ContentsScope and Contents of the Collection
Constitution and Bylaws 1976, 1985 Newsletter -- "The Old Unionist" 1976-1978 Newsletter -- "Carrying On" 1980 Newsletter -- "Carrying On" 1985 Pension and Insurance Plans 1975-1984 President -- Joe Brown 1978-1979 President -- Richard Connors 1982-1984 Quality of Work Life 1981-1985 |
Graphic Communications International Union Local 48B Records, 1952-1985Finding AidFinding aid prepared by Ken Fones-Wolf.Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.2003
Administrative InformationDeposited by Warren Plaut, President of Local 48B, August 1985. Processed by Ken Fones-Wolf, August 1985. Preferred CitationCite as: Graphic Communications International Union Local 48B Records (MS 59). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst. The collection is open for research. Return to the Table of Contents Historical NoteGraphic Communications International Union, Local 48B, was originally chartered as a local of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders. When the Bookbinders became a part of the Graphic Arts International Union in 1972, it adopted its current number, which it kept in the subsequent merger that produced the Graphic Communications International Union. Local 48B represented over 1000 bindery workers in the Holyoke area, including workers at the National Blank Book Company, Eureka Blank Book, New England Bindery, and Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Company. Through the 1960's, the union and the companies engaged in relatively amicable collective bargaining negotiations, resulting in few arbitrations or strikes. A sizable portion of the local, however, became disenchanted with the local's leadership, complaining of poor contracts. Long-time leaders Philip Beaudry, Raymond Lacroix, and Robert Kelly came under attack, eventually giving way to Joe Brown and Richard Connors in the 1970's. In the 1970's, a rank-and-file group, advocating a more activist role, nevertheless became sufficiently established in Local 48B to publish a newsletter and conduct opposition campaigns against Kelly, Brown, and Connors. The rank-and-file group finally succeeded in electing Warren Plaut as President in 1984. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionThe records of Local 48B (1952-1985) reflect both traditional union activities in the factories and the internal factionalism within the union. Detailed minutes (1952-1984) include shop reports, committee reports, and the reports of delegates to the Holyoke Central Labor Union and national conventions. Beginning in the 1970's there is substantial information concerning the emergence of rank-and-file criticism. Copies of agreements (1958-1984) show the evolution of collective bargaining with the National Blank Book Company. In addition, there are extensive notes on the contract negotiations in 1979 and 1981. Copies of three newsletters, all from the rank-and-file group, represent three phases of opposition, 1976-1978, 1980, and 1985, and document the concerns and successes that motivated the rank-and-file opposition. Finally, a small number of subject files document the more militant activities of the 1980's leadership. Return to the Table of Contents Search TermsReturn to the Table of Contents Constitution and Bylaws 1976, 1985Minutes 1952-1976Minutes 1977-1984Agreements 1958-1984Negotiations 1979, 1981Newsletter -- "The Old Unionist" 1976-1978Newsletter -- "Carrying On" 1980Newsletter -- "Carrying On" 1985Attendance Policy 1984-1985Central America 1980-1985Election 1978-1979Pension and Insurance Plans 1975-1984President -- Joe Brown 1978-1979President -- Richard Connors 1982-1984Quality of Work Life 1981-1985Rank-and-File for a Good Contract 1976Sexual Harassment 1979-1985 |
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