North Carolina Now; Episode from 1999-06-22

It's Thursday, June 24th, tonight, Labor's efforts to organize Field Crest Cannon in North Carolina now. Good evening, I'm Marita Matrey. Welcome to North Carolina now for this Thursday evening. The controversial issue of unionization in our state is making headlines, again, as textile workers at Pillotex Corporation, take up a vote on whether to organize. We'll have details of that hotly debated issue coming up a bit later in the program, but another debate is taking center stage at the legislature. Top legislative leaders today unveiled a new multi-billion dollar plan intended to fund renovations and new building construction throughout the state's public university and community college systems. The three billion dollar funding package is structured to be

a limited obligation bond, a funding mechanism that does not require voter approval. At a press conference held today at the state Capitol, a host of the state's most powerful and influential government and education leaders gathered to collectively express their support for the bond proposal. Bills will be introduced in the House and the Senate for $3 billion in bonds. To build and repair and renovate buildings in our university and community colleges, these are large numbers, but our needs are large, our responsibility is large. The words of House Speaker Jim Black were echoed by the president, Pro Tem of the Senate Mark Bass Knight, who says the need is great and he fully supports the use of bonds to generate funding for public university and community college needs. I believe we have to invest those monies and build the buildings today. And building

those buildings is going to cost some investment, and I think that investment is best made by having bonds. Bonds that this university will be able to develop its system on. The bond plan is based on a comprehensive independent study, which found that almost 800 university and community college buildings are in need of extensive repair or modernization within the next 10 years. But some lawmakers and civic leaders have expressed concern that this particular bond package would not have to be approved by the voting public. They understand that debt that's incurred has to be repaid. And in this instance, we're proposing something that is authorized and was voted upon by the people in 1970 when the Constitution that we are now working under was amended. And it authorized these specific types of undertaking within the discretion of the General Assembly. Because this within the state's debt capacity, certainly, there is no question about the

capacity of the state to incur this debt. The question always comes up is what is the purpose for which we're proposing to use the proceeds of the borrowing. And the purpose has been well documented and worthy. University leaders say they have taken a pain stakingly comprehensive and inclusive approach in determining the repair and renovation needs of its 16 campuses in coming up with this bond proposal. Over the last 18 months, at every one of our meetings, we've had a report on the evil clan study. And I can tell you that it took a little instruction and a little teaching to our Board of Governors to bring us up today on this because these were large figures, these were large problems. But we just did not accept a report and received a report that she gave us. As a Board of Governors, we went out to each and every one of our campuses. And we went through with those labs, we went through those classrooms, we walked the campuses

to look at the needs of our campuses so that we could better understand the results of the study. So 18 months later, we have a real comprehensive knowledge of what's involved in this study. Not only did we go out and look at the needs of our universities, but as reports came in from the evil clan, we kept the general assembly involved, we kept the government involved, we kept the citizens involved, we kept the students involved in what we were doing. So we feel comfortable that the needs that we have identified are really a bread and butter count of needs that we need to take care of. This is a happy day for community colleges in North Carolina. We're especially grateful for this capital package, for several reasons. First of all, this recognizes the need for repairs and renovations of our existing facilities. Our colleges, in most cases, are 30 years or older, and many of our buildings are of that age.

And we're built at a time when the needs of our instructional programs were very different from now. Most of them are not wired with fiber optics to take advantage over the instructional technology that most of our colleges need. Most of them were built at a time of great energy surplus and therefore are not energy efficient. And 30-year-old heating and air conditioning systems and 30-year-old roofs need replacing. Included in this bond proposal is the $65 million it will take to convert UNCTV's 11th Station Public Television Network to Digital Television, which Senate leaders appear willing to support. Okay, if you were to live in Graham County or Clay County or Terrell County or Hyde County, and public TV was probably your only venue to reach the outside world, you'd be very excited about having it. If you were the lose public TV in North Carolina, a lot of people would suffer.

And the quality of life that we have, I believe it's extremely... You're not going to have any choice because it's all converting and changing. If you don't do it by 2003, we stand to lose our license from the Federal Communication Commission to run public television. This required by the Federal Government. And public television is the one of the greatest resources North Carolina has. So this is something that must be done. And we'll all have to get us a high definition television, I guess. Congress says we might. I think everyone's going to have to, not just public TV. But the UNCTV upgrades are only a small part of the total university education bond package, the entirety of which Governor Hunt says he fully supports. I want everybody to know how strongly I am behind this idea, and having these bonds to finance the great, the crying needs that we have in our university system. We ought to do it in a systematic way.

