Compressed Air and Free Air, Shaft, Tunnel, Foundation, Caisson, Subway, Cofferdam, Sewer Construction Workers, of New York and New Jersey States and Vicinity Records
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Abstract
The Compressed Air and Foundation Workers' Union was chartered by the American Federation of Labor in 1904 and merged with the International Hod Carriers', Building and Common Laborers' Union of America in 1918. Local 147, representing New York metropolitan area "sandhogs" was formed through the merger of Locals 45 and 102 in 1938. The records consist of photocopies of minutes, agreements, constitutions, work rules, and some newspaper clippings.
Historical/Biographical Note
The Compressed Air and Foundation Workers' Union was chartered by the American Federation of Labor in 1904 and merged with the International Hod Carriers', Building and Common Laborers' Union of America in 1918. Local 147, representing New York metropolitan area "sandhogs" was formed from the merger of Locals 45 and 102 in 1938. Local 102 itself was formed through the merger of Locals 63, 67 (northern New Jersey), and 68 (Newark, NJ). Members have been employed in all major sewage, water, subway and traffic tunnel construction in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Originally composed almost exclusively of Irish and English skilled workers, the union has gradually been opened to minority workers since World War II. In 1978 the union formed a Political Action Committee, funded by a voluntary check-off of three cents per hour, and his since engaged in vigorous political lobbying on issues of concern to members, including health and safety. According to Paul E. Delaney's Sandhogs: A History of the Tunnel Workers of New York (New York: Longfield Press, 1983), which includes several interviews with local members, Local 147 has a well-deserved reputation for democratic practice and member participation.
Arrangement
Series I is arranged chronologically; series II is arranged alphabetically by topic.
The files are grouped into 2 series:
Missing Title
- I, Correspondence, 1938-1960
- II, Subject Files, 1949-1975; 2008.
Scope and Content Note
The records consist for the most part of photocopies of Regular (i.e., membership) Meeting and Executive Board minutes, agreements and newspaper clippings. (Original materials were loaned to the Wagner Labor Archives by Local 147.) The minutes reflect collective bargaining, work rules, and the changing ethnic composition of tunnel work. Also included are original printed copies of a constitution, an agreement, Working Rules booklets and a CD copy of a 2005 television program about the "sandhogs."
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by the Compressed Air and Free Air, Shaft, Tunnel, Foundation, Caisson, Subway, Cofferdam, Sewer Construction Workers of New York and New Jersey States and Vicinity was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date; Compressed Air and Free Air, Shaft, Tunnel, Foundation, Caisson, Subway, Cofferdam, Sewer Construction Workers, of New York and New Jersey States and Vicinity Records; WAG 002; box number; folder number;
Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by the Compressed Air and Free Air, Shaft, Tunnel, Foundation, Caisson, Subway, Cofferdam, Sewer Construction Workers, of New York and New Jersey States and Vicinity in 1978. The accession number associated with this gift is 1978.011.
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