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NATIONAL OFFICE

American Federation of Teachers Collection, Part I
Papers, c. 1914 - 1969
95 Linear feet

The AFT Collection Part I is in an inventory and was part of the first accession of records to come to the Reuther Archives in 1969. Through the years sections have been re-arranged and re-described (AFT State Federation, AFT Secretary-Treasurer's Office, AFT National Defense Fund). Part I consists the president's collection which are subject files, correspondence with executive council members and correspondence, predominantly from the 1950s-1960s. The executive council collection is correspondence from 1930s - 1980 as well as miscellaneous materials and mailings, ballots and proceedings. Defunct local consists of correspondence and per caps, from local 8 through 1575. Old correspondence are from local 1 to 335, dating from 1916 through 1930s.

American Federation of Teachers Collection, Part II
Papers, c. 1916 - c. 1969
95 Linear feet

This collection consists of state publications, miscellaneous materials, communications to locals, memos, correspondence with locals and AFT conventions. State publications date from 1950s to 1964. Miscellaneous consists of AFT histories, account books and other miscellaneous material. Communication with the locals and executive council are dated from 1927-1963. The memos series consists of memos that are internal, departmental, and to the executive council as well as press releases. The local series consists of per cap payments and a few letters from local 1 through 1679. The series also contains Local 5, 537 and 192 hearings (4 boxes). Correspondence with Locals series are letters from locals to the national office which covers local 4 through 1640 and letters to locals in financial trouble. The convention series hold the material, minutes and proceedings of AFT convention from 1916 to 1984.

AFT - Human Rights and Community Relations Department
Papers, 1965-1975
3 Linear Feet

The department was created by Vice President Richard Parrish on October 2, 1966 to be responsible for collecting and distribution information about the government, education and community policies and programs dealing with civil and human rights. The collection focuses on the Racism in Education Conference as well as general subject files and correspondence to and from the department.

AFT - National Defense Fund Collection
Papers, 1937-1968
7.7 Linear Feet

The National Defense Fund of the AFT was established at convention in Madison, Wisconsin in 1937. The fund was included in the union's annual budget and financed by per capital payments from each member of one cent a month. A member who was dismissed or demoted unjustly could apply for financial aid from the fund in order to help cover the costs of defense. The papers document various matters that have led to dismissals and demotions of teachers, and reflect the union´s efforts to defend teacher's tenure rights.

AFT - Office of the President Collection 1960-1974
Papers, 1960-1974 (predominantly, 1968-1974)
22 Linear feet

This collection consist of minutes, correspondence, reports, publications, and other material documenting the union's activities in organizing and servicing locals, improving teaching condition, and influencing legislation affecting education and broader social issues during the presidencies of Charles Cogen and David Selden.

AFT - Secretary-Treasurer's Office Collection
Papers, 1928-1967 (predominantly, 1936-1953)
5.5 Linear feet

The AFT created the office of Secretary-Treasurer at the 1918 convention. The only full-time paid officer of the AFT at the time, the Secretary-Treasurer handled routine business matters and made minor policy decisions. The executive duties included implementing policies adopted by the convention and the executive council, supervising national office personnel, servicing existing locals, assisting in the organization of new locals, and generally representing the union's position in labor and educational conferences. The collection consists of the business material from Florence Curtis Hanson, George Davis, Irvin R. Kuenzli, Carl Megel, Clinton M. Fair, Paul D. Ward Mary Wheeler and Robert Porter.

AFT - State Federations Collections
Papers, 1922-1967 (predominantly 1945-1967)
8 Linear feet

The majority of the materials in the collection is correspondence between the state organizations and the national office. Within this collection are state constitutions, lawsuits, legal decisions, legislation, speeches, pamphlets, salary information, histories, news releases, articles and convention programs. Series III in the collection contains speeches that were given by Charles Cogen unless noted.

LOCALS

Archdiocesan Teachers Federation, Local 1700
Papers, 1962-1977 (predominantly, 1967-1975)
3.5 Linear feet

Local 1700, was an organization made up of grade and high school teachers, employed at the schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The files consist of correspondence, memos, reports, lists, and other pointed material relating to the defunct local.

Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees Papers Local 4168
1942-1984
(predominantly 1956-1983)
4 Linear Feet

The DAEOE was formed in 1931 when a group of non-instructional, educational office employees, primarily school and administrative secretaries joined together with an organization known as the Detroit Association of Educational Secretaries. On November 23, 1965, the Detroit Board of Education formally recognized the DAEOE the sole bargaining representative of 1,000 office employees. The bulk of the collection consists of the internal papers of the DAEOE staff and reflects the administration and operation.

Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 231
Papers, 1930s - 1970s
34 Linear feet

Local 231, was founded in 1931. In 1964 the DFT was voted the sole bargaining agent by a majority of teachers. The papers of DFT consist of union newspapers, correspondence, reports, constitution, convention material, proceedings, minutes, flyers, memos, brochures and legal documents.

Detroit Federation of Teachers - Wayne University Chapter, Local 231
Papers, 1941-1957 (predominantly 1948-1955)
1 Linear Foot

Local 231 was organized in the early forties when the University was administered by the Detroit Board of Education. The stated purpose of the Chapter was to further democratic education by supporting academic freedom for faculty members and upholding the rights of students.

East Detroit Federation of Teachers, Local 698 Papers, 1953-1964
4 Linear feet

Between 1935 and 1942 Mrs. Frances Comfort and Mr. Arthur Elder came from the Detroit Federation of Teachers to help organize a local chapter of the AFT. In 1942, Local 698 was chartered on February 18. In 1947 the teachers went on strike in a protest of school board policies. The strike was effective, and a raise in salaries was obtained. In the years following the strike, teachers received many more benefits as a result of unified action. This collection covers the areas of grievances, collective bargaining, gains, merit rating and tenure.

