Guide to the UE Local 107 Records, 1933-1987 UE.16.107
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
UE Local 107 Records
Creator
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Local 107 (Essington, Pa.)
Collection Number
UE.16.107
Extent
35 Linear Feet(28 boxes)
Date
1933-1987
Abstract
Operating from 1936 to 1986 at the South Philadelphia Works of the Westinghouse Company in Lester, Pennsylvania and Essington, Pennsylvania, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 107 represented workers in collective bargaining and sought the adjustment of grievances originating in contract and shop floor disputes. The bulk of the materials date from 1942 to 1987 and include correspondence, meeting minutes, publications, grievances, legal files, newspaper clippings, and subject files.
Language
English
.
Author
Jaimie George and Zachary Brodt.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
History
Initially, workers at the Lester plant chartered Local 107 under the American Federation of Labor. In 1936, Local 107 withdrew from AFL and affiliated with the newly created Congress of Industrial Organization(CIO). In November, the Lester workers voted to join a group of independent locals in the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America(UE).
In 1946, Local 107 succeeded in obtaining a $1 per hour increase in wages after organizing a four month strike. During the strike, children joined their parents on the picket lines and the company countered by securing court injunctions against mass picketing.
In 1948, two members of Local 107 were labeled as a "poor security risk" by the Navy. Based upon these accusations, the Westinghouse Company forced the two men to take an unpaid leave of absence until they could be cleared of the charges. The local responded with a work stoppage which convinced the company to reinstate the workers.
Throughout the early 1950s, Local 107 was raided by several unions, but successfully maintained its position in the South Philadelphia Works. The International Union of Electrical Workers (IUE), Patternmakers Union, and the International Association of Machinists all competed with Local 107 to represent workers in the South Philadelphia area plants.
In 1954, despite a vigorous campaign by Local 107, Westinghouse Electric relocated its Aviation Gas Turbine Division from the South Philadelphia area to Kansas City. This loss was followed by another in 1955, when the company decided to cancel all agreements with the local and push for a 20 percent wage cut. The threatened wage cut brought about a strike that lasted 299 days. In the midst of the strike, 26 union officers and members chose to spend 19 days in jail, rather than pay $27,000 in fines.
In 1960, Local 107 dedicated a new union hall, and 1962 marked the first year of the annual retiree banquets. Nonetheless, the 1960s and 1970s proved to be rather turbulent decades. In 1966, the local supported two strikes and approximately eight walkouts. Another strike occurred in 1969. Beginning in August 1970, Local 107 went on a 146 day strike to obtain higher job rates. In July 1976, the union participated in a nation-wide strike that lasted five days.
In order to facilitate contract negotiations and secure better conditions, the UE, IUE, and IBEW began coordinating their negotiations. The increased leverage at the bargaining table did not stop subcontracting and runaway shops, and, in 1977, the local responded by filing a brief with the National Labor Relations Board(NLRB), which sought to stop the practice of subcontracting without prior notification. Notwithstanding these efforts, the Lester workforce continued to diminish, and in December 1986, the Lester plant finally closed. Local 107 continued to operate on a limited basis for an additional year to assist displaced workers and retirees.
Scope and Content Notes
This subgroup contains documents created or collected by UE Local 107 at Westinghouse plants in Lester and Essington, Pennsylvania, from 1933 to 1987. Included are materials concerning the function of the local, such as by-laws, financial records, publications, and minutes. Also present are records regarding work in the plant. These include grievances, job descriptions, and contracts between the local and Westinghouse. Newspaper clippings, correspondence, subject files, and legal files provide background on labor issues on the national and local levels. Photographs depict Local 107 members participating in lockouts, strikes, meetings, and other union events.
Arrangement
Series 16.107.1. Constitution and Bylaws, 1946-1985
Series 16.107.2. Contract Files, 1943-1986
Series 16.107.3. Correspondence, 1943-1987
Series 16.107.4. Financial Records, 1944-1980
Series 16.107.5. Grievances, 1942-1986
Series 16.107.6. Legal Files, 1942-1985
Series 16.107.7. Minutes, 1933-1986
Series 16.107.8. Newspaper Clippings, 1955-1971
Series 16.107.9. Publications, 1948-1985
Series 16.107.10. Rate Ranges and Job Descriptions, 1941-1986
Series 16.107.11. Subject Files, 1940-1986
Series 16.107.12. Photographs
Series 16.107.13. Oversize Materials
Access Restrictions
Access to the records of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America are closed for a period of twenty-five years after their creation. Access to individual legal case files and correspondence regarding discharges and discipline requires a signed confidentiality agreement.
Acquisition Information
Gift of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 107 in 1988.
Preferred Citation
UE Local 107 Records, 1933-1987, UE.16.107, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
UE Local 107 Records, 1933-1987, UE.16.107, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 107 Records, 1933-1987, UE:LOCAL107, Archives Service Center, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jaimie George in 2005 and the finding aid was revised by Zachary Brodt in August 2008.
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.
