ILGWU Mid-West Region Records, 1909-1996
Collection Number: 5780/101

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

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:

ILGWU Mid-West Region Records, 1909-1996

Repository:

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives

Collection Number:

5780/101

Abstract:

The collection contains charters, correspondence, agreements, printed material, and memorabilia of the office of the Midwest Region of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Two series of correspondence (one alphabetical, another chronological) and collective bargaining agreements constitute the bulk of the collection. Several Midwest Region local unions are represented in the records: 5, 18, 59, 76, 100, 191, 240, 261, 272, 303, 326, 336, 337, 355, 373, 395, 436, 442, 455, 488, 505, 527.

Creator:

International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union

Quanitities:

3.83 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.

Biographical / Historical

From its earliest years, the ILGWU was involved in organizing women's garment workers in Chicago, and efforts to gain members in the city and throughout the Midwest continued throughout the union's existence. The Midwest Region represented workers in Chicago and much of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.

Morris Bialis was the ILGWU's longtime representative in the Midwest, Manager of the Chicago Joint Board, and the Midwest Region Director from 1922 to 1976. Harold Schwartz served as regional director from 1976 to 1978. Schwartz was succeeded by Lou Montenegro, who held the post until his retirement in 1990. Stanley Gross was Midwest Region Director at the time of the ILGWU's merger with ACTWU in 1995.

The majority of the collection is composed of material that is of a political nature. The contents help to illustrate the role of politics within the ILGWU at the regional level. Much of the collection is organized by individuals, mainly Congressional candidates for House Districts and Senate seats within the locals of states from the Midwest Region, such as Michigan, Indiana, and particularly Illinois. The majority of the material includes campaign letters and correspondence from Congressional candidates as they reached out for support from labor within their districts. Often, the communication involves the political education directors, Evelyn Dubrow, executive secretary of the Political Department for the ILGWU, and Frank Klein of the Political Department for the ILGWU Midwest Region. Some of the subjects and topics contained in the records is material from the Governor campaign for Illinois; correspondence with Congressmen who opposed NAFTA; ILGWU funded campaigns; clippings from races in key legislative districts; mayors; fundraiser dinners and events; campaign contributions from the union; and correspondence regarding election results or legislation passed. Beyond regional and local political matters, information can also be found on a national level, including presidential campaigns.

Another component of the collection encompasses memos and letters that originated from the office of the Midwest Region Director, Stanley Gross. The remainder of the collection consists of collective bargaining agreements between locals and various garment shops and apparel companies, often for different years. Locals from the Midwest included in agreements are: 76, 261, 272, 120, 337, 382, 449, 455, 471, 499, 517, 336-K, 343, 488, 314, 186, 468, 543, 459, 529, 551, 443, and 317. Additionally, there are local handbooks and by-laws, as well as informational pamphlets.

The collection also contains oversize material of original charters for the following locals:

81 Cloak and Suit Cutters Union of Chicago, 1911

18 Chicago Cloak and Suit Pressers Union, 1914

59 Cloak, Suit and Dress Finishers' Union (Chicago), 1920

261 Blouse, Skirt, Pajamas and Bathrobe Workers' Union (Chicago), 1936

436 De Kalb IL 1946

240 Aurora IL, 1936

76 White Goods Workers of Chicago, 1933

Chicago Joint Board consisting of locals 5, 18, 59, 81, 100 on 1961

5 Cloakmakers Union of Chicago, 1909

Midwest District Council composed of locals 76, 261, 191, 240, 303, 336, 372, 436, 529, 272, 505, 5, 81, 100, 326, 337, 355, 395, 442, 455, 488 on 1980

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

ILGWU Mid-West Region Records #5780/101. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.

Related Materials

SUBJECTS

Names:

International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. -- Midwest Region.

Subjects:

Women's clothing industry -- United States.

Clothing workers -- Labor unions -- United States.

