Secondary interview with Joy Thorkelson

In a follow-up interview, Joy Thorkelson, President of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, speaks to Rod Mickelburgh and Donna Sacuta as she continues to recall the issues and actions taken by West Coast unions in the fishing industry. She begins by discussing the many devastating impacts of the Mifflin Plan on the fishing industry and on the unions that had long-dominated the industry, as the numbers of fishers and boats steadily decrease and processing jobs have almost disappeared. Joy also recalls the impact Mike Darnell had as an organizer in Prince Rupert, and answers questions about the impact of the Communist Party on organizing in both the fish unions and other left-wing unions. Through this section she also recalls the vibrancy of the large and lengthy annual conventions, as well as the impact of the newspapers The Pacific Tribune and The Fisherman on communications and building solidarity amongst union members. Rod asks about issues of safety and health and Joy responds with a lengthy description of the types of risks the industry faces and some of the measures taken to improve what is intrinsically a dangerous job. At the end of the interview, Joy talks about the current state of union organizing in the fishing industry and recalls some of the powerful moments and experiences she has had along the way.