La Crosse Typographical Union Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS M

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records of the La Crosse Typographical Union consist of constitution and by-laws, minutes, financial records and correspondence.

The Constitution and By-laws series includes two editions of the Constitution and By-laws of the organization, dated 1928 and 1960 respectively, and several single pages of amendments which fall between these two dates. This section also contains a small pamphlet from the International Joint Conference Council adopting the 44-hour work week, and three sets of price scales that spell out union rules and expected wages. The second series consists of minutes of the union from 1901through 1967, and 1973 to 1979. The minutes present a chronological record of the functions of the union and reflect in detail the participation of individual members. The minute books also contain some financial statements, membership lists and an occasional tipped-in correspondence or notation. There is a typed summary of minutes for the years 1901-1905, and one minute book of the Allied Printing Trades Council for the years 1918-1932.

The correspondence series contains letters primarily from the International Union to Local 448. Correspondence begins in 1913 and ends with the dissolution of the local chapter in 1980. Also included are correspondence from other unions and the National Labor Relation Board and several resolutions of sympathy for the deceased members.

The financial statements of the union are separated into several types of record books. Receipts and expenditures for 1901-1915 are recorded in the Treasurer’s Ledger while membership and dues (1901-1910) are listed chronologically in several different books (Treasurer’s Cashbook, Individual Ledger, Membership Register, and Assessments Collected). After 1910, The Secretary’s Record and Cashbook combines receipts and expenditures with membership lists and runs until 1924. In addition, three volumes titled Monthly Reports contain duplicates of the financial statements filed with the International Union office from 1910-1919. There are no separate financial records for the years 1925 to 1945, but some are contained in the minutes.

From 1946 to 1974, expenditures and receipts are entered in volumes titled Secretary-Treasurer’s Records. Monthly financial sheets are interfiled with minutes for 1966-67 and 1973 through 1979.

Finally, there is one miscellaneous folder which contains union labels and stamps, memorials, and a brochure from the 47th annual Wisconsin Typographical Conference (1967) held in La Crosse.

Dates

1901-1980

Creator

La Crosse Typographical Union No. 448 (La Crosse, Wis.) (Organization)

Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

Historical Note

The La Crosse Typographical Union No. 448 was organized in 1901 under the direction of a district organizer from the International Typographical Union. At an organizational meeting a unanimous vote was taken to apply for a local charter and by September 1, 1901, the charter was assured and officers elected.

One of the main functions of the union was to enforce locally the scale of wages and labor standards established by the International Union. Local 448 negotiated with La Crosse newspapers and job printers for union labor, wages and work standards. Printers who complied used the union label on their products.

The union was repeatedly called upon to patronize or boycott other La Crosse businesses depending upon their affiliations and they often contributed financially to other local and national unions. They actively celebrated Labor Day by participating in parades, maintained a sick committee, held social functions and honored their dead. In 1915 they joined other printing-related unions in La Crosse forming the Allied Printing Trades Council to coordinate local union activities.

In the early 1880’s, the International Typographical Union established the Union Printers Home in Colorado in response to a tuberculosis problem within the trade. They were also instrumental in the establishment of the 8-hour work day.

In 1980, with fourteen aged members and no new members, Local 448 decided it was impossible to keep a local in La Crosse and petitioned the International Union to accept its surrendered charter. The charter was revoked on June 30, 1980.

Extent

2.2 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The La Crosse (Wisconsin) Typographical Union No. 448 was organized in 1901 under the direction of a district organizer from the International Typographical Union. One of the main functions of the union was to enforce locally the scale of wages and labor standards established by the International Union in relation to newspapers and job printers. Local 448 had its charter revoked in 1980 due to the small size of its membership.

Records of La Crosse Typographical Union No. 448 include the constitution and by-laws, minutes (1901-1979), correspondence (1913-1980), and financial records (1901-1924; 1946-1979) which includes a membership register from 1910.