SEGMENTED LABOR-MARKETS IN ALABAMA PULP AND PAPER-INDUSTRY

Alabama's forest products industry plays a dominant role in the state' s rural economy Examination of how access to employment opportunities is distributed provides insight into how the benefits of this industry are distributed. Based on a combination of available secondary data a nd semi-structured interviews with management and workers in the pulp and paper sector of Alabama's forest products industry, a clear pictur e of segmented labor markets emerges in which structural and cultural factors deter mine access to certain jobs. The evolution of these high ly segmented labor markets is traced from deep roots in racial discrim ination to contemporary efforts in support of affirmative action. Incr eased use of sub-contracting in logging, hauling, and mill work repres ents the most recent change affecting the structure of labor markets a ssociated with the production of pulp and paper.