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Plant Closings: International Context and Social Costs book cover

1st Edition

Plant Closings International Context and Social Costs

Edited By Dena Targ Copyright 1988
    193 Pages
    by Routledge

    193 Pages
    by Routledge

    194 Pages
    by Routledge
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    PLANT CLOSED--A sign of the times? These two words have had profound meaning for workers in every factory and office across the country. Millions of workers who have already been displaced by closings have had to pick up the pieces of shattered lives and get on with the business of living. Those who are still working are faced with the insecurity of wondering whether they might find the gates closed some morning when they arrive at work. The number of plant closings and the threat of future closings have raised many questions.What has been happening to the American economy that has resulted in major companies closing their doors? What forces within the international and national political economies are converging to reshape the labor force, eliminating jobs in manufacturing and expanding employment in the lower wage, insecure manufacturing sector? What happens to displaced workers, their families, and the community in which they work?In Plant Closings, the authors examine the reasons plants close and the social, economic, and psychological consequences. A variety of causes are identified including capital flight, decreasing profit rates, and the pursuit of lower labor costs. Through the analysis of a case study the authors examine the changing health patterns, political attitudes, and financial stability of displaced workers. There is also discussion of the impact on the community at large and on the individual institutions within the community. Finally, the authors analyze legislation that addresses the human and social costs of unemployment.Carolyn C. Perrucci is professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Purdue University. Robert Perrucci is professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Purdue University. Dena B. Targ is professor in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. Harry R. Targ is professor in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University.

    CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PLANT CLOSINGS -- Why Do Plants Close? -- Is There a New Unemployment? -- How Are Communities Affected by Plant Closings? -- How Are Displaced Workers Affected? -- What Is the Political Response of Displaced Workers? -- What Can Be Done About Plant Closings and the -- Needs of Displaced Workers? -- A Note on Method -- CHAPTER 2 PLANT CLOSINGS AND ECONOMIC CHANGE: GLOBAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL CONTEXTS -- The Foundations of American Capitalism on a Worldwide -- Basis Since World War II -- The United States and Global Political Economy in Crisis -- Capital Mobility, Unemployment, and Plant Closings -- The Transformation of the Electronics Industry -- A Portrait of RCA -- The Economy of the Midwest -- The Economy of Indiana -- A Profile of White County, Indiana, and Monticello -- From the Global Political Economy to Monticello, Indiana -- V I Contents -- CHAPTER 3 COMMUNITY AND WORKER RESPONSES TO APLANT CLOSING -- Assessing the Impacts of a Plant Closing -- RCA and United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners -- Local #3154 in Monticello: The Closing -- Monticello at Closing Time -- Views from Social Agencies -- Impacts on the Business Community -- The Workers Respond -- Project Care -- Conclusion -- CHAPTER 4 ECONOMIC EFFECTS ON WORKERS -- Length of Unemployment -- Income Loss -- Perceived Economic Distress -- Cutbacks in Expenditures -- Home Production -- Summary and Conclusions -- CHAPTER 5 EFFECTS ON WORKERS' HEALTH AND FAMILYRELATIONSHIPS -- RELATIONSHIPS -- Physical Health -- RCA Findings -- Mental Health -- RCA Findings -- Family Effects -- RCA Findings -- Summary and Conclusions -- Contents vu -- CHAPTER 6 UNEMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION -- Comparison of Displaced Workers and Employed -- Workers in the Same Community -- Comparisons Among Displaced Workers -- Levels of Social Integration and Its Correlates -- Summary -- CHAPTER 7 WORKER CONSCIOUSNESS -- Social Inequality and the Working Class -- Plant Closing and Worker Consciousness -- Theoretical Framework -- Development of Worker Consciousness -- Conclusions -- CHAPTER 8 IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY -- Future Research on Plant Closings -- Relevance of Findings to Public Policy -- Workers' Response to Plant Closings -- Bibliography -- Appendix: Midwest Plant Closing Project -- Index.

    Biography

    Carolyn C. Perrucci is Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and Chair of the interdisciplinary program in Women's Studies, Purdue University. Robert Perrucci is Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Purdue University. Dena B. Targ is Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Purdue University. Harry R. Targ is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and member of the Committee on American Studies, Purdue University.

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