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James Carey was president of the UE from its inception in March 1936 to October 1941. After being defeated in the 1941 UE presidential election, he helped found the competing International Union of Electric Radio and Machine Workers (IUE) which replaced the UE as part of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).

This subgroup contains correspondence regarding the early development of the UE and Carey's term as president of the union. Also included is correspondence during his time as Secretary of the CIO. Several speeches given by Carey on labor issues and unions are present, as well as personal correspondence with friends.

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Albert Fitzgerald served as president of the UE from November 1941 to October of 1978. This subgroup contains correspondence with James Carey regarding the competing electrical union, the IUE. Other letters discuss claims of Communism within the UE. Also included is personal correspondence from UE officers and members, as well as various organizations. Several speeches given by Fitzgerald regarding union issues are present.

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Julius Emspak was the UE General Secretary Treasurer from the union's inception in March 1936 to April 1962. This subgroup contains correspondence regarding Emspak's work as UE Secretary Treasurer and on the CIO Executive Board. Also included are articles written by Emspak for the UE News.

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James Matles served as the UE Director of Organization from September 1937 to October 1962. After the death of Julius Emspak, Matles succeeded him as General Secretary Treasurer from November 1962 to October 1975. In addition to correspondence regarding Matles's service as UE Secretary Treasurer and on the CIO Appeals Committee, this subgroup also contains a variety of court documents detailing his trials. Matles was accused of being a Communist and was threatened with denaturalization by the government. These troubles are documented in witness testimony and court decisions published from his case. Letters of condolence after Matles' death are also present.

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Hugh Harley served as the UE Director of Organization from November 1971 to October 1984. This subgroup contains organizational memos and reports distributed to officers and the general membership of the UE. These reports discuss the organizing activities of the union between 1966 and 1983.

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Boris Block succeeded Matles as General Secretary Treasurer of the UE from November 1975 to October 1985. This subgroup contains correspondence regarding Block's term as Secretary Treasurer.

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James Kane served as president of the UE from November 1981 to October 1987. The correspondence in this subgroup dates from 1984 to 1986 and contains information regarding other unions, conferences, and strikes.

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John Hovis served as the UE Director of Organization from November 1984 to October 1987. In November 1987, he was elected president of the UE. This subgroup contains correspondence from 1984 to 1985. Included are organizational memos, as well as letters that discuss meetings with companies.

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Ed Bruno was the UE Director of Organization from November 1987 to October 1992. The correspondence in this subgroup dates from 1970 to 1999 and covers a variety of topics. Included are UE organizer memos and reports, publications, and information on Local 610. Also present are records concerning the Labor Party, the group Athol People's Action, and several publications regarding other unions.

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Amy Newell served as the UE General Secretary Treasurer from November 1985 to October 1994. Her father, Charles Newell, served as a UE organizer in 1937 before being assigned to Local 601 at the Westinghouse plant in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There he served as Business Agent for the local and as a member of the UE National Westinghouse Conference Board until the mid-1950s.

This subgroup contains a variety of documents collected by Amy Newell dating from the 1940s to 1990. These records contain correspondence and records relating to UE field staff, districts, locals, and contributions made to the union. Also included are daily updates regarding the James Matles court cases, articles on her election as Secretary Treasurer of the UE, and an oral history on Julius Emspak. In addition, lantern slides on the Ludlow Mine Massacre are present.

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Robert Kirkwood replaced Matles as UE Director of Organization in November 1963 and served until October 1971. This series includes organizational reports, correspondence, and remarks made by Kirkwood while serving his term in office.