ILGWU. Local 155 records
Collection Number: 5780/054
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
ILGWU. Local 155 records, 1930-1995
Collection Number:
5780/054
Creator:
Local 155
International Ladies' Garment Workers'
Union
Quantity:
12 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Articles, reports, minutes, correspondence,
newsletters.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives,
Cornell University Library
Abstract:
The Local 155 records consist primarily of the correspondence of
Louis Nelson, manager of Local 15. The activities of the local are documented through articles,
speeches, and other materials from the depression years through the late 1960s. Also included
are minutes of Local 155's Executive Board between 1979 and 1995, issues of the local's
publication, Knitgood Workers' Voice, from 1937 to 1995, files on Joe Lombardo and the Local
155's Health and Welfare Fund.
Language:
Collection material in English
Founded in 1900 by local union delegates representing about 2,000 members in cities in the
northeastern United States, the ILGWU grew in geographical scope, membership size, 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. In
1995, the ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) to form
the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE).
Local 155, International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU), also known as the Knitgoods
Workers' Union, was chartered in 1933 and based in New York City.
The Local 155 records consist primarily of the correspondence of Louis Nelson, manager of
Local 155 during the period. There are also articles, speeches, and other materials, as well as
a small amount of Nelson's personal correspondence.
The correspondence arranged alphabetically by subject and the material documents the
activities and concerns of the Local's leadership from the depression years through the late
1960s. In addition to routine Local administrative matters, the materials cover a wide variety
of topics, including anti-Semitism, civil rights issues, health and retirement benefits, the
women's clothing industry, New York City elections, political activities of the Local, relations
with other unions, forced labor in the Soviet Union, the Spanish Civil War, strikes, and union
elections.
Individual correspondents represented in the collection include Angela Balabanoff, Fred Beal,
B.J. Bialostotzky, David Dubinsky, Melech Epstein, Fiorello LaGuardia, Elias Lieberman, Jay
Lovestone, Norman Thomas, and Carlo Tresca. Organizations include the AFL-CIO, the American
Labor Party, the Italian-American Labor Council, the Jewish Labor Committee, the Liberal Party
of New York, the National Urban League, the Socialist Party, the Union for Democratic Socialism,
the United Textile Workers Union of America, and Workmen's Circle.
Subjects that are well documented include elections. The union and local actively supported
the Liberal Party. But of interest are the files regarding elections within the local. There
were various factions vying for leadership positions in the local, including the Rank and File
candidates who were running against the incumbent Progressive Group and manager Louis Nelson.
The collection also offers a look at the knitgood industry, through reports by manager Nelson
to the General Executive Board (GEB). Additionally, the industry can be studied through the
companies, manufacturer associations such as the United Knitwear Manufacturers League and the
Knitted Outerwear Manufacturers Association, as well as industry publications "United Knitwear
Reporter" and "Associated Knitwear Contractors News."
Another component of the collection are the minutes of the Executive Board for the Knitgoods
Workers' Union Local 155. There are also minutes for various committees of the local including
the Finance, Board of Trustees for the Retirement Board, Education, Appeals and Grievance
Committees. Additionally, there are volumes from the Local 155 publication "Knitgoods Workers
Voice" and various publications regarding wages, hours, hearings and recommendations regarding
the knitwear industry. At the end of the collection appear reports and transcripts of the
proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board in the case of Amberton Knitting Mills and
Local 155.
Names:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
Balabanoff, Angelica, 1878-1965.
Beal, Fred Erwin, 1896-1954.
Bialostotzky, B. J.(Benjamin Jacob), 1892-1962.
Dubinsky, David, 1892-1982.
Epstein, Melech.
La Guardia, Fiorello H.(Fiorello Henry), 1882-1947.
Lieberman, Elias, b. 1888-
Nelson, Louis.
Thomas, Norman, 1884-1968.
Tresca, Carlo, 1879-1943.
AFL-CIO.
American Labor Party.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 155 (New
York, N.Y.)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Local 155 (New
York, N.Y.)--Elections.
Italian-American Labor Council.
Jewish Labor Committee (U.S.)
Liberal Party of New York State.
National Urban League.
