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Finding Aid to the William Neal Coleman Iron Workers International Union Collection larc.ms.0390
larc.ms.0390  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Availability
  • Restrictions
  • Preferred Citation
  • Separated Materials
  • Acquisition
  • Processing Information
  • Arrangement
  • Biography of William Neal Coleman
  • History of Iron Workers International Union
  • Scope and Contents

  • Title: William Neal Coleman Iron Workers International Union collection
    Date (bulk): 1954-1986
    Date (inclusive): 1942-2001
    Creator: Coleman, William Neal
    Collection number: larc.ms.0390
    Accession number: 2010/036
    Extent: 19.5 cubic feet (17 cartons)
    Repository: Labor Archives and Research Center
    J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
    San Francisco State University
    1630 Holloway Ave
    San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
    (415) 405-5571
    larc@sfsu.edu
    Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English and Spanish.
    Abstract: Consists of materials related to Coleman's work as General Organizer and International Representative for the Iron Workers International Union. Includes weekly reports, correspondence, convention proceedings, and minutes for the District Council meetings, and contracts for locals 509 (Los Angeles), 624 (Fresno), 627 (San Diego), 790 (San Francisco, Oakland), 562 (Salt Lake City), 801 (Reno), and 803 (Honolulu), along with other District Council materials. Includes COPE, Shop Division, and Ironworkers conference materials, as well as ephemera, photographs, and publications produced by various locals of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers. Artifacts consist of union memorabilia, including Coleman's collection of convention pins and badges.
    Location: Collection is available onsite.

    Availability

    Collection is open for research.

    Restrictions

    Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives & Research Center. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to the Director of the Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Labor Archives & Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], William Neal Coleman Iron Workers International Union Collection, larc.ms.0390, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

    Separated Materials

    Original photographs from Carton 16, folders 17-18 are filed in LARC photograph collection.

    Acquisition

    Donated by George M. Cross in 2010, accession number 2010/036.

    Processing Information

    Collection rehoused in 2011 by Jaclyn Gonzalez. Finding aid revised in 2014 by Frances Wratten Kaplan.

    Arrangement

    Arranged as received, in the following series: Series 1, National; Series 2, Local 509; Series 3, Various Locals; Series 4, Conference Materials; Series 5, Personal Documents; Series 6, Photographs and Illustrations; Series 7, Publications; Series 8, Artifacts

    Biography of William Neal Coleman

    William Neal Coleman was General Organizer and International Representative for the Iron Workers International Union, and a member of Iron Workers Local 509.

    History of Iron Workers International Union

    In the late 1800s, the increased number of railroads around the United States, combined with the use of new materials such as cast iron and steel, led to stronger, safer forms of bridges being built to support them. At the same time, these new materials also allowed for innovative forms of building construction to be developed. The face of the construction industry was changing, and a specialized type of iron worker was born. Structural and ornamental ironworkers were responsible for the construction of some of the most famous structures in North America, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sears Tower, and the World Trade Center.
    The extremely dangerous nature of the work, and the lack of workmen's rights, led to the formation of The International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America on February 4, 1896. Today the union represents 120,000 ironworkers across America who work on bridges, structural steel, ornamental, architectural, and miscellaneous metals, rebar, and in shops.

    Scope and Contents

    Comprises materials related to Coleman's work as General Organizer and International Representative for the Iron Workers International Union. Includes weekly reports, correspondence, convention proceedings, and minutes for the District Council meetings, and contracts for locals 509 (Los Angeles), 624 (Fresno), 627 (San Diego), 790 (San Francisco, Oakland), 562 (Salt Lake City), 801 (Reno), and 803 (Honolulu), along with other District Council materials. Includes COPE, Shop Division, and Ironworkers conference materials, as well as ephemera, photographs, and publications produced by various locals of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers. Artifacts consist of union memorabilia, including Coleman's collection of convention pins and badges.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers. Local 509 (Los Angeles, Calif.)
    International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.
    Iron and steel workers--California--Los Angeles.
    Iron and steel workers--Labor unions--California--Los Angeles.
    Iron and steel workers--Labor unions--Organizing.
    Iron and steel workers--Labor unions--United States.