Title: LEONARD WOODCOCK: UAW PRESIDENT'S OFFICE Genre: Records Date: 1962-1977 (Predominantly, 1970‑1977) Size: 122 1/4 linear feet ID#: 262-UAW OCLC: |
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The files from Leonard Woodcock's office during his tenure as President of the United Automobile Workers were placed in the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs in 1977 by Mr. Woodcock and were opened for research in August of 1988.
Leonard Woodcock was named President of the UAW in May 1970, following the death of Walter P. Reuther. He was elected to a full term at the union's 23rd Constitutional Convention in April, 1972, and re‑elected in 1974. He retired in May 1977.
During his tenure as UAW President, Woodcock led the union in acquiring historic contract gains. In 1970, after a sixty‑seven‑day strike against General Motors, the union achieved a settlement restoring full cost‑of‑living benefits and early retirement after thirty years. The 1973 auto negotiations produced an even more liberal 30‑and‑out program, dental insurance, restrictions on overtime, improved COLA and SUB benefits, and stronger health and safety provisions. In 1976 the union won vision care and hearing aid benefits as well as reduced overtime.
While Woodcock devoted most of his attention to the union during these ,ears, he also was involved with several organizations whose interests were parallel with those of the union, including the Committee for National Health Insurance, National Commissions on Productivity and on Supplies and Shortages, the Labor Management Advisory Council, and the National Urban Coalition.
Following his retirement, Woodcock was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a position as Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China. He was the United States' first ambassador to that country since World War 11, and served in that capacity until 1980.
Upon his return from China, Woodcock accepted a position in the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan. He also has done occasional guest lectures for other departments, including law, economics, and political science.
The files of the UAW President's Office reflect Woodcock's activities and interests during the time he served as the union's President.
Alliance for Labor Action
Civil Rights
Commerce, Domestic and International
Economy
Ford Motor Company
General Motors Corporation
Health Care
International Metalworkers Federation
NAACP
National Commission on Productivity
National Commission on Supplies and Shortages
National Health Insurance
National Urban Coalition
Negotiations
Richard M. Nixon
Union Jurisdiction
UAW Locals and Regions
Non‑manuscript material: Two photographs and a ‑folder of political bumper stickers were placed in the Archives Audio Visual Collection, A storage box (I linear foot) of books, pamphlets, and contracts has been placed in the Archives Library.
Other collections in the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs that relate to the UAW President's Office/Leonard Woodcock Files include:
UAW Vice President's Office/Ken Bannon Collection
UAW Vice President's Office/Leonard Woodcock Files
Woodcock Speeches Collection, 1970‑1977 (located in the Archives
Library, with a card index to subjects in the Archives Reading Room.)
245 manuscript boxes
Series I, General Union Files, 1968‑1977, Boxes 1‑52:
A general union subject file arranged alphabetically, and containing, correspondence, memoranda, reports, and clippings relating to a variety of subjects of interest to the union and to Woodcock. Series I,II,III,IV,V
Series II, Negotiations, 1970‑1976, Boxes 52‑65:
Files concerning negotiations between the UAW and corporations or companies whose workers the union represented, especially those with Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors, They include notes, internal memoranda and planning materials, correspondence, and drafts of contracts and benefits packages. Series I,II,III,IV,V
Series III, Internal Studies, 1969‑1976, Box 66:
Studies commissioned by the UAW and done by outside agencies regarding worker attitudes and opinions about the union by its members. Series I,II,III,IV,V
Series IV, Jurisdictional Files, 1962‑1968, Boxes 66‑67:
Files of correspondence and memoranda concerning jurisdictional disputes between the UAW and other unions over representation of groups of workers, from the period of Walter Reuther's presidency. Series I,II,III,IV,V
Series V, Alliance for Labor Action, 1967‑1972, Boxes 68‑72:
Records, particularly those pertaining to grant proposals and requests, of the UAW's involvement with the activities of the Alliance for Labor Action. Series I,II,III,IV,V
Series VI, Union Correspondence, 1970‑1975, Boxes 72‑160:
Alphabetically arranged correspondence including letters and memoranda concerning almost every conceivable topic, including the grievances or complaints of rank and file UAW members. Series VI
Series VII, Foreign Correspondence, 1970‑1977, Boxes 161‑162:
Letters, memoranda, reports, press releases, and speeches regarding various foreign countries and including such topics as trade unionism, factionalism, and multinational corporations. Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
Series VIII, Accepted and Rejected Invitations, 1970‑1977, Boxes 163‑186:
A chronological series of invitations for events, memberships on committees, and the like. It is separated into two groups: those which were accepted, and those which Woodcock was unable to accept. Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
Series IX, Organizations and Activities, 1970‑1977, Boxes 187‑235: Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
Subseries A: An alphabetical series of correspondence, reports, meeting and conference materials concerning the activities outside the UAW in which Woodcock was involved as member, advisor, or director.
Subseries B: Memberships of a more personal nature, arranged alphabetically.
Series X, Personal Correspondence, 1970‑1977, Boxes 235‑237:
An alphabetical series of correspondence to Woodcock concerning congratulations, special visits, or photo and autograph request; and from Woodcock to UAW members in recognition of retirements, fiftieth anniversaries, and other similar events. Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
Series XI, Speeches and Testimony, 1970‑1977, Boxes 237‑243:
A chronological series of speeches and speech notes, testimony, remarks, interviews, and articles by Leonard Woodcock during his tenure as president. Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
Series XII, Clippings, 1970‑1977, Boxes 244‑245:
A chronological series of newspaper and journal clippings on many topics, some accompanied by memoranda. Series VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII
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[Large files, under construction] |