Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
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Abstract
The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (1897-2003) is an artificial collection collected and assembled by the Tamiment Library over the course of several decades. It consists of contracts, agreements, and by-laws as well as printed ephemera such as fliers, brochures, leaflets, newspaper clippings, pamphlets and other publications.
Historical Note
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) was formed in 1903 by the merger of several regional locals of teamsters, individuals who drove teams of animals, such as oxen or horses, and wagons. The union today represents a diverse membership of blue-collar and professional workers in both the public and private sectors as is evident by the various locals included in the collection, such as Ice Cream Drivers and Employees, Local 757 and Armored Car Chauffeurs and Guards, Local 820. Currently known by the name International Brotherhood of Teamsters, IBT was also briefly known as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers of America and later and more popularly, as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America. The collection consists mainly of materials from the latter.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series. Folders are arranged alphabetically within series. The series arrangement of the records is as follows:
Series I: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 1897-2003
Series II: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers of America, 1938-1940
Series III: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America, 1952-2003
Scope and Contents
The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (1897-2003) contains materials from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America (IBTCW&H). Locals may appear under both IBT and IBTCW&H.
The files consist of agreements, constitutions, fliers, and publications put out by locals as well as the union at large. Two sets of rosters, one for IBT and one for IBTCW&H are included. Most of the materials date from the 1950s-1980s. Several locals are represented, often by fliers or constitutions and agreements. Teamsters for a Democratic Union are represented in two files and were an important impetus to rid the Teamsters of corrupt practices.
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Because of the assembled nature of this collection, copyright status varies across the collection. Copyright is assumed to be held by the original creator of individual items in the collection; these items are expected to pass into the public domain 120 years after their creation. The Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives is not authorized to grant permission to publish or reproduce materials from this collection.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; PE 018; box number; folder number or item identifier; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials in this collection have been compiled by the Tamiment Library. There is no accession record associated with this collection.
In 2025, materials from accession 2019.056, which is associated with Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on Subjects (PE 029), were transferred to this collection.
Custodial History
The Tamiment Library, New York University, a special collection documenting the history of United States radicalism, labor, and progressive social action, accumulated this artificial collection of printed ephemera gradually over the years through purchases, donations, standing orders with publishers, organizations, and bookstores, and through exchanges with other special library collections and by ongoing collecting by staff.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2025 are unknown.
In 2025, unprocessed materials from the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives Printed Ephemera Collection on Subjects (PE 029) were transferred to this collection and placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. These materials were housed in box Shared Tamiment 190 and integrated into the collection's existing alphabetical file list.
