ILGWU Retiree Service Department, David Dubinsky Papers
Collection Number: 5780/099
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
ILGWU Retiree Service Department,
David Dubinsky Papers, 1966-1984
Collection Number:
5780/099
Creator:
Dubinsky, David;
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Quantity:
3 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Records (documents).
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, memoranda,
vouchers, and other material that document the work of the Department of Retiree
Services.
Language:
Collection material in English
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.
The Retiree Services Department was established in October 1966 to provide services
to ILGWU members once they retired from the workforce. David Dubinsky served as the
founding director of the department, holding the position from retirement from the
ILGWU presidency in 1966 until his death in 1982.
The department offered a variety of resources to retirees, including social,
recreational and cultural activities, access to a special assistance fund, retirees
clubs, and retirement planning services. Local and regional Retiree Clubs were
established or further supported through the International's General Office,
offering courses and organizing daytrips and other excursions. Through the Retiree
Services Department, longtime ILGWU members who found themselves in need could apply
for support from the Special Assistance Fund. The department also oversaw the
Friendly Visitors Project, which trained retirees to visit other retirees in their
home, hospital, or nursing homes. In addition to offering companionship, visitors
offered guidance on matters such as Social Security, health care, union benefits,
and housing.
The Retiree Services Department continued its work through 1995, when the ILGWU
merged with ACTWU to form UNITE. In 1986, it developed the Options for Older Workers
to assist workers displaced or shortly to be, plant closings. By the time of the
merger, the department had expanded its services and offerings, including
English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), an exercise program, acting and arts classes,
and volunteer opportunities. The program also helped with retirement planning, and
retirees were involved in legislative and election activities.
This collection contains correspondence, memoranda, vouchers, and other material that
document the work of the Department of Retiree Services, including requests
submitted to the department for funds in support of retiree groups and related
activities, and notification of decisions of whether to fund these requests and
award amount. Also included are collected printed material and drafts of department
publications.
Names:
Dubinsky, David, 1892-1982
International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
International Ladies Garment Workers Union
--Sources.
Form and Genre Terms:
Records (documents)
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 Retiree Service Department, David Dubinsky Papers #5780/099. Kheel Center
for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1982 | |
Box 1 | Folder 2 | 1981 | |
Box 1 | Folder 3 | 1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 4 | 1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 5 | 1977-1978 | |
Box 1 | Folder 6 | 1973-1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 7 | 1973-1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 8 | 1981 | |
Box 1 | Folder 9 | 1981 | |
Box 1 | Folder 10 | 1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 11 | 1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 12 | 1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 13 | 1977-1978 | |
Box 1 | Folder 14 | 1978 | |
Box 1 | Folder 15 | 1978 | |
Box 1 | Folder 16 | 1978-1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 17 | 1977-1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 18 | 1978 | |
Box 1 | Folder 19 | 1978-1979 | |
Box 1 | Folder 20 | 1977 | |
Box 1 | Folder 21 | 1967-1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 22 | 1967-1980 | |
Box 1 | Folder 23 | 1966-1983 | |
Box 1 | Folder 24 | 1977-1980 | |
Box 2 | Folder 1 | 1969-1973 | |
Box 2 | Folder 2 | 1968-1971 | |
Box 2 | Folder 3 | 1969 | |
Box 2 | Folder 4 | 1968-1969 | |
Box 2 | Folder 5 | 1966-1975 | |
Box 2 | Folder 6 | 1984 | |
Box 2 | Folder 7 | 1967-1976 | |
Box 2 | Folder 8 | 1967-1976 | |
Box 2 | Folder 9 | 1966-1974 | |
Box 2 | Folder 10 | 1999-1969 | |
Box 2 | Folder 11 | 1970-1975 | |
Box 2 | Folder 12 | 1970-1975 | |
Box 2 | Folder 13 | 1975 | |
Box 2 | Folder 14 | 1976 | |
Box 2 | Folder 15 | 1968-1974 | |
Box 2 | Folder 16 | 1967-1973 | |
Box 2 | Folder 17 | 1968-1974 | |
Box 2 | Folder 18 | 1968-1978 | |
Box 2 | Folder 19 | 1967-1972 | |
Box 2 | Folder 20 | 1966-1980 | |
Box 2 | Folder 21 | 1967-1972 | |
Box 2 | Folder 22 | 1966-1975 | |
Box 2 | Folder 23 | 1971-1974 | |
Box 2 | Folder 24 | 1968-1973 | |
Box 3 | Folder 1 | 1970 | |
Box 3 | Folder 2 | 1969 | |
Box 3 | Folder 3 | 1966-1973 | |
Box 3 | Folder 4 | 1970 | |
Box 3 | Folder 5 | 1966-1977 | |
Box 3 | Folder 6 | 1966-1977 | |
Box 3 | Folder 7 | 1967-1976 | |
Box 3 | Folder 8 | 1966 | |
Box 3 | Folder 9 | 1966-1972 | |
Box 3 | Folder 10 | ||
Box 3 | Folder 11 | 1966-1971 | |
Box 3 | Folder 12 | 1977-1979 | |
Box 3 | Folder 13 | 1966-1967 | |
Box 3 | Folder 14 | 1966-1969 | |
Box 3 | Folder 15 | 1966-1969 |