Summary Information

Title: UE International Department Records
Collection Number: UE.11
Creator: United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.

Collection Dates: 1945-2003
Extent: 8.75 linear feet (7 boxes)

Language: English

Abstract:

The United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) developed its international department as a way for the union to address concerns associated with globalization. This record group contains correspondence, reports, publications, and clippings regarding the UE and United States’ involvement in international labor relations.

Publisher:

ULS Archives Service Center
University of Pittsburgh Library System
7500 Thomas Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
412-648-3232
archives-ref@mail.pitt.edu

Date Published:

June 2009

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Zachary Brodt.

History

The United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) created its international department as a way for the union to address concerns associated with globalization. Beginning in 1945, the World Federation of Trade Unions was developed as the first real attempt at international labor solidarity allowing the Congress of Industrial Organizations in the United States, of which the UE was a part, to connect with other unions in the Soviet Union, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As the Cold War set in, this group was split along ideological lines. Then in 1992, the UE developed the Strategic Organizing Alliance with Mexico's Frente Autentico del Trabajo, or Authentic Labor Front (FAT), in the pursuit of promoting international solidarity. Together, these organizations collaborate in educational and organizational efforts. In 1998 the UE joined the International Federation of Chemical, Energy and Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) which is a global secretariat of labor unions. Since then, the UE has formed alliances with other labor unions around the world.

Collection Scope and Content Notes

This record group contains correspondence, reports, publications, and clippings regarding the UE and United States’ involvement in international labor relations. Included is information on the World Federation of Trade Unions, as well international labor law and international solidarity work from the 1960s to the 1980s. Other files include records of a 1998 North American Free Trade Agreement National Administrative Office case between Echlin Inc. and several unions in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Echlin was alleged to have hired 170 people to hold workers at a plant near Mexico City hostage to prevent them from joining a real labor union. Records regarding a UE trip to the Soviet Union in 1977 and issues of Mexican Labor News are also present.

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged by topic.

Subject Terms

Topics

• Electric industry workers -- Labor unions -- United States -- History
• International labor activities
• Labor unions -- Canada
• Labor unions -- Mexico
• Labor unions -- United States -- History
• Labor unions and international relations

Corporate Names

• Commission for Labor Cooperation. Canadian National Administrative Office.
• Echlin Inc.
• Frente Auténtico del Trabajo (Mexico).
• NAFTA Secretariat.
• World Federation of Trade Unions.

Category

• Labor

Access and Use

Access Restrictions:

Records of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America are closed for a period of twenty-five years after their creation.

Acquisition Information:

Gift of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America on 1986, 1994, 1997, 2003, and 2004.

Preferred Citation:

UE International Department Records, 1945-2003, UE.11, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Processing Information:

This collection was processed by Zachary Brodt in April 2009.

Copyright:

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Collection Inventory

Box

1

World Federation of Trade Unions, 1945-1962

Box

2

World Federation of Trade Unions, 1963-1966

Box

2

Latin American Labor, 1957-1969

Box

3

Cross Boarder Mural Campaign, 1990s

Section: Mexican Labor News and Analysis, 1996-1999

Box

4

Mexican Labor News and Analysis, 2000-2003

Section: Foreign Correspondence and Research

Box

5-6

National Administrative Office v. Echlin, 1998

Box

7

Canadian National Administrative Office Pamphlets, 1998

Section: UE Trip to the Soviet Union, 1977