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Union Files, 1920s-1980s
MSS 70  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
This is a collection of materials from over 150 unions spanning the decades from the 1920s through the 1980s. The variety of material types is immense including: by-laws, constitutions, contracts and agreements, newsletters, fliers, financial records, minutes, correspondence, reports, organizing materials, manuals, and posters. There is a small amount of Spanish-language material. The majority of the material comes from unions active in the Southern California area.
Background
The Union Files Collection was created by Southern California Library founder Emil Freed and labor activist and California CIO President James L. Daugherty. Both men were committed to advancing the union movement of the 20th century and had the foresight to see the value of preserving the materials of that movement. The collection materials were obtained by Freed, Daugherty and other activists, organizers and supporters of unions and working people.
Extent
25 legal boxes, 4 letter boxes, 2 legal half boxes;

10 linear feet
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research. Researchers may make single copies of any portion of the collection, but publication from the collection will be allowed only with the express written permission of the Library's director. It is not necessary to obtain written permission to quote from a collection. When the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research gives permission for publication, it is 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.
Availability
The collection is available for research only at the Library's facility in Los Angeles. The Library is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Researchers are encouraged to call or email the Library indicating the nature of their research query prior to making a visit.