American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Records
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Moe Biller served as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union (originally the Postal Union of Manhattan-Bronx Clerks) from 1959 to 1980. As local president, Biller led the New York City union through the hard-fought national postal strike of 1970. From 1980 until his retirement in 2001, Biller was president of the American Postal Workers Union. This collection is composed of selected APWU presidential files, documentation of an oral history project carried out by retirees of the New York Metro Area Postal Union in the late 1970s, as well as a selection of printed items, including photographs and protest materials, as well as numerous physical artifacts in the form of plaques and awards.
Historical/Biographical Note
Morris "Moe" Biller was born in New York City on November 15, 1915. He attended Brooklyn College and City College and began working in the Postal Service in 1937 as a substitute clerk. Except for wartime service in the military, Biller spent the rest of his life in the Postal Service and as a postal union leader. He held almost every position within his local union (National Federation of Postal Clerks, Local 10) before the local broke away to become the Manhattan-Bronx Postal Workers, a local of the newly formed National Postal Clerks Union. Biller became president of the new local, 25,000 members strong, in 1959 and led the local through the so-called Great Postal Strike of 1970. This national strike lasted eight days and resulted in the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, creating the U.S. Postal Service and granting its employees collective bargaining rights. In 1971 the National Postal Clerks Union joined with four other postal unions to become the American Postal Workers Union. Biller's local took on its present name, the New York Metro Area Postal Union, in 1973; the new name reflected the inclusion of the New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center and the North Jersey Facility in the local's bargaining unit.
Biller was elected president of the American Postal Workers Union in 1980, and carried his activist style into this new arena. He was a long-time supporter of the civil rights movement and of women's efforts to advance in the labor movement. He served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes and United Way, and sat on the boards of university labor studies programs at Cornell University and Empire State College. Biller's personal interest in labor history was exemplified in the cooperation he offered to the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University, to the Tenement Museum on New York's Lower East Side, and to a number of labor history oral history and film projects. It was with his full and enthusiastic support that Dana Schechter embarked on her project to document the history of the New York Metro Area Postal Union through interviews with and by the local's retirees. On his retirement Biller returned to live in his beloved New York City; he died in New York on September 5, 2003.
Sources:
Walsh, John and Garth Mangum, Labor Struggle in the Post Office: From Selective Lobbying to Collective Bargaining (New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1992).
Arrangement
The American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Files are arranged into four series, the first two of which are processed. The series are as follows:
I. Subject Files, 1930-2001; II. Oral History Project Files: New York Metro Area Postal Union, 1962-1983; III. Photographs; and IV. Artifacts.
Files within each series are ordered alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
This collection documents the American Postal Workers Union from the perspective of its former president, Moe Biller. Biller was a long-time labor activist and also an active civil rights supporter. The American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Records contain materials documenting the health and safety hazards posed to postal workers, as well as the union's energetic attempts to improve working conditions. Also included are a range of records and printed ephemera documenting the Depression-era history of U.S. postal workers and their organizations.
During his tenure as president of the American Postal Workers Union from 1980 until approximately 2001, Biller actively advanced labor history in New York City through his philanthropic support of numerous charitable organizations and educational institutions. The American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Records contain significant paper-based and photographic documentation, as well as artifactual evidence of Biller's career with the Postal Service, and his legacy.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) were transferred to New York University in 2001 by William Burrus on behalf of APWU. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu, (212) 998-2630.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date; American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Records; WAG 099; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) president Moe Biller at the time of his retirement in the fall of 2001. The donation was confirmed by incoming president William Burrus. The accession numbers associated with this gift are 2001.198 and 2001.199.
A letter to Biller concerning the 2000 Presidential Election along with a tally sheet and hanging chad were found in the repository and added to this collection. The accession number associated with these items is 2024.019.
