The interviewer wants to know how Wheeler and James envisioned their future after the strike. James thought the strike would make her future better. Both Wheeler and James believe participating in the strike made a difference and served as a learning experience. Wheeler and James discuss how they prevented being manipulated and fired by the Methodist Hospital staff. There was a list of employees that the Methodist Hospital planned on firing who were possibly involved in planning the strike. Wheeler now realizes that keeping a diary of the events that happened at the Methodist Hospital could have been helpful. The interview comes to a close.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Diary; Fired; Future; Lists; Newspapers; Pikeville (Ky.); Pikeville Methodist Hospital; Planning; Plans

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Collective labor agreements; Communities.; Community development; Community organization.; Labor unions; Medical care--Appalachian Region; Medical care--Kentucky; Picketing.; Political activists.; Protest and social movements; Protest movements.; Rural health services; Strikes and lockouts--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists