Missouri State University Libraries

Records of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (S.M.W.I.A.), Local 208

Collection Number: LA 13
Volume: 6.5 linear feet
Dates: 1955-1988 (Bulk: 1976-1988)

Provenance

Two boxes of records of S.M.W.I.A., Local 208 were transferred from Al Crossland, Business Manager, to Neal Moore for deposit in the Ozarks Labor Union Archives ca. 1985. Twenty additional boxes were transferred from Al Crossland ca. 1993. The collection was processed in 1999 by Jenni Boone.

Copyright

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Access

The collection is unrestricted. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be obtained from the Ozarks Labor Union Archives. Citations should be as follows: Identification of the item, box and folder number, Sheet Metal Workers, Local 208, Ozarks Labor Union Archives, Missouri State University.

Organizational History

In January of 1976, the general president of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association ordered a significant change in the organization of sheet metal workers in Missouri. Local Union 146, over commercial, residential and industrial work in 25 counties in southwest Missouri, merged with Local Union 36, over construction, residential and industrial work in 44 counties in the St. Louis area. The number of counties served by Local 36 increased to include the 25 counties previously served by Local 146 (a total of 69 counties in Missouri).

In addition, a new Local was chartered, known as Local Union No. 208, to have jurisdiction over employees engaged in production work within the 25-county area in which Local Union No. 146 formerly operated, according to a letter from general president Edward J. Carlough to officials in Local 36 and Local 146 on January 21, 1976. The following counties were included: Barry, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright Counties in Missouri.

Local 208 acquired 582 workers from the following production companies in the area:

• Paul Mueller Company in Springfield, manufacturer of food processing equipment, dairy equipment, and distillery equipment (by far the largest employer of production sheet metal workers in the area);
• Cecomo Manufacturing in El Dorado Springs, manufacturer of furnace fittings;
• Rose Metal Products in Springfield, manufacturer of food processing equipment; and
• A-One Manufacturing in Springfield, which also manufactures food processing equipment.

Relations between the Local and employers have not always been smooth.  In 1981, an employee at A-One petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to withdraw union shop authority from A-One. After several elections and appeals from the Local, authority was withdrawn in 1982, and employees there are no longer represented by S.M.W.I.A., Local 208. The relationship between Local 208 and Mueller Company has often been tense. Employees of Mueller went on strike in 1980 and 1987, and threatened to strike in 1983, over contract disputes. Employees at Cecomo have had a relatively positive relationship with the company and went on strike only once, in 1979, for three weeks.

The organization established in 1976 for S.M.W.I.A. Locals 36 and 208 is still in place, and both locals continue to be strong.

Scope and Content

The collection contains contracts and negotiations, subject files, grievances, and related correspondence of Local 208, and Local 146 files related to production workers. This collection also includes a significant amount of information related to labor disputes. The collection is organized in three series.

Series I: Contracts & Negotiations, 1955-1987
Includes contracts and negotiations for production workers, arranged alphabetically by shop, and chronologically within each shop.

Series II: Labor Disputes, 1978-1988
Includes files regarding major strikes and disputes, threatened strikes, and related National Labor Relations Board hearings and Local hearings. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by folder title. Please note that NLRB case number 17-RM-678 (Box 3, folder 12) is closely related to case number 17-UD-79 (box 3, folder 14). Also, folders labeled Fines (box 2, folders 10-20) are related to NLRB case number 17-CB-2354 (box 3, folders 7-8).

Series III: General Files, 1959-1988
Includes general office files, correspondence, subject files, membership records, labor charges and some grievances, pensions reports, and financial records. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.

Related Materials in OLUA

Records of the Sheet Metal Workers International Union, Local 146.

