ILGWU Western Massachusetts District Records, 1937-1972
Collection Number: 5780/120
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
ILGWU Western Massachusetts District Records, 1937-1972
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5780/120
Abstract:
The collection contains records of the Western Massachusetts District Council primarily
documenting its financial transactions, including records of state and federal tax
payments, documentation of investments, fundraising for its Campaign Committee, and
benefits paid from the Northeast Department Health and Welfare Fund. A smaller portion
of the Western District Council records is correspondence on other matters.
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Quanitities:
4 cubic feet
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 Western Massachusetts District Council began as part of the Northeast Department
of the ILGWU. In 1976, the Western Massachusetts District Council became part of the
newly-formed New England Region, along with other affiliates in Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Within a couple of years, the Western Massachusetts
District Council became the Western Massachusetts-Vermont District Council. In 1993,
the Western Massachusetts-Vermont District Council merged with the Northern New England
District Council (NNEDC); at the time of the ILGWU's merger with ACTWU in 1995, the
NNEDC and the Boston Joint Board merged to become the Northern New England-Boston
Joint Board District Council.
Jack Albano was the ILGWU representative in the district from the 1940s until 1977.
Paul Winslow succeeded him as manager, serving in that role from 1977 to 1984. From
1984 to 1994, Richard Rumelt was regional manager. Following Rumelt, Warren Pepicelli,
manager of the Boston Joint Board, led the Northern New England-Boston Joint Board
District Council through the ILGWU's merger with ACTWU, and subsequently managed the
regional affiliate of UNITE and UNITE-HERE.
The collection contains two distinct types of records interwoven through the boxes;
administrative documents and correspondence. The administrative paperwork details
the daily functions and activities of the Western Massachusetts District Council.
There are numerous government documents, such as federal and state tax forms and information
reports to the U.S. Department of Labor. Financial transactions are also documented
and other monetary matters such as the investments and values for various accounts
in Western MA banks. Much information is available for the various health coverage
plans, including correspondence and administrative paperwork for the Health Center
in Boston; documents for the Staff and Retiree Drug Plans under the ILGWU Health Services
Plan; reports of collections and payouts, correspondence, audit reports, and general
administration for the Northeast Dept. Health and Welfare Fund; correspondence, reports
and transactions for Blue Cross; and correspondence and claims for the Death Benefit
Fund.
A second component of the collection consists of correspondence files of individuals
including: Mitchell Yager, office manager of the Finance Dept.; Gus Tyler, director
of the Education Dept. and administrator of the ILGWU Scholarship Fund; Alfred T.
Gustin, controller of the Northeast Dept;, Morris Glushien, general counsel for the
ILGWU; Siemon Hamburger, general auditor for the ILGWU; Jack Halpern, field supervisor
of the Northeast Dept.; Adolph Held, director of the Welfare and Health Benefits Dept.;
Arthur Levine, administrative assistant of the Northeast Dept.; Hugh Maloney, supervisor
of the Health and Welfare Fund of the Northeast Dept.; Jack Albano, who held numerous
positions, including district manager of Organizing for the Northeast Dept., supervisor
for New England and Upstate New York, manager of Local 226, and district manager of
the Northeast Dept.; Alexander Bookstaver, controller for the ILGWU; and Louis Brass,
general auditor for the ILGWU.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
ILGWU Western Massachusetts District Records #5780/120. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. -- Western Massachusetts District.
Subjects:
Women's clothing industry -- United States.
Women's clothing industry -- Massachusetts.
Clothing workers -- Labor unions -- United States.
Clothing workers --Labor unions -- Massachusetts.
Clothing workers -- United States
Clothing workers -- Massachusetts.
Industrial relations -- United States
Industrial relations -- Massachusetts.
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Mark Star: Educational Director
|
1937-1939 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Taxes Federal [folder 1 of 3]
|
1938-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Taxes Federal [folder 2 of 3]
|
1938-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Taxes Federal [folder 2 of 3]
|
1938-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
U.S. Department of Labor
|
1960 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
University of Massachusetts
|
1958 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
Mitchell Yager
|
1958-1963 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 |
Tax: City of Springfield
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 |
Gus Tyler
|
1958-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 |
Union Label
|
1960-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 |
Death Benefit Fund Reports
|
1965-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 |
Boys' Towns of Italy Scrapbook
|
1958-1960 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 |
Ford
|
1967-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 |
Four Freedoms Hotel
|
1962 |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 |
Furniture and Equipment Lists
|
1956-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 |
Alfred Gustin, Controller
|
1969-1971 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 |
Alfred T. Gustin [folder 1 of 2]
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 |
Alfred T. Gustin [folder 2 of 2]
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 |
Morris P. Glushein
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 |
Herman Groobert
|
1965-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 |
Siemon L. Hamburger
|
1958-1960 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 |
Jack Halpern
|
1958-1962 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 |
Adolph Held
|
1958-1961 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 |
Health Center: Boston [folder 1 of 3]
|
1943-1963 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 |
Health Center: Boston [folder 2 of 3]
|
1943-1963 |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 |
Health Center: Boston [folder 3 of 3]
|
1943-1963 |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 |
Drug Card Correspondence [folder 1 of 2]
|
1969-1972 |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 |
Drug Card Correspondence [folder 2 of 2]
|
1969-1972 |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 |
Insurance
|
1961-1969 |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 |
Western Massachusetts Investments [folder 1 of 2]
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 |
Western Massachusetts Investments [folder 2 of 2]
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 |
Northeast Investment Interest
|
1962-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 33 |
Health Services Identification Card Numbers
|
1969 |
| Box 1 | Folder 34 |
Arthur Levine
|
1963-1968 |
| Box 1 | Folder 35 |
James Lipsig
|
1958-1963 |
| Box 1 | Folder 36 |
Paul Litano
|
1962 |
| Box 1 | Folder 37 |
Harry Lopatin
|
1958-1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 38 |
Local 75
|
1958-1960 |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Northeast Department H and W Fund Account #1
|
1959-1963 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 |
Tax: Commonwealth of Massachusetts [folder 1 of 2]
|
1943-1968 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 |
Tax: Commonwealth of Massachusetts [folder 2 of 2]
|
1943-1968 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Taxes: State
|
1959-1968 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Mark Starr Correspondence
|
1941-1959 |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 |
Henry M. Clark: Realtor
|
1940-1947 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 |
Hugh Maloney
|
1962-1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 |
Massachusetts Department of Labor & Industries
|
1960-1968 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 |
Massachusetts State Labor Council
|
1959-1960 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 |
Machine Maintenance
|
1961-1969 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 |
Miscellaneous A-L
|
1958-1963 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 |
S (misc.)
