ILGWU. Permanent exhibit., 1900-1977
Collection Number: 5780 Perm exhibit

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


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
ILGWU. Permanent exhibit., 1900-1977
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5780 Perm exhibit
Abstract:
Consists of items that were part of the ILGWU's permanent exhibit in New York City on the history of the union.
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Quanitities:
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.

Consists of items that were part of the ILGWU's permanent exhibit in New York City on the history of the union.
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. Permanent exhibit. 5780 Perm exhibit. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Dodds, Malcolm.
Dubinsky, David, 1892-1982.
Green, Paula.
Humphrey, Hubert H.(Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978.
Kennedy, John F.(John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963.
McFarlane, Arthur.
Rachelson, Israel.
Rose, Pam E.
Stulberg, Louis, 1901-1977.
Allentown-Easton Health Center --Archives.
Amalgamated Ladies' Garment Cutters' Union --Archives.
American Federation of Labor --Archives.
Cloak and Skirt Makers' Building Association, Inc. --Archives.
Dubinsky Vocational Training School --Archives--Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union --Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 89 (New York, N.Y.)--Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 35 (New York, N.Y.)--Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Joint Board Cloak, Suit, Skirt, and Reefer Makers' Unions--Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 48 (New York, N.Y.)--Archives.
Italian Dressmakers' Union Local 89 --Archives.
McClure's Magazine --Archives.
National Association for Refugee Children --Archives.
New York (State). Electoral College--Archives.
St. Louis Arrangement Committee --Archives.
Sze Keh Vocational School --Archives.
Time Magazine --Archives.
Triangle Shirtwaist Company --Archives.
Union Health Center --Archives.
Subjects:
Labor unions--Collectibles.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Italian Dressmakers' Union Local 89International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 89 (New York, N.Y.), 30th anniversary plaque
1919-1949
Scope and Contents
Oval bronze plaque with large key attached on top, and lettering "The Spirit of '89". The raised edge has lettering "30th Anniversary - Italian Dressmakers' Union, Local 89 - ILGWU - AFL - 191-1949". The back has the words of "the Spirit of '89" by Pam E Rose; metal-works; 6.5 x 4.5
Box 1 Folder 2
McClure's Magazine, bound book
1911
Scope and Contents
McClure's Magazine - vol. XXXVII, May- Oct 1911. Contains articles titled "Fire and the Skyscraper" by Arthur McFarlane; paper (fiber product); book
Box 1 Folder 3
Silver bell, from the Cloak, Skirt, and Dress Pressers Union….
1927
Scope and Contents
Silver bell - presented to the Cloak, Skirt, and Dress Pressers Union - Local 35 ILGWU by Israel Rachelson a member of local 35 ; March 24, 1927; metal-works; bell
Box 1 Folder 4
ILGWU - brass key
1948
Scope and Contents
Large brass key - commemorating the dedication of the ILGWU - Allentown-Easton Health Center, 1948; metal-works; key
Box 1 Folder 5
Louis Stulberg, appreciation plaque
Scope and Contents
Plaque of appreciation presented to Louis Stulberg, President of the ILGWU - Service Supreme; wood; metal-works; plaque
Box 1 Folder 6
Carved marble stamps; Carved marble stamps - used to stamp the seals of the Sze Keh Vocational School and Dubinsky; marble; stamps
1911
Box 1 Folder 7
Encased announcement/endorsement
1968
Scope and Contents
Encased announcement/endorsement - "For President of the United States: Hubert H. Humphrey of the State of Minnesota - New York Electoral College 1968 - David Dubinsky - Presidential Elector"; paper (fiber product) ; plastic; announcement
Box 1 Folder 8
Medals issued by President Kennedy
1964
Scope and Contents
Medals issued by President John F. Kennedy to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the First Union Health Center which was created by the ILGWU in 1914; metal-works; medals; 3 in. dia
Box 2 Folder 1
Cloak and Skirt Makers', stock certificate
1914
Scope and Contents
Certificate of ownership - 1 share of stock in the Cloak and Skirt Makers' Building Assoc. Inc.; paper (fiber product); certificate; 9.5 x 12.5
Box 2 Folder 2
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, gold bond
1932
Scope and Contents
Gold Bond Certificate issued by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, valued at $100; paper (fiber product); bond; 9.5 x 12.5
Box 2 Folder 3
American Federation of Labor, certificate
1905
Scope and Contents
Certificate from the AF of L recognizing one man's attainment of legal commission and authorization to act as a special organizer for the union; paper (fiber product); certificate; 8.5 x 11
Box 2 Folder 4
Silk sash and pin
1919
Scope and Contents
Silk sash with "East Side Dress Makers of the L.W. and d.M.U.L. 25" printed on it and a pin with a seal of the Joint Board of the ILGWU displayed on it along with the words "Shop Chairman for Faithful Services rendered 1919"; silk ; metal-works; pin (jewelry); sash; pin = 1 cm. ; sash=24 in.
Box 2 Folder 5
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, book of constitution and by-laws
1916
Scope and Contents
Small black book entitled "Constitution of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and By-Laws for Local Unions, 1916"; paper (fiber product); book; 3.5 x 5
Box 2 Folder 6
Handbook from the Eleventh Convention of the ILGWU
