In Part I of our two-part episode on workers in the Maine logging industry, we chat with Mark Hardison, a longtime woodcutter from Eastern Maine, near the town of Ellsworth. We talk about Mark's life, getting involved in the woods industry, and about the ways that the industry has changed over the years. We also talk about efforts to organize workers in the woods industry and the long and complicated history between American workers, Canadian workers, and the companies that pit them against each other. We also talk about the serious dangers that workers in this industry face on a daily basis, including Mark himself, who was nearly crushed to death by a hanging tree.

We also check in with our friend Lauren Schandevel for the first installment on her recurring segment, The Bellwether Bitch, where she breaks down media representations of Macomb County, MI, where Lauren grew up.

Working People call-in line #: 734-272-4402

Additional links/info below...

• Dan Morgan, The Washington Post, "Company 'Slavery' Ignites Maine Woodsmen's Union (1977)"
• Steve Fuller, The Ellsworth American, "Bucksport First Responders Help Save Injured Logger's Life"
• Beth Brogan, News Center Maine, "Maine Loggers Poised to Unionize"

The Bellwether Bitch...

• Lauren's Twitter page
• The Lead, CNN, "Voters in Critical Swing State on Impeachment"

Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive: freemusicarchive.org)

• Lobo Loco, "Malte Junior - Hall"
• November Polaroid, "Silent Ships"