Regional History Center Regional Collections Central Labor Union of Free... Finding AidTitle: Central Labor Union of Freeport Records, 1901-1983
ID: RHC/RC/177
Extent: 7.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 07/26/1984
Subjects: Central Labor Union of Freeport, Construction industry, Construction workers-- Labor unions, Freeport (Ill.), Freeport Building and Construction Trades Council, International Association of Machinists, Labor, Labor unions, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
Languages: English
Records in the Central Labor Union of Freeport collection date 1901-1983, with the bulk of the records dating from the 1930’s to the late 1970’s. The Central Labor Union’s activities, from 1934-1981, are documented through its constitution, minutes, financial records, correspondence, delegate’s credentials, and lists of affiliated unions. Records from several affiliated unions are included in the collection. Among these are documents from the local, district, state, and national organizations of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA). UBCJA Local 719 of Freeport has records that pre-date the Central Labor Union. These records include its constitution, minutes, financial records, agreements with employers, and membership information. UBCJA Northwestern Illinois District and State Councils are documented through minutes and proceedings, agreements with employers, the state publication Carpenter and Builder, and correspondence. National UBCJA records document executive board meetings, jurisdictional decisions, and agreements. Another affiliated union whose records are included in the collection, is the International Association of Machinists Local 1096 of Freeport. This union’s activities are recorded in minutes and correspondence detailing agreements and grievances with area companies. In addition, the collection includes some records from the Freeport Building and Construction Trades Council, 1928-1970.
The Central Labor Union is affiliated with the Illinois State Federation of Labor (IFL) and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Records from both organizations are in the collection. IFL activities from 1942-1982 are documented through convention proceedings, executive board reports, announcements, notices, and correspondence with the Central Labor Union. AFL-CIO activities from 1941-1983 are documented through executive council reports, policy resolutions, financial statements, announcements, notices, and correspondence with the Central Labor Union.
The collection also contains labor-related pamphlets and publications put out by the AFL-CIO, the UBCJA, the U.S. Government, and the Illinois State Government. In addition, charters and certificates of affiliation for local Freeport unions are in the collection.
The Central Labor Union of Freeport was organized in the 1930’s. It was chartered by the American Federation of Labor, and received a certificate of affiliation from the Illinois State Federation of Labor in 1936. Local trade and labor unions are represented in the Central Labor Union by delegates, elected members of locals whose numbers are based on the size of their respective unions. The number of affiliated unions has varied over the years from 26 to the current 6. Active delegates, today, represent rubber and electrical workers, carpenters, teachers, and machinists.
The Central Labor Union’s original objectives were: to encourage formation of local unions; to unite local unions; to help settle disputes between unions and employers; to provide support to unions involved in labor-management conflicts; to support legislation and candidates favorable to workers and unions. These objectives continue to guide the Central Labor Union’s activities as it serves as an information exchange for workers, politically educates area workers, supports legislation favorable to workers and unions, and aids its affiliated locals ". . .in their common and individual endeavors." (Taken from the Constitution of the Freeport Central Labor Union, 1936 and 1974 editions.)
Central Labor Union of Freeport
Construction industry
Construction workers-- Labor unions
Freeport (Ill.)
Freeport Building and Construction Trades Council
International Association of Machinists
Labor
Labor unions
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
Repository: Northern Illinois University
Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center. Literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source: Steven Jennings
Acquisition Method: Steven Jennings, president of the Central Labor Union of Freeport, donated the Union’s records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on July 26, 1984.
