Collection Guide
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Union Files,
1920s-1980s
MSS 70
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Title: Union Files Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1920s-1980s
Collection number: MSS 70
Creator:
Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
Extent:
25 legal boxes, 4 letter boxes, 2 legal half boxes;
10 linear feet
10 linear feet
Repository:
Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Abstract: 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.
Language:
English.
Donated by James L. Daugherty and Library founder Emil Freed
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.
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.
[Identification of item], Union Files Collection, Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, Los Angeles,
California.
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.
The collection has files for over 150 unions, the majority of which were active in Southern California. It covers most of
the 20th century spanning the decades from the 1920s through the 1980s. Virtually all types of records appear in the files.
A partial list of material types includes: by-laws, constitutions, agreements and contracts, minutes, correspondence, financial
records, reports, newsletters, fliers, organizing and educational materials, membership lists, salary schedules and posters.
There is a small amount of Spanish-language material in the files of: the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, California
Agricultural Workers Union, International Ladies Garment Workers Union, International Seamens' Union, United Farm Workers,
United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America, United Teachers Los Angeles, United Steel Workers of America, and
United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.
Arrangement
There is an un-numbered series for each union represented in the collection.
Arrangement
The series are arranged alphabetically by union name.
Related Material at the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
Title: Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union of America (ACTWUA)
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
6 cubic feet, (unprocessed)
Title: California CIO Council Union Research and Information Services Records
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
9 cubic feet
Title: Farm Worker Organizing Collections
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
1 1/3rd linear feet
Title: Hollywood Studio Strike Collection
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
2/3 linear feet
Title: International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) Project Files
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
4 linear feet
Title: International Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers Union
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
9 cubic feet (unprocessed)
Title: International Typographical Union Records
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
13 linear feet
Title: James L. Daugherty Collection
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
2 linear feet
Title: Labor Union Proceedings
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
13.5 cubic feet (unprocessed)
Title: Los Angeles J.P. Stevens Boycott Committee Records
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
3 1/3 linear feet
Title: Service Employees International Union Manuals (SEIU)
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
1 cubic foot (unprocessed)
Title: United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Records
Date (inclusive):
Physical Description:
5 linear feet