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