ILGWU Company Files
Collection Number: 5780/205
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
ILGWU Company Files, 1971-1995
Collection Number:
5780/205
Creator:
International Ladies' Garment
Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Quantity:
2.5 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Records (documents).
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Contains Dun and Bradstreet Report on companies, reports on
the companies' activities with non-ILGWU firms, memoranda on companies and efforts
to organize workers therein, as well as some authorization cards.
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 ILGWU established the Department of Organization and Field Services in 1980. The
department was responsible for, among other things, the coordination and survey of
organizing activities, coordination and administration of information services
including computer utilization, and the administration of all OSHA-related matters.
It also coordinated the identification and implementation of new services.
As the ILGWU's central office for organizing, the Department of Organization and
Field Services worked with affiliates of the international (e.g., local unions,
district councils, and regional departments) in dealing with issues in their
locations. In addition to working with union affiliates, the department also worked
on legal and legislative fronts to ensure safe conditions for garment workers.
Insofar as the department conducted surveys and gathered information, its work
resembled that of the Research Department, and insofar as it supported pro-labor
legislative efforts. To make clear the primary purpose of the Department of
Organization and Field Services, the Report and Proceedings from the 1983 ILGWU
Convention noted that, "The central concern is organization, and from this has
stemmed the other broad activities which require skills, knowledge and information
to be successful."
Taken together, the two collections comprising the records of the Department of
Organization and Field Services provide a general sense of the work of the
department, though they are not physically extensive. Organizing efforts by
affiliate organizations of the ILGWU, and on which department staff assisted, may be
documented in that affiliate's records or elsewhere in the ILGWU records.
Arranged alphabetically, these records (5780/144) include correspondence, memoranda,
reports, printed material created or collected by the Organizing and Field Services
Department, and other material relating to its activities dating from between 1961
and 1989. In addition to documenting routine operations of the department, these
records also include documentation of efforts to roll back imports, including
reports on congressional visits on a resolution on the subject. Also included are
monthly reports on organizing activities from joint boards and regional departments,
as well as periodic reports submitted by local unions', joint boards', and regional
departments' organizing departments to the central organizing department; these
reports include names of organizers and shops organized, and descriptions of
current, future, and abandoned campaigns that were to be included in the Organizing
Department's reports to the General Executive Board.
The ILGWU's company files (5780/205) contain Dun and Bradstreet Report on companies,
reports on the companies' activities with non-ILGWU firms, memoranda on companies
and efforts to organize workers therein, as well as some authorization cards.
Names:
Air Filters, Inc.
Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.
Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.
Research Dept.
Beldoch Industries
Bill Coat
Billy Jack for Her
Camden Tannery
Country Miss
Dexter Shoe
Expo, Inc.s
Franklin Mushroom Farms, Inc. (Williamantic,
Conn.)
Gem Knits, Inc.
Gianni Sportswear
Glamour Blouse
Her Majesty Industries
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
JA Knitting Mills
King Sales
Mousefeathers, Inc.
Royal Silk
Ruby International
Sawyer of Napa
Sawyer of Napa/Press
Smoler Brothers Wicker Park
Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile
Employees
UNITE HERE (Organization)
Winter Coat
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 Company Files #5780/205. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1988-1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | 1982-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | 1985 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | 1986 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | ||
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | 1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | 1985 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | 1986-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | 1983-1994 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | 1983-1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | 1981-1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | 1981-1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 33 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 34 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 35 | 1983-1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 36 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 37 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 38 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 39 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 40 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 41 | 1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 42 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 43 | 1987-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 44 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 45 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 46 | 1984-1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 47 | 1984-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 48 | 1981-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 49 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 50 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 51 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 52 | 1983-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 53 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 54 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 55 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 56 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 57 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 58 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 59 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 60 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 61 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 62 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 63 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 64 | 1988-1993 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 65 | 1990-1995 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 66 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 67 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 68 | 1975-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 69 | 1987-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 70 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 71 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 72 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 73 | 1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 74 | 1988 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 75 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 76 | 1976-1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 77 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 78 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 79 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 80 | 1991 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 81 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 82 | 1986-1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 83 | 1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 84 | 1986-1990 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 85 | 1987 | |
| Box 1 | Folder 86 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | 1988-1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | 1984-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | 1990-1992 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | 1987-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | 1987-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | 1971-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | 1987-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | 1986-1987 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 23 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 24 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 25 | 1986-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 26 | 1987-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 27 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 28 | ||
| Box 2 | Folder 29 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 30 | 1983-1993 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 31 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 32 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 33 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 34 | 1985 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 35 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 36 | 1990-1991 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 37 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 38 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 39 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 40 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 41 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 42 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 43 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 44 | 1990-1991 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 45 | 1983 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 46 | 1987-1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 47 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 48 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 49 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 50 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 51 | 1984-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 52 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 53 | 1983-1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 54 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 55 | 1990-1994 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 56 | 1989-1991 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 57 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 58 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 59 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 60 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 61 | 1987-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 62 | 1989 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 63 | 1988 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 64 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 65 | 1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 66 | 1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 67 | 1988-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 68 | 1985-1990 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 69 | 1987-1986 | |
| Box 2 | Folder 70 | 1987-1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | 1987-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | 1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | 1986 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | 1989-1991 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | 1987 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | 1988-1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | 1989-1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | 1989 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 | 1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 | 1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 24 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 25 | 1987-1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 26 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 27 | 1984 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 28 | 1988 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 29 | 1990 | |
| Box 3 | Folder 30 | 1983-1990 | |