Switchmen's Union of North America Memorabilia, 1884-1969
Collection Number: 5034 MB
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Switchmen's Union of North America Memorabilia, 1884-1969
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5034 MB
Abstract:
Switchmen's Union of North America Memorabilia including badges, buttons, bandana,
plaques, certificates and other miscellaneous items
Creator:
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA)
Quanitities:
3.86 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
The Switchmen's Union of North America is among the older of the railway brotherhoods.
Beginning in 1877 with the formation of a local Switchmen's organization in Chicago,
the movement became national when the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association of North
America held its first meeting nine years later.
This association was destroyed, as a result of a disastrous lockout by the Chicago
Northwestern and the 1888 strike against the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy which
had equally unfortunate results. Building on what was left of the S.M.A.A., several
lodges met in Kansas City in October of 1854 and formed the Switchmen's Union of North
America.
By the time of its merger into the United Transportation Union in 1969, the single
Chicago labor organization of 1877 had grown to international status with 275 lodges
in the United States and Canada having a combined membership of 12,000.
CHRONOLOGY
1877 Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association of North America organized
1886 Switchmen's Association organized
1889 Switchmen's Association affiliated with the Supreme Council of United Orders
of Railway Employees
1894 Switchmen's Association dissolved in July
Switchmen's Union of North America organized on October 13
1906 Switchmen's Union of North America affiliated with the American Federation
of Labor
1926 Switchmen's Union of North America becomes charter member of the Railway Labor
Executives Association
1935 Switchmen's Union of North America affiliated with the Canadian Labor Congress
1969 Switchmen's Union of North America joined with the B.R.T., B.L.F. and E., and
O.R.C.B. to form the United Transportation Union
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
Switchmen's Union of North America Memorabilia #5034 MB. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 5034: Switchmen's Union of North America Records 5034 P: Switchmen's Union of North America Photographs 5084: Switchmen's Union of North America Additional Records 5405 mf: Switchmen's Union of North America Constitutions on Microfilm 5406 mf: Switchmen's Union of North America Arbitration on Microfilm 5447: Switchmen's Union of North America Additional Unification Minutes and Convention
Proceedings 5556: Switchmen's Union of North America Additional Records 5556 AV: Switchmen's Union of North America Audio-Visual Materials 5590: Switchmen's Union of North America Lake Shore Lodge 55 Membership Registers 5613: Switchmen's Union of North America Oakland Lodge 158 Meeting Minutes 5630: W.B. Meyers Papers
Names:
Switchmen's Union of North America
Switchmen's Union of North America--Collectibles
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badge, buttons,
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1968 |
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Scope and Contents
Badge- "Conductor" for "Chicago, Lodge, No. 199, S.U. of N.A., Chicago, Ill." (two
sided) side two is a "In Memoriam" [side one is green, red & white, side two is black]
; badge-"St. Columba's, Rosary and Altar Society" (also two sided, with side two
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| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges
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Scope and Contents
Badge- For "Chicago, Lodge, No. 199, S.U. of N.A., Chicago, Ill." (two sided) side
two is a "In Memoriam" [side one is green, red & white, side two is black] - one for
"Past President" one for "Vice President" and one for "President"
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| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges
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Scope and Contents
Badge- For "Chicago, Lodge, No. 199, S.U. of N.A., Chicago, Ill." (two sided) side
two is a "In Memoriam" [side one is green, red & white, side two is black] - one for
"Treasurer" one for "Secretary" and one for "Board of Directors"
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| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges
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Scope and Contents
Badge- For "Chicago, Lodge, No. 199, S.U. of N.A., Chicago, Ill." (two sided) side
two is a "In Memoriam" [side one is green, red & white, side two is black] - one for
"Outside Guard" one for "Inside Guard" and one for "Chaplain"
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| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges
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1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Badge - "Guest" (one with slot for name) - "Twenty-Sixth Regular Session Seventh Quadrennial
Convention Switchmen's Union of North America, AFL-CIO, Buffalo, N.Y., July 15-20
1963"
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| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges & buttons
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1959-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Badge - (with slot for name) - "Twenty-Sixth Regular Session Seventh Quadrennial Convention
Switchmen's Union of North America, AFL-CIO, Buffalo, N.Y., July 15-20 1963" ; "Guest
S.U. of N.A., 6th Quadrennial Convention1959" & "Guest" for "7th Quadren
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| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges & buttons
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Scope and Contents
Badges - "Member" for "Maple Leaf, Lodge No. 84, Switchmen's Oelwein, IA" (two sided,
side two is "In Memoriam") ; push pins - oval pins for "Roll of Honor Member" ; "SU