Custodial History
Moe Biller's life-long interest in the preservation of labor history inspired him to mark his retirement from the American Postal Workers Union by donating a selection of his presidential files, as well as his personal collection of memorabilia, signed photographs, posters, and books on postal union history to the Robert Wagner Labor Archives at New York University. Incoming APWU president William Burrus confirmed the donation and designated the Robert Wagner Labor Archives as the official repository for APWU records at the same time. In 2001, the union also transferred to NYU a body of records documenting the New York Metro Area Postal Union oral history project; these were apparently given to Biller during his tenure as New York Metro president.
About this Guide
Processing Information Note
During initial processing, photographs and artifactual materials were established a a separate collection: the American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Collection (NP 112). In April 2013, the photographs and artifacts were reincorporated into the American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Files (WAG 099), and the entire collection was rehoused. The final two series in this collection, Series III: Photographs and Series IV: Artifacts, are unprocessed but open to researchers.
Processing Information
Decisions regarding arrangement, description, and physical interventions for this collection prior to 2024 are unknown. In March 2024, materials from accretion 2024.019 were unframed, encapsulated, and added to Series I of the collection.
Revisions to this Guide
Edition of this Guide
Repository
Series I: Subject Files, 1930-2001, 1930-2001, inclusive
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, reports, flyers and clippings documenting Moe Biller's years as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, Local 10). Especially well represented are materials reflecting health and safety hazards in the industry, and the union's energetic attempts to improve working conditions. A smaller amount of material (mostly convention records, daily schedules, expense records, and committee materials) relate to Biller's tenure as international president of the American Postal Workers Union. Also included are a range of records and printed ephemera documenting the Depression-era history of U.S. postal workers and their organizations; these were given to Moe Biller by various members of the APWU over the years.
2000 Presidential Election Recount, 2000-11-21
American Federation of Labor: Di Bartolomeo Materials, 1932, inclusive
A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1932, inclusive
Advertising Tracking Study, 1983, inclusive
Americans for Democratic Action: Award to Moe Biller, 1982, inclusive
APWU: Birmingham, AL Local, 1974, inclusive
APWU: History, 1985, inclusive
APWU News, 1974, inclusive
APWU: Rossdale Interview, undated, inclusive
APWU vs. U.S. Postal Service, San Francisco Bulk Mail Center, 1980, inclusive
Arbitration Procedure, 1980, inclusive
Arbitration Procedure and Cases, 1983-1985, inclusive
Bargaining, 1970-1973, inclusive
Bargaining, 1978-1981, inclusive
Bargaining, 1985, inclusive
Bargaining: Agreement, 1981, inclusive
Bargaining: Overtime Dispute (Article 8), 1984, inclusive
Barry, D. John, undated , 1966 , 1968, inclusive
Benefits: General, 1971, inclusive
Biller, Anne, 1979, inclusive
Biller, Moe: Biographical, undated , 1982-1984, inclusive
Biller, Moe: Compensation and Benefits, 1976-1984, inclusive
Biller, Moe: Joke Newspapers, undated, inclusive
Bolger, William F., undated , 1979, inclusive
"Bowing to Billerism and Other Matters": Fortune Magazine, Jun 1992
"Bulk Battle": News Flash, 1974, inclusive
Catholic Interracial Council of New York: Award to J. McMillan, 1982, inclusive
Capitol Building Access: APWU Officers, 1984, inclusive
Civil Service: Pamphlets, 1955 , 1957 , 1959, inclusive
Clerk Craft Conference, 1980, inclusive
Clinton, William J., President: MB Support For, 1994, inclusive
Clippings: Federal Times, 1973, inclusive
Clippings: New York Daily News, 1970, inclusive
Clippings: New York Post, 1970, inclusive
Clippings: New York Times, 1970, inclusive
Clippings: The Progressive, 1970, inclusive
Clippings: Washington DC Press, 1970, inclusive
Committee on Political Action, 1983, inclusive
Committees, 2000, inclusive
Concerned Postal Workers: Workers Action Movement, 1973, inclusive
Constitution and By-Laws, undated , 1978, inclusive
