Profiles and Interviews: Janet and Tim Brant

Janet Brant is the wife of Harold Brant, a member of AFSCME Local 1834, who was part of the Garrett County Road Workers’ Strike of 1970. Harold, who promoted to foreman after the strike, was killed in an on-the-job accident in 1994.

Janet Brant’s father, Roy Lydon Holler worked on the county roads and helped Harold get hired in 1962.

“It was hard to make ends meet [during the strike]. I canned and we had a garden. My mom would give us meat,” said Janet Brant.

Tim Brant, Harold and Janet’s son, said: “I remember Dad talking a lot about the strike. I walked into Oakland and went by First United Bank. The strikers had the street blocked off. The union took our families in. I think we went down there [union store] and picked up clothing.”

“After the strike, the men had a better job and got more money and benefits,” said Janet Brant.

“Dad was excited when Wayne Hamilton [commissioner elected after the strike] was elected. He had a farm in Red House,” said Tim Brant. “Dad talked about how some of the workers were working for the roads, but weren’t paying union dues. Dad said they were looking for a free handout,” he added.