Guide to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Records,
1873-1975 [bulk 1910-1970]

Collection Number: 5141

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
Martin P. Catherwood Library
227 Ives Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3183
Fax: (607) 255-9641
kheel_center@cornell.edu
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/kheelcenter
Compiled by:
Connie Bulkley and Carol Eastman
Date completed:
1971
EAD encoding:
Casey S. Westerman, October 11, 2002

© 2002 Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen records, 1873-1975 [bulk 1910-1970].
Collection Number:
5141
Creator:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
Quantity:
293 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Bulletins, correspondence, convention proceedings, arbitration files, grievance files, subject files, meeting minutes, union publications, ephemera.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Bulletins, correspondence, convention proceedings, arbitration, grievance, and subject files, meeting minutes, union publications, and ephemera relating to the BLFE, labor relations in the railroad industry in the United States, and railroad labor issues from the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen was founded on December 1, 1873, at Port Jervis, New York, to provide mutual support for railroad firemen. The Brotherhood initially emphasized insurance, but by the late nineteenth century had branched out into labor-management relations.
At the turn of the century, the organization changed its name to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (BLFE) after permitting engineers to join its ranks. In 1969, the union merged with the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Switchmen's Union of North America to form the United Transportation Union.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Bulletins, correspondence, convention proceedings, arbitration, grievance, and subject files, meeting minutes, union publications, and ephemera relating to the BLFE, labor relations in the railroad industry in the United States, and railroad labor issues from the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries.
Among the most significant topics covered in the collection are labor disputes, working conditions, and strikes in the railroad industry; railroad law and legislation, particularly at the state level; and black employees in the railroad industry.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen (U.S.)

Subjects:
Railroads--Employees--Labor unions--United States.
Collective bargaining--Railroads--United States.
Grievance procedures--United States.
Railroad law--United States.
Labor disputes--United States.
Strikes and lockouts--Railroads--United States.
Arbitration, Industrial--United States.
Afro-Americans--Employment.
Railroads--United States--Employees.

Form and Genre Terms:
Newsletters
Correspondence
Proceedings
Case files
Minutes

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Access Restrictions:
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.
Restrictions on Use:
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.
Cite As:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen records, 1873-1975 [bulk 1910-1970]. #5141. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
I. Board of Director's files.
Index - both alphabetical and numerical by file number (2 volumes)
Box 1
Index - Alphabetical by Railroad (2 volumes)
Box 2
Index - Alphabetical by Subject (2 volumes)
Box 3
1-23
Box 4
24-54
Box 5
55-84
Box 6
85-114
Box 7
115-132
Box 8
133-150
Box 9
151-173
Box 10
174-200
Box 11
201-220
Box 12
221-239
Box 13
240-256
Box 14
257-268
Box 15
269-287
Box 16
288-293
Box 17
294-313
Box 18
314-345
Box 19
346-373
Box 20
374-387
Box 21
388-411
Box 22
412-433
Box 23
434-452
Box 24
453-469
Box 25
470-486
Box 26
487-502
Box 27
503-526
Box 28
527-549
Box 29
550-570
Box 30
571-591