|
1964-1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 |
Miscellaneous Correspondence
|
1964-1968 |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 |
Miscellaneous M-Z
|
1958-1963 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 |
H and W Fund
|
1964-1966 |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 |
Northeast Department H and W Fund Account #2
|
1959-1963 |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 |
Northeast Department H and W Fund Account #2 [folder 1 of 3]
|
1967-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 |
Northeast Department H and W Fund Account #2 [folder 2 of 3]
|
1967-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 |
Northeast Department H and W Fund Account #2 [folder 3 of 3]
|
1967-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 |
NCR Machine Reports
|
1966-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 |
H and W Audit Reports
|
1970-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 |
Northeast H and W Administration [folder 1 of 2]
|
1964-1972 |
| Box 2 | Folder 23 |
Northeast H and W Administration [folder 2 of 2]
|
1964-1972 |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 |
Statement of Receipts and Disbursements
|
1945 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 |
ILGWU Dues Schedule
|
1942 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 |
Affairs
|
1961-1969 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 |
John F. Albano, Supervisor Organizing N.E. and Upstate NY [folder 1 of 3]
|
1964-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 |
John F. Albano, Supervisor Organizing N.E. and Upstate NY [folder 2 of 3]
|
1964-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 |
John F. Albano, Supervisor Organizing N.E. and Upstate NY [folder 3 of 3]
|
1964-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 |
Grant, Angoff, Goldman & Manning
|
1958-1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 |
Audit Communications
|
1955-1958 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 |
Berkshire Coat Factory
|
1971 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 |
Blue Cross Local Office
|
1971-1972 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 |
Local Blue Cross Transactions
|
1970-1971 |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 |
Bank Information
|
1956-1965 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 |
Edward Boland, Congressman
|
1962-1964 |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 |
Blue Cross - Blue Shield [folder 1 of 2]
|
1954-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 |
Blue Cross - Blue Shield [folder 2 of 2]
|
1954-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 |
Alexander Bookstaver, Controller
|
1957-1960 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 |
Louis Brass [folder 1 of 3]
|
1963-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 |
Louis Brass [folder 2 of 3]
|
1963-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 |
Louis Brass [folder 3 of 3]
|
1963-1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 |
Campaign Committee [folder 1 of 2]
|
1963-1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 |
Campaign Committee [folder 2 of 2]
|
1963-1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 |
Campaign Committee
|
1969-1971 |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 |
Campaign Committee
|
1972 |
| Box 3 | Folder 24 |
Lease Information: 69 Stockbridge Street Property
|
1959 |
| Box 3 | Folder 25 |
Census & Survey [folder 1 of 2]
|
1953-1967 |
| Box 3 | Folder 26 |
Census & Survey [folder 2 of 2]
|
1953-1967 |
| Box 3 | Folder 27 |
Christmas Party Lists and Gifts
|
1960-1970 |
| Box 4 | Folder 1 |
Constitutional Amendments and Rules
|
1953-1959 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 |
Contract Renewal Information
|
1965-1970 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 |
Conventions
|
1967-1968 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 |
Countess York
|
1961 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 |
Death Benefit Fund [folder 1 of 2]
|
1959-1968 |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 |
Death Benefit Fund [folder 2 of 2]
|
1959-1968 |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 |
District & Executive Council Lists [folder 1 of 2]
|
1951-1970 |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 |
District & Executive Council Lists [folder 2 of 2]
|
1951-1970 |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 |
Donations [folder 1 of 2]
|
1963-1969 |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 |
Donations [folder 2 of 2]
|
1963-1969 |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 |
Wilbur Daniels
|
1958 |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 |
Death Benefit Fund
|
1968-1970 |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 |
Paul W. Deegan
|
1960-1963 |
| Box 4 | Folder 14 |
Disability Membership
|
1959-1960 |
| Box 4 | Folder 15 |
Donations [folder 1 of 2]
|
1963-1966 |
| Box 4 | Folder 16 |
Donations [folder 2 of 2]
|
1963-1966 |
| Box 4 | Folder 17 |
Arnold Dubin
|
1961 |
| Box 4 | Folder 18 |
David Dubinsky
|
1958-1965 |
| Box 4 | Folder 19 |
Evelyn Dubrow
|
1965 |