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Records of the Greater Springfield [Missouri] Central Labor Council (Springfield Labor Council)

Collection Number: LA 14
Volume: 9 linear feet
Dates: 1910-1980 (Bulk 1950s-1960s)

Provenance

The records of the Greater Springfield [Missouri] Central Labor Council were transferred from storage at the former Bakers’ Hall, 1724 N. Jefferson, Springfield MO 65802 to the Ozarks Labor Union Archives in 1982. The location of the records of the Council prior to the 1930s is unknown. The collection was processed in 1999 by David E. Richards.

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 item, box and folder number, Greater Springfield [Missouri] Central Labor Council, Ozarks Labor Union Archives, Missouri State University.

Organizational History

Chartered directly by the American Federation of Labor in 1902 as the Central Trades and Labor Assembly of Springfield, Missouri, the Greater Springfield Central Labor Council under went several name changes. The council's parade banner and evidence from the correspondence files suggests the council was established by Henry A. W. Juneman as early as 1886. The council's existence was recognized at the Missouri State Federation of Labor's organizational meeting in 1891. Information in the collection and the council's bylaws indicate the following official name changes:

  • Central Trades and Labor Assembly of Springfield, Missouri - 1886-1936
  • Central Labor Union of Springfield, Missouri - 1937-1956
  • Springfield Labor Council, AFL-CIO - 1957-1979
  • Greater Springfield Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO - 1980-

The entity is popularly known as the Springfield Labor Council (which is reflected in the council's stationery since the 1980s).

The collection documents the various political, social, civic, economic, and organizational activities undertaken by the council over a forty year period. Chartered by the AFL, the Central Trades and Labor Assembly (and its subsequent manifestations) was a mechanism for communicating national policy to the regional unions. As per the council's 1980 by-laws, the organization's purpose was to a.) further the objectives and policies of the AFL-CIO, b.) exchange information among affiliated bodies on matters of common interest, c.) provide assistance to affiliated unions in times of need, d.) support legislation favorable to labor, and, e.) engage in such other activities as are consistent with the goals and policies of the AFL-CIO. Locals paid dues to be affiliated with the council. The number of delegates was based on the size of the union. The council served as a coordinating and organizing body for the various locals. It was the unifying voice of labor in Springfield and its views were most often heard in the Springfield Labor Record newspaper. As an outlet for the AFL, and later AFL-CIO, the files reflect national labor concerns, news from other central councils, press releases and updates on strikes, and information on organizing efforts around the country. The collection also documents the attacks on labor in Springfield, statewide, and nationally.

The correspondence and publications series illustrates the tremendous scope and depth of activity performed by the council over the years. Political activity is indicated in the 1930s by the council's support of certain Democratic candidates, communication with state legislators, such as Reuben T. Wood. In the 1940s, the council's political efforts were tempered by the unifying effect of the war. During the late 1940s and into 1950s, the files contain newsletters and correspondence from various state and federal representatives and senators including Dewey Short, R. Jasper Smith, Hubert Humphrey, John C. Stennis, Thomas C. Hennings, Jr., Frank M. Karsten, Stuart Symington, and Charles "Charlie" Brown. In January of 1953, the council wrote a letter to President Eisenhower stating their views and the fact that they represented "some 16,000 members of organized labor in this vicinity." The urgency associated with the Taft-Hartley fight is reflected in telegrams, letters, and propaganda materials from the AFL. Following Taft-Hartley are recurring campaigns concerning Right-to-Work legislation and anti-communism literature. Political efforts in the 1960s produced anti-Nixon material, support for social security and civil rights, early national health insurance proposals, and wage increases. Evidence of national and state political activity trails off in the files following the late 1960s. Only 1978 sees a flurry of communication and activity regarding the Right-to-Work amendment. A few records exist showing the council's coordination of the local COPE organization.

