Improving the Australian economy was hardly a major aim in the life of John L. Lewis, but that is just what he did. In 1954, with their antiquated industry slumping badly, Australian coalmine owners and union leaders journeyed to the U.S. in search of a solution. Naturally, they dropped in on the longtime leader of the United Mine Workers. He urged that they mechanize their mines, as the U.S. was doing with U.M.W. support. "Do you believe in slavery?" asked Lewis. "No? Well, then, it's better to have 10,000 contented workers than 20,000 men working like pick-and-shovel slaves. That's what...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
