Guide to the Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 Records, 1836-1975 AIS.1991.08

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 Records
Creator
Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Collection Number
AIS.1991.08
Extent
80 Linear Feet (44 boxes and 21 oversize items)
Date
1836-1975
Abstract
Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 is the oldest continually existing labor union in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh union was one of the fourteen founding locals of the International Typographical Union (ITU) in 1852. This collection contains meeting minutes, dues ledgers, publications and correspondence from Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7.
Language
English .
Author
Zachary Brodt and Allison Homulka.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of James C. Lowen, President of Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7, in 1991.

History

Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 can trace its history back to the Journeymen Printers of Pittsburgh, which was founded in 1836. It is the oldest continually existing labor union in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh union was one of the fourteen founding locals of the International Typographical Union (ITU) in 1852. Newspapers resisted the unionization of printers, resulting in several strikes. Workers who broke the strike were blacklisted by the union and called "rats." Union shops, or "chapels" in the union's terminology, were also the subject of strikes when they did not adhere to their agreement with the union or hired non-union printers all of which appear in the rat book. The ITU was a powerful early member of the American Federation of Labor and was ejected from the AFL as part of the Committee for Industrial Organization in 1938. The ITU rejoined the AFL in 1944 under the condition of autonomy. In 1986, the local affiliated with the Communication Workers of America to form its Printing, Publishing, and Media Workers Sector. Even though the Pittsburgh local was designated the number CWA 14827, it is still known as Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Previous Citation

Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 Records, 1836-1975, AIS.1991.08, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 Records, 1836-1975, AIS.1991.08, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Allison Homulka, an undergraduate history major, during the fall 2010 semester.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection contains meeting minutes, dues ledgers and correspondence from Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7. Also present is financial information of the local union and publications of the Typographical Union. The local union by-laws and information regarding strikes are also included.

Separated Material

Oversize materials can be found in Range 1/12/3 and in map-case 3 drawer 12.

Related Material

100 Years as a Chartered Union, 1852-1952: History of Pittsburgh Typographical Union No.7, International Typographical Union and Pittsburgh Central Labor Union by John A. Feigel, 1952.

Allegheny County Labor Council Records, 1939-1998, AIS.1997.28, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into seven series as follows:

Series I. Minutes

Series II. Correspondence

Series III. Publications

Series IV. Finances

Series V. Membership

Series VI. Contracts and Arbitration

Series VII. Officer and Committee Reports

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • International Typographical Union
    • Pittsburgh Typographical Union No. 7 (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Personal Names

    • Clark, William B.
    • Woodmansee, Howard L.
    • Riefer, Franklin A.
    • Bloomington, Maurice
    • Dabney, George R.
    • Klinger, William A.
    • Feigel, John A.

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)

    Genres

    • Membership lists
    • Ledgers (Account books)
    • Minute books

    Other Subjects

    • Typists -- Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Labor disputes -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Labor
    • Collective labor agreements -- Printing industry -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Periodicals
    • Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List