These universities and colleges have surveyed their needs. We know what they are, we have a plan to do it, and we know what it's going to cost. I want to tell you, we can afford it. If approved by the General Assembly, the higher education spending plan would be the largest bond package in North Carolina history and would more than double the state's current bonded debt of about $2.2 billion. A decision on the bond plan is expected within a few weeks. Textile workers in North Carolina have taken a giant step toward unionization. Workers at Pillotex Corporation, the makers of Canon Towels, voted for union representation. The vote was closed and with nearly 300 challenged ballots, the outcome won't be official for several weeks. But this is the first time in a quarter-century long union drive that workers have come this close to saying yes to a union at Pillotex or its predecessor companies. David Haynes and photographer Michael McGinnis were in Canapolis as the votes were counted last night.

As the sun set over the non-union Pillotex mill in downtown Canapolis on Wednesday evening, polling places outside the plants were quiet, as the last few workers voted on union representation. 5,100 workers were eligible to cast ballots in what has always been a contentious issue in North Carolina, unionization. The United Needle Workers' Industrial and Textile Employees Union was making its fifth attempt in 25 years to organize the workers of this mill. The last four elections have all ended in losses for the union, and while the union may be seeking now what it has been for more than 25 years, in the last quarter-century, things at the mill have changed a great deal. This used to be locally-owned Canon mills surrounded by a very large mill village. New owners changed all of that in the 1980s, the mill village is gone. They also changed the name of the company to Field Crest Canon.

Another set of new owners two years ago changed the name of the company to Pillotex. As in past elections, workers gathered outside a school where the votes would be counted. Union supporters wore hats, pro-company employees were decked out in t-shirts. This campaign to organize Pillotex was different from previous ones. The company already owns 11 unionized plants and is no stranger to collective bargaining, and even union organizers say they had plenty of access to the plant and to workers trying to make up their minds. When the votes were counted, it was clear that this workforce for the first time had a different message for management. The final tally was 2270 for the union, 2101 for the company. There were also some challenge ballots that the union challenged due to that they were not in the unit and we believe we'll prevail on all challenges. The workers tonight have won a historic victory of a battle that's been going on for 25 years.

-♪ Just like this, used it, used it, used it,") -♪ Just like this, used it, used it, used it, used it, used it. -♪ Just like this, used it, used it, used it, used it, used it, used it, used baby, used it, like baby, used it, used it. We won! Oh, we won. We won. We won. We won? We won! Not too bad. Wait. And we won. We won. We won! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! We are the Union! What does this mean tonight? This means that now we'll have a say in what goes on, and we don't have to just take whatever they tell us. Now they'll be in negotiations. They'll be on a fair level, too. In the past, the company got to celebrate. Tonight, its pro-company workers could only hope that the 285 challenged ballots would change the close outcome. It was very close.

Very close. What does this do to relationships in the plant when the vote is that close? Very tension. A lot of tension in the plants. All plant was about 70% company. Some of the other plants, because of the upper management and stuff like that, with not an open-door policy, then it was more unionized. How long have you been with the company? 20 years. So this is your fourth vote? Fourth vote. And did you ever feel like you would see this day? No. Not at all. Over at Pilotex headquarters, chairman and CEO Chuck Hanson got a hero's welcome from Disappointed Pro-Company Workers. We now get into the legal process. And the process is there were votes that were challenged. We need to see what those votes are, and what the challenges are, and reconcile that. But the main thing is, our job, your job and my job,

is to make product and supply retailers and ultimate consumers all over the United States, so that our business can prosper, that you can prosper. That's what this whole thing is about. It's a family. And sometimes families don't always agree. And I know all of you are from families, and I suspect there's no one here who's had a family that's ever been 100% in agreement. But the union's victory is not what it would have been 25 years ago. Back then, Pilotex's predecessor, Cannon Mills, employed twice as many people as the 5,000 who currently work there. And textile employment is on the decline in the Carolinas. Is this a peric victory at all? I don't think so. These plants are more productive than ever. They just got $120 million in investment. They're going to be around a long time. And the question is, what kind of jobs are these going to be into the future? And what kind of rights are people going to have on these jobs? Despite dwindling textile employment, for some, this was a night for celebrating.

