Zierlin, Abe Collection of ILGWU Convention Photographs, 1953-1962
Collection Number: 6036/093 P

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


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Abe Zierlin Collection of ILGWU Convention Photographs, 1953-1962
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6036/093 P
Creator:
Zierlin, Abba (Abe)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Quanitities:
0.78 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English

Biographical / Historical

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.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.
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

Abe Zierlin Collection of ILGWU Convention Photographs #6036/093 P. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Thirty First Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, Convention Auditorium, Atlantic City, N.J. -- May 23-June 1, 1962
1962
Box 1 Folder 2
Delegation - 28th Convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union -- May 18 to 26, 1953 - Chicago, Ill.
1953
Box 1 Folder 3
30th Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, A.F.L.-C.I.O., Miami Beach, Florida -- May 11 to 19, 1959
1959
Box 1 Folder 4
Twenty-ninth Convention - ILGWU - A.F.L.-C.I.O., Atlantic City, NJ -- May 10-18, 1956
1956
Box 2 Folder 1
30th Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union-A.F.L.-C.I.O., Miami Beach, Florida -- May 11 to 19, 1959
1959
Box 2 Folder 2
Thirty-First Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, Convention Auditorium, Atlantic City, N.J. -- May 23-June 1, 1962
1962
Box 2 Folder 3
Opening Session - 28th Convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union -- May 18 to 26, 1953 - Civic Opera House, Chicago, Ill.
1953
Box 2 Folder 4
Second Session, 28th Convention of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union -- May 18 to 26, 1953 - Chicago, Ill.
1953
Box 2 Folder 5
Thirty-First Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union - Convention Auditorium, Atlantic City, NJ -- May 23-June 1, 1962
1962
Box 2 Folder 6
Twenty-ninth Convention - International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union - Convention Hall, Atlantic City, NJ -- May 10-18, 1956
1956