United Mine Workers' Election Materials, 1960-1970
Collection Number: 5023
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
United Mine Workers' Election Materials, 1960-1970
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5023
Abstract:
Instructions for official election observers; "Reports of balloting" and remarks,
by ILR students impartial observers for Yablouski; official obserever authroization
forms; Electionary leaflets. United Mine Workers' Election, December 9, 1969. Discussion
by impartial observers from ILR School at a meeting held December 12, 1969 (Transcript
of tape recording) United Mine Workers Election, by Ira Lobel '70. Copied from The
Voice: vol 6, March 1970, pp 8-10 (3 copies).
Creator:
United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
Lobel, Ira
Quanitities:
0.5 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
The United Mine Workers of America (UMW or UMWA) is a North American labor union best
known for representing coal miners. Today, the Union also represents health care workers,
truck drivers, manufacturing workers and public employees in the United States and
Canada. Although its main focus has always been on workers and their rights, the UMW
of today also advocates for better roads, schools, and universal health care. By 2014,
coal mining had largely shifted to open pit mines in Wyoming, and there were only
60,000 active coal miners. The UMW was left with 35,000 members, of whom 20,000 were
coal miners, chiefly in underground mines in Kentucky and West Virginia. However it
was responsible for pensions and medical benefits for 40,000 retired miners, and for
50,000 spouses and dependents
The UMW was founded in Columbus, Ohio, on January 25, 1890, with the merger of two
old labor groups, the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive
Miners Union. Adopting the model of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), the union
was initially established as a three-pronged labor tool: to develop mine safety; to
improve mine workers' independence from the mine owners and the company store; and
to provide miners with collective bargaining power. After passage of the National
Recovery Act in 1933, organizers spread throughout the United States to organize all
coal miners into labor unions. Under the powerful leadership of John L. Lewis, the
UMW broke with the American Federation of Labor and set up its own federation, the
CIO. Its organizers fanned out to organize major industries, including automobiles,
steel, electrical equipment, rubber, paint and chemical, and fought a series of battles
with the AFL. The UMW grew to 800,000 members and was an element in the New Deal Coalition
supporting Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Lewis broke with Roosevelt
in 1940 and left the CIO, leaving the UMW increasingly isolated in the labor movement.
During World War II the UMW was involved in a series of major strikes and threatened
walkouts that angered public opinion and energized pro-business opponents. After the
war the UMW concentrated on gaining large increases in wages, medical services and
retirement benefits for its shrinking membership.
Instructions for official election observers; "Reports of balloting" and remarks,
by ILR students impartial observers for Yablouski; official obserever authroization
forms; Electionary leaflets.
United Mine Workers' Election, December 9, 1969. Discussion by impartial observers
from ILR School at a meeting held December 12, 1969 (Transcript of tape recording)
United Mine Workers Election, by Ira Lobel '70. Copied from The Voice: vol 6, March
1970, pp 8-10 (3 copies).
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
United Mine Workers' Election Materials #5023. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Boyle, William Anthony,1904-1985
Lobel, Ira
Yablonski, Joseph A., 1910-1969
United Mine Workers of America.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Transcript of Meeting of Election Observers
|
1969 |
Scope and Contents
December 12, 1969
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Transcript of Meeting of Election Observers
|
1969 |
Scope and Contents
December 12, 1969. Copies 2 and 3.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Election Materials
|
1969 |
Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Report of Balloting
|
1969 |
Scope and Contents
Reports of the election observers at the locals
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Ira Local Post-Election Report
|
1970 |
Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Audio Recording of the Observers in NMU Election
|
1969 |
Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Audio Recording of the Election Observers Meeting
|
1969 |
Scope and Contents
December 12, 1969. Copy 2.
|
|||
Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Audio Recording of the Election Observers Meeting
|
1960 |
Scope and Contents
December 12, 1969. Original tape.
|