ILGWU. Association contracts,, 1916-1994
Collection Number: 5780/191

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
ILGWU. Association contracts, 1916-1994
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5780/191
Abstract:
This collection consists of 800 agreements and contracts between the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and associations of garment manufacturers.
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Quanitities:
10.5 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English

Biographical / Historical

The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union was founded in New York City in 1900 by mostly Socialist immigrant workers who sought to unite the various crafts in the growing women's garment industry. The union soon reflected changes in the sector and rapidly organized thousands of unskilled and semi-skilled women, mostly Jewish and Italian young immigrants. Exemplifying the "new unionism," the ILGWU led two of the most widespread and best-known industrial strikes of the early Twentieth Century: the shirtwaist makers' strike of 1909 in New York City and the cloak makers' strike of 1910 in Chicago. The union also tried to adapt to the fragmented and unstable nature of the industry. It adopted the "protocol of peace," a system of industrial relations that attempted to ensure stability and limit strikes and production disruption by providing for an arbitration system to resolve disputes.
The ILGWU exemplified the European-style social unionism of its founding members. They pursued bread and butter issues but provided educational opportunities, benefits, and social programs to union members as well. In 1919, the ILGWU became the first American union to negotiate an unemployment compensation fund that was contributed to by its employers. The ILGWU also pioneered in the establishment of an extremely progressive health care program for its members which included not only regional Union Health Centers but also a resort for union workers, known as Unity House. The Union also had an imaginative and pioneering Education Department which not only trained workers in traditional union techniques, but provided courses in citizenship and the English language.
David Dubinsky, an immigrant from Belarus who came to the US in 1911, provided strong leadership that led to unprecedented growth in the union during his presidency from 1932 to 1966. He led the union through successful internal anti-communist struggles, built on the ascendancy of industrial unionism by encouraging the formation of the Committee for Industrial Organization, and helped the union become an important political force in New York City and state politics, and in the national Democratic Party and Liberal Party as well.
In the period following the Second World War, the union suffered a decline in membership as manufacturers avoided unionization and took advantage of less expensive labor by moving shops from the urban centers in the northeast to the south, and later abroad. The ethnic and racial character of the ILGWU also changed as European immigrants were supplanted by Asians, Latin Americans, African- Americans, and immigrants from the Caribbean.
In July 1995 the ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) at a joint convention, forming UNITE (Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees). At the time the new union had a membership of about 250,000 in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

This collection consists of 800 agreements and contracts between the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and associations of garment manufacturers.
The ILGWU Records, except for publications and materials produced for publication, are restricted. Materials created prior to twenty years from the current date are open to researchers only with prior written permission from the Director of the Kheel Center; materials created during the past twenty-years are closed; the minutes of the General Executive Board are closed. For more information contact the Kheel Center.
Conditions Governing Use

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Preferred Citation

ILGWU. Association contracts. 5780/191. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University.

Related Materials

5780. ILGWU records
5780/075. ILGWU. Collective Bargaining Agreements
5780/075 mf. ILGWU. Collective Bargaining Agreements. Microfilm
5780/085. ILGWU. National War Labor Board case files
5780/145. ILGWU. Association Agreements. Out-of-Business Contracts
5780/146. ILGWU. Master Agreements. Out-of-Business Contracts
5780/147. ILGWU. Independents. Out-of-Business Contracts
5780/158. ILGWU. Out-of-Business Contracts
5780/202. ILGWU. Operations Department. Collective Bargaining Agreements

SUBJECTS

Names:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
Subjects:
Collective labor agreements
Clothing workers--Labor unions
Textile workers--Labor unions