Socialist Party (U.S.)
Union for Democratic Socialism.
United Textile Workers of America.
Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring.
Subjects:
Antisemitism-- United States.
Civil rights--United States.
Clothing workers--Labor unions--New York (State)--New York.
Elections--New York (State)--New York.
Forced labor--Soviet Union.
Health insurance--New York (State)--New York.
Labor unions--Officials and employees.
Labor unions--Political activities.
Labor union locals.
Pension trusts--New York (State)--New York.
Strikes and lockouts--New York (State)--New York.
Women's clothing industry--New York (State)--New York.
Geographic Subjects:
New York (N.Y.)--Politics and government--20th century.
Spain--History--Civil War, 1936-1939.
Form and Genre Terms:
Articles
Correspondence
Speeches
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:
ILGWU. Local 155 records #5780/054. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library.
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1936-1940 | |
|
Controversy.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | 1948-1954 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | 1936-1944 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | 1938-1941 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | 1940 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | 1940-1949 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | 1946 | |
|
Between Industrial Council of Cloak, Suit and Shirt Manufacturers, Inc., et. al. and Joint
Boar of Cloak, Suit, Skirt and Reefer Makers Union.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | 1937-1938 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | 1930-1959 | |
|
Louis Nelson and others on Union and non-Union matters.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | 1939-1965 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | 1939-1945 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | 1940-1954 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | 1954-1956 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | 1954-1956 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | 1942-1956 | |
|
Incl. American Representation of the General Jewish Workers Union of Poland; Coordinating
Committees of the Bund, and Affiliated Jewish Socialist Organizations in various countries
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | 1944-1948 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | 1937 | |
|
Incl. letters from Emile DeLeo (organizer) on strikes in knitgoods mills and AFL and CIO
involvement.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | 1935-1949 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | 1939-1954 | |
|
Morning Freiheit.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | 1952 | |
|
April 1952. Re Louis Nelson's election as V.P. of the Union.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | 1936-1943 | |
|
Incl. relief during war period.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | 1964-1970 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | 1934-1940 | |
|
Incl. Local resolutions.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | 1944-1955 | |
|
Knitgoods Workers.
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | 1940-1954 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | 1941 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | 1950-1956 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | 1939-1952 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | 1942-1955 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | 1941-1956 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | 1940-1955 | |
|
Incl. ILGWU Training Institute.
|
|||
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | 1965 | |
|
Endorsement of John V. Lindsay for Mayor of New York City.
|
|||
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | 1966 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | 1935 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | 1937 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | 1937 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | 1939 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | 1939 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | 1939 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | 1939 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | 1940 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | 1940 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | 1942 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | 1942 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | 1944 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | 1944 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | 1940 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | 1950-1953 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | 1956 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | 1959 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | 1962-1965 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | 1941-1951 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | 1942-1943 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | 1940-1955 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 4 | 1946-1947 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 5 | 1940-1949 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 6 | 1940-1959 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 7 | 1948-1955 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 8 | 1946-1957 | |
|
Incl. I.N. Sternberg letters.
|
|||
| Box 5 | Folder 9 | 1939-1955 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 10 | 1940 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 11 | 1952 | |
|
Incl. local report.
|
|||
| Box 5 | Folder 12 | 1935-1946 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 13 | 1950-1954 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 14 | 1940-1954 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 15 | 1939-1955 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 1 | 1942-1951 | |
|
1942-July 1951. Letters & reports from Heller, (Labor Informatio Officer) Economic
Cooperation Administration (EC in Austria & Germany.
|
|||
| Box 6 | Folder 2 | 1951-1954 | |
|
October 1951-1954.
|
|||
| Box 6 | Folder 3 | 1940-1947 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 4 | 1949-1950 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 5 | 1943 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 6 | 1943 | |
|
April 8, 1943.
|
|||
| Box 6 | Folder 7 | 1946-1950 | |
|
Incl. letters from Philip Heller; reports on Spanish situation.