Social and civic activities initiated and performed by the council are illustrated across every decade. Springfield Labor Day activities, always organized by the council, began in the 1930s. The Labor Day parade and associated activities included band and beauty contests, fund raising drives for local charities, and float contests. In 1936, the council played a role in investigating and calling for improvements in the city's water quality and supply. In the 1950s, the council supported a women's softball team and hosted (in cooperation with the Dept. of Labor) Mexican and German labor delegations touring the United States. In 1956, the council was involved with the Springfield Traffic Safety Council. An interesting barometer of diminishing union strength is the decreasing number of locals participating in the parade beginning in the late 1950s and into the 1960s. In the latter years, many unions opted out of the parade due to lack of money.

Organizing efforts and the council's relationship with local unions and belligerent employers are heavily documented in the correspondence files. The following strikes or labor disputes concerning regional businesses are covered: Lipscomb Grain and Seed Company (1936), Springfield Newspapers, Inc. (1949), St. Joseph Lead Company (1962), Hoffman-Taff, Inc. (1961), Lily-Tulip (1961), Royal McBee (1961), Springday [Dayco] Company (1961), and Royal Typewriter (1969). The late 1950s saw various internationals competing for the same shop and resulted in several unsuccessful organizing attempts. This rivalry caused the council to call an organizational meeting of various international representatives and delegates on October 3, 1960. The council wanted to win NLRB elections by having only one union on the ballot. The meeting had limited success as indicated in the intense organizing efforts of 1961. A less dramatic but more useful gauge of Springfield labor/business relations was the council's "Official Unfair List" or "Do Not Patronize" list. This was listing of small businesses (groceries, barber shops, theatres, stores, bars, etc.) and sometimes individuals which failed to honor contracts or hire union labor. The list was maintained and published by the council. In addition to the patronization list, the council coordinated the regional Union Label campaign. Correspondence during the late 1960s indicates a trend toward consolidation with smaller unions leaving the council due to lack of members and funds. Files for 1978 review the effort undertaken by the council in cooperation with the Missouri AFL-CIO to defeat the Right-to-Work amendment.

Although no official list has been found, the following is a listing (up to 1969) of the past presidents of the council:

I.G. Holt 1907-1909
T. G. Rhoads 1909-1913
Galbraith 1914-1916
Walter E. Ford 1916-1917
R. T. Wood 1917-1919
C. W. Verink 1919-1933
Claud Hawley 1937-1940
Otto Bowles 1946-1947
Clarence Sheridan 1948
Charles Wilkerson 1949
R. F. Walters 1949
Tom Musgrave 1950
R. F. Walters 1950
Paul J. Eaton 1951
Henry McFarland 1952
Verl Nickles 1953
Elmer H. Nuttlemann 1954
Raymond E. Prater 1956
Jack Moore 1957
Gordan Wheatley 1958
Wayne King 1959
Otto Bowles 1960-1961
Earl Trotter 1962
Jack Moore 1963-1966
Jack Gray 1967
Jack Moore 1968-1969

Bibliography

McIntyre, Steve. With One Voice A Century of Service to Missouri's Workers. Jefferson City: Missouri AFL-CIO, 1991.

Moore, Neal. "1986 Springfield Organized Labor Centennial." Springfield Labor Record 47 (1 March 1984) : 1.

Rowley, Steve. "For the Laboring Man": A Record of the Central Labor Union, Springfield, Missouri, 1930-1945. (April 28, 1994) OLUA Student Paper Collection.

Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence, financial records, minutes, credential forms, constitutions and by-laws, and publications (pamphlets and brochures). Although records range from 1910 to 1979, the bulk of the material documents the 1950s and 1960s. AFL-CIO pamphlets, brochures, and flyers associated with the correspondence files were placed in a separate series to be cataloged into the OLUA book collection at a later date. The collection is organized into six series.

Series I: Correspondence, 1920-1979
Arranged chronologically. Includes incoming and outgoing correspondence. Of interest are resolutions, letters from state and federal representatives and senators, strike notices and flyers, boycott notices, solicitations from charities, AFL-CIO letters, announcements, resolutions, propaganda, and letters concerning the council's social and outreach activities such as the annual labor day preparations and the CLU women's softball team.

Series II: Financial, 1931-1961
Arranged chronologically. Includes monthly and annual financial reports, selected bank statements when monthly reports are missing, and ledgers documenting income and expenditures.