Container List

Series I: Contracts & Negotiations
Box 1	1	A-One & Rose Metal, Local 146	1970-1972
	2	A-One, Rose Metal Production, Local 146	1973-1975
	3	A-One Manufacturing	1976
	4	A-One Manufacturing	1979
	5	A-One	1982-1983
	6	Cecomo, Local 146	1973
	7	Cecomo, Local 146	1975-1976
	8	Cecomo	1979
	9	Cecomo	1979-1984
	10	Cecomo	1982-1984
	11	Cecomo	1985-1987
	12	Machinists Contract-Paul Mueller, Local 146	1963
	13	Mueller-Contracts, Local 146	1955-1963
	14	Mueller-Negotiations, Local 146	1957-1963
	15	Mueller-Negotiations, Local 146	1963
	16	Mueller, Local 146	1963-1971
	17	Mueller Negotiating Committee, Local 146	1967-1971
	18	Mueller, Local 146	1971-1972
	19	Mueller-Negotiations, Local 146	1974-1975
	20	Mueller-Negotiations	1977
	21	Mueller-Master Contract & Addenda	1977-1980
	22	Mueller	1980
	23	Mueller	1983
	24	Mueller Co.	1986
Box 2	1	Mueller Co.	1987
	2	O.P.E.I.U. Local 13 & Local 146	1971-1974
	3	Rose Metal Products	1976
	4	Rose Metal	1976-1979
	5	Rose Metal	1979-1982
	6	Rose Metal	1982-1983
	7	Rose Metal Contract Negotiations	1986
	8	Petition NLRB #17-UD-98 Rose Metal Union Shop Authority	1987
	9	Miscellaneous	1982-1984
Series II: Labor Disputes
	10	Fines 9/24/80, Gerald Wood #692745	1978-1980
	11	Fines-Norman Bolin #589126	1980-1981
	12	Fines-William A. Drumm #288815	1980-1981
	13	Fines-Kenneth E. Hemphill #717012	1980-1981
	14	Fines-Gary E. Gowin #715122	1980-1981
	15	Fines-Bill W. Nicholson #558601	1980
	16	Fines-Thomas C. Nickle #645260	1980-1981
	17	Fines 12/80, Wilbur M. Pennington #554356	1980-1981
	18	Fines 12/80, Ron Retherford #729991	1980-1981
	19	Fines-Don E. Watson #589237	1980-1981
	20	Fines (International)-David S. Turner	1980
	21	Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Mueller Co. U.S. District Court case #81-3185-CV-SS	1980-81
	22	Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Mueller Co. U.S. District Court case #81-3185-CV-SS	1982
	23	Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Mueller Co. U.S. Court of Appeals case #82-2234	1982
	24	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-974T Nominations	1980
	25	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-9887 Vacations	1980
	26	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-9933 Picket Line	1980
	27	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-9965 Insurance Trust	1980
	28	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-10321 Berton Eastman	1980
	29	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13135 Mueller Co. bargained in bad faith	1981
	30	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13285-1 Supervisor Threats	1987
	31	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13285-1&2 Concerted Activities; #17-CA-13296-1,2,3,4 David Brown	1986-1988
	32	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13326 et al. Carl Miller	1987-1988
Box 3	1	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13334 Denying striking employees right to employment Denied	1987
	2	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13357 Rejection of unions acceptance of implemented conditions of employment	1987
	3	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13357-2 Surveillance of employees	1987
	4	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13357-3 Hiring under lesser value & reduced job classification	1987
	5	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-13357-4 Contracting individuals	1987