Box 31
592-599
Box 32
599A-601
Box 33
602-620
Box 34
621-636
Box 35
637-648
Box 36
649-666
Box 37
667-688
Box 38
689-700
Box 39
701-717
Box 40
718-739
Box 41
740-763
Box 42
764-780
Box 43
780A-797
Box 44
798-824
Box 45
825-847
Box 46
848-870
Box 47
871-891
Box 48
892-906
Box 49
907-928
Box 50
929-946
Box 51
947-973
Box 52
974-988
Box 53
989-1002
Box 54
1003-1014
Box 55
1015-1023
Box 56
1024-1045
Box 57
1046-1061
Box 58
1062-1074
Box 59
1075-1085
Box 60
1086-1097
Box 61
1098-1119
Box 62
1120-1146
Box 63
1147-1169
Box 64
1170-1195
Box 65
1196-1208
Box 66
1209-1224
Box 67
1225-1250
Box 68
1251-1272
Box 69
1273-1291
Box 70
1292-1314
Box 71
1315-1335
Box 72
1336-1352
Box 73
1352-1367
Box 74
1368-1388
Box 75
1389-1408
Box 76
1409-1433
Box 77
1434-1454
Box 78
1455-1466
Box 79
1467-1481
Box 80
1482-1501
Box 81
1502-1518
Box 82
1519-1543
Box 83
1544-1555
Box 84
1556-1568
Box 85
1569-1588
Box 86
1589-1609
Box 87
1610-1632
Box 88
1633-1651A
Box 89
1651B-1669
Box 90
1670-1686
Box 91
1687-1702
Box 92
1703-1717
Box 93
1718-1737
Box 94
1738-1749
Box 95
1750-1761
Box 96
1762-1778
Box 97
1779-1796
Box 98
1797-1815
Box 99
1816-1830
Box 100
1831-1845
Box 101
1846-1859
Box 102
1860-1875
Box 103
1876-1891
Box 104
1892-1913
Box 105
1914-1930
Box 106
1931-1946
Box 107
1947-1961
Box 108
1962-1975
Box 109
1976-1985
Box 110
1986-2000
Box 111
2001-2014
Box 112
2015-2023
Box 113
2024-2033
Box 114
2034-2044
Box 115
2045-2055
Box 116
2056-2068
Box 117
2069-2074
Box 118
2075-2092
Box 119
2093-2106
Box 120
2107-2117
Box 121
2118-2130
Box 122
2131-2140
Box 123
2141-2154
Box 124
2155-2167
Box 125
2168-2173
Box 126
2174-2184
Box 127
2185-2193
Box 128
2194-2204
Box 129
2205-2212
Box 130
2215-2221
Box 131
2222-2228
Box 132
Board of Directors Wage Commission Files
Box 133-137
Board of Directors Finance Committee Files
Box 138
Board of Directors Resume of Decisions Rendered
Box 139
Board of Directors Monthly Asset Statements, 1946-68; Assignment to Positions and Rate Classifications
Box 140
Board of Directors Reports of Board of Director's (Board Vols.)
Box 141-144
Board of Directors files - Convention City File, 1952; Laws Pertaining to the Bd. of Directors; Minutes, 1968; Schedule of Wages and Working Conditions, 1964; volume containing disability claim dispositions by the Board of Directors, 1926-1931
Box 145
II. Official records.
This series includes correspondence of the various officers of the BFLE. Also included are minutes of the General Policy Committee and Finance Committee as well as financial reports.
A. Officers' correspondence.
Includes very early Eugene V. Debs correspondence; large amount of Railway Labor Executive's Association (RLEA) correspondence
Box 146-147
President's Official Circulars and Bulletins, 1913-1953. (5 volumes) 3 volumes include an index at the beginning of the volume; 1 volume re Amalgamation.
Box 147a-147b
M.W. Hampton files, Vice President, BFLE.
Ballots
Box 148 Folder 1
General Correspondence, 1965
Box 148 Folder 2
Correspondence - New Organization, 1966
Box 148 Folder 3
General Correspondence - New Organization, 1967
Box 148 Folder 4
AFL-CIO File, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 5
Washington Job Protection Agreement
Box 148 Folder 6
Amalgamation, 1949 and Circular
Box 148 Folder 7
CPA File, 1966-68
Box 148 Folder 8
Dr. J.J. Kaufman, Correspondence, 1966
Box 148 Folder 9
Ladies Organization - New Union Correspondence, 1967
Box 148 Folder 10
Jean Conrad - Correspondence, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 11
Committee of Three - Sequence of Events, 1966
Box 148 Folder 12
Umbrella Plan
Box 148 Folder 13
SUNA insurance and pension plans
Box 148 Folder 14
New Organization Information Payment of Pensions, 1966
Box 148 Folder 15
30-Man Committee, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 16
CPA Reports re 3 way merger, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 17
Pensions, new
Box 148 Folder 18
Rough Draft File, 1966