of NA" (one gold, one white) ; gold with "Switchmen's Union of North America"
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| Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges
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Scope and Contents
badges - two sided each with side two being "In Memoriam" ; side ones - "Maple Leaf
Lodge No. 84, Switchmen'sOelwein, IA." ; "Sedalia Lodge No. 20 S.U. of N.A., Sedalia,
Missouri" ; "M.J. Naughton Lodge, No.11, Switchmen'sCleveland, Ohio"
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| Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Switchmen's Union of North America (SUNA) - badges, Employer's Certificate, pins
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1921-1941 |
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Scope and Contents
"Constitution of Twin City District Council" ; "Employer's Certificate" ; badges -
"5th Triennial Convention, Switchmen's Buffalo, N.Y., 1930" , "Delegate" for "Toledo,
Ohio, May 1921", "S.U. of N.A., International Convention, June 9, 1941" ; "Seal of
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| Box 1 | Folder 10 |
A.F.L.-C.I.O. SUNA: buttons, pen pins
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1962-1966 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - [black w/gold leaves] "AFL-CIO, Switchmen's1962" ; "SU of NA Member" ; "Switchmen's
, AFL-CIO 1966" ; "Switchmen's Union" ; "Switchmen'sS.U. for U, Join Now" ; "We Like
Our Independence, Join S.U. of N.A." ; pen buttons - "Switchmen's...
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| Box 1 | Folder 11 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1916-1918 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors,
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| Box 1 | Folder 12 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1918-1920 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors ; "Switchmen's Union174"
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| Box 1 | Folder 13 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1920-1921 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors ; "Switchmen's Union174"
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| Box 1 | Folder 14 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1922-1923 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 15 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1923-1925 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 16 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1925-1927 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 17 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1927-1929 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 18 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1929-1931 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 19 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1931-1932 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 20 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1932-1934 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 21 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1935-1936 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 22 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1936-1938 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 23 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1938-1939 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 24 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1939-1941 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 25 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1941-1943 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 26 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1943-1944 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 27 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1945-1946 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 28 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1947-1948 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 29 |
A.F.L./SUNA - buttons
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1948-1949 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. [month] SUNA [year]" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 30 |
A.F.L.-C.I.O./Switchmen's Union of North America - buttons
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1962 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. C.I.O. [month] [year] Switchmen's Union of North America" - assorted
colors ; one button, black with gold lettering/gold leaves, "AFL-CIO, Switchmen's
Union of North America, 1962"
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| Box 1 | Folder 31 |
A.F.L.-C.I.O./Switchmen's Union of North America - buttons
|
1963 |
|
Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. C.I.O. [month] [year] Switchmen's Union of North America" - assorted
colors ; button, green with white lettering, "AFL-CIO, Switchmen's Union of North
America, Our 69th Year 1894-1963""
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| Box 1 | Folder 32 |
A.F.L.-C.I.O./Switchmen's Union of North America - buttons
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1967 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. C.I.O. [month] [year] Switchmen's Union of North America Serving
Switchmen since 1894" - assorted colors
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| Box 1 | Folder 33 |
A.F.L.-C.I.O./Switchmen's Union of North America - buttons
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1968 |
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - "A.F.L. C.I.O. [month] [year] Switchmen's Union of North America" - assorted
colors (many duplicates) ; "Join SU of NA, The Switchmen's Choice" ; "We Like Our
Independence, Vote S.U. of N.A.", "The Switchmen's Choice"
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| Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Switchmen's Union of North America - bandanna and arm band
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Scope and Contents
Red bandanna owned by Dan Collins, black arm band worn by union member.
