Union and Community, 1950

[73] - United States Army 1950; 16mm ; good condition; Black and White; On Reel; Positive; English; Community involvement, Community service; community action through unions; Chester, PA This is a documentary narrated by Ed Orsel, a worker at the locomotive plant in Chester, PA. The narrator tells the story of how he became involved in community organizing and public service through the involvement in his union and its members. Orsel becomes a community activist in many respects and assumes the responsibility of helping others in need. The main crisis in the film is when a boy gets hit by a car while crossing the street. Orsel and other union members start a public safety campaign and petition the citizens to sign up. They presented this petition and a proposal for more street signs, stop lights, police and crossing guards, to the city council. The proposal passes and the streets are made safer. This shows the potential of community organizing and union's responsibility to mobilize its members around giving back to the community. Chester, Pennsylvania; property of Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America Film Division. 15 min. long. -- 700 feet of film