Box 148 Folder 19
SUNA, Misc. material, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 20
New Organization, ORCB, BLFE, SUNA Source materials
Box 148 Folder 21
(Extra copies) NMB R-2444 Red-AFL PRR 7/5/51
Box 148 Folder 22
Committee of Three Letter, 5/12/66 (extra copies)
Box 148 Folder 23
Canada - extra copies
Box 148 Folder 24
Extra copies, officers and employees
Box 148 Folder 25
Extra copies, directory listings
Box 148 Folder 26
Insurance (extra copies)
Box 148 Folder 27
Legislation, correspondence, 1966-67
Box 148 Folder 28
Memo #3, Active Members by RR 1967
Box 148 Folder 29
Memo #4, ORCB, BLFE, SUNA, Gen. Adjustment Committee
Box 148 Folder 30
Sequence of Events re Unification Committee of three, 1966
Box 148 Folder 31
Memo #1, Officers correspondence
Box 148 Folder 32
Memo #2, Office employees (adjustments), 1967
Box 148 Folder 33
Memo #5, Unification-Finances of the ORCB, BLFE, SUNA, 1967
Box 148 Folder 34
Memo #6, Unification - first division, NRAB
Box 148 Folder 35
Memo #7, Unification - Change in representation to the new Union
Box 148 Folder 36
Memo #8, Pensions - Officers, 1967
Box 148 Folder 37
Memo #9, Canadian Autonomy, 1967
Box 148 Folder 38
Memo #10, Change in representation-Canada, 5/21/67
Box 148 Folder 39
Memo #11, AFL-CIO Affiliation, 1967
Box 148 Folder 40
Memo #12, ORCB, BLFE Insurance Merger, 1967
Box 148 Folder 41a
American Railway Union Constitution, Corresp. 1967
Box 148 Folder 42-44
Approved Drafts Book 1 and 2
Box 148 Folder 45
American Railway Union Agreement
Box 148 Folder 46
Implementation Agreement (Canada)
Box 148 Folder 47-48
Unification Agreement (Rough Draft #7) 4/7/67
Box 148 Folder 49
Canada
Box 148 Folder 50
Combined Directories, BLFE, SUNA AND ORCB
Box 148 Folder 51
Railway Clerks, Staff Retirement Trust Fund, Rpt. of Exam, 1965
Box 149 Folder 52
Rough Draft No. 6, April 8, 1967, Penalties
Box 149 Folder 53
Implementation Agreement, ARU, 1/4/67
Box 149 Folder 54
Certification Certificates, Canada, 5/15/67
Box 149 Folder 55
Contract and Agreement of Merger, Mutual Benefit Dept., 6/26/64
Box 149 Folder 56
American Railway Union (background information) corresp., 1967
Box 149 Folder 57
Combined Directory
Box 149 Folder 58
Merger - Financial Information and SUNA Convention, 1967
Box 149 Folder 59
New Organization, Gen. Corresp. and rough drafts, 1967
Box 149 Folder 60
American Railway Union, organized 1/1/68, proposed ballot
Box 149 Folder 61
Implementation Agreement, ARU
Box 149 Folder 62
Declaration of Principles to Implement Unification
Box 149 Folder 64
Unification, first proposal
Box 149 Folder 65
Amalgamation, Order of Sleeping Gar Conductors with the ORC, 1962
Box 149 Folder 66
Constitutions, combined directories, RLA
Box 149 Folder 67
Merger Agreements, other unions
Box 149 Folder 68
Report to Chief Executives, 1966
Box 149 Folder 69
Officers
Box 149 Folder TO
Employees
Box 149 Folder 71
Dues, 1966
Box 149 Folder 72
Misc. memos, 1967
Box 149 Folder 73
Insurance
Box 149 Folder 74
First Div., NRAB
Box 149 Folder 75
National Mediation Bd.
Box 149 Folder 76
Corresp. re Ideas, 1966
Box 149 Folder 77
BLFE Bd. of Directors, Coat
Box 149 Folder 78
U.S. Dept. of Labor
Box 149 Folder 79
Railroad Retirement Act
Box 149 Folder 80
ORC - OSCC
Box 149 Folder 82
Public Law 86-257, Landrum Griffin Act
Box 149 Folder 83
Rough Draft, No. 2, 12/1/66, Implementation Agreement
Box 149 Folder 84
BLFE Plan of Amalgamation-Merger Agreement
Box 149 Folder 85
Certification Certificates
Box 149 Folder 86
Unification, Rough Drafts of Constitutions
Box 149 Folder 87
Directory, 1/1/67
Box 149 Folder 88
Declaration of Principles
Box 149 Folder 89
Articles, Part I, Approved Drafts
Box 149 Folder 90
Weighted Voting
Box 149 Folder 91
Emblem (Unification), Photos
Box 149 Folder 92
Coe College Assistance Corres., 1967
Box 149 Folder 93
Insurance Merger, 1967
Box 149 Folder 94
Letters accompanying constitutions of various unions. In chronological order.