Contract Stations: Problems, 1992, inclusive
Convention, 1980, inclusive
Convention: Amnesty for Fired Postal Workers, 1980, inclusive
Convention: Las Vegas, Wedding Ceremony, 1990, inclusive
Convention: Location Complaint, 1980, inclusive
Convention: Resolutions, 1980, inclusive
Correspondence, undated , 1961-1986, inclusive
DiBartolomeo, Mando: Collection of Material on Postal History, 1930-1935, inclusive
Diary of Events, Nov 1980-Dec 1980
Discrimination Complaint: N. Atkinson, 1980, inclusive
Drug Enforcement: In Post Office, 1983, inclusive
Elections: APWU, 1972, inclusive
Elections: APWU, 1980, inclusive
Elections: APWU, 1983, inclusive
Elections: APWU Vice-President, undated, inclusive
Elections: Federal, 1980, inclusive
Ellis Island: Awards Gala, 1999, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1981, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1982, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1983, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1985, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1986, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1987, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1988, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1989, inclusive
Expenses: Moe Biller, 1990, inclusive
Fair Labor Standards Act: Lawsuits, etc., 1980, inclusive
Federal Service: General, 1962-1969, inclusive
Filbey, Francis S., 1970-1974, inclusive
Fiscal Crisis: NYC, 1975, inclusive
AFreeze March@: Clippings (from Max Eastman), 1934, inclusive
General Scheme of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri (Donated to APWU by Robert D. Kessler), 1946-1950, inclusive
Glossary of Postal Terms, 1988, inclusive
Goodman, Sidney: Death, 1971, inclusive
Goodman, Sidney: General, 1968-1969, inclusive
Goodman, Sidney: Retirement, 1969-1976, inclusive
Goodman, Sidney: Testimony, 1969, inclusive
Goodwin, Leo: Schack Affair, 1961, inclusive
Grievances: General, undated, inclusive
Handman, Ephraim (Frank): Charles Salk Account of, undated, inclusive
Health and Safety: Accident Prevention, 1979, inclusive
Health and Safety: Asbestos, 1980, inclusive
Health and Safety: Morgan Mail Facility, 1978-1980, inclusive
Health and Safety: Morgan Mail Facility, OSHA Reports, 1979-1980, inclusive
Health and Safety: Facility at New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Report, etc., 1979-1980, inclusive
Health and Safety: General, 1980, inclusive
Health and Safety: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Recommendations, undated, inclusive
Health and Safety: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Survey, 1980, inclusive
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, 1978, inclusive
Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: Convention Proceedings, 1932, inclusive
Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: DiBartolomeo Materials, 1931-1934, inclusive
Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: Women's Auxilliary, 1931, inclusive
Iran: Robert Armao and the Shah, 1979, inclusive
Italian Americans in APWU, 1979, inclusive
Kay, Abe: Charles Salk Account of, undated, inclusive
Kennedy, Robert F., 1965 , 1993, inclusive
Komansky, Samuel: Life in the Postal Service, 1976, inclusive
Las Vegas Area Local, 1994-1997, inclusive
Local Implementation: Arbitrator's Award, 1979, inclusive
Local Memorandum of Understanding: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, 1975-1978, inclusive
Locker Inspection: Protest, 1980, inclusive
Manhattan-Bronx Postal Union: Union Mail Clipping, 1970, inclusive
Methods Improvement Program, 1980, inclusive
Miami: Asbestos Protest, etc., 1980, inclusive
National Association of Letter Carriers-APWU Arbitration Case, 1984, inclusive
National Association of Letter Carriers: Branch 36, 1978, inclusive
National Association of Substitute Post Office Employees: Leaflet, undated, inclusive
National Federation of Post Office Clerks: Mando DiBartolomeo Historical Materials, 1931-1932, inclusive
National Postal Clerks Union: Manhattan-Bronx Case, 1959, inclusive
National Postal Union, 1960 , 1967, inclusive
New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, 1974, inclusive
New York Federation of Post Office Clerks: Constitution and Bylaws, undated, inclusive
New York Federation of Post Office Clerks: Contingency Fund, 1956, inclusive
New York Metro Area Postal Union: Award to Moe Biller, 1983, inclusive
New York Metro Area Postal Union: History, 1974, inclusive
