Guide to Meyer Bernstein The Steelworkers Election Manuscript,
1965

Bernstein received an AB degree from Cornell University in 1936. Immediately after graduation, he joined the staff of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. After serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II, Bernstein was rehired by the successor of the Committee, the United Steelworkers of America (CIO) as a research assistant and national representative. Bernstein became the union's specialist in international labor and was eventually made its international affairs director.

The following personalities predominate throughout the manuscript: David J. McDonald (president of the United Steelworkers seeking re-election); Howard J. Hague (vice-president, seeking re-election); Al Whitehouse (candidate for secretary-treasurer, running with McDonald); James Griffen (McDonald's campaign manager); I.W. Abel (presidential candidate); Joseph Molony (vice-presidential candidate); Walter Burke (candidate for secretary-treasurer); Joseph Germano (Abel's campaign manager); and Donald Rarick (Dues Protest Committee).

Events and issues discussed include the decline in Steelworkers' membership while staff was being enlarged; a union constitutional amendment on retirement; the election of district directors; the controversy over the appointment and activities of election "tellers"; a union-commissioned poll by Oliver Quayle and Company (national polling organization); the solicitation of campaign funds; then current contract negotiations; "tuxedo trade unionism"; racism and the black vote; the impact of the Landrum-Griffin Law; and the effect of the Honest Ballot Association.