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
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.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
ILGWU. Permanent exhibit. 5780 Perm exhibit. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University.
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
|