Guide to the Anna Simak Collection, 1918-1953 AIS.2004.02
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Anna Simak Collection
- Creator
- Simak, Anna
- Collection Number
- AIS.2004.02
- Extent
- 0.31 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1918-1953
- Abstract
- The Union Switch Signal Company, a manufacturer of railway equipment, was established in Swissvale, Pa. outside of Pittsburgh in 1882. Anna Simak began work there in 1925 at the age of 16. The materials in the collection highlight the Union Switch Signal Pension Plan.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
Anna Simak was born February 16, 1909. She began employment at Union Switch Signal in Swissvale, Pa. in 1925 at the age of 16. She worked in Departments 20 and 58 and joined UE Local 610 in April 1941. There is no information as to when Simak retired. Anna Simak died November 7, 1974 at the age of 65.
Scope and Content Notes
This small collection consists primarily of pension plan booklets issued between 1918 and 1953 which were applicable to employees of Union Switch Signal, Swissvale, Pa. Anna Simak kept these booklets in connection with her membership in the successive pension plans. The booklets document the development of the Company's pension and disability plan from the era of non-Union corporate welfare during George Westinghouse's lifetime through the union period, when Union Switch Signal Workers and Westinghouse Airbrake workers joined United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 610. From that point, the pension plan was regularly agreed to through collective bargaining. Memorabilia relating to Anna Simak's life as a worker at Union Switch Signal include: a metal US S "check" tag with Simak's employee number; a program for an employees' outing at Idlewild Park, July 18, 1936; a 1933 pay schedule card showing what days of each month members of various departments were paid; and a printed Statement of the Company's position in a dispute with UE Local 610 before the National War Labor Board in 1942-43. The collection also contains a small book printed privately, c. 1914-16, as a tribute to George Westinghouse, rounds out the collection.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
The collection was received from Mr. Stanley Brozek and was conveyed to the University of Pittsburgh on January 13, 1992.
Preferred Citation
Anna Simak Collection, 1918-1953, AIS.2004.02, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Anna Simak Collection, 1918-1953, AIS.2004.02, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Anna Simak Collection, 1918-1953, UE/Labor 2004:02, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David Rosenberg in 2004.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Carmela Rizzo in January 2004. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 4245871.
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh 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.
Subjects
- Union Switch and Signal Company. Relief Department
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. Local 610 (Wilmerding, Pa.)
- Union Switch and Signal Company
- Westinghouse Air Brake Company
- Simak, Anna
- Swissvale (Pa.)
- Wilmerding (Pa.)
- Electric industry workers -- Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History
- Women electric industry workers -- Labor unions -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History
- Electric industry workers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History
- Women electric industry workers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- History
- Labor
- Women