Clothing workers -- United States

Industrial relations -- United States

CONTAINER LIST

Container		Description	Date
Box 1	Folder 1	Bob Anderson for Congress: 11th Congressional District	1986
Box 1	Folder 2	Clem Balanoff	1994
Box 1	Folder 3	Thomas Barret	1993
Box 1	Folder 4	Evan Bayh	1992
Box 1	Folder 5	Peter Barca	1993
Box 1	Folder 6	Rod Blagojevich	1995
Box 1	Folder 7	David Bonior	1992
Box 1	Folder 8	John F. Boyd	1981
Box 1	Folder 9	Braun	1995
Box 1	Folder 10	Carol Mosley Braun	1993
Box 1	Folder 11	Jerry Brown Camp	1995
Box 1	Folder 12	Senator Terry Bruce	1986
Box 1	Folder 13	Roland Burris	1989
Box 1	Folder 14	Roland Burris	1987
Box 1	Folder 15	Mayor Jane Byrne	1995
Box 1	Folder 16	Honorable David E. Clarenbach	1992
Box 1	Folder 17	Cardiss Collins	1994
Box 1	Folder 18	Carr for Congress	1980
Box 1	Folder 19	Clinton	1992
Box 1	Folder 20	Jimmy Carter	1980
Box 1	Folder 21	John J. Cullerton	1994
Box 1	Folder 22	Richard M. Daley	1989
Box 1	Folder 23	Danny K. Davis	1996
Box 1	Folder 24	Torch Light Parade	1989
Box 1	Folder 25	Miguel Del Valle	1996
Box 1	Folder 26	Vince Demuzio Committee	1989
Box 1	Folder 27	Alan Dixon	1987
Box 1	Folder 28	Robert J. Dole: U.S. Senate	1982
		Scope and Contents June 7, 1982
Box 1	Folder 29	Durbin Congress: Democrat	1995
Box 1	Folder 30	Jim Edgar: Secretary of State	1994
Box 1	Folder 31	Jim Edgar	1985
Box 1	Folder 32	Lane Evans	1990-1992
Box 1	Folder 33	Tim Evans	1988
Box 1	Folder 34	Honorable William A. Ford	1992-1993
Box 1	Folder 35	John Fray	1981
Box 1	Folder 36	Feingold, Russell	1992-1993
Box 1	Folder 37	Fithian For U.S. Senate	1982-1992
Box 1	Folder 38	Russ Feingold	1992-1995
Box 1	Folder 39	Flanagan, Rep. Michael	1995
Box 1	Folder 40	Friends of Labor Decatur	1995
Box 1	Folder 41	Jesus Garcia	1986-1996
Box 1	Folder 42	Jesus Garcia	1992
Box 1	Folder 43	Senator Charles Grassley	1996
		Scope and Contents August 8, 1996
Box 1	Folder 44	Ken Gray	1986
		Scope and Contents October 1, 1986
Box 1	Folder 45	Senator John Glenn	1983
Box 1	Folder 46	Luis Gutierrez	1992-1995
Box 1	Folder 47	Luis Gutierrez	1992-1994
Box 1	Folder 48	Tom Hecht	1994
		Scope and Contents July 21, 1994
Box 1	Folder 49	Adeline J. Geo-Karis: Illinois State Senate	1982
		Scope and Contents July 12, 1982
Box 1	Folder 50	Mike Harmless	1994
Box 1	Folder 51	Charles Hayes	1984-1992
Box 1	Folder 52	Neil Hartigan: Attorney/General/Illinois	1988-1995
Box 1	Folder 53	Charles Hartke	1989
Box 1	Folder 54	Congressman Henry Hyde	1996
		Scope and Contents August 8, 1996
Box 1	Folder 55	Hogsett for Senate	1992
Box 1	Folder 56	Honorable Joseph Hogsett: Hoosiers for Hogsett	1992
		Scope and Contents April 27, 1992
Box 1	Folder 57	Jesse Jackson	1988-1989
Box 1	Folder 58	Aaron Jaffe	1982
Box 2	Folder 1	Jones, Jr. Emil: Senate Minority Leader	1993-1995
Box 2	Folder 2	Nancy Kaszak	1992-1996
Box 2	Folder 3	Mary Lou Kearns for Congress 1986	1986
Box 2	Folder 4	Edmund Kelly	1986
		Scope and Contents June 18, 1986
Box 2	Folder 5	Kildee Congressman	1980
Box 2	Folder 6	Senator Herb Kohl	1996
		Scope and Contents August 8, 1996
Box 2	Folder 7	Jerry Kleczka	1994-1996
Box 2	Folder 8	Kohl, Herb	1994
		Scope and Contents January 27, 1994
Box 2	Folder 9	Robert T. Krska: State Representative	1982
		Scope and Contents May 7, 1982
Box 2	Folder 10	Edward Kennedy	1987
		Scope and Contents October 28, 1987
Box 2	Folder 11	Alan Lanning	1980
		Scope and Contents September 16, 1980
Box 2	Folder 12	Gary Lapaille	1991
		Scope and Contents April 16, 1991
Box 2	Folder 13	Lautenschlager, Peg	1992
		Scope and Contents September 9, 1992
