13
The majority of strike songs were published in a booklet, "Come Hell or High Water." And in 1975 and 1976, local Buchans musicians recorded these songs and an album was made. Angus Lane wrote the song "All Because of ASARCO" during the early part of the strike. The inspiration came when the Union pulled essential services, thus cutting heat to the company plant, staff homes, the school and the hospital. However, the Union gave the Government sufficient notice before making this move, in order to give them ample time to install alternate heating to the schools and hosptial.ALL BECAUSE OF ASARCO
(Sung to the tune of "Thank God We're Surrounded By Water)
5457 is now out on Strike
We seek from ASARCO what we deem is right
'Till hell freezes over, we'll continue to fight
We wont' beg or plead from ASARCO
CHORUS:
Our plea, our plea is for you and me
To demand what we want from this company
No one here will go down on their knees
To bed or to plead from ASARCO
We cut off the heat to the plant and the staff
The schools had to suffer on our behalf
The hospital too was caught in the draft
All because of ASARCO
CHORUS
The company makes millions on concentrate tons
While miners end up with lead on their lungs
Mining makes old men out of our young sons
Producing ore for ASARCO
CHORUS
A decent wage is all that we need
A few extra dollars our families to feed
A reasonable employer to our cause would give heed
But we have to deal with ASARCO
CHORUS
The welfare man he came here today
He asked us to show him our previous pay
When he added it up he had this to say
There's nothing here try ASARCO
CHORUS
Stick to your guns boys and never relent
Don't go back for a few paltry cents
To boost the wages of those New York gents
Who get-- damn well paid by ASARCO.
CHORUS
14
When looking back at the Strike of 1973, there are many things to consider about the outcome of the strike. The workers did gain wage increases and benefits while the mining company continued to make profits. But perhaps the most important aspect of the strike may have been that it fostered the move from a company town to a hometown with imense pride for the ASARCO workers and their families. |
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