Series III: Minutes, 1938-1976
Arranged chronologically. Accurate and nearly complete run of the council's minutes. Meetings were held weekly until the 1960s when the council switched to a monthly schedule. Last file in this series includes a scattered run of the council's COPE minutes.

Series IV: Credentials, 1930-1979
Arranged chronologically. Credentials or credential blanks provide information on delegates representing affiliated unions and information on the affiliating union. The credentials include names of delegates, name of local, number of members, date and place of the local's monthly meeting, name of the union's president and secretary, and address of secretary.

Series V: Constitutions and By-Laws, 1910-1963
Constitutions and by-laws of the council and those of various local unions affiliated with the council. Arranged alphabetically by name of organization and chronologically therein.

Series VI: Publications, 1936-1980
Arranged alphabetically by title. Includes numerous pamphlets, brochures, and booklets published by the AFL-CIO and covering the social, economic, and political objectives and policies of the AFL-CIO.

Related Materials in OLUA

Records of the Missouri AFL-CIO.

Records of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Local 10. Specifically see Series 8 for material relating to the Building and Construction Trades Council of Springfield, Missouri.

Union Labor Record [Springfield, Missouri] Newspaper Collection.

Container List

Series I: Correspondence
Box 1 1 Correspondence 1920-1929
2 Correspondence 1930
3 Correspondence 1931
4 Correspondence 1932
5 Correspondence 1933
6 Correspondence Jan.-Aug. 1934
7 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1934
8 Correspondence Jan.-Mar. 1935
9 Correspondence Apr.-Jun. 1935
10 Correspondence Jul.-Sep. 1935
11 Correspondence Oct.-Dec. 1935
12 Correspondence Jan.-Mar. 1936
13 Correspondence Apr.-June 1936
14 Correspondence Jul.-Sep. 1936
15 Correspondence Oct.-Dec. 1936
16 Correspondence Jan.-Mar. 1937
17 Correspondence Apr.-Aug. 1937
18 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1937
19 Correspondence Jan.-May 1938
20 Correspondence Jun.-Nov. 1938
21 Correspondence Dec. 1938
22 Correspondence 1939
23 Correspondence 1940
24 Correspondence 1941
25 Correspondence 1942
26 Correspondence 1943
27 Correspondence 1944
28 Correspondence 1945
Box 2 1 Correspondence Jan.-Jul. 1946
2 Correspondence Aug.-Dec. 1946
3 Correspondence 1947
4 Correspondence Jan.-Jul. 1948
5 Correspondence Aug.-Dec. 1948
6 Correspondence Jan.-May 1949
7 Correspondence Jun.-Dec. 1949
8 Correspondence Jan.-Jun. 1950
9 Correspondence Jul.-Dec. 1950
10 Correspondence Jan.-Jun. 1951
11 Correspondence Jul.-Dec. 1951
12 Correspondence Jan.-May 1952
13 Correspondence Jun.-Dec. 1952
14 Correspondence Jan.-Aug. 1953
15 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1953
Box 3 1 Correspondence Jan.-Apr. 1954
2 Correspondence May-Jul. 1954
3 Correspondence Aug.-Dec. 1954
4 Correspondence Jan.-Apr. 1955
5 Correspondence May-Dec. 1955
6 Correspondence Jan.-Aug. 1956
7 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1956
8 Correspondence Jan.-Feb. 1957
9 Correspondence Mar.-Dec. 1957
10 Correspondence Jan.-Apr. 1958
11 Correspondence May-Dec. 1958
12 Correspondence Jan.-Jun. 1959
13 Correspondence Jul.-Dec. 1959
14 Correspondence Jan.-Feb. 1960
15 Correspondence Mar.-Aug. 1960
Box 4 1 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1960
