Lovestone, Jay. Interview by E. Finn.
Collection Number: 6036/023
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
Lovestone, Jay. Interview by E. Finn.,
1978-1978
Collection Number:
6036/023
Creator:
Finn, E.
Lovestone, Jay
Quantity:
0.33 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Oral history.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives,
Cornell University Library
Abstract:
The collection consists of an oral history interview with Jay
Lovestone regarding the trade union movement in developing countries.
Language:
Collection material in English
Founded in 1900 by local union delegates representing about 2,000 members in cities in the
northeastern United States, the ILGWU grew in geographical scope, membership size, 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. In
1995, the ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) to form
the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE).
Jay Lovestone was born on December 24, 1898 in Lithuania, which was then a part of Russia. His
father obtained a job in a New York synagogue and Lovestone came with his family to the U.S. at
the age of 9. He graduated from City College in 1918 and soon found himself involved in the
Socialist and Communist movements. Lovestone became a founding member of the American Communist
Party in 1919, and became editor of the Communist Party publication "The Communist" in 1921.
Lovestone led the party from 1927 until his expulsion in 1929. Lovestone and his followers
formed the Communist Party of the United States, later the Independent Labor League of America,
but more commonly known as the "Lovestonites," which disbanded in 1940. In 1943, Lovestone was
appointed the founding director of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' (ILGWU)
International Affairs Department. He went on to serve as Secretary of the Free Trade Union
Committee, director of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and director of the
AFL-CIO's Department of International Affairs, serving from 1963 until his retirement in 1974.
Lovestone died on March 7, 1990 at the age of 91.
The collection contains the written transcript as well the audio recording on a cassette tape
of an oral history with Jay Lovestone. The interview with Lovestone took place in New York on
August 30, 1978 and was conducted by E. Finn. In the interview, Lovestone the discussion centers
on international relations within the labor and trade union movement, especially as it relates
to developing countries. Topics include Lovestone's insights on the role of Great Britain and
the trade union movement in African countries, the British Trade Union Congress (TUC), and his
work relating to, trade unionism in Africa and Latin America.
Names:
Finn, E.
Lovestone, Jay.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union --
Archives.
Form and Genre Terms:
Interviews.
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:
Lovestone, Jay. Interview by E. Finn. #6036/023. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections:
5780: ILGWU records
5780/014: ILGWU. Local 22. Charles Zimmerman papers
5780/062: ILGWU. International Relations Department records
6036/028: Lovestone, Jay.
5780: ILGWU records
5780/014: ILGWU. Local 22. Charles Zimmerman papers
5780/062: ILGWU. International Relations Department records
6036/028: Lovestone, Jay.
Container
|
Description
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Date
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Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1978 | |
Interviewed by E. Finn on August 30, 1978. 64 pages.
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Box 1 | Folder 2 | 1978 | |
Interviewed by E. Finn on August 30, 1978. Audio cassette tape.
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