The Sincerity of an Alcoholic Judged by Another Alcoholic – Nigel K.

About This Speaker Tape

Nigel K. maps out the industrial rehabilitation program at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie Canada.

He dismantles the old industry standard of firing 'hopeless drunks' and replacing them with a system that treats alcoholism as a disease. He details the concrete mechanics of the program: a six-month sobriety requirement a twelve-month probation period and the restoration of pension rights and seniority. Central to the process is the reliance on a recovered alcoholic Jack K. to objectively judge if a worker is a 'good risk' for re-employment

. Nigel K. argues that while firing a man from the town's only major industry is a harsh necessity to spur some toward recovery the path back to a paycheck and dignity is possible through the cooperation of the company the union and the fellowship.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:45 Nigel K. introduces his role as Superintendent of Industrial Relations at Algoma Steel.
• 2:15 Discussion on the historical stigma of the 'drunk' in industrial settings.
• 4:30 The 'once bitten twice shy' attitude of plant supervisors.
• 6:10 The argument that only another alcoholic can truly judge the sincerity of a peer.
• 7:45 Recognition of Jack K.'s role in the rehabilitation program.
• 10:20 The harsh reality of being fired from the only large industry in a small town.
• 13:15 Detailed breakdown of the six-month sobriety and twelve-month probation requirements.
• 16:40 The process of restoring pension rights and seniority credits.
• 19:10 The 'happiest solution' of returning to a former department versus starting over.
• 21:30 Mention of Step 12 and the practice of carrying the message.