|
|||
| Box 6 | Folder 8 | 1952-1955 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 9 | 1943-1952 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 10 | 1940-1950 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 11 | 1940-1954 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 12 | 1942-1943 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 13 | 1944-1946 | |
| Box 6 | Folder 14 | 1947-1956 | |
|
Incl. correspondence w. Jacob Pat & David Dubinsky re Nelson's resignation from JLC
(Nov. 1947), and articles.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 1 | 1949-1956 | |
| Box 7 | Folder 2 | 1939-1943 | |
| Box 7 | Folder 3 | 1936-1956 | |
| Box 7 | Folder 4 | 1942-1956 | |
| Box 7 | Folder 5a | 1937-1955 | |
|
Miscellaneous.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 5b | 1937-1955 | |
|
Miscellaneous.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 6 | ||
|
Incl. Knitgoods Workers Industrial Union of the Needle Trades Workers Industrial Union.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 7 | 1936 | |
|
Published by National Knitted Outerwear Association.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 8 | 1937-1955 | |
|
Correspondence.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 9a | 1940-1943 | |
|
1940-Feb. 1943. Publication, United Knitwear Reporter.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 9b | 1940-1943 | |
|
1940-Feb. 1943. Publication, United Knitwear Reporter.
|
|||
| Box 7 | Folder 10 | 1940-1941 | |
|
Published by the Associated Knitwear Contractors Inc.
|
|||
| Box 8 | Folder 1 | 1941-1955 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 2 | 1941 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 3 | 1942-1943 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 4 | 1941-1954 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 5 | 1936-1938 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 6 | 1944-1954 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 7 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 8 | 1942-1956 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 9 | 1939-1955 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 10 | 1947-1956 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 11 | 1938-1949 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 12 | 1940-1955 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 13 | 1937-1952 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 14 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 15 | 1941-1947 | |
|
Incl. corres. w. A. Philip Randolph & Frank B. Crosswaith; draft article by L.
Nelson.
|
|||
| Box 8 | Folder 16 | 1935 | |
|
Council Meetings.
|
|||
| Box 8 | Folder 17 | 1938-1956 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 18 | 1940-1950 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 19 | 1939-1955 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 20 | 1944-1952 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 21 | 1945-1954 | |
|
Corres. re his case (clemency for murder).
|
|||
| Box 8 | Folder 22 | 1941-1949 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 23 | 1930-1939 | |
| Box 8 | Folder 24 | 1955 | |
|
Corres. w. Nicholas Kirtzman.
|
|||
| Box 9 | Folder 1 | 1939-1952 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 2 | 1933-1941 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 3 | 1940-1966 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 4 | 1943-1947 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 5 | 1939-1942 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 6 | 1933 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 7 | 1941-1949 | |
|
Incl. material on labor camps.
|
|||
| Box 9 | Folder 8 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 9 | 1943-1950 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 10 | 1941-1942 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 11 | 1938-1953 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 12 | 1936-1940 | |
|
Knitgoods industry.
|
|||
| Box 9 | Folder 13 | 1942-1956 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 14 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 9 | Folder 15 | 1933-1945 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 1 | 1941-1954 | |
|
Incl. corres. re Carlo Tresca murder & Memorial.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 2 | 1940-1948 | |
|
Incl. corres. re Carlo Tresca Memorial Fund.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 3 | 1944-1956 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 4 | 1953-1955 | |
|
Incl. James T. Farrell letter to Norman Thomas outlining a general political program
(n.d.).
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 5 | 1940-1949 | |
|
Printed material.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 6 | 1941-1954 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 7 | 1943-1948 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 8 | 1940-1956 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 9 | 1939-1956 | |
|
And his poems.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 10 | 1942-1954 | |
|
Knitgood Workers branch.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 11 | 1937-1940 | |
|
Incl. statements from Keep America Out of War Congress & Other anti-war groups.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 12 | 1948-1949 | |
|
Displaced Persons.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 13 | 1940-1945 | |
|
Government & labor.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 14 | 1941-1943 | |
|
Russian War Relief.
