The University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Graphic Communications International Union. Local 48B

GCIU Local 48B Records

1952-1985
3 boxes 1.25 linear feet
Call no.: MS 059

Local of the Graphic Communications International Union that represented over 1000 bindery workers in the Holyoke, Massachusetts area. Records include detailed minutes, shop reports, committee reports, reports of delegates sent to the Holyoke Central Labor Union and national conventions, copies of agreements, notes on contract negotiations, copies of three newsletters, and subject files that document activities as well as the emergence of factionalism within the union.

Historical Note

Graphic Communications International Union, Local 48B, was originally chartered as a local of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders. When the Bookbinders became a part of the Graphic Arts International Union in 1972, it adopted its current number, which it kept in the subsequent merger that produced the Graphic Communications International Union.

Local 48B represented over 1000 bindery workers in the Holyoke area, including workers at the National Blank Book Company, Eureka Blank Book, New England Bindery, and Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Company. Through the 1960’s, the union and the companies engaged in relatively amicable collective bargaining negotiations, resulting in few arbitrations or strikes. A sizable portion of the local, however, became disenchanted with the local’s leadership, complaining of poor contracts. Long-time leaders Philip Beaudry, Raymond Lacroix, and Robert Kelly came under attack, eventually giving way to Joe Brown and Richard Connors in the 1970’s.

In the 1970’s, a rank-and-file group, advocating a more activist role, nevertheless became sufficiently established in Local 48B to publish a newsletter and conduct opposition campaigns against Kelly, Brown, and Connors. The rank-and-file group finally succeeded in electing Warren Plaut as President in 1984.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The records of Local 48B (1952-1985) reflect both traditional union activities in the factories and the internal factionalism within the union. Detailed minutes (1952-1984) include shop reports, committee reports, and the reports of delegates to the Holyoke Central Labor Union and national conventions. Beginning in the 1970’s there is substantial information concerning the emergence of rank-and-file criticism. Copies of agreements (1958-1984) show the evolution of collective bargaining with the National Blank Book Company. In addition, there are extensive notes on the contract negotiations in 1979 and 1981.

Copies of three newsletters, all from the rank-and-file group, represent three phases of opposition, 1976-1978, 1980, and 1985, and document the concerns and successes that motivated the rank-and-file opposition. Finally, a small number of subject files document the more militant activities of the 1980’s leadership.


Information on Use
Terms of Access and Use
Restrictions on access:

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Graphic Communications International Union Local 48B Records (MS 59). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

History of the Collection

Deposited by Warren Plaut, President of Local 48B, August 1985.

Processing Information

Processed by Ken Fones-Wolf, August 1985.


Additional Information

Sponsor
Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Language
English.


Contents List
Constitution and Bylaws
1976, 1985
Box 1:1-2
Minutes
1952-1976
Box 1:3-12
Minutes
1977-1984
Box 2:13-14
Agreements
1958-1984
Box 2:15-21
Negotiations
1979, 1981
Box 2:22-23
Newsletter — “The Old Unionist”
1976-1978
Box 3:24
Newsletter — “Carrying On”
1980
Box 3:25
Newsletter — “Carrying On”
1985
Box 3:26
Attendance Policy
1984-1985
Box 3:27
Central America
1980-1985
Box 3:28
Election
1978-1979
Box 3:29
Pension and Insurance Plans
1975-1984
Box 3:30
President — Joe Brown
1978-1979
Box 3:31
President — Richard Connors
1982-1984
Box 3:32
Quality of Work Life
1981-1985
Box 3:33
Rank-and-File for a Good Contract
1976
Box 3:34
Sexual Harassment
1979-1985
Box 3:35

Subjects

Carrying onCollective bargaining--Paper industry--Massachusetts --Holyoke--History--SourcesHolyoke (Mass.)--Economic conditions--SourcesLabor unions--Massachusetts--HolyokeNational Blank Book Co.--HistoryOld unionistPaper industry workers--Labor unions--Massachusetts--Holyoke

Contributors

Graphic Arts International Union. Local 48BInternational Brotherhood of Bookbinders. Local 48

Types of material

Newsletters