2 Correspondence Jan.-Mar. 1961
3 Correspondence Apr.-Jun. 1961
4 Correspondence Jul.-Aug. 1961
5 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1961
6 Correspondence undated 1961
7 Correspondence Jan.-Mar. 1962
8 Correspondence Apr.-Jun. 1962
9 Correspondence Jul.-Nov. 1962
10 Correspondence December 1962
11 Correspondence Jan.-May 1963
12 Correspondence Jun.-Dec. 1963
13 Correspondence 1964
14 Correspondence Jan.-May 1965
15 Correspondence Jun.-Dec. 1965
Box 5 1 Correspondence 1966
2 Correspondence 1967
3 Correspondence Jan.-Aug. 1968
4 Correspondence Sep.-Dec. 1968
5 Correspondence Jan.-Jul. 1969
6 Correspondence Aug.-Dec. 1969
7 Correspondence 1970
8 Correspondence 1971
9 Correspondence 1972
10 Correspondence 1973
11 Correspondence 1974
12 Correspondence 1975
13 Correspondence 1976
14 Correspondence 1977
15 Correspondence Jan.-Oct. 1978
16 Correspondence Nov.-Dec. 1978
17 Correspondence 1979
18 Correspondence n.d.
Series II: Financial
19 Financial 1931-1939
20 Financial 1946-1949
21 Financial 1950-1959
22 Financial 1960-1969
23 Financial 1970-1976
24 Financial Day Book 1939-1947
25 Financial Ledger 1939-1948
26 Financial COPE Journal 1959-1965
27 Financial Cash Book 1948-1956
28 Financial Ledger 1956-1961
29 Financial Ledger 1962-1967
Series III: Minutes
Box 6 1 Minutes 1938
2 Minutes 1939
3 Minutes 1944
4 Minutes 1945
5 Minutes 1946
6 Minutes 1947
7 Minutes 1948
8 Minutes 1949
9 Minutes 1950
10 Minutes 1951
11 Minutes 1952
12 Minutes 1953
13 Minutes 1954
14 Minutes 1955
15 Minutes 1956
16 Minutes 1957
17 Minutes 1958
18 Minutes 1959
19 Minutes 1960
20 Minutes 1961
21 Minutes 1962
22 Minutes 1963
23 Minutes 1964
24 Minutes 1965
25 Minutes 1966
26 Minutes 1967
27 Minutes 1968
28 Minutes 1969
29 Minutes 1970
30 Minutes 1971
31 Minutes 1972
32 Minutes 1973
33 Minutes 1974
34 Minutes 1975
35 Minutes 1976
36 COPE Minutes 1960-1965
Series IV: Credentials
Box 7 1 Credentials 1920-1929
2 Credentials 1930-1936
3 Credentials 1937-1939
4 Credentials 1940-1946
5 Credentials 1947-1949
6 Credentials 1950-1959
7 Credentials 1960-1969
8 Credentials 1970-1979
9 Credentials n.d.
Series V: Constitutions and By-Laws
10 American Federation of Labor 1946; 1949; 1954
11 AFL-CIO 1959
12 Building Service Employees 1945
13 Hod Carriers Local 662 1937
14 Int. Assoc. of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers 1932
15 Int. Assoc. of Machinists 1937
16 Int. Broth. of Teamsters, Chauffeurs and Helpers Union 1937; 1949
17 Int. Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborers' Union 1937
18 Missouri State Federation of Labor 1954
19 National Board of Trade Claims 1932
20 Producers Produce Company 1929
21 Retail Clerks Protective Assoc. 1924
22 Sheet Metal Workers' Int. Assoc. 1935
23 Springfield Amateur Sports Assoc. 1953
24 Springfield Labor Council 1910-1963
25 United Broth. of Carpenters and Joiners 1929-1947
26 United Slate, Tile and Composition Roofers Damp and Waterproof Workers Assoc. 1927
27 Women's Int. Union Label League n.d.
Series VI: Publications
28 AFL-CIO Codes of Ethical Practices 1957
29 AFL-CIO Radio and Television Practices 1963
30 Authorized Union Labels n.d.
31 Automation n.d.
32 Blueprint for Victory! c. 1948
33 Bylaws for state, city, county: COPES 1960
34 Conference of Representatives of National and International Unions 1939
35 Critical Eval. of the American Fed. of Teachers 1934
36 Democratic Digest 1954
37 Employee's Welfare Plan of the AFL 1956
38 Equal Rights for All: The AFL Position n.d.
