Series VII: Collective Bargaining Materials
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of the materials in the series relates to the effort to implement a job classification system through collective bargaining. Western Union successfully avoided this standard corporate practice until the 1940's. While collective bargaining materials related to other employers such as the Bendix Field Engineering Company (satellite tracking at Goddard Space Center, near Washington, D.C) is included, the bulk of the materials relate to Western Union. Collective bargaining materials related to the divisions are included (e.g., Canadian; Press). Strike materials (bulletins, correspondence, press releases) are included in this section. Two boxes at the end of the series contain Exhibit materials, and Western Union bargaining records, 1946-1949, originating with CWA District 6 (Texas).
The materials related to the 53 day strike in 1952 are of exceptional depth. Materials include correspondence, strike bulletins, notes, news clips, company and union financial data, and public relations materials, such as radio broadcasts.