James (Jim) Fite Oral History

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: R0171-JFI

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of 1 DVD of a digital video recording. The DVD documents an oral history interview with James (Jim) Fite, labor activist and former White Lung Association (WLA) Executive Director and National Secretary. The interview was conducted by Bill Barry, labor activist, on December 10, 2018 and includes discussion of Fite’s work at the Baltimore Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard and his work with the White Lung Association. The interview also discusses Fite’s efforts to save and preserve the records of the White Lung Association. The collection also includes 1 paper copy list of questions for the interview.

Dates

2018 December 10

Creator

Barry, Bill (Labor activist) (Project director, Person)

Language of Materials

Oral history interview was conducted in English.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. This collection contains audio-visual and digital materials that may need further processing or special equipment to allow use.

Usage Restrictions

The creator retains all rights; Special Collections and Archives provides viewing access only.

Biographical Note

James (Jim) Fite is the former White Lung Association (WLA) Executive Director and National Secretary. He is a labor activist. Born in Oklahoma, Fite began work in Baltimore, Maryland as a machinist at the Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard in 1979 and continued working there for a number of years. The White Lung Association was formed in 1979 to protect workers in the steel, auto, and shipyard industries. It was a worker-led nonprofit based in Baltimore. They advocated for laborers exposed to asbestos, a deadly, naturally-occurring silicate used in building and manufacturing and educated the public regarding the hazards of asbestos exposure. The group successfully helped change national, state, and local laws concerning asbestos.

Information for this historical note came from the interview in this collection, news articles, and the historical note from the White Lung Association Records.

Extent

0.21 Linear feet (1 container) : DVD and paper

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains a video oral history interview with James (Jim) Fite, labor activist and former White Lung Association (WLA) Executive Director and National Secretary. The interview was conducted by Bill Barry, labor activist in 2018.