New York Metro Area Postal Union: Leaflets (with Charles Salk Comments), 1976, inclusive
New York Metro Area Postal Union: ANews Flash@, 1970 , 1974, inclusive
New York Metro Area Postal Union: Women Stewards Meeting, 1974, inclusive
OSHA: New Directions Grant Application, 1983, inclusive
Pay Rates, 1975, inclusive
Penn Terminal Employees: Hand-Drawn Card to Moe Biller, undated, inclusive
Pension Adjustments, 1980, inclusive
Pepper, Claude: Banquet, undated, inclusive
Postal Laws and Regulations, 1951, inclusive
Postal Press Association, 1980, inclusive
Postal Service, 1969-1986, inclusive
Postal Service: Arbitration Case (Costa, M.), 1974, inclusive
Postal Service: General, 1979-1981, inclusive
Postal Service: History, 1974, inclusive
Postal Sub: National Union of Substitute Post Office Employees, 1934, inclusive
Postal Workers Defense Committee: San Francisco, 1980, inclusive
Postscript: The Voice of the NY Post Office, 1967, inclusive
Presidents' [sic] Conference, 1980, inclusive
"Remember Moe Biller?" Article, Army Magazine, Sep 1975, inclusive
Resolutions, 1980, inclusive
Retirement: Moe Biller (Photocopy of Album), 2001, inclusive
Revolutionary Union: Draft Program, 1973, inclusive
Riesel, Victor, 1978, inclusive
Safety Conditions: High-Volume Books, 1979, inclusive
Salk, Charles: General, 1972-1977, undated, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1981, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1983, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1984, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1985, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1986, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1987, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1988, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1989, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller, 1990, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller (Calendar), 1981-1982 , 1985, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller (Calendar), 1988-1990, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller (Calendar), 1991 , 1993-1994, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller (Calendar), 1995 , 1997-1998, inclusive
Schedule: Moe Biller (Calendar), 1999, inclusive
Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (I), 1978-1979, inclusive
Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (II), 1978-1979, inclusive
Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (III), 1978-1979, inclusive
Scotto Trial, 1979, inclusive
Selective Service Registration: Objection by Postal Clerks, 1980, inclusive
South Shore Area Local 3844: "The Weird", 1980, inclusive
Strachan, John R.: Manhattan Postmaster, 1982, inclusive
Strike: Article on National Guard Role (Army Magazine), Sep 1975
Strike: Articles, 1970, inclusive
Strike: Charles Salk File, undated, inclusive
Strike: Charles Salk "The Eve of the Strike", Jul 1976
Strike: Chronology of Events, 1970, inclusive
Strike: Threats, 1978, inclusive
Strike: Union Mail, 1974, inclusive
Strike: U.S. v. Branch 36, NALC, 1970, inclusive
Substitute Post Office Clerks Association: Newsletter, 1932, inclusive
Substitute Post Office Employees Association, 1933-1934, inclusive
Supervisory Personnel (204B) Returning to Bargaining Unit: Grievances, 1980, inclusive
Taxes, 1986, inclusive
Telecommunication Deregulation, 1980, inclusive
Union Democracy: Attendance Requirements, 1978, inclusive
Union Recognition: Biller Testimony, 1961, inclusive
Union Mail: Manhattan, Bronx Clerks, 1960 , 1969, inclusive
U.S. Labor Department Suit: Back Pay, 1978, inclusive
U.S. v. APWU, et al.: Limitation of Hours, 1974-1980, inclusive
Wiretapping: Britain, 1980, inclusive
Working Conditions: Washington, DC, 1981, inclusive
Series II: Oral History Project Files, New York Metro Area Postal Union, 1962-1983, 1962-1983, inclusive
Scope and Content Note
The New York Metro Area Postal Union's Oral History Project Files consists of background files, transcripts and other documentation produced and collected in the course of an oral history project supervised by Dana Schechter in the late 1970s and carried out by retired postal workers. The audio tapes produced by this project make up oral history collection OH 3 at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. The oral history project includes a lengthy interview with Moe Biller, covering his early life and his years as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union.