Related Material
UE National Office Records Relating to District 1 and District 1 Locals, 1936-1990s, UE.4.1.1, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
UE District 1 Records, 1950s-1986, UE.15.1, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
UE News Photograph Collection, 1933-1998, UE.14.1, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Subjects
Corporate Names
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America -- History
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Local 107 (Essington, Pa.)
Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Aviation Gas Turbine Division
Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Marine Division
Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Steam Division
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Personal Names
Glavin, Dennis
Price, James
Geographic Names
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Lester (Pa.)
Essington (Pa.)
Other Subjects
Electric industry workers -- Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- History
Labor
Labor unions -- Organizing -- United States
Labor unions -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Container List
Scope and Contents note
This series is separated into two groups: contract materials between Westinghouse Electric Company and Local 107, and supplemental agreements between Westinghouse Electric Company and other UE locals. The Local 107 files are arranged chronologically and contain major contract agreements, supplemental agreements, data collected for negotiations, and union proposals, which focus on issues such as wage increases, job rates, pensions and benefit plans.
Containers
box 1, folder 6-19
Containers
box 1, folder 20
Containers
box 2, folder 1
Containers
box 2, folder 2
Containers
box 2, folder 3
Containers
box 2, folder 4
Containers
box 2, folder 5
Containers
box 2, folder 6
Scope and Contents note
The correspondence files are arranged by correspondent or topic. Several files contain correspondence between Local 107 and Westinghouse Electric, which cover discharges, disciplinary actions, leaves of absence, and other employment issues. The UE District One files contain notifications for meetings and conventions, as well as general information on negotiations and other union business.
Containers
box 2, folder 7
Containers
box 2, folder 8
Containers
box 2, folder 9
Containers
box 2, folder 10-12
Containers
box 2, folder 13-14
Containers
box 2, folder 15-19
Containers
box 2, folder 20-23
Containers
box 3, folder 1-2
Containers
box 3, folder 3
Containers
box 3, folder 4-5
Containers
box 3, folder 6
Containers
box 3, folder 7-16
Containers
box 3, folder 17
Containers
box 3, folder 18
Containers
box 3, folder 19
Containers
box 3, folder 20
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of audits, monthly financial statements, ledgers, and steward expenditures for Local 107, arranged by record type. This series also contains a folder of financial reports from UE District One.
Containers
box 3, folder 21-22
Containers
box 4, folder 1-2
Containers
box 4, folder 3-15
Containers
box 4, folder 16-23
Containers
box 4, folder 24
Scope and Contents note
The grievance files are separated into two groups: grievance correspondence and grievance forms. The grievance correspondence is separated into company correspondence, which contains the company's answers to union grievances; and union correspondence, which states whether the company's response was satisfactory to the union or not. The grievance forms reveal the date, department and nature of the grievance. Several of the grievance form files also contain company responses and note whether the issue was settled, moved to the next step of the grievance procedure, or cause for strike action.
Containers
box 5, folder 1-18
Containers
box 5, folder 19-22
Containers
box 6, folder 1-18
Containers
box 6, folder 19-22
Containers
box 7, folder 1-3
Containers
box 7, folder 4-14
Containers
box 7, folder 15-26
Containers
box 8, folder 1-2
Containers
box 8, folder 3-6
Containers
box 8, folder 7-13
Containers
box 8, folder 14-21
Containers
box 9, folder 1-20
Containers
box 10, folder 1-9
Containers
box 10, folder 10
Containers
box 10, folder 11-13
Containers
box 10, folder 14-16
Containers
box 10, folder 17
Containers
box 10, folder 18
Containers
box 10, folder 19-20
Containers
box 10, folder 21-23
Containers
box 11, folder 1-8
Containers
box 11, folder 9
Containers
box 12, folder 1-3
Containers
box 13, folder 1-8
Containers
box 13, folder 9-20
Containers
box 14, folder 1-10
Containers
box 14, folder 11-19
Access Restrictions
Access to individual case files requires a signed confidentiality agreement.
Scope and Contents Notes
Topics represented in this series include the arbitration of grievances, equal employment issues, and strike litigation. The National Labor Relations Board and War Labor Board files focus on contract negotiations and representation elections.
Containers
box 15, folder 1-22
Containers
box 15, folder 23-24
Containers
box 15, folder 25-26
Containers
box 16, folder 1-3
Containers
box 16, folder 4
Containers
box 16, folder 5
Containers
box 16, folder 6
Containers
box 16, folder 7-10
Containers
box 16, folder 11-13
Containers
box 16, folder 14-15
Containers
box 16, folder 16
Containers
box 16, folder 17
Containers
box 16, folder 18
Containers
box 16, folder 19-23
Containers
box 16, folder 24
Containers
box 16, folder 25-26
Containers
box 16, folder 27
Scope and Contents note
These files are separated into Executive Board, General Membership, Miscellaneous Minutes, and Roll Call. The executive board minutes date from 1946 to 1986 and contain reports from committees, the business agent, and financial secretary or treasurer. The minutes also provide information on events scheduled by the local, as well as brief descriptions of contract negotiations, major grievances, and communications from other UE locals and outside organizations. The general membership minutes date from 1947 to 1986 and duplicate much of the information from the executive board minutes. The roll call files date from 1933 to 1986 and list the attendance of Local 107 officers at executive board and general membership meetings.