You guys, you guys! We won! We won! All we won! We won! Union spokespeople say their first order of business if the vote is certified in their favor is to determine what the workers want from the company and then talk with Pilotex management. Well, still ahead on North Carolina now, we'll talk with the author of a new Southern cookbook. But first, Mitchell Lewis is here with a statewide news summary. Thanks, Marita. Good evening, everyone. Topping the news, teens who are suspended from school for alcohol, drug, or violent offenses are one step closer to losing their driving privileges. The State House has passed a bill that would suspend licenses of teenagers who commit such offenses for up to a year. The proposal now goes to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass. The approval of the bill would put an end to the two-year debate over the legislation. Mecklenburg County commissioners are changing their minds over school bonds.

The commissioners had planned to place the issue before voters this fall, but are rethinking that decision after the defeat of school bonds in Wake County, and because of the school's system's federal desegregation trial. The commissioners fear that the bonds would not get public support. The group is now considering issuing $150 million in certificates of participation to raise the needed funds. While Charlotte struggles with issues such as education, the Queen City, along with the Triangle area, are both getting some positive recognition nationally. The North Carolina regions have had ranked as two of the top ten best places to live by Howard Wall, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. Wall used U.S. Census Bureau data to track the areas where most people are choosing to move. The Triangle ranked fifth, while Charlotte came in at 10th. The cities of Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Phoenix were among the top three. Governor Hunt has begun to push the passage of clean air measures which he proposed in April. Hunt's plan includes reducing automobile emissions, requiring the sale of cleaner, low-solfer gasoline, expanding and enhancing vehicle emission inspections,

and providing incentives for companies to reduce emissions. The House Environment and Natural Resources Committee is in the process of debating the plan. State health officials are issuing a warning to North Carolina residents who spend time outdoors. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease carried by ticks, is on the rise in our state. North Carolina leads the nation in the number of reported cases of the illness. Most cases are in children younger than 15. Symptoms of the disease include fever, rash, abdominal pain and vomiting. Doctors say a tick must be attached for at least a couple of hours before the disease can be transmitted. And now for a look at tomorrow's weather. Highs across the state will range from the low 70s to mid 80s. Most areas can expect cloudy skies with a good chance of showers or thunderstorms. In business news, the day after workers at Six North Carolina Field Crescan and Plants voted to become part of a union. Employees at Davidson County's PPG industries are conducting a similar vote. Over 1200 workers will be casting their ballots on the issue during the next 24 hours.

This is the second vote in a year on whether PPG employees should be represented by the teamsters. The House Finance Committee has approved a bill that would expand incentives to lure new industries to North Carolina. Under current law, companies can receive tax credits as high as $12,500 per job for locating or expanding in the state's poorest counties. The proposal passed by the House Committee would provide even more benefits to those companies. The Senate has already approved the bill. It will now go to the full House for a vote. The Dow Jones was down 132 points today. Now here's a look at the rest of what happened on Wall Street. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill.

The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. The House Finance Committee has already approved the bill. There is so much more to southern food than BBQ grits and biscuits! justask this evening's guessed. she is the author of Butter beams to Blackberries. herwin��arebens 😁 it is so much more than just a cookbook?

Yes, it is. It does have a wealth of recipes. There are over 150 recipes in the book. But in addition to that, I traveled around the South. I went to 13 different states that are considered southern states. And I went to restaurants and farm markets and food festivals. And I met people who were horticulturalists and cooks and gardeners. And I wanted to pass on that sense of that experience, that feeling of being in the South, to people. So in addition to that, the book has a lot of road notes, kind of a running diary of my trip and stories about the people that I met. And then it also has sections on farm markets and festivals telling people about some of these things like there's a Roland in the Gritz contest, down in South Carolina that's in there. And of course, there are all the wonderful ramp festivals, one of which is in Wainsville, North Carolina. I think every spring. So those kind of things are in the book as well. And then in addition to that, in the back, there's a section that tells you places to go. There's also a section that tells you about mail order,

