ILGWU Retiree Service Department, David Dubinsky Papers, 1966-1984
Collection Number: 5780/099

The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union was once one of the largest labor unions in the United States founded in 1900 by local union delegates representing about 2,000 members in cities in the northeastern United States. It was one of the first U.S. Unions to have a membership consisting of mostly females, and it played a key role in the labor history of the 1920s and 1930s. The union is generally referred to as the "ILGWU" or the "ILG". The ILGWU grew in geographical scope, membership size, and political influence to become one of the most powerful forces in American organized labor by mid-century. Representing workers in the women's garment industry, the ILGWU worked to improve working and living conditions of its members through collective bargaining agreements, training programs, health care facilities, cooperative housing, educational opportunities, and other efforts. The ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union in 1995 to form the Union of Needle trades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). UNITE merged with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) in 2004 to create a new union known as UNITE HERE. The two unions that formed UNITE in 1995 represented only 250,000 workers between them, down from the ILGWU's peak membership of 450,000 in 1969.

The Retiree Services Department was established in October 1966 to provide services to ILGWU members once they retired from the workforce. David Dubinsky served as the founding director of the department, holding the position from retirement from the ILGWU presidency in 1966 until his death in 1982.

The department offered a variety of resources to retirees, including social, recreational and cultural activities, access to a special assistance fund, retirees clubs, and retirement planning services. Local and regional Retiree Clubs were established or further supported through the International's General Office, offering courses and organizing daytrips and other excursions. Through the Retiree Services Department, longtime ILGWU members who found themselves in need could apply for support from the Special Assistance Fund. The department also oversaw the Friendly Visitors Project, which trained retirees to visit other retirees in their home, hospital, or nursing homes. In addition to offering companionship, visitors offered guidance on matters such as Social Security, health care, union benefits, and housing.

The Retiree Services Department continued its work through 1995, when the ILGWU merged with ACTWU to form UNITE. In 1986, it developed the Options for Older Workers to assist workers displaced or shortly to be, plant closings. By the time of the merger, the department had expanded its services and offerings, including English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), an exercise program, acting and arts classes, and volunteer opportunities. The program also helped with retirement planning, and retirees were involved in legislative and election activities.

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ILGWU Retiree Service Department, David Dubinsky Papers #5780/099. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

Related Collections: 5780: ILGWU records