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Access to this record group is unrestricted.

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Summary

Abstract:
This is a repository of the minutes and records of the local chapter 157 of the Laborers' International Union of North America.
Extent:
0.4 cubic ft.
Language:
English , Italian .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 157 Records, 1912-1972. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 157 Records).

Background

Scope and Content:

The Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 157 records primarily document the union's activities for the period 1937-1972 through correspondence and meeting minutes. All of the records are photocopies of the original documents. The records provide an account of routine operations by Local 157 including negotiations with employers in Schenectady, grievances, elections, as well as financial and membership records. The union's early members were predominantly Italian American, which means the membership lists of 1912-1914 are in Italian. The correspondence includes material specific to Local 157 as well as items from the national office having to do with legislation and other national issues. Included with the correspondence and meeting minutes are sporadic membership and officer lists.

Biographical / Historical:

The Laborers' International Union of North America was formed in April 1903 as the International Hod Carriers' and Building Laborers' Union of America from twenty-five delegates representing seventeen cities and over 8,000 laborers. By the late 1920s, a construction boom and the addition of three amalgamations added to the union's size: the International Compressed Air and Foundation Workers Union; the Tunnel and Subway Constructors International Union; and the International Union of Pavers, Rammemen, Flag Layers, Bridge and Curb Setters and Sheet Asphalt Pavers. In 1955, the union affiliated with the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Department in order to represent the 60,000 laborers working under the jurisdiction of the IUD. After the post-World War II boom, the union also began representing non-construction workers. In 1965, the union officially changed its name to the Laborers' International Union of North America to reflect its continued growth beyond the construction field. Local 157 was chartered in 1912 and represented laborers in Schenectady, New York and surrounding communities in the building trades. The local's early members were primarily Italian American.

Acquisition information:
All items in this manuscript group were loaned to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, for preservation photocopying by the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 157 as a part of the Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. Labor History Project in 1990. The originals were returned to Local 157.
Processing information:

Processed in 2003 by Amy C. Schindler.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized alphabetically. There are no series.

Physical location:
The materials are located on site in the department.

Contents


Access

Using These Materials

ACCESS:
The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
RESTRICTIONS:

Access to this record group is unrestricted.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 157 Records, 1912-1972. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 157 Records).

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