William Neal Coleman Iron Workers International Union collection, 1942-2001, bulk 1954-1986

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Coleman, William Neal
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.
Extent:
19.5 cubic feet (17 cartons)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English and Spanish.
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.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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

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.

Acquisition information:
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

Physical location:
Collection is available onsite.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722, US
Contact:
(415) 405-5549
specialcollections@sfsu.edu
Website