	6	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CB-2324 Ronnie Fleener	1980
	7	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CB-2354 Mueller Co.	1980-1981
	8	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CB-2354 Mueller Co. Material presented to court	1980
	9	Labor Charge NLRB #17-CB-3393 Phyllis J. Wooten v. Local 208	1987
	10	Labor charge Gene Gibson	1981
	11	Letters of Resignation	1987
	12	Petition NLRB #17-RM-678 Union Representation, A-One	1982
	13	Petition NLRB #17-RM-700 Representation, A-One	1983-1984
	14	Petition NLRB #17-UD-79 Withdrawal of union shop authority, A-One	1981-1982
	15	Resignations- A-One Mfg.	1982
	16	Resignations- Mueller Co.	1982
	17	Restraining order- Mueller Co. v. Local 208- Circuit Court	1987
	18	Strike Benefits- Mueller Co. Employees	1977
	19	Strike- A-One Manufacturing, Rose Metal Products	1979
	20	Strike- Cecomo Manufacturing Co.	1979
	21	Strike- Cecomo Manufacturing	1982
	22	Strike- Mueller Company	1980
	23	Strike Benefits- Mueller Co. Employees	1980
	24	Strike Fund- Mueller Co.	1980-1981
	25	Strike Fund- Mueller Employees	1980,1987
	26	Strike- Mueller Co.-Benefit Correspondence	1987
	27	Strike Benefits-Mueller Co. Employees	1987
	28	Strike Benefits-Mueller Co.-Receipts & Disbursements	1987
	29	Strike-related Co. charges against members- Mueller	1987
	30	Strike Vote-Cecomo	1983
	31	Strike Votes- Rose Metal Co.	1982-1983
	32	Suspensions- A-One Mfg. Related to petition17-UD-79	1982
	33	Welfare (Family Services)	1980
Series III: General Files
	34	Able Body Company	1981
	35	Able Body Company-Petition to organize NLRB#17-RC-9266	1981
	36	Advertising	1979-1983
	37	Alcoholism (Mueller Program), Local 146	1973-1975
	38	Arbitrators Bills	1982-1984
	39	Arbitration Keith Batterson, Local 146	1973-1974
	40	Arbitration Robert Shreffler, Local 146	1975-1976
Box 4	1	A-One Dues check-off	1981-1982
	2	Attorney-Benjamin J. Francka	1976-1979
	3	Attorney-Benjamin J. Francka	1980-1983
	4	Attorney	1984-1987
	5	Audit-Headquarters	1984-1986
	6	Bassett, Lonnie A.-Director of Organization (also E.F. Miller-Assistant)	1976-1988
	7	Bibles	1980-1982
	8	Carlough, Edward J.-International President	1976-1984
	9	Catalogs and Advertisements	n.d., 1971-1985
	10	Cecil D. Clay-G.S.T.	1983-1984
	11	Cecomo Manufacturing-Correspondence	1976-1985
	12	Cecomo, Local 146	1970-1976
	13	Census	1977
	14	Charges- L.U. #12, Pittsburg, PA - Paul Mueller Employees, Local 146	1970-1971
	15	Charges-Jack Eaton #455865, Clifton Washington #514443	1982
	16	Charges-L.U. 98 Columbus, OH w. Leonard, T. Pridgen, J. Wilson	1986-1987
	17	Charges-Trial-Appeal L.U. 263 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) S. Blevins, T. Prigden, W. Leonard	1986-1987
	18	Conference-Business Agents	1979, 1983-1985
	19	Conference-Business Agents, August 17-21, 1987	1987
	20	Constitutions (Elections)	1978-1983
	21	Contracts-Other companies competitive to Mueller	1981-1986
	22	Convention 1978 (National) St. Louis, MO	1978
	23	Convention 1982 (National) New York, NY	1982
	24	Convention 1986 (National) Chicago, IL	1986
	25	Correspondence-Members	1974-1985
	26	Correspondence-Mueller Co.	1977
	27	Correspondence-Sister Locals	1977-1979, 1987
	28	Death/Dismemberment Claims	1975-1987
	29	Dues Check-off, increase, etc.	1977-1988
	30	Dues Check-off-Paul Mueller Co.	1976-1977
Box 5	1	Dues Check-off-Paul Mueller Co.	1978-1979
