ILGWU Mid-West Region Records
Collection Number: 5780/101
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
ILGWU Mid-West Region Records,
1909-1996
Collection Number:
5780/101
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment
Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Quantity:
3.8 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Records (documents).
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library
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.
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.
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
Names:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
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.
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 Mid-West Region Records #5780/101. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1986 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | 1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | 1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | 1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | 1981 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | 1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | 1986 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | 1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | 1980 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | 1980 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | 1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | 1996 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | 1996 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | 1982 | |
|
June 7, 1982
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | 1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | 1985 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | 1990-1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 33 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 34 | 1992-1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 35 | 1981 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 36 | 1992-1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 37 | 1982-1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 38 | 1992-1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 39 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 40 | 1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 41 | 1986-1996 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 42 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 43 | 1996 | |
|
August 8, 1996
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 44 | 1986 | |
|
October 1, 1986
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 45 | 1983 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 46 | 1992-1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 47 | 1992-1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 48 | 1994 | |
|
July 21, 1994
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 49 | 1982 | |
|
July 12, 1982
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 50 | 1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 51 | 1984-1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 52 | 1988-1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 53 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 54 | 1996 | |
|
August 8, 1996
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 55 | 1992 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 56 | 1992 | |
|
April 27, 1992
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 57 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 58 | 1982 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | 1993-1995 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | 1992-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | 1986 | |
|
June 18, 1986
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | 1980 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | 1996 | |
|
August 8, 1996
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | 1994-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | 1994 | |
|
January 27, 1994
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | 1982 | |
|
May 7, 1982
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | 1987 | |
|
October 28, 1987
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | 1980 | |
|
September 16, 1980
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | 1991 | |
|
April 16, 1991
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | 1992 | |
|
September 9, 1992
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | 1980-1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | 1983-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | 1982-1995 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | 1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | 1996 | |
|
August 13, 1996
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | 1982-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | 1992-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | 1987 | |
|
Spanish
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | 1992 | |
|
October 19, 1992
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 23 | 1982-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 24 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 25 | 1996 | |
|
August 8, 1996
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 26 | 1982 | |
|
November 9, 1982
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 27 | 1982-1983 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 28 | 1982 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 29 | 1977-1978 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 30 | 1983-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 31 | 1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 32 | 1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 33 | 1993-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 34 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 35 | 1994 | |
|
October 5, 1994
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 36 | 1987-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 37 | 1995 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 38 | 1993-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 39 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 40 | 1978-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 41 | 1982 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 42 | 1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 43 | 1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 44 | 1980 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 45 | 1984 | |
|
June 26, 1984
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 46 | 1993-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 47 | 1980-1983 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 48 | 1987 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 49 | 1984-1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 50 | 1992-1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 51 | 1984-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 52 | 1992-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 53 | 1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 54 | 1980 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 55 | 1982-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 56 | 1980 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 57 | 1983-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 58 | 1986-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 59 | 1981-1982 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 60 | 1980-1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 61 | 1992-1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 62 | 1992 | |
|
March 2, 1992
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 63 | 1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 64 | 1981 | |
|
May 15, 1981
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 65 | 1992 | |
|
October 14, 1992
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 66 | 1982-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 67 | 1986-1995 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 68 | 1995 | |
|
January 20, 1995
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 69 | 1980 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 70 | 1994 | |
|
January 4, 1994
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 71 | 1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 72 | 1983-1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 73 | 1980-1981 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 74 | 1983 | |
|
May 12, 1983
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 75 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 76 | 1990 | |
|
January 22, 1990
|
|||
| Box 2 | Folder 77 | 1983-1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 78 | 1983-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 79 | 1987-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 80 | 1982-1984 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 81 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 82 | 1996 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 83 | 1989-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 84 | 1982-1987 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | 1993 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | 1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 | 1982-1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 | 1980 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 | 1983 | |
|
April 6, 1983
|
|||
| Box 3 | Folder 24 | 1992 | |
|
August 28, 1992
|
|||
| Box 3 | Folder 25 | 1979-1980 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 26 | 1984-1987 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 27 | 1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 28 | 1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 29 | 1993-1996 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 30 | 1985 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 31 | 1984-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 32 | 1986 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 33 | 1978-1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 34 | 1992 | |
|
October 30, 1992
|
|||
| Box 3 | Folder 35 | 1992 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 36 | 1993-1994 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 37 | 1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 38 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 39 | 1983-1992 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 40 | 1983-1987 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 41 | 1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 42 | 1978-1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 43 | 1982-1986 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 44 | 1978-1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 45 | 1981-1982 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 46 | 1977 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 47 | 1972 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 48 | 1970 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 49 | 1973 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 50 | 1985 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 51 | 1976-1979 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 52 | 1976-1979 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 53 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 54 | 1967-1970 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 55 | 1976-1979 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 56 | 1976-1979 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 57 | 1978 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 58 | 1970 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 59 | 1979 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | ||
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | ||
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | 1979-1982 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | ||
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | 1976 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | 1958 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | 1964 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | 1960 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | 1970 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | 1965 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | 1979 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | 1981-1983 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | 1987 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 14 | ||
|
Spanish
|
|||
| Box 4 | Folder 15 | ||
|
Spanish
|
|||
| Box 4 | Folder 16 | 1994 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 17 | 1984-1995 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 18 | 1937-1970 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 19 | 1995-1996 | |
| Box 4 | Folder 20 | 1995 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | 1911-1946 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | 1936 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | 1933 | |
| Box 5 | Folder 4 | 1961 | |
|
January 13, 1961
|
|||
| Box 5 | Folder 5 | 1909 | |
|
December 20, 1909
|
|||
| Box 5 | Folder 6 | 1980 | |
|
March 3, 1980
|
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