Box 2	Folder 14	Ellis Levin	1980-1992
Box 2	Folder 15	Tom Lindley for Congress	1983-1984
Box 2	Folder 16	Lipinski for Congress	1982-1995
Box 2	Folder 17	Lombard Improvement Party	1993
Box 2	Folder 18	Illinois AFL-CIO: State's Legislative Elections	1996
		Scope and Contents August 13, 1996
Box 2	Folder 19	Michael J. Madigan	1982-1996
Box 2	Folder 20	Michael Madigan	1992-1994
Box 2	Folder 21	Lou Montenegro: Memo's To	1987
		Scope and Contents Spanish
Box 2	Folder 22	Martin, Lynn	1992
		Scope and Contents October 19, 1992
Box 2	Folder 23	John Matigevich	1982-1988
Box 2	Folder 24	Committee to Elect Ben Martinez	1990
Box 2	Folder 25	Congressman John Conyers	1996
		Scope and Contents August 8, 1996
Box 2	Folder 26	McCloskey for Congress	1982
		Scope and Contents November 9, 1982
Box 2	Folder 27	Jim McPike	1982-1983
Box 2	Folder 28	Jim McPike	1982
Box 2	Folder 29	Abner J. Mikva	1977-1978
Box 2	Folder 30	Mondale for President Campaign	1983-1984
Box 2	Folder 31	Walter Mondale Campaign '1984'	1984
Box 2	Folder 32	Labor Rally for Mondale	1984
Box 2	Folder 33	Munoz, Ricardo	1993-1996
Box 2	Folder 34	Dave Nagle	1986
Box 2	Folder 35	David Orr	1994
		Scope and Contents October 5, 1994
Box 2	Folder 36	Alderman David Orr	1987-1994
Box 2	Folder 37	Alice Palmer	1995
Box 2	Folder 38	O'Malley, Jack	1993-1994
Box 2	Folder 39	Cecil Partee	1990
Box 2	Folder 40	Charles Percy	1978-1984
Box 2	Folder 41	Charles Percy	1982
Box 2	Folder 42	Perot	1992
Box 2	Folder 43	Phelan, Richard	1993
Box 2	Folder 44	Robert Platner	1980
Box 2	Folder 45	Mayor John Porcelli	1984
		Scope and Contents June 26, 1984
Box 2	Folder 46	Porter, John: Rep.	1993-1994
Box 2	Folder 47	Roman Pucinski	1980-1983
Box 2	Folder 48	Glenn Poshard	1987
Box 2	Folder 49	Aurelia Pucinski	1984-1992
Box 2	Folder 50	Aurelia Pucinski	1992-1993
Box 2	Folder 51	Patrick Quinn	1984-1996
Box 2	Folder 52	Dan Rostenkowski	1992-1994
Box 2	Folder 53	Reynolds, Mel	1993
Box 2	Folder 54	President Ronald Reagan	1980
Box 2	Folder 55	Donald Riegle	1982-1984
Box 2	Folder 56	David Robinson	1980
Box 2	Folder 57	Phil Rock	1983-1988
Box 2	Folder 58	Alfred Ronan	1986-1989
Box 2	Folder 59	Edward J. Roswell	1981-1982
Box 2	Folder 60	Dan Rostenkowski	1980-1993
Box 2	Folder 61	Bobby Rush	1992-1993
Box 2	Folder 62	Marty Russo	1992
		Scope and Contents March 2, 1992
Box 2	Folder 63	Marty Russo	1992
Box 2	Folder 64	George Ryan	1981
		Scope and Contents May 15, 1981
Box 2	Folder 65	George E. Sangemeister for Congress Committee	1992
		Scope and Contents October 14, 1992
Box 2	Folder 66	Gus Savage: Member of Congress	1982-1989
Box 2	Folder 67	Jan Schakowsky	1986-1995
Box 2	Folder 68	Shiller, Helen	1995
		Scope and Contents January 20, 1995
Box 2	Folder 69	Stephen Schiller	1980
Box 2	Folder 70	Shaw, William	1994
		Scope and Contents January 4, 1994
Box 2	Folder 71	Sonia Silva	1996
Box 2	Folder 72	Paul Simon	1983-1993
Box 2	Folder 73	Seymour Simon for Justice Committee	1980-1981
Box 2	Folder 74	Margaret Smith	1983
		Scope and Contents May 12, 1983
Box 2	Folder 75	Citizens for Jeff Smith	1988
Box 2	Folder 76	11th Ward	1990
		Scope and Contents January 22, 1990
Box 2	Folder 77	Paul Simon: U.S. Senate	1983-1996
Box 2	Folder 78	Paul Simon: Women's Committee	1983-1984
Box 2	Folder 79	Jeff Smith	1987-1988
Box 2	Folder 80	Juan Soliz	1982-1984
Box 2	Folder 81	Juan Soliz	1986
Box 2	Folder 82	Lydia Spotswood for Congress (Wisconsin State AFL-CIO)	1996
Box 2	Folder 83	Penny Severns	1989-1994
Box 2	Folder 84	Aldai E. Stevenson	1982-1987
Box 3	Folder 1	January 1993, Memos	1993