	2	Dues Check-off-Paul Mueller Co.	1981-1982
	3	Dues Check-off-Paul Mueller Co.	1979-1980
	4	Eagleton, Senator Thomas F.	1982
	5	Educational Events-Picnic, ect.	1982
	6	Election, Local 146	1974
	7	Election	1976
	8	Election	1977
	9	Election	1980
	10	Election: Negotiating Committee, Mueller Co.	1983
	11	Election of Officers	1983
	12	Election of Officers	1986-1988
	13	Fire Master Apparatus Equip. NLRB Charge#17-CA-6181 & 2, Petition #17-RC-7571, Local 146	1974
	14	Furniture sold	1979
	15	Great Plains Council, Wichita, KS	1982
	16	Grievances	1984-1986
	17	Harmony Board Meeting Minutes-Mueller	1978-1982
	18	Health & Welfare Correspondence	1985-1987
	19	Hinkle, Jimmy A.-Director of Organization (contractors union label)	1987
	20	Increase: Initiation Reinstatement	1978,1983
	21	Insurance - A-One, Local 146	1975
	22	Insurance - International (Accident)	1963-1983
	23	Insurance - Paul Mueller Company	1971-1987
	24	Insurance - Rose	1974-1976
	25	Insurance - Workmans Comp., Local 146	1973-1975
	26	Insurance, Pension, & Healthcare information	1974-1984
	27	Labels (Union), Local 146	1973-1976
	28	Labor Council, Springfield	1981-1986
	29	Labor related publications	1977-1982
	30	Local Union 146 change over to 208	1976
	31	Machinists	1978-1987
	32	McKee-Hart Metal Fabricators	1983-1984
	33	Marsh, Charles D.	1978
	34	Meetings (Union) Attendance	1977-1988
	35	Messer, Raymond	1977-1983
	36	Mid-Western States Council of Production Workers	1981-1986
	37	Missouri State Labor Council	1977-1980
	38	Miller, Carl Labor Charge NLRB #17-CB-703, Local 146	1969
	39	Mueller Co.	1985-1986
	40	Neiger, Albert U.S. District Court case #76CV196-S	1976-1979
Box 6	1	Notices-Members-special meetings, etc.	1976-1987
	2	Payroll, Local 146	1967-1976
	3	Pension Fund Correspondence - Rose & Cecomo	1980-1983
	4	Pension Reports from International - Rose	1975-1976
	5	Pension Reports from International - Rose	1977-1978
	6	Pension Reports from International - Rose & Cecomo	1979
	7	Pension Reports from International - Cecomo	1980-1981
	8	Pension Reports from International - Rose	1980-1981
	9	Pension Reports from International - Cecomo, Rose	1982
	10	Pension Reports from International - Rose & Cecomo	1983
	11	Pension Reports from International - Rose & Cecomo	1984
	12	Right-to-work	1977-1979
	13	Safety Program Star Program	1983-1985
	14	Schmitt, George (Inter. Repr.)	1977-1981
	15	Scholtz, Frank, Local 146	1974
	16	Schooling, Wm.-Dismemberment claim, Local 146	1972
	17	Shop Committee Meeting Minutes - Mueller Co.	1978-1982
	18	Shop Stewards	1975-1986
	19	Suspension Lists	1976-1987
	20	Tax Returns, Local 146	1959-1965
	21	Tax Returns, Local 146	1960-1976
	22	Tax Returns, Local 146	1966-1974
	23	25 Year Pins	1977-1986
	24	Union Labels Production	1976-1985
	25	Vaughn, Danny L. Labor Charge NLRB #17-CA-5259, #17-CB-1069, Local 146	1972-1973
	26	White, Robert L.- Steelworker Exam	n.d.
	27	Windows Fund (146)	1976-1980
	28	Williams, Tom-Polygraph Exam	1982
	29	Wilson, Robert D.	1978
	30	Withdrawal Card cancelled, Local 146	1975
	31	Withdrawal Cards	1981-1987
	32	Withdrawal Cards revoked, Local 146	1971
	33	Workmans Comp. Insurance	1976-1977
Oversized Material
Box 7	1	Strike Benefit signs	1980
	2	Dues check-off Cecomo Manufacturing Company	1976-1984
	3	Dues received, Local 146	1974-1976
	4	Initiation Dates Members	1977
	5	Newspapers	1983
	6	Withdrawal Cards	1987