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Affiliated Dress MFG New York City (folder 1 of 2)
1990-1994
Box 1 Folder 2
Affiliated Dress MFG New York City (folder 2 of 2)
1990-1994
Box 1 Folder 3
Affiliated Dress MFG New York City (folder 1 of 3)
1930-1970
Box 1 Folder 4
Affiliated Dress MFG New York City (folder 2 of 3)
1930-1970
Box 1 Folder 5
Affiliated Dress MFG New York City (folder 3 of 3)
1970-1994
Box 1 Folder 6
Allied Underwear New York City
Box 1 Folder 7
Allied Underwear, et al (office)
1963-1978
Box 1 Folder 8
American Cloak and Suit Manufacturers' Association
1970-
Box 1 Folder 9
American Cloak Association (folder 1 of 3)
1951-
Box 1 Folder 10
American Cloak Association (folder 2 of 3)
1951-
Box 1 Folder 11
American Cloak Association (folder 3 of 3)
1951-
Box 1 Folder 12
American Cloak and Suit Manufacturers' Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 1 Folder 13
American Cloak and Suit Manufacturers' Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 1
Apparel Men's Association New York City
Box 2 Folder 2
Apparel Manufacturers' Association of Puerto Rico, Inc. (folder 1 of 2)
1978-1981
Box 2 Folder 3
Apparel Manufacturers' Association of Puerto Rico, Inc. (folder 2 of 2)
1978-1981
Box 2 Folder 4
Associated Corset and Brassiere Manufacturers New York City (folder 1 of 3)
Box 2 Folder 5
Associated Corset and Brassiere Manufacturers New York City (folder 2 of 3)
Box 2 Folder 6
Associated Corset and Brassiere Manufacturers New York City (folder 3 of 3)
Box 2 Folder 7
Associated Corset and Brassiere Manufacturers NY out-of-town (folder 1 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 8
Associated Corset and Brassiere Manufacturers NY out-of-town (folder 2 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 9
Associated Dress Carriers of Brooklyn and Queens, Inc.
Box 2 Folder 10
Associated Robe Manufacturers, Inc.
Box 2 Folder 11
Association of Knitted Fabric Manufacturers, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 12
Association of Knitted Fabric Manufacturers, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 13
Association of Rain Apparel Contractors, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 14
Association of Rain Apparel Contractors, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 15
Atlantic Apparel Contractors (PA) (folder 1 of 2)
Box 2 Folder 16
Atlantic Apparel Contractors (PA) (folder 2 of 2)
Box 3 Folder 1
Belt Association New York City (folder 1 of 3)
Box 3 Folder 2
Belt Association New York City (folder 2 of 3)
Box 3 Folder 3
Belt Association New York City (folder 3 of 3)
Box 3 Folder 4
Children's Dress, Cotton Dress, and Sportswear Contractors Association
Box 3 Folder 5
Cloak and Suit Trucking Association, Inc.
Box 3 Folder 6
Cotton Apparel and Robe Producers' Association of US (folder 1 of 2)
Box 3 Folder 7
Cotton Apparel and Robe Producers' Association of US (folder 2 of 2)
Box 3 Folder 8
Fashion Apparel Manufacturers' Association (folder 1 of 2)
1966-
Box 3 Folder 9
Fashion Apparel Manufacturers' Association (folder 2 of 2)
1966-
Box 3 Folder 10
Fashion Apparel Manufacturers' Association (Philadelphia) (folder 1 of 3)
1946-1966
Box 3 Folder 11
Fashion Apparel Manufacturers' Association (Philadelphia) (folder 2 of 3)
1946-1966
Box 3 Folder 12
Fashion Apparel Manufacturers' Association (Philadelphia) (folder 3 of 3)
1946-1966
Box 3 Folder 13
Garment Truckmen Association of NJ
Box 4 Folder 1
Greater Blouse, Skirt and Undergarment Association, Inc. (Blouse Division) (folder 1 of 2)
1985-1988
Box 4 Folder 2
Greater Blouse, Skirt and Undergarment Association, Inc. (Blouse Division) (folder 2 of 2)
1985-1988
Box 4 Folder 3
Greater Blouse, Skirt and Undergarment Contractors (Sportswear Division) (folder 1 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 4
Greater Blouse, Skirt and Undergarment Contractors (Sportswear Division) (folder 2 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 5