Box 3	Folder 2	February 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 3	March 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 4	April 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 5	May, 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 6	June, 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 7	June, 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 8	August, 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 9	September, 1993: Letters	1993
Box 3	Folder 10	October, 1993: Memos	1993
Box 3	Folder 11	November, 1993: Memos	1993
Box 3	Folder 12	December 1993: Memos	1993
Box 3	Folder 13	January, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 14	February 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 15	March, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 16	April, 1994: Memos	1994
Box 3	Folder 17	May, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 18	June, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 19	July, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 20	August, 1994: Letters	1994
Box 3	Folder 21	Yates for Congress Committee	1982-1990
Box 3	Folder 22	Wolpe for Congress	1980
Box 3	Folder 23	Jesse White	1983
		Scope and Contents April 6, 1983
Box 3	Folder 24	Patrick Welch	1992
		Scope and Contents August 28, 1992
Box 3	Folder 25	Weinberger for Congress	1979-1980
Box 3	Folder 26	Harold Washington	1984-1987
Box 3	Folder 27	Harold Washington - Rally for Justice	1982
Box 3	Folder 28	Mayor Sawyer	1989
Box 3	Folder 29	Visclosky, Peter	1993-1996
Box 3	Folder 30	37th Ward Regular Democrat Organization	1985
Box 3	Folder 31	James R. Thompson	1984-1989
Box 3	Folder 32	Information on 1986 Cope Gubernatorial Endorsement	1986
Box 3	Folder 33	James Thompson	1978-1988
Box 3	Folder 34	Honorable Bart Stupak's	1992
		Scope and Contents October 30, 1992
Box 3	Folder 35	Stupak, Bart	1992
Box 3	Folder 36	John Stroger	1993-1994
Box 3	Folder 37	G. Douglas Stephens	1982
Box 3	Folder 38	Eugene Sawyer	1988-1989
Box 3	Folder 39	Mayor Washington	1983-1992
Box 3	Folder 40	Mayor Washington	1983-1987
Box 3	Folder 41	Aldai Stevenson	1982
Box 3	Folder 42	Aldai Stevenson	1978-1982
Box 3	Folder 43	Aldai Stevenson	1982-1986
Box 3	Folder 44	Aldai Stevenson	1978-1982
Box 3	Folder 45	Aldai Stevenson	1981-1982
Box 3	Folder 46	ILGWU: Sing-A-Long	1977
Box 3	Folder 47	AFL-CIO Songbook	1972
Box 3	Folder 48	Agreement Between Garment Industries of Illinois and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1970
Box 3	Folder 49	Agreement Between Herrin Division of Dresseteria, Inc. and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1973
Box 3	Folder 50	Agreement Between K Mart Apparel Service of Des Plaines Corp. and The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1985
Box 3	Folder 51	Agreement Between Monmouth Division of Prattville Apparel Co., Inc. and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1976-1979
Box 3	Folder 52	Agreement Between the Garment Industries of Illinois and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1976-1979
Box 3	Folder 53	Contract of Local Number 488 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Box 3	Folder 54	Agreement Between Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital and Hospital Employees Labor Program of Metropolitan Chicago	1967-1970
Box 3	Folder 55	Agreement Between Lincoln Division of Prattville Apparel Co., Inc. and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1976-1979
Box 3	Folder 56	Agreement Between Johnnye Manufacturing Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1976-1979
