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Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Membership Certificates
MS 922
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Contributing Institution:
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
Title: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers membership certificates
Identifier/Call Number: MS 922
Physical Description:
2 Sheets
1 oversize folder
Date (inclusive): 1878-1881
Abstract: Contains two 19th century Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers membership certificates from San Francisco Division No. 161
and Shoshone Division No. 228.
Physical Location: Statewide Museum Collections Center: MS OV B 1, I2.
Language of Material:
English
.
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of History San Jose, 2023
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was organized on May 8, 1863, in Detroit by engineers on Michigan railroads. Organized
in divisions, the Brotherhood soon attracted engineers from railroads throughout the Midwest and east. Later in the decade
and in the 1870s and 1880s, membership spread to lines in the west. The Brotherhood provided insurance for its members as
well as representation in dealings with management. Engineers participated in serious strikes in 1877 and 1888, the latter
action resulting in serious setbacks for the Brotherhood.
By the turn of the century it had recovered and in 1916 was successful in obtaining an eight-hour workday. Before the late
1920s, the Brotherhood initiated the sale of Loyalty Certificates to raise money for the financially troubled organization,
and since that time it has been involved in labor actions and negotiations as well as in litigation with other railroad unions.
[Identification of item], Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Membership Certificates, MS 922, California State Railroad Museum
Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
Contains two Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers membership certificates from the late 19th century. One is a certificate
for William Stewardson dated September 30th, 1878, member of San Francisco Division No. 161. The other is a certificate for
P. W. [Hickie?] dated February 11th, 1881, member of Shoshone Division No. 228.
Copyright has been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. Permission for publication must be submitted in writing
to the CSRM Library amp;Archives.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Railroads -- Labor unions