Neil P. Speirs Collection of U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Member Files, 1963-1994
Collection Number: 6215
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Neil P. Speirs Collection of U.S Railroad Retirement Board Member Files, 1963-1994
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6215
Abstract:
This collection contains the personal papers of Neil P. Speirs, former president of
the Switchmen's Union of North America [SUNA], assistant president of the United Transportation
Union [UTU], and labor member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
Creator:
Speirs, Neil P.
United States. Railroad Retirement Board
Quanitities:
0.33 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
Neil P. Speirs was born in Alberta, Canada, on December 25, 1912 and moved to the
United States with his parents in 1919. He became a naturalized citizen in 1942. Mr.
Speirs graduated from the University of Idaho in 1934, having majored in business
and education.
Mr. Speirs began his railroad career with Southern Pacific Railroad, working in the
railroad's train yards. He was first elected to the local Grievance Committee of Adjustment
for Switchmen's Union of North America [SUNA], Local 98 (San Fansisco, CA) in 1950.
In 1952 he was elected as a full- time officer, serving as chairman of the General
Grievance Committee of Adjustment, Southern Pacific Railroad [SP]. Mr. Speirs served
in this capacity until 1955, when he was elected to serve as SUNA International Vice-President.
In 1959 he was elected to be President of SUNA and served as President until January
1, 1969.
On January 1, 1969 SUNA, along with the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen,
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen formed the United Transportation Union [UTU]. Upon the merger Mr. Speirs
became Assistant President of UTU.
In 1969 President Richard Nixon appointed Mr. Speirs as the Labor Member of the Railroad
Retirement Board. In 1974 President Gerald Ford re-appointed him to that position.
He retired from the Railroad Retirement Board in 1977, but served on the Arbitration
Panel of the National Mediation Board on a part-time basis until 1978.
Inclusive date range: 1963-1994
Bulk dates: 1963-1977
This collection consists of the papers of Neil P. Speirs. Included is a personal
biography and newspaper clippings about his activities as a union president and member
of the Railroad retirement Board. Also included is correspondence regarding his elections
and appointments to various positions and honors bestowed upon him; his correspondence
includes communication with the staff of three presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard
M. Nixon, and Gerald Ford. Also of interest in this collection are records documeting
the formation and 25th anniversary of the formation of the United Transportation Union
[UTU]. These records contain pamphlets which document the history of the founding
unions that united to create the UTU, reproductions of photographs, and the biographies
of the various union presidents.
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
Neil P. Speirs Collection of U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Member Files #6215. Kheel
Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 6215 MB: Neil P. Speirs Collection of U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Memorabilia 6215 P: Neil P. Speirs Collection of U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Member Photographs 5034: Switchmen's Union of North America Records 5034 MB: Switchmen's Union of North America Memorabilia 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 5139: UTU Records 5139 AV: UTU Audio-Visual Material 5139 MB: UTU Memorabilia 5139 P: UTU Photographs
Names:
Speirs, Neil P.
Subjects:
Switchmen's Union of North America
United Transportation Union
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen
Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen
Railroads -- Employees -- Labor unions
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Biography of Neil P. Speirs
|
|
|
Scope and Contents
undated
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
History of the Railway Labor Act
|
|
|
Scope and Contents
undated; post 1957 Supreme Court decision re free collective bargaining
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Telegrams re High Speed Ground Transportation Research and Development Act
|
1965 |
|
Scope and Contents
Invitation from White House, with a request for a private thirty minute meeting between
Neil Speirs and President Lyndon B. Johnson.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Newspaper Clippings about Neil Speirs
|
1963-1969 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Remarks by Neil P. Speirs, president of SUNA, before the convention of the BRT
|
1968 |
|
Scope and Contents
The 33rd Convention of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT)
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
Speirs' Nomination to the Railroad Retirement Board
|
1969 |
|
Scope and Contents
Nominated by President Richard Nixon, confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 1969.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Statement of Neil P. Speirs to US Senate regarding his nomination to the Railroad
Retirement Board
|
1969 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Dedication of UTU Marker Commemorating Formation of United Transportation Union
|
1971 |
|
Scope and Contents
Hot Springs, Arkansas, June 4, 1971. Contains pamphlet with a history of the UTU and
its founding unions.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Speirs' Re-appointment to the Railroad Retirement Board
|
1974 |
|
Scope and Contents
by President Gerald Ford
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 10 |
Letter Regarding a Plaque Honoring Neil P. Speirs
|
1974 |
|
Scope and Contents
Plaque located in collection 6215 MB, Box 1, Folder 13
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 11 |
Correspondence re Speirs' Resignation from the Railroad Retirement Board
|
1977 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 |
Testimonial dinner honoring Neil P. Speirs
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Pamphlet includes reproduction of photograph portrait of Neil P. Speirs
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 13 |
25th Anniversary of the United Transportation Union Pamphlet
|
1994 |