Box 3	Folder 57	Agreement Between Salem Manufacturing Company and The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1978
Box 3	Folder 58	Agreement Between Fairfield Garment Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1970
Box 3	Folder 59	Agreement Between Eldorado Apparel Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1979
Box 4	Folder 1	Dressmakers' Union Handbook for Price Settlements
Box 4	Folder 2	By-Laws of Local Union
Box 4	Folder 3	Agreement Between Garment Industries of Illinois and Midwest Region Great Lakes States District Council No. 1	1979-1982
Box 4	Folder 4	Collective Bargaining Agreement Between K Mart Apparel Service of Des Plaines Corp. and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Box 4	Folder 5	Agreement Between Chicago Trading Corp. and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1976
Box 4	Folder 6	Agreement by and Between Mattoon Garment Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1958
Box 4	Folder 7	Agreement Between R. & M. Kaufmann, Inc. and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1964
Box 4	Folder 8	Agreement Between Joan-Claire, Inc. and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1960
Box 4	Folder 9	Agreement Between Mt. Carmel Apparel Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1970
Box 4	Folder 10	Agreement and Wage Schedule Between Mt. Carmel Garment Co., and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1965
Box 4	Folder 11	Agreement Between Mt. Carmel Apparel Company and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1979
Box 4	Folder 12	Agreement Between the Wolverine Knitting Mills, Inc. and International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union	1981-1983
Box 4	Folder 13	How to Run a Union Meeting	1987
Box 4	Folder 14	What Can You Do About Problems at Work?
		Scope and Contents Spanish
Box 4	Folder 15	What is the Labor School?
		Scope and Contents Spanish
Box 4	Folder 16	Working People are Winning Jobs with Justice	1994
Box 4	Folder 17	District Counsel Meeting Minutes	1984-1995
Box 4	Folder 18	Agreements of the Join Board Cloakmakers' Union with Industrial Council, Merchants' Association, American Association, Infants' and Childrens' Coat Association	1937-1970
Box 4	Folder 19	Directory of Massachusetts Legislators	1995-1996
Box 4	Folder 20	Unite in Massachusetts: Political Action Manual	1995
Box 5	Folder 1	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union Certificates	1911-1946
Box 5	Folder 2	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Local No. 240 Certificate	1936
Box 5	Folder 3	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Local Union No. 76 Certificate	1933
Box 5	Folder 4	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Local Union Numbers 5, 18, 59, 81, 100 Certificate	1961
		Scope and Contents January 13, 1961
Box 5	Folder 5	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Local Union No. 5 Certificate	1909
		Scope and Contents December 20, 1909
Box 5	Folder 6	International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Local Union Numbers; 76, 261, 191, 240, 303, 336, 372, 436, 527, 272, 505, 5, 81, 100, 326, 337, 355, 395, 442, 455 and 488 Certificate	1980
		Scope and Contents March 3, 1980

Contents

ILGWU Mid-West Region Records, 1909-1996 Collection Number: 5780/101

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

ILGWU Mid-West Region Records, 1909-1996
Collection Number: 5780/101

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