International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 138 Records
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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).
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People
Donors
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
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.
About this Guide
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.