39 Farmers and Workers 1959
40 Faster Mail for Less Money 1954
41 Films for Labor 1952
42 Handbook for Tri-Partite Panel Members and Hearing Officers 7th Regional War Labor Board 1944
43 Health Needs and What to do about Them 1953
44 How to Reach the Union Member 1958
45 How to set up a Union Scholarship Program 1966
46 ILPA Press Relations Guide n.d.
47 The Impossible Victory 1968
48 Interpretations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 1959
49 Labor and Education in 1954 1954
50 Labor: Champion of Education c. 1961
51 Labor Looks at Congress 1959 1959
52 Labor Looks at the 85th Congress 1957
53 Labor Looks at the 87th Congress 1962
54 Labor Looks at the 88th Congress 1964
55 Labor Press Directory 1959
56 Labor's Library 1952
57 Legislative Achievements of the AFL 1951
58 Legislative News And Views (1st Issue) 1962
59 List of Factories Union Stamp Boot and Shoe Workers Union 1936
60 List of Organizations Affiliated with AFL 1955
61 Minutes of the National Committee of Labor's League for Political Education 1948
62 Motorman, Conductor, and Motorcoach Operator 1937
63 NLRB and General Counsel Trigger Killing Blast at ITU 1957
64 Number One Objective: Join AFL-CIO Today 1959
65 Official Directory Union-Made Products, Services n.d.
66 OSHA: A 10-year Success Story 1980
Box 8 1 Parade Floats and Decorations 1955
2 Platform Proposals of the AFL-CIO to the Republican and Democratic National Conventions 1964
3 Policies For Economic Growth 1959
4 A Policy For Skilled Manpower 1954
5 Proceedings of the 4th Convention of the AFL-CIO National Auxiliaries 1963
6 Proposed Charter of the City of Springfield 1952
7 Questions and Answers on Missouri Workmen's Compensation Law 1961
8 Report, Joint Merger Committee Missouri State Federation of Labor Missouri State Industrial Union Council 1956
9 Reports of Executive Officers and Legislative Committee to the 41st Annual and Third Biennial 1937
10 The Right to Wreck: The Significance of St. Laws Prohibiting Unions 1954
11 Rules Governing AFL-CIO Local Central Bodies 1972
12 Shorter Hours to Create Jobs 1964
13 Six Wage-Hour Stories From "The People Directly Involved" 1959
14 Songs for Labor 1983
15 Statements Adopted By the AFL-CIO Executive Council 1969
16 A Step Toward Real Partnership: Federal Aid to Education n.d.
17 Subsidy Makes Sense n.d.
18 Synopsis of 1960 COPE Area Conferences 1960
19 Teaching High Sch. Students About Labor Unions 1959
20 To Build New Lives: A Labor Program For Rehabilitation 1964
21 Today's Forgotten People 1958
22 Toward Eliminating Poverty in America: An AFL-CIO Program 1969
23 Uncle Sam is Behind You: Join Your Union 1937
24 Unemployment Comp.: Too Little, Too Late For Too Few 1959
25 The Union Label: Its History and Aims n.d.
26 What Jane Didn't Know n.d.
27 Youth Unemployment: Scope and Solution 1968
28 20 Questions About "The Right to Work" 1958
29 25 Questions and Answers About Wages, Prices, Profits 1957
30 Publicity Handbook Joint Minimum Wage Committee AFL-CIO 1960
31 1965 Labor Day Safety Campaign Booklet 1965
Box 9 [Oversized Materials]
1 Labor Council Special 1972
2 In 1927 Clara Bow was "It" [1954 AFL Conv. Brochure] 1954
3 Re-elect Ed "Doc" Groves [Campaign Poster] n.d.
4 **Re-elect Harry E. Blackwell [Campaign Poster] n.d.
5 **Speaking for America [Poster] n.d.
6 [Blueprints for parade floats.] n.d.
7 Ledger 1956-1961
8 Ledger 1962-1967
9 Cash Book 1948-1956

** These two oversize items are missing as of September 4, 2002.