because I wanted people to be able to read this book. And if they were interested in some of these great southern products that are mentioned, that they could order them and get them if they weren't available in their homes. So it is a little bit more than just a regular cookbook. You're right. And why did you want to write it? Well, this is my third cookbook. And the first book that I wrote was about southern cooking also. And when I wrote that book, I was surprised at the reaction that it got. I like to tell about my editor, who was a Connecticut Yankee, as we call him. And he was in New York. And I sent him the first chapter in that book on fried chicken, or on chicken, which included fried chicken. And then I said, the next thing I want to do is vegetables. And he thought I was being lazy. He thought I was doing a short chapter. And I sent him this huge chapter on vegetables. And he was astonished. He called me back and said, I never thought of this as being a part of southern cooking. And then as I went out and started promoting that book and talking about southern food, is that people know about grits. They know about biscuits. They know fried chicken, country ham. They know a lot about the desserts of the South.

But what they don't realize is that Southerners have traditionally eaten vegetables and eaten from the garden. And this is something that we're very, very passionate about. You get a couple of Southerners together talking about food. And they're going to talk about greens. And they're going to talk about speckled butter beans. And they're going to talk about crowded peas. And they're going to argue about whether or not a white half runner is better than a Kentucky wonder. I mean, they're just really, really, we have these real intense passions about the fruits and vegetables we grew up eating. And including the fruits and vegetables in this book. And most of the book concentrates on things from the garden. Really kind of falls in line with that whole healthy consciousness that we've all awakened to recently. You know, it's a really, it's funny because it's a really timely thing to talk about. Because we are being more conscious of two things in this country, one is a health consciousness that we want to reduce the fats in our diet and eat fresher vegetables and fruits for the vitamin and mineral content. But another thing that's happening too

is just from the palate standpoint. People are remembering what their grandmother's tomatoes tasted like. They're remembering those fresh little cucumbers that they got. They're remembering those citrus fruits from Florida. You know, when I was a kid, we always got an orange in the stocking of our Christmas stocking. And that was as exciting as some of the presents because it was so fragrant and delicious. So people are starting to want to go back and buy fruits and vegetables that have lots of flavor in them as well and prepare them in these simple ways. So this book kind of fits into both of those categories. So how did you decide what recipes to include in the book? Well, I ate them all as you can tell. You know, we tested them. I had, of course, a store of recipes from my family. My mom was just an incredible cook as were my aunts. And I just had a lot of things that I had learned from them. But then I also looked through past cookbooks. There's some history books of the South. And then I started calling around to people

who were interested in food and cooking who I've talked to before. And everybody wants to share their recipe with you. John Edgerton, who's a wonderful author and has written possibly the definitive book about Southern food called Southern Food conveniently enough, is he described to me originally what the Southern table is about. And he said, there's some cookbooks that are written that say to you, this is my event. I'm the artist. Here's how I do this. I present it to you. You will never be able to do this. But he says, what Southern cooking says is, come on in. Sit out of the table here. Eat some of this. You want to make it. I'll tell you how. It's easy. And that's what you find when you start calling people around the South food editors and just folks who grow food. They not only want you to know about it, but they want you to be able to taste it too. So people were really generous. We tested dozens and dozens of recipes that didn't make the book. I had to draw the line somewhere. I could have written a book about nothing but butter bean recipes, actually, by the time we were done. Well, I look forward to trying some of the recipes

in your book. And the meantime, thanks so much for being here tonight. It was a lovely meeting you and a good luck with your book. Thank you so much. Again, the name of the book is Butter Beans to Blackberries, Recipes from the Southern Garden. The author is Ronnie Lundy. The publisher is North Point Press. Underwater Ceylon Para Quなる hydran Red Cinderella Cinderella Yellow 作 Ac superintendent Gold Thirng Ch哥 manages abundance in Arduino and music essed And that wraps up tonight's edition of North Carolina Now. Tomorrow we'll focus much of our program on the upcoming 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The largest sporting event ever to be held in North Carolina gets underway on Saturday with the opening ceremony held at Carter Finley Stadium.

It's on tomorrow's program, Barclay Todd, we'll fill us in on what we can expect. Have a great night and we'll see you tomorrow. Good night everyone.