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International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 Records

Call Number

WAG.153

Date

1936-1992, inclusive

Creator

International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Local 138
Ruscigno, Michael (Role: Donor)

Extent

10.75 Linear Feet in 9 record cartons, 1 manuscript box, and 1 oversize flat box

Language of Materials

Materials are in English

Abstract

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 Records (dated 1936-1992) contain contracts, minutes, elections records, and documents related to arbitrations, mediations, and disputes between union members and their employers. Local 138 (Furniture, Flour and Grocery Teamsters and Chauffeurs) was chartered in 1927 and is one of the earliest Teamster locals in New York City. The bulk of the collection consists of shop files reflecting the bargaining efforts of Local 138, which include contracts and agreements between Local 138 and employers. Other materials include 3 bound cash books tracking union expenses (1936-1939), mediations (1964-1980), executive board minutes (1944-1962), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) disputes and complaints, and election records (1943-1968).

Historical/Biographical Note

The International Brother Hood of Teamsters, Local 138 (Furniture, Flour and Grocery Teamsters and Chauffeurs) was chartered in 1927 and therefore is one of the earliest Teamster locals in New York City. The charter was amended in 1940 to include the City of Brooklyn. The Local has suffered declining membership since the 1980s as a result of the loss of small businesses and downsizing. The Local conducted a prolonged and costly strike after the takeover of White Rose Foods by Arthur M. Goldberg in 1990.

Arrangement

Files in this collection are in rough groupings by topic and document type. This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. The materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.

Scope and Content Note

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 Records (dated 1936-1992) contain contracts, minutes, elections records, and documents related to arbitrations, mediations, and disputes between union members and their employers.

The bulk of the collection consists of shop files reflecting the bargaining efforts of Local 138. These files contain contracts and agreements between Local 138 and employers, as well as a small amount of correspondence and notes related to bargaining efforts. Contracts between the union and employers largely feature grocery stores, furniture companies, warehouses, moving companies, freight companies, and various merchants. Some contracts are dated as early as early as 1938, but the majority date from the mid-1960s to the 1980s.

Other materials include 3 bound cash books tracking union expenses (1936-1939), mediations (1964-1980), executive board minutes (1944-1962), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) disputes and complaints, and election records (1943-1968).

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 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 were transferred to New York University by Michael Ruscigno. 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

Identification of item, date; International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 Records; WAG 153; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.

Location of Materials

Materials stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu at least two business days prior to research visit.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Michael Ruscigno, Recording Secretary of Local 138, circa 1996. The accession number associated with this gift is 1986.014.

Collection processed by

Maggie Schreiner

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 16:33:12 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Description is in English

Processing Information

The bulk of this collection was originally housed in hanging files. In 2017 materials were moved into archival housing and boxes were condensed. At this time, the box list was updated and collection-level notes were revised to include more robust description. The collection has not been arranged by an archivist. Materials are in the order in which they were received from the donor.

Revisions to this Guide

May 2017: Edited by Heather Mulliner to reflect updated box list and collection description

Repository

Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012