Oral history of Sterling Ball

Identifier:

4224.BallSterling.AudioInt.12.3.20

Title:

Oral history of Sterling Ball

Date:

2020-12-03

Creator:

Ball, Sterling

Contributor:

Hilliard, Emily

Description:

Sterling Ball (b. January 9, 1947, Parkersburg, WV) is a retired UFCW Local 347 president, labor organizer, songwriter and poet, a former Kroger worker, and veteran. In this interview he discusses the history of Local 347 (which has since merged with Local 400), his songs and poems, his experience in collective bargaining, labor actions, and strikes across West Virginia and Ohio, the future of the labor movement, and more. Ball is a lifelong resident of Parkersburg, WV.This interview is part of a collection of interviews with UFCW member Kroger workers conducted remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subject:

Labor union members, Supermarkets, Nursing homes--Employees, Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926, Food industry and trade--Employees, Strikes and lockouts, Labor disputes--West Virginia, Working class families, Collective bargaining--Service industries, Labor union locals, Working class--Songs and music

Rights:

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Location:

Charleston (W. Va.), Parkersburg (W. Va.)

Format:

audio/wav

Language:

English

Source:

A&M 4224, West Virginia Folklife Program Collection