Galyen, Art, and James Galyen, 2011 May 14

Interviewed by Ryan Davis. James Galyen discusses his employment at the Chrysler plant starting in the 1950s. He describes his job as an electrician, including his job duties as well as training, during the plants early years making tanks, and how he was then re-hired in 1957 when the plant began producing automobiles. He details his involvement in the workers union, relations with his fellow co-workers, and worker management relations. He also addresses diversity through-out the plant in these early years. Art Galyen discusses his experiences at the plant beginning with his employment in 1971 through 2001. He explains joining the union and the various union activities he participated in such as walk-outs and strikes. He details the specific jobs he held at the plant including work in the paint shop and as a team coordinator. Also addresses working conditions at the plant over the years and plant atmosphere and life (race relations, diversity, informal markets, cooking, use of alcohol and drugs, and theft). Discusses the bonds he made and the Chrysler community now that the plant has closed.