Greater Blouse, Skirt and Undergarment Contractors (Sportswear Division) (folder 3 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 6
Greater Blouse…Undergarment Contractors (folder 1 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 7
Greater Blouse…Undergarment Contractors (folder 2 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 8
Greater Blouse…Undergarment Contractors (folder 3 of 3)
Box 4 Folder 9
Industrial Association of House Dress, Robe and Uniform Manufacturers, Inc.
1946-1963
Box 4 Folder 10
Industrial Association of Juvenile Apparel Manufacturers, Inc. (folder 1 of 2)
Box 4 Folder 11
Industrial Association of Juvenile Apparel Manufacturers, Inc. (folder 2 of 2)
Box 4 Folder 12
Industrial Council of Cloak, Suit and Skirt Manufacturers, Inc. (folder 1 of 2)
Box 4 Folder 13
Industrial Council of Cloak, Suit and Skirt Manufacturers, Inc. (folder 2 of 2)
Box 5 Folder 1
Infants' and Children's Coat Association and Cloak Joint Board (folder 1 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 2
Infants' and Children's Coat Association and Cloak Joint Board (folder 2 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 3
Infants' and Children's Coat Association and Cloak Joint Board (folder 3 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 4
Infants', Children's and Girls' Sportswear and Coat Association (folder 1 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 5
Infants', Children's and Girls' Sportswear and Coat Association (folder 2 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 6
Infants', Children's and Girls' Sportswear and Coat Association (folder 3 of 3)
Box 5 Folder 7
Infants' and Children's Novelties Association, New York City
Box 5 Folder 8
Intimate Apparel Association, New York City
1984
Box 5 Folder 9
Knitted Accessories Group, New York City (folder 1 of 4)
Box 5 Folder 10
Knitted Accessories Group, New York City (folder 2 of 4)
Box 5 Folder 11
Knitted Accessories Group, New York City (folder 3 of 4)
Box 5 Folder 12
Knitted Accessories Group, New York City (folder 4 of 4)
Box 5 Folder 13
Metropolitan Knitted Textile Association of NY
1933-1934
Box 5 Folder 14
Knitted Outerwear Manufacturers Association (Philadelphia)
Box 6 Folder 1
Lingerie Manufacturers Association, New York City
1933-1984
Box 6 Folder 2
Ladies' Apparel Contractors Association and United Better Dress Manufacturers Association
1979-1994
Box 6 Folder 3
Master Truckmen of America
Box 6 Folder 4
Merchants Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 6 Folder 5
Merchants Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 6 Folder 6
Montreal Dress and Sportswear Manufacturers Guild (folder 1 of 3)
Box 6 Folder 7
Montreal Dress and Sportswear Manufacturers Guild (folder 2 of 3)
Box 6 Folder 8
Montreal Dress and Sportswear Manufacturers Guild (folder 3 of 3)
Box 6 Folder 9
National Association of Blouse Manufacturers, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 6 Folder 10
National Association of Blouse Manufacturers, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 6 Folder 11
National Dress Manufacturers, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
1933-1970
Box 6 Folder 12
National Dress Manufacturers, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
1933-1970
Box 7 Folder 1
National Skirt and Sportswear, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
1933-1984
Box 7 Folder 2
National Skirt and Sportswear, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
1933-1984
Box 7 Folder 3
Negligee Manufacturers Association of NY (folder 1 of 2)
1933-1984
Box 7 Folder 4
Negligee Manufacturers Association of NY (folder 2 of 2)
1933-1984
Box 7 Folder 5
New England Manufacturers Association (Fall River, MA) (folder 1 of 2)
Box 7 Folder 6
New England Manufacturers Association (Fall River, MA) (folder 2 of 2)
Box 7 Folder 7
New England Sportswear (Boston) (folder 1 of 2)
1979-1991
Box 7 Folder 8
New England Sportswear (Boston) (folder 2 of 2)
1979-1991
Box 7 Folder 9
New England Sportswear (Boston) (folder 1 of 2)
1941-1979
Box 7 Folder 10
