George Novack "Unity Caucus on the Railroads: The Story of the Consolidation Committee of Enginemen" on Microfilm
Collection Number: 5496 mf
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
This collection was processed with the help of generous funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).Title:
George Novack "Unity Caucus on the
Railroads: The Story of the Consolidation Committee of Enginemen" on Microfilm ,
1957- 1958
Collection Number:
5496 mf
Creator:
Novack, George;
Hedlund, C.R.
Hedlund, C.R.
Quantity:
1 microfilm reel
Forms of Material:
Records (documents), microfilm .
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Microfilm copy of "Unity Caucus on the Railroads: The Story
of the Consolidation Committee of Enginemen." This manuscript is an account of the
development of the CCE, including an assessment of its impact.
Language:
Collection material in English
This unpublished monograph was prepared by George Novak in 1957-1958 for the Labor
Project of the Fund for the Republic, directed by Paul Jacobs. The Fund for the
Republic was a non-profit education corporation created by the Ford Foundation in
1952 to counter pressures on civil liberties and basic freedoms from the political
right. The Fund wanted to "support activities directed toward the elimination of
restrictions on freedom of thought, inquiry and expression in the United States, and
the development of policies and procedures best adapted to protect these rights."*
The manuscript was written by George Novack, who had served the Consolidation
Committee of Enginemen [CCE] as public relations advisor. The CCE was a powerful
postwar nationwide caucus to affect the fusion of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers [BLE] and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen
[BLF&E]. It functioned within the framework of the two unions to achieve
amalgamation through constitutional procedures. Beginning in April 1946 under the
leadership of Russell R. Walker, the CCE attempted to mobilize the rank and file of
the two labor unions in support of unification. The merger plan was defeated in May,
1949.
Mr. Novak's manuscript describes the development of the CCE, its approach to the
issue of unification, and its strategies for organizing in support of a merger. The
CCE did succeed in having its program adopted by the conventions of both the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Engineers.
*Click here for additional
information on the Fund for the Republic.
Inclusive date range: 1957-1958
Bulk dates: 1957-1958
This collection consists of the microfilmed copy of an unpublished monograph, written
by George Novak, public relations advisor for the Consolidation Committee of
Engineers. The manuscript has been annotated by the author and contains corrections,
additional notes, and edited sections. The manuscript pages are numbered 1-137, and
a supplemental report follows, with pages numbered 1-5.
Table of Contents:
1. The Uncoupled Brotherhoods, page 1
2. Earlier Attempts At Unification, page 7
3. Background of the Consolidation Movement, page 13
4. Walker Launches The CCE, page 22
5. First Reactions of the Brotherhood Heads, page 31
6. The First CCE National Conference, page 39
7. Popularizing the Program, page 45
8. Moves Against The Consolidators, page 51
9. The BLE Convention, page 61
10. Showdown At The BLFE Conference, page 71
11. The Joint Committees In Session, page 85
12. Pressure From The CCE, page 93
13. Robertson's Reprisals, page 101
14. Crisis In The CCE, page 106
15. The Merger Plan, page 112
16. Defeat Of The Merger Plan, page 116
17. The CCE Folds Up, page 124
18. Unification Today, page 128
19. References, page 135
Supplement:
"Report: What Did The BLF&E Members Get From Their Convention?" by C.R.
Hedlund, member BLF&E Lodge 814
A negative copy is available upon request.
Names:
Novack, George.
Fund for the Republic
Consolidation Committee of Enginemen (U.S.)
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (U.S.)
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen
Subjects:
Railroads -- United States.
Labor unions -- Mergers -- United States.
Form and Genre Terms:
Records (documents)
Microfilm.
Access Restrictions:
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a
reference archivist for access to these materials.
Restrictions on Use:
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet
and Procedures for Document Use.
Cite As:
George Novack "Unity Caucus on the Railroads: The Story of the Consolidation
Committee of Enginemen" on Microfilm #5496 mf. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Reel 2 | Item 1 | 1957-1958 | |