1912
Scope and Contents
Handbook entitled "Report and Proceedings of the Eleventh Convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union", needs binding, brittle; paper (fiber product); book
Box 2 Folder 7
Book of thanks to David Dubinsky
1945
Scope and Contents
A book of thanks to David Dubinsky for helping establish the Dubinsky Vocational Training School of the National Association for Refugee Children; Chunking, China - Oct. 25, 1945 - also found loose inside the book: a blueprint of the Dubinsky Vocational Training School; correspondence between Dubinsky and the National Assoc. for Refugee Children, Chungking, China; a report on the future plans for the Vocational School in China; paper (fiber product); book
Box 2 Folder 8
Dues book from Amalgamated Ladies Garment Cutters Assoc
1906
Scope and Contents
Dues book from 1906 for the Amalgamated Ladies Garment Cutters Assoc.; paper (fiber product); book
Box 2 Folder 9
Arrangement Committee of the Ladies Garment Workers Union, ribbon
Scope and Contents
Ribbon from the Arrangement Committee of the Ladies Garment Workers Union of St. Louis; textiles; ribbon (materials)
Box 2 Folder 10
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, minutes from the founding meeting
1900
Scope and Contents
Meeting minutes from June 3, 1900 founding the ILGWU; paper (fiber product); meeting minutes
Box 2 Folder 11
International Ladies' Garment Workers' miscellaneous reports, etc.
1913
Scope and Contents
Report of Joint Relief Committee on Aid to Victims of Triangle Fire ; Tri-lingual meeting call used to organize white goods and undergarment workers with the ILGWU ; Protocol of Peace, Jan. 1913, first collective agreement in the waist and dress industry ; envelope designed to celebrate 7th anniv. of ILGWU ; a certificate of work issued by the ILGWU ; books of ILGWU stamps to fund Anti-Nazism and Anti-Fascism; paper (fiber product); book, envelope, postage stamps
Box 2 Folder 12
Dubinsky Seal and Sze Keh Vocational Training School seal, prints
Scope and Contents
Prints of the seals/stamps from the Dubinsky and Sze Keh Vocational Training School; paper (fiber products); stamps
Box 2 Folder 13
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, ribbon, badges.
1911-1971
Scope and Contents
Badge/ribbon - "Joint Board Cloak and Skirt Makers Unions - Labor Day 1911" ; "Shop Chairman" for the "Cloak and Skirt Makers' Union - ILGWU of New York, Labor Day 1912" ; Badges - "Staff", "Press" for the 34th Convention in Miami Beach , Fl., May, 1971"; metal-works ; textiles ; badges ; ribbons (materials)
Box 2 Folder 14
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, badges, buttons, pins, medals, money clip
1911-1977
Scope and Contents
Badge - "Guest for the 34th Convention of the ILGWU" ; gold color money clip "ILGWU" commemorating the "Golden Jubilee Convention 1900-1950" ; Badges - "Delegate" from 34th & 36th Conventions ; ILGWU gold plated pins ; button - "ILGWU for Dinkins"; metal-works ; badges ; pins (jewelry) ; buttons (information artifacts) ; medals ; money clip
Box 2 Folder 15
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, lighter
1971
Scope and Contents
Gold plated lighter "ILGWU, Thirty-Fourth Convention, Miami Beach, May 1971"; metal-works; lighter
Box 2 Folder 16
Union Label music/lyrics
1975
Scope and Contents
Words and score for the Union Label song, written by Paula Green, music by Malcolm Dodds.; paper (fiber product); song music/lyrics
Box 2 Folder 17
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union - ticket for opening session of the 40th Anniversary Convention…, and strike ballot from 1932 & 1933
1932-1940
Scope and Contents
Entrance ticket to the Opening Session of the 40th Anniversary Convention of the ILGWU in Madison Square Garden on May 27, 1940. Strike ballot and leaflet encouraging workers to support the strike and join the union in 1932 & 1933; paper (fiber product); ticket ; ballot
Box 2 Folder 18
Annual Journal - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
1904
Scope and Contents
"Annual Journal, International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, Fifth International Convention, Boston, Massachusetts, Monday, June Sixth, 1904"; paper (fiber product); book
Box 2 Folder 19
Newsletter - Out-of-Town Cloakmakers and the War Orphan
Scope and Contents
Pages 3-6 of a newsletter (seemingly focusing on Out-of-Town Cloakmakers and the War Orphan Campaign); paper (fiber product)
Box 2 Folder 20
Time Magazine Issue
1949
Scope and Contents
Time Magazine - August 29, 1949 issue - "Labor's Dubinsky"; paper (fiber product); magazine
Box 2 Folder 21
Sealmaker, International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. ‡b Local 48 (New York, N.Y.)
Scope and Contents
Sealmaker for the Italian Cloak, Skirt and Suit-Makers, Local 48 of the ILGWU; metal-works; sealmakers; 10.5 in high
Box 2 Folder 22
John F. Kennedy, bust
1965
Scope and Contents
Bust/statue (miniature) of John F. Kennedy, a presentation of 65th Anniversary Convention ILGWU, Miami, FL - May 1965; metal-works; statue; 3.5 in dia ; 8 in high
Box 3 Folder 1
Lithograph slab - ILGWU
Scope and Contents
Lithograph stone used to print important documents. Design and wording "International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, Doth Grant This Charter"; See photo in accession folder; cement; 9.5 w x 12.5 l x 2.5 thick
Box 4 Folder 1
Lithograph slab - ILGWU
Scope and Contents
Lithograph stone used to print important documents. On one side winter scenes, and on the other side the charter used to establish/extend membership to local unions by the ILGWU; cement; 11.5 w x 16 l x 2.5 thick