New England Sportswear (Boston) (folder 2 of 2)
1941-1979
Box 7 Folder 11
New York Coat and Suit Association (folder 1 of 2)
1964-
Box 7 Folder 12
New York Coat and Suit Association (folder 2 of 2)
1964-
Box 8 Folder 1
New Jersey Apparel Contractors Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 8 Folder 2
New Jersey Apparel Contractors Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 8 Folder 3
New York Coat and Suit Association
Box 8 Folder 4
Infants' and Children's Coat Association, Local 30
Box 8 Folder 5
New York Raincoat Manufacturers (folder 1 of 3)
Box 8 Folder 6
New York Raincoat Manufacturers (folder 2 of 3)
Box 8 Folder 7
New York Raincoat Manufacturers (folder 3 of 3)
Box 8 Folder 8
New York Skirt and Sportswear Association (folder 1 of 2)
1979-1994
Box 8 Folder 9
New York Skirt and Sportswear Association (folder 2 of 2)
1979-1994
Box 8 Folder 10
New York Skirt and Sportswear Shipping (Local 102)
Box 8 Folder 11
Northeast Apparel Association (PA)
Box 8 Folder 12
Passementerie and Trimming Manufacturers Association, New York City (folder 1 of 3)
Box 8 Folder 13
Passementerie and Trimming Manufacturers Association, New York City (folder 2 of 3)
Box 8 Folder 14
Passementerie and Trimming Manufacturers Association, New York City (folder 3 of 3)
Box 9 Folder 1
Philadelphia Waist and Dress Manufacturers Association
1916-1946
Box 9 Folder 2
Plastic and Metal Products Manufacturers Association New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 3
Plastic and Metal Products Manufacturers Association New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 4
Plastic Soft Materials Association, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 5
Plastic Soft Materials Association, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 6
Pleaters, Stitchers and Embroiders Association, Inc. (folder 1 of 3)
Box 9 Folder 7
Pleaters, Stitchers and Embroiders Association, Inc. (folder 2 of 3)
Box 9 Folder 8
Pleaters, Stitchers and Embroiders Association, Inc. (folder 3 of 3)
Box 9 Folder 9
Popular Priced Dress Manufacturers Group (folder 1 of 2)
1933-1970
Box 9 Folder 10
Popular Priced Dress Manufacturers Group (folder 2 of 2)
1933-1970
Box 9 Folder 11
Puerto Rican Corset and Brassiere Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 12
Puerto Rican Corset and Brassiere Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 13
Quebec Fashion Apparel Manufacturers Guild
Box 9 Folder 14
Sportswear Apparel Association, Inc. (folder 1 of 2)
Box 9 Folder 15
Sportswear Apparel Association, Inc. (folder 2 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 1
Toronto Cloak Manufacturers Association (folder 1 of 2)
1941-1991
Box 10 Folder 2
Toronto Cloak Manufacturers Association (folder 2 of 2)
1941-1991
Box 10 Folder 3
Theatrical Costumes, New York City (folder 1 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 4
Theatrical Costumes, New York City (folder 2 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 5
Toronto Dress and Sportswear Manufacturers Guild (folder 1 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 6
Toronto Dress and Sportswear Manufacturers Guild (folder 2 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 7
Undergarment Accessories Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 8
Undergarment Accessories Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 9
United Dress Manufacturers Association (folder 1 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 10
United Dress Manufacturers Association (folder 2 of 2)
Box 10 Folder 11
United Popular Dress Manufacturers Association
Box 10 Folder 12
United Knitwear Manufacturers League (folder 1 of 3)
Box 10 Folder 13
United Knitwear Manufacturers League (folder 2 of 3)
Box 11 Folder 1
United Knitwear Manufacturers League (folder 3 of 3)
Box 11 Folder 2
United Knitwear Manufacturers League, Inc. (Shipping) Local 99
Box 11 Folder 3
United Better Dress Manufacturers' Association, Inc.
Box 11 Folder 4
Women's Apparel Chains Association