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| Box 2 | Folder 2 |
SUNA wooden plaque
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Scope and Contents
Wooden plaque, black with gold lettering - "International Union of S U of N A"
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| Box 2 | Folder 3 |
SUNA glass plate
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Scope and Contents
Smoked glass plate with gold and red lettering, and design, "Switchmen's Union of
North America" , "Organized Oct. 23, 1894"
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| Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Miscellaneous keys (railroad) ; Rubber stamp
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Scope and Contents
Gold keys - stamped with lettering "L. & N.R.R." ; Rubber stamp lettered "Switchmen's
Union of North America"
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| Box 3 | Folder 1 |
SU of NA, AFL-CIO - Constitution and By-Laws
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1959-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
"Constitution and By-Laws, S.U. of N.A., A.F.L.-C.I.O." for both 1959 and 1963
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| Box 3 | Folder 2 |
SUNA - membership cards, pay rate information, train routes, rail passes,
|
1902-1969 |
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Scope and Contents
Orange - "Official Card" ; green - "Delegate's Credential" card ; pink and yellow
- "Rates of Pay - Yard Service" cards ; schedule of pay for "Leadville Yard, July
1901" ; "CH Beegle's train routes" ; railway passes from "Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern
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| Box 3 | Folder 3 |
SUNA - certificates
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1892-1945 |
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Scope and Contents
Certificate of membership for SUNA to the "National Fraternal Congress of America"
(1945) ; Official commendation from "US Treasury" for the operation of the payroll
savings plan (Buffalo Lodge 266) ; Insurance certificate from Switchmen's Mutual Aid
Asso
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| Box 3 | Folder 4 |
SUNA - bumper stickers
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Scope and Contents
Bumper stickers - black and orange "VOTE for Switchmen's Union of N.A."
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| Box 3 | Folder 5 |
SUNA - cartoons
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1959 |
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Scope and Contents
Cartoons - 1959 cartoon about feather-bedding by member of SUNA Local 157 ; cartoon
captions on others - "A Democratic Union!" ; "A Growing Union" ; "In the Interests
of Switchmen" ; "Improved working conditions, higher wages, safety" ; "A Better Deal"
;
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| Box 3 | Folder 6 |
SUNA - decals
|
1894 |
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Scope and Contents
SUNA decals/stickers - black, red, green, white with SUNA symbol in center and "Organized
Oct. 23, 1894" on bottom
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| Box 3 | Folder 7 |
SUNA - receipt books
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1953-1957 |
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Scope and Contents
"Official" receipt books for SUNA (1953-1957).
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| Box 3 | Folder 8 |
SUNA - Cypher Code books (2nd edition, 1907)
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1907 |
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Scope and Contents
Cypher Code books for No. 283, Buffalo, NY, January 1, 1907 and Times Press (2nd edition)
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| Box 3 | Folder 9 |
SUNA - Ritual books
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1924-1951 |
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Scope and Contents
Ritual books (1924 & 1951) - "Ritual of the Switchmen's Union of North America"
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| Box 3 | Folder 10 |
SUNA - Convention, souvenir books
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1909-1941 |
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Scope and Contents
Convention booklets - Souvenirs from the following conventions - "Twenty-First Regular
and Second Quadrennial, International Convention" ; "Fourth Biennial Convention" ;
"Twentieth Regular and First Quadrennial, International Convention" ; "Eighteenth
Int
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| Box 3 | Folder 11 |
SUNA - Miscellaneous memorabilia
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1884-1967 |
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Scope and Contents
Schematic diagram of engine parts ; Design plans & sample button, 1963, with instructions
to manufacture ; Invitation to Grand Annual Ball of the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Assoc.
of Chicago, Dec. 23, 1884 ; Propaganda "Attention Erie-Lackawanna Switchmen
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| Box 4 | Folder 1 |
SUNA - black ball box
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Scope and Contents
Wooden black ball box used for initiation, white and black marbles included inside
box
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| Box 5 |
Banner
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| Box 5 | Folder 1 |
Banner: International Lodge Switchmen's of North Union America AFL-CIO ; (Switchmen's
Symbol in the center of banner)
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Scope and Contents
White felt with red trim and green lettering, gold tassels hang from support rod at
each end of banner ; 46" x 110"
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| Box 5 | Folder 1 |
SUNA - banner [oversize area, rolled/wrapped]
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Scope and Contents
[Felt - white w/red trim and lettering, gold tassels] - "International Lodge, Switchmen's
Union of North America, AFL-CIO"
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| Box 6 | Folder 1 |
Winter scene ; train in background [3-oil painting] ; Lorenzo Coffin burial hut historic
certificate
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| Box 7 |
Images digitized from the collection.
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