International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Local 197 Records
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Abstract
The Stone Derrickmen and Riggers Association, Local 197 of New York, NY was granted its Charter by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers on September 16, 1916. The collection consists of financial and annual reports, publications, correspondence, meeting minutes, contracts and photographs of Local 197. Reproductions of the founding Charter of Local 197 as well as early editions of the Bridgeman and Ironworkers magazine are also included. Approximately forty-five black and white photographs document construction projects throughout New York City from 1902 until the early 1990s.
Historical Note
The Stone Derrickmen and Riggers Association, Local 197 of New York, NY was granted its Charter by the International Association of Bridge, Structural , Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers on September 16, 1916. The International, founded in 1896 by sixteen delegates from across the United States, represents ironworkers laboring on bridges, structural steel, ornamental and architectural metals, and in shops. During the early years of Local 197, the International had frequent jurisdictional disputes with the American Federation of Labor, a factor which contributed to the failure of the 1919 Great Steel Strike which had attempted to reorganize the industry. With the advent of the New Deal, the International entered a period of expansion which continued through the 1950s. Local 197 worked on a variety of historic projects, including the Cathedral of St John the Divine and the "Columbia Triumphant" statue at Columbus Circle. Originally dominated by German, Jewish and Irish craftsmen, the local's membership became more diverse by the 1980s, as a result of court orders regarding affirmative action.
Arrangement
Collection materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of financial and annual reports, publications, correspondence, meeting minutes, contracts and photographs of the Stone Derrickmen and Riggers Association, Local 197. Reproductions of the founding Charter of Local 197 as well as early editions of the Bridgeman and Ironworkers magazine are included. There are records of the Welfare Funds and Apprenticeship programs of both Local 197 and Stone Setters Local 84, as well as correspondence between the two unions and the Building Trades Employers Association. The collection also includes contracts and agreements between the Local and employers. Approximately forty-five black and white photographs document construction projects throughout New York City from 1902 until the early 1990s. Major projects undertaken by the Local, such as the Cathedral of St John the Divine and the Hanover National Bank, are represented. Also included in the collection is union ephemera such as an insignia, stickers and a large (approximately 13 inch) nail.
Subjects
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 Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Local 197, were transferred to New York University in 2000 by Thomas Humphrey. 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 Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Local 197 Records; WAG 154; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Thomas Humphrey, Business Manager of Stone Derrickmen and Riggers, Ironworkers Local 197 in 2000. The accession numbers associated with this gift are 1950.158, 2000.026, NPA.2002.019 and NPA.2003.009.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Photographs separated from this collection during processing were established as a separate collection, the Stone Derrickmen and Riggers Association, Local 197 Photographs (PHOTOS 132). In 2013, the photograph collection was reincorporated into the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Local 197 Records (WAG 154).
Loose materials were rehoused in archival folders. Titles for these folders, as well as for blank folders, were supplied by the archivist and indicated with square brackets.
