Collection Summary

Title
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 198 (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records

Dates
1940-1983      

Collection ID
URB 51

Creator
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. Local 198 (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Quantity
7 linear feet (14 boxes)          

Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

Language
Materials in English.        

Detailed Collection Information

Historical Note

The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America came into existence in January 1897. Unlike many unions, it contained both craft locals (in retail butchering) and industrial locals (in packing houses). Philadelphia meat cutters formed local unions in 1936 amid a major organizing drive by the national union. In 1939-1940, locals 195, 198, and 199 established themselves in the city and began securing collective bargaining rights.

Local 198 maintained an active interest in labor's political action, legislation and progressive policies. The local, both in its own activities and as part of the area-wide Joint Council, pursued its goals through a variety of measures and methods, including cooperation with other unions, economic pressure, and influence with employers.

Description of Collection

This collection contains minutes, contracts, pamphlets, financial records, correspondence, publications, and other materials. The minutes of both executive board and general membership meetings document day-to-day problems of labor relations and union administration. International, Pennsylvania State and Philadelphia area joint council materials provide information on relationships with the higher levels of the union.

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 5 series as follows:

Series 1: Minutes, 1944-1977
Series 2: Agreements and Printed Matter, 1947-1983
Series 3: Financial Records, 1940-1981
Series 4: International and Joint Council Material, 1947-1982
Series 5: Elections, 1963-1978

Series 1, Minutes, contains the minutes of the Local 198 Executive Board, general membership and special meetings.

Series 2, Agreements and Printed Matter, includes contracts, union constitutions, and various other union pamphlets.

Series 3, Financial Records, contains financial statements, receipt books, stewards' receipts, and office receipts.

Series 4, International and Joint Council Material, contains correspondence, minutes, memos, and published material from the Joint Council and International Union of the AMC & BW.

Series 5, Elections, contains correspondence, ballots, memos, returns and hearings concerning elections and election irregularities.

Patron Information

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: http://diamond.temple.edu/record=b1610612~S30

Research Access

Collection is open for research.

Collections Stored Off-Site

This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.

Publication and Copyright Information

The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 198 (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Acquired in approximately 1981.

Processing Information

Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in June 2015.    

Index Terms

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:

Corporate Names:
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. Local 198 (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Subjects:
Butchers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Labor -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
Labor Unions -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Places:
Philadelphia (Pa.)

Material Types:
Administrative records
Correspondence
Financial records
Legal documents
Manuscripts
Minutes
Pamphlets
Publications