 Box 149 Folder 95
Unification, NLRB
Box 149 Folder 96
New Organization, Informative releases, 1966-67
Box 149 Folder 97
Financial statements. BLFE
Box 149 Folder 98
Active Members, by railroad, 1966
Box 149 Folder 99
Combined - Directory
Box 149 Folder 100
Newspaper clipping (BRT propaganda, 1966)
Box 149 Folder 101
Unification, first div., NRAB
Box 150 Folder 102
National Labor Rel. Bd.
Box 150 Folder 103
Constitution of the American Railway Union, Pt. I and II
Box 150 Folder 104-105
Proposed 4-way Merger, Ernst and Ernst, corresp., 1968-69
Box 150 Folder 106
Gen. corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 107
Proposed officers and Bd. of Directors
Box 150 Folder 108
Letters - Pro Anti-Unification
Box 150 Folder 109
Merging of the Four Insurance Depts.
Box 150 Folder 110
Local Lodge Information
Box 150 Folder 111
Railway Labor's Political League
Box 150 Folder 112
Political Education League, BRT, Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 113
Report of Finance Committee, 3/13/68
Box 150 Folder 114
Monthly Report, BRT, 11/67-3/68
Box 150 Folder 115
M-300 Number of Employees
Box 150 Folder 116
BRT Membership, 1968
Box 150 Folder 117
BLFE Contracts
Box 150 Folder 118
State Legislation
Box 150 Folder 119
UTU, Canada, Gen.Corresp., 1968-69
Box 150 Folder 120
Proposal of Merger of BRAC and TCU
Box 150 Folder 121
Comm. of Ten. Gen. Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 122
Legal Opinion on Unification, corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 123-124
General Grievance Committee balances
Box 150 Folder 125
Unification - Official Directory, Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 126
Ballots - Eligibility to Receive, Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 127
Proposed Unification Agreement, UTU
Box 150 Folder 128
Bids Covering Purchase of Annuity Contracts, Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 129
Unification - Prorata Cost
Box 150 Folder 130
Unification - Letterheads, corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 131
Unification - Press Kit
Box 150 Folder 132
Translation of Constitution (Canada, French)
Box 150 Folder 133
Unification - Final Agreement
Box 150 Folder 134
Copy of Final Unification Agreement
Box 150 Folder 135
Attachments: Extra copies, Membership Statistics, Folder A
Box 150 Folder 136
Attachments: Membership Statistics, Folder B
Box 150 Folder 137
Committee of Four Addresses
Box 150 Folder 138
Pro Forma Balance Sheet, UTU, Cleveland, Ohio, 12/31/68
Box 150 Folder 139
Personal, Memos on Unification, Corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 140
Misc., Agreements and corresp., 1968
Box 150 Folder 141
Local Mine, Mill 598 vs. United Steelworkers 1968, case
Box 150 Folder 142
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen Officer's Birthdates
Box 151 Folder 143
Unification Agreement, Attachment No, 1
Box 151 Folder 144
Consolidation of Locals (American Railway Union)
Box 151 Folder 145
Amending Constitution, Misc.
Box 151 Folder 146
10-Man Unification Committee Proposals
Box 151 Folder 147
BLFE Field Staff Meeting, Cleveland, Ohio, 10/8-9/68
Box 151 Folder 148
40-Man Committee - Legislative Convention
Box 151 Folder 149
Preservation of Craft Autonomy, Amendments
Box 151 Folder 150
Mergers, Leases, Coordinations, etc. Article 90
Box 151 Folder 151
Committees of Adjustment, Article 82
Box 151 Folder 152
Membership Directory
Box 151 Folder 153
Proposals for Signature
Box 151 Folder 154
Pension Plan for BRT and Employee Booklet Text
Box 151 Folder 155
Article 1-57, corrected copy
Box 151 Folder 156
Articles 58-101, corrected
Box 151 Folder 157
Chronological Index to Proceedings of Unification and Constitutionals
Box 151 Folder 158
Convention Constitution
Box 151 Folder 159
Unification documentation
Box 151 Folder 160-161
Constitutional documents
Box 151 Folder 162-163
Committee Proposals
Box 151 Folder 164
American Railway Union Constitution
Box 151 Folder 165
Proposed Unification Agreement
Box 151 Folder 166
Proceedings of Unification Convention, 1968
Box 151 Folder 167-176
10-Man Unification Committee - Rough Draft
Box 151 Folder 177
Unification Agreement, Sections Not Agreed To
Box 151 Folder 178
B. General Policy Committee
Minutes of the Committee, 1932-1971
Box 152-154