Since the groundbreaking release of “Harlan County, USA” in the 1970s, filmmakers have consistently documented the unwavering tenacity and solidarity of workers. In Barbara Kopple’s 1990 film, “American Dream,” a meat packer’s urgent call to action resonates: “We better start pulling together or, by God, they’re going to bury us.” This desperate plea underscores a fight for survival against the Hormel Foods Corporation, which exploited internal union discord to replace a significant portion of its workforce during a protracted strike.
The 1985-86 labor crisis in Austin, Minnesota, depicted in “American Dream,” serves as a powerful microcosm of the broader struggles faced by organized labor in the United States. The film effectively offers an alternative “State of the Union” address, reflecting the challenges of the Reagan era. This period was marked by a tough stance against union power, exemplified by President Reagan’s 1981 ultimatum to striking air traffic controllers, threatening termination if they did not return to work within 48 hours. Simultaneously, private enterprises such as Hormel, Phelps Dodge, and International Paper increasingly resorted to replacing striking workers. This era saw a significant decline in union membership, with unions losing 2.7 million members between 1980 and 1984.