ILGWU David Dubinsky Memorabilia, 1961
Collection Number: 5780/179 MB
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
ILGWU David Dubinsky Memorabilia, 1961
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5780/179 MB
Abstract:
Consists of one 15" x 20" charcoal drawing of David Dubinsky, signed by Seth Hoffman
in 1942, a portrait of Dubinsky, other memorabilia and drawings.
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Dubinsky, David
Quanitities:
1.28 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
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.
1892 Born February 22nd in Brest-Litovsk, then in Russia, son of Bezalel and Shaie
Wishingrad Dobnievski. Moved to Lodz, where the family operated a bakery. 1903 Began
to work in father's bakery after attending three terms in Hebrew Zionist school. 1907
Qualified as master baker and joined bakers' union, organized by the General Jewish
Workers Union, the Bund. Served as secretary of the bakers' union. Arrested, together
with 60 other members of the union, in the course of a strike; released after payment
of 25 rubles by father. Left Lodz to live with an uncle in Brest-Litovsk; after three
months returned to Lodz and rejoined the bakers' union. 1908 Arrested while attending
an illegal meeting of the bakers and, as a second offender, exiled to a small Siberian
village. Escaped and made his way to Chelyabinsk and from there to Lodz, working as
a baker under an assumed name.
1910--Sailed, with an older brother, Chaira, to New York City. 1911--Arrived in NYC
on January 1st. Lived on Lower East Side and became apprenticed to learn the cutter's
craft. Accepted as a member of Local 10, Cutters' Union of the International Ladies'
Garment Workers' Union, on July 13th. 1914 Married Emma Goldberg, an undergarment
operator and member of the ILGWU. (The couple had one child, a daughter, Jean). 1918--Elected
to executive board of Local 10. 1919--Elected vice-president of Local 10. 1920--Elected
chairman of Local 10. 1921--Elected president of Local 10. Elected general manager
(a new office combining duties of manager and secretary) of Local 10 in December.
1922--Elected vice president of ILGWU and member of General Executive Board. 1929
Elected General Secretary-Treasurer of ILGWU. Served as Acting President of ILGWU.
1932 Elected by GEB in June as President, following death of President Benjamin Schlesinger.
1934--Elected vice president of American Federation of Labor in October. 1935--Joined
with John L. Lewis of Mine Workers and Sidney Hillman of Amalgamated Clothing Workers
to form a Committee for Industrial Organization. First U.S. labor representative to
the International Labor Organization. 1936--Joined in founding the American Labor
Party in New York State. Served as Democratic Party elector for the ticket of Franklin
D. Roosevelt and John N. Garner. 1944--Joined in founding Liberal Party. 1945--Elected
vice president of American Federation of Labor. 1966--Offered resignation as President
to GEB at meeting of March 14th, to take effect April 12th. Resignation effective
June 15th, anniversary of date on which he was first elected President.
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
ILGWU David Dubinsky Memorabilia #5780/179 MB. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
Dubinsky, David, 1892-1982.
Subjects:
Women's clothing industry -- United States
Clothing workers--Labor unions--United States.
Clothing workers -- United States
Industrial relations -- United States
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 |
ILGWU David Dubinsky Memorabilia
|
||
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
David Dubinsky
|
1942 |
Scope and Contents
15" x 20" charcoal drawing of DD, signed by Seth Hoffman
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 1 |
David Dubinsky sketch
|
1957 |
Box 2 | Folder 2 |
ILGWU - 40th Anniversary Convention: Carnegie Hall, New York -- May 1940 -- Portfolio
with music for O'Canada and God Save the Queen
|
1940 |
Box 2 | Folder 3 |
ILGWU - 40th Anniversary Convention: Carnegie Hall, New York -- May 1940 -- Portfolio
with music and words to Union Songs
|
1940 |
Box 2 | Folder 4 |
2 volumes: 35 Northeast and Collective Agreements : Dressmakers' Joint Council, ILGWU
- 1973-1976
|
|
Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Official Inaugural Program for John F. Kennedy: January 20, 1961
|
1961 |
Scope and Contents
cover engraved with David Dubinsky
|
|||
Box 3 | Folder 1 |
Mounted painting of David Dubinsky: painted by J.W. de R'Quistgaard
|