Containers
box 17, folder 1-25
Containers
box 18, folder 1-22
Containers
box 18, folder 23
Containers
box 18, folder 24
Containers
box 18, folder 25
Containers
box 18, folder 26-28
Scope and Contents note
This series provides detailed accounts of contract negotiations and strikes. This series is an especially strong source of information on the 1955-1956 strike and the accompanying arrest of union leaders. The clippings are generally from Philadelphia based news organs with some articles from The Wall Street Journal.
Containers
box 19, folder 1-2
Containers
box 19, folder 3-8
Scope and Contents note
This series contains bulletins, newsletters, notices and pamphlets created by Local 107 from 1948 to 1985. The bulletins and notices focus on specific events such as elections, strikes and meetings. The newsletters describe contract negotiations, candidates for elections, committee activities and developments at the Westinghouse Electric Company. In addition to the Local 107 based publications, this series contains publications from the Congress of Industrial Organizations, UE National and Westinghouse Electric Company.
Containers
box 19, folder 9-23
Containers
box 20, folder 1-8
Containers
box 20, folder 9-23
Containers
box 20, folder 24-28
Containers
box 20, folder 29
Containers
box 21, folder 1
Containers
box 21, folder 2-3
Containers
box 21, folder 4
Containers
box 21, folder 5
Containers
box 21, folder 6
Containers
box 21, folder 7
Containers
box 21, folder 8-9
Containers
box 21, folder 10
Containers
box 21, folder 11
Containers
box 21, folder 12-13
Scope and Contents note
Job descriptions were used for the salary negotiations and the rate/wage ranges show the graduations of pay for each position depending on rank. These records are arranged first by shop and then by type.
Containers
box 21, folder 14
Containers
box 21, folder 15
Containers
box 21, folder 16
Containers
box 21, folder 17
Containers
box 21, folder 18-23
Containers
box 21, folder 24
Containers
box 21, folder 25
Containers
box 21, folder 26
Containers
box 21, folder 27
Containers
box 22, folder 1-2
Containers
box 22, folder 3
Containers
box 22, folder 4
Containers
box 22, folder 5-6
Containers
box 22, folder 7-8
Containers
box 22, folder 9-13
Scope and Contents note
This series covers a variety of research topics such as conventions, insurance and strikes. This series also contains several files on Local 107 committees, which organized activities such as athletic events, elections, dances, banquets, and Christmas parties for the members and their families. These files consist of correspondence, publications, leaflets and other materials.
Containers
box 23, folder 1
Containers
box 23, folder 2-4
Containers
box 23, folder 5
Containers
box 23, folder 6
Containers
box 23, folder 7
Containers
box 23, folder 8-9
Containers
box 23, folder 10-12
Containers
box 23, folder 13-16
Containers
box 23, folder 17
Containers
box 23, folder 18
Containers
box 23, folder 19
Containers
box 23, folder 20
Containers
box 24, folder 1
Containers
box 24, folder 2
Containers
box 24, folder 3-4
Containers
box 24, folder 5-6
Containers
box 24, folder 7-9
Containers
box 24, folder 10
Containers
box 24, folder 11
Containers
box 24, folder 12
Containers
box 24, folder 13
Containers
box 24, folder 14
Containers
box 24, folder 15
Containers
box 24, folder 16
Containers
box 24, folder 17
Containers
box 24, folder 18
Containers
box 24, folder 19
Containers
box 24, folder 20
Containers
box 24, folder 21
Containers
box 24, folder 22
Containers
box 24, folder 23
Containers
box 24, folder 24
Containers
box 24, folder 25
Containers
box 24, folder 26
Containers
box 24, folder 27
Containers
box 24, folder 28
Containers
box 24, folder 29
Containers
box 24, folder 30
Containers
box 24, folder 31
Containers
box 24, folder 32
Containers
box 24, folder 33
Containers
box 25, folder 1
Containers
box 25, folder 2
Containers
box 25, folder 3
Containers
box 25, folder 4
Containers
box 25, folder 5
Containers
box 25, folder 6
Containers
box 25, folder 7
Containers
box 25, folder 8
Containers
box 25, folder 9
Containers
box 25, folder 10-17
Containers
box 25, folder 18
Containers
box 25, folder 19
Containers
box 25, folder 20
Containers
box 25, folder 21
Containers
box 25, folder 22
Containers
box 25, folder 23
Containers
box 25, folder 24-25
Containers
box 25, folder 26
Containers
box 25, folder 27
Containers
box 25, folder 28
Containers
box 25, folder 29
Containers
box 25, folder 30
Containers
box 26
Scope and Contents note
This series contains photographic prints and negatives of Local 107 events. Included are photographs of local strikes, lockouts, meetings, and members. Many of the photographs have not been identified.
Containers
box 27-28
Scope and Content Notes
This material was added to the finding aid in January 2011.