A Minnesotan Story: Timeline of P-9 Strike at Hormel
Learn more about the historic Hormel strike of 1985 which inspired Children’s Theatre Company's world premiere production of ‘Spamtown, USA’ running February 16 through April 5, 2020.
1933: Workers at the Hormel plant, upset a new insurance program that would cost them 20 cents per week ($3.88 adjusted for inflation), organize into a union and demand recognition from corporate. Union workers physically remove Jay Hormel from the company’s general offices and shut down the refrigeration system, causing the meat to spoil. This is the first officially-recorded sit-down strike in U.S. history. The parties reached a compromise after three days. Hormel develops the “Annual Wage Plan” that guaranteed employees weekly paychecks, allowed working hours to fluctuate as needed, guarantee year’s notice of termination, profit sharing, merit pay, pension pay, and a joint earnings plan.
1978: Hormel announces plans to build a new state-of-the-art meat packing plant. Workers agree to a five-year wage freeze and a 20% increase in work standards. In addition, workers lose incentive earnings, and the ability to strike for three years after the plant was built. In exchange, Hormel promises workers they will “never be worse off” in the new plant.
1982–1984: Hormel opens the new plant and decides to terminate the 1933 agreement. Hormel announces the plan to cut wages from $10.69 to $8.25 per hour ($28.05 to $21.65 adjusted for inflation). The new factory-made processing more efficient; however, the new plant experienced a 120% increase in worker injuries. Regardless of these changes, workers cannot strike due to the 1978 agreement.
August 1985: P-9 workers reject the Hormel contract offer by a 1,261 to 96 vote. The State of Minnesota denies the P-9 union members’ request for unemployment compensation.
December 1985: Hog slaughtering at the Austin plant is suspended due to the strike. Picketers begin to march outside of the plant’s gates.
January 1986: P-9 announces plans for roving picket lines, a move that was not sanctioned by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. 450 P-9 members chose to return to work and others are brought in to fill gaps in production. People who chose to work during the strike are taunted by the protesters and called “scabs.” Minnesota Governor Perpich orders the National Guard to Austin after protesters block the gates of the factory with several hundred cars. After five months of striking, Hormel begins firing striking workers.
February 1986: After a month in Austin, the National Guard leaves, but with looming negotiations between Hormel and P-9ers, violence ensues at demonstrations. Upwards of 100+ demonstrators are arrested. Leadership at the National United Food and Commercial Workers union order the local P-9 Hormel union to end the strike.
April 1986: Tear gas is used to stop protesters. Seventeen people are arrested, and eight police officers are injured. 5,000+ people come to Austin to support local P-9 employees.
May 1986: United Food and Commercial Workers Union gains control of the P-9 Hormel Union.
June 1986: UFCW evicts P-9 from the Austin Labor Center, which leaves striking members without financial or organizational support.
September 1986: The strike is declared over. Hormel Union employees vote to accept the contract agreement by a vote of 1,060 to 440. A portion of the strikers return to work. However, many are out of a job due to positions being replaced during the strike.
Spamtown, USA is a moving portrait of Austin, Minnesota during the 1985 Hormel strike. While five kids dream of space camp, tennis teams, and fashion school, they find their families and community suddenly divided by picket lines and opposing agendas. This is the story of having the strength to stand up for what you believe in, the hope that is found in surprising alliances, and the humor that helps keep friendships alive.
For tickets visit our website!
Written by Philip Dawkins
Directed by Will Davis
Run time: 2 hours with one 20-minute intermission
Best enjoyed by everyone 9 and up
Cargill Stage
Due to the age recommendation, lap passes will not be available for this production.
Things to Know About the Show
· The playwright traveled to Austin, Minn. and interviewed 25 people who were children and five adults living in Austin, Minnesota about their real-life experience living through the Hormel strike of 1985 and the aftermath. Stories from these interviews directly influenced scenes and dialogue in the show.
· The characters are composites drawn from the interviews — all names of those who speak in the play are invented — but the stories, challenges, and spirit of the characters is drawn from the extraordinary people who spoke to us about their lives and this moment in their history.
· This play takes place in the 1980s — references to pop culture, slang, and views of that decade are represented throughout this play.