|
|||
| Box 10 | Folder 15 | 1940-1953 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 16 | 1940-1954 | |
| Box 10 | Folder 17 | 1947-1949 | |
| Box 11 | Folder 1 | 1933-1934 | |
|
October 12, 1933 - June 1934
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 2 | 1933-1934 | |
|
September 1933 - June 1934
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 3 | 1934-1937 | |
|
October 1934 - December 1937
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 4 | 1934-1937 | |
|
October 1934 - September 1937
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 5 | 1934-1937 | |
|
September 1934 - October 1937
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 6 | 1938-1939 | |
|
January 1938 - December 1939
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 7 | 1940-1941 | |
|
January 1940 - December 1941
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 8 | 1941-1942 | |
|
January 1941 - December 1942
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 9 | 1943 | |
|
January 1943 - December 1943
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 10 | 1944 | |
|
January 1944 - December 1944
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 11 | 1944 | |
|
January 1944 - December 1944
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 12 | 1945 | |
|
January 1945 - December 1945
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 13 | 1946 | |
|
January 1946 - December 1946
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 14 | 1947 | |
|
January 1947 - December 1947
|
|||
| Box 11 | Folder 15 | 1948 | |
|
January 1948 - December 1948
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 1 | 1949 | |
|
January 1949 - December 1949
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 2 | 1950 | |
|
January 1950 - December 1950
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 3 | 1951 | |
|
January 1951 - December 1951
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 4 | 1952 | |
|
January 1952 - December 1952
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 5 | 1953 | |
|
January 1953 - December 1953
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 6 | 1954 | |
|
January 1954 - December 1954
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 7 | 1955 | |
|
January 1955 - December 1955
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 8 | 1956 | |
|
January 1956 - December 1956
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 9 | 1957-1958 | |
|
January 1957 - December 1958
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 10 | 1959 | |
|
January 1959 - December 1959
|
|||
| Box 12 | Folder 11 | 1960 | |
|
January 1960 - December 1960
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 1 | 1934-1942 | |
|
October 1934 - December 1942
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 2 | 1949-1957 | |
|
June 7, 1949 - September 13, 1957
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 3 | 1949-1957 | |
|
June 7, 1949 - September 13, 1957
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 4 | 1958-1969 | |
|
February 27, 1958 - May 27, 1969
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 5 | 1958-1969 | |
|
February 27, 1958 - May 27, 1969
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 6 | 1946-1952 | |
|
June 1946 - December 1952
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 7 | 1946-1952 | |
|
Appeals Committee, August 1946 - December 1947. Grievance Board, January 1958 - December
1952
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 8 | 1949-1952 | |
|
January 1949 - December 1952
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 9 | 1949-1952 | |
|
January 1949 - December 1952
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 10 | 1953- 1954 | |
|
January 1953 - December 1954
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 11 | 1961 | |
|
January 1961 - December 1961
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 12 | 1962 | |
|
January 1962 - December 1962
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 13 | 1963 | |
|
January 1963 - December 1963
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 14 | 1964 | |
|
January 1964 - December 1964
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 15 | 1965 | |
|
January 1965 - December 1965
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 16 | 1966 | |
|
January 1966 - December 1966
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 17 | 1967 | |
|
January 1967 - December 1967
|
|||
| Box 13 | Folder 18 | 1968 | |
|
January 1968 - December 1968
|
|||
| Box 14 | Folder 1 | 1937-1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 2 | 1942-1944 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 3 | 1945-1950 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 4 | 1951 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 5 | 1952-1953 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 6 | 1957-1958 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 7 | 1959-1963 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 8 | 1964-1965 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 9 | 1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 10 | 1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 11 | 1958 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 12 | 1958 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 13 | 1939 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 14 | 1939 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 15 | 1939 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 16 | 1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 17 | 1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 18 | 1941 | |
| Box 14 | Folder 19 | 1939 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 1 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 2 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 3 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 4 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 5 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 6 | 1962 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 7 | 1968 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 8 | 1958 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 9 | 1936 | |
| Box 15 | Folder 10 | 1966 | |
| Box 16 | Folder 1 | 1979-1995 | |
| Box 16 | Folder 2 | 1937-1987 | |
| Box 17 | Folder 1 | 1988-1995 | |
| Box 17 | Folder 2 | 1975-1991 | |
| Box 17 | Folder 3 | 1993-1994 | |
| Box 17 | Folder 4 | 1959 | |
| Box 17 | Folder 5 | 1969 | |