Title and statement of responsibility area
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Edition area
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Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
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Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1940-2020 (Creation)
- Creator
- Ball, John
Physical description area
Physical description
1.85 m of textual records
16 photographs
1 folder of architectural records
1 folder of microfiche
2 volumes
1 CD
Publisher's series area
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Ball was an employee at General Electric in Peterborough, and an activist who fought for workers' rights, improved occupational health and safety, and fair compensation for sick and injured workers. Ball was in the Navy in the 1950s and worked at General Electric from 1963-1997. He began documenting toxic chemicals and hazardous working conditions at the plant and became of a member of GE's Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) in 1997. As an advocate for improved working conditions, Ball struggled against both GE and the union. Later, he organized to seek compensation for GE workers who were sick and dying, working with Peterborough's Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), the first of which was held in 2004. From the OHCOW recommendations came the creation of the Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition - Peterborough (OEHCP), with whom Ball worked until his death on May 14, 2018.
Custodial history
Fonds was originally created and accumulated by John Ball, but was also reviewed and used over time by others, for various research purposes. Before arriving at the Trent University Archives, it was in the custody and care of Marion Burton, one of the trustees of the papers. Burton lent the records to Leigh Doughty, a Trent University student who processed the records for a project through the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC). The records were then donated to the Trent University Archives by Marion Burton.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of records documenting the career and advocacy of John Ball, including his work at General Electric in Peterborough, his documentation of health and safety conditions at the plant, and his advocacy for sick and injured workers.
Records include correspondence, memos, notes, forms, material safety data sheets, health and safety minutes, diagrams, maps and floor plans, inventory records, and organizing records. Fonds also includes resource material on various topics related to occupational and environmental health and safety, including reports, journal articles, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, booklets, magazines, fact sheets, training materials, newsletters, and brochures. Restricted case files include WSIB forms, medical records, personnel forms, employee lists, affidavits, accident/incident reports, grievances, payroll records, correspondence, and case notes.
Fonds is organized into 6 series: Personal records; General Electric - health and safety and related files; Reports and subject files; Advocacy files - organizations and individuals; WSIB and employee case files; and Redacted employee and case information.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated to the Trent University Archives by Marion Burton, Dr. Noel Kerin, and Don McConnell, trustees of the John Ball GE papers, in August 2024.
Arrangement
Records were organized as part of a student project in 2020. Before their organization, they were found in binders, duotangs, file folders, envelopes, and loose in large rubber tubs and a bag, with no discernible original order. The student foldered the documents and listed the files. That file list is retained in the accession file but restricted due to the presence of personal information. Once they arrived at the Trent University Archives, folders were further arranged into series, but only rarely were folders combined or items moved between folders. Researchers are advised to consult the files broadly, as many of the files contain materials from a wide range of activities, often spanning decades.
Language of material
Script of material
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Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Files in series 5 and 6 are restricted for 120 years or 50 years after the death of the claimant, whichever comes first.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
All reasonable efforts have been made to isolate and restrict records containing personal information. If researchers encounter personal information of employees, claimants, or others, this information must be kept confidential, not published, and not used to contact individuals.