Hawaii Federation of College Teachers, Local 2003
Papers, 1970-1972
1 folder

The Hawaii Federation of College Teachers, Local 2003 was organized in 1970 to represent the nine campuses in the University of Hawaii system. The collection consists of union publications, including announcements, bulletins, programs, and a copy of the constitution.

Kansas City Federation of Teachers, Local 691
Papers, 1942-1984
39 Linear feet

In 1942, teachers in Kansas City, Missouri formed a local union affiliated with the AFT. The papers of Local 691 consist of correspondence, reports, minutes, clippings, and publications documenting contract negotiations, strikes, and grievance arbitration as well as educational reform, the rivalry between the AFT and NEA and the fight over desegregation of the Kansas City schools.

Panama Canal Zone, Local 29
Papers, 1918-1981 predominantly 1960-1980)
7.5 Linear feet

Local 29 was chartered in 1918 by teachers in the American schools of the Panama Canal Zone. The local became inactive in 1921 after failing to maintain a large enough active membership. In 1933, two new locals were chartered, Local 227 represented the teachers of the Pacific side of the isthmus, and the smaller Local 228 represented those of the Atlantic side. With the urging by the AFT to strengthen positions in negotiations a merger took place in 1974 and the local was reissued number 29. Problems facing teachers through the early 1970s included obtaining clean safe housing, protection for the jobs and salaries of teachers who married, and payment for extra-curricular assignments. In 1979, under the Panama Canal Treaty, the Canal Zone no longer exists, and the American Federation of Teachers Local 29 has become the Panama Canal Local 29.

St. Paul Federation of Teachers, Local 28 Papers, 1898-1970
10 Manuscript Boxes
1 Storage Box 17 scrapbooks

The St. Paul Federation of Teachers, Local 28, received its charter from the AFT on September 30, 1957. It origins, however, date back to the formation of the Grade Teacher Federation in 1898. This organization received a charter from the AFT on June 18, 1918, and was designated the St. Paul Federation of Women Teachers, Local 28. The merger of the Men Teachers, in 1957, lead to the present day local. The Federation is the fifth oldest local in the continual existence in the United States, was the first teachers' union in Minnesota, declared the first organized teachers' strike in the country, and organized the first group insurance for teachers and the first teachers' credit union. The period covered by the collection is 1898 to 1970, with emphasis on the strike period of 1946-47 and relatively little on the years 1966-1970.

St. Louis Teachers Union, Local 420
Papers, 1951-1983 (predominantly, 1962-1983
15.5 Linear feet

Organized in 1935 by Paul W. Preisler, the local was originally named the Teachers Union of St. Louis and St. Louis County. In 1948 and a merger with Local 680 extended Local 420's jurisdiction to include "all eligible teachers in St. Louis and St. Louis County including vocation and college teachers." The St. Louis Teachers Union experience a great growth in the early 1960s during which its membership grew from 81 to 1,417. During the 1970s, membership fluctuated with unsuccessful strikes and with internal disputes. The papers reflect unionization in general and of teachers in particular, political participation, and national concerns such as desegregation, and raising education standards.

San Francisco Federation of Teachers, Local 61
Papers 1944-1971 (predominantly, 1956-1969)
4.5 Linear feet

The San Francisco Federation of Teachers was chartered as Local 61 on April 7, 1919. The chief goals of the union included increased teacher salaries, lower class sizes and teaching loads, better testing and remedial programs as well as improved community relations.

Toledo Federation of Teachers, Local 250
Papers, 1933-1968
35 Linear feet
2 Scrapbooks

The Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT), Local 250 was chartered on February 11, 1933. Raymond Lowry was the first president. The TFT purpose was not to replace the Toledo Teacher Association (TTA), but rather to work with the TTA and other organizations for the benefit of schools and teachers. The collection covers subjects that deal with levies, professional standards, legislation, and elections.

Wayne State University Federation of Teachers, Local 1295
Papers, 1957-1974
2 linear feet 1 magnetic-recording

Local 1295 was organized in 1957. In the spring of 1972 it lost the collective bargaining representation election to the American Association of University Professors. The papers of Local 1295 pertain mainly to internal union organization and activities.

Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, Local 3605
Papers, 1972-1989 (predominantly, 1973-1982)
5.5 linear feet

Chartered in 1976, the local was a loose uncharted group called the Western Wisconsin Faculty Senate which handled negotiations with the Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, located in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. After two elections, a union was established and Local 3605 was chartered with the Wisconsin Federation of Teachers (WFT) in May of 1976. The papers of Local 3605 reflect the activities of the pre-chartered Faculty Senate, the organizational attempts at unionization and the eventual affiliation with the WFT.

Workers Education Local 189
Papers, 1939-1977 (predominantly, 1950-1977)
12 Linear Feet

Local 189 was chartered by the AFT on November 1, 1922 as the bargaining agent for the faculty members of Brookwood Labor College. After the closure of Brookwood in 1937, Local 189 opened its membership to all persons, who were engaged in workers´ education. Throughout its existence, Local 189, has been active in distributing workers´ education materials and films to the other members of the AFT, and to the public schools, colleges and the community at large. In the 1960s and 1970s, Local 189 were vocal critics of the war in Vietnam, President Nixon, active in civil rights movements, and fought against what they felt were anti-democratic tendencies in the AFT. In 1974, the Executive Board of the AFT passed a resolution limiting locals to one geographic area. Local 189 would not abide and disaffiliated from the AFT in 1977. The papers reflect workers´ education, in developing standards for workers´ education and in supporting various progressive causes after the closing of Brookwood College.

Michigan Federation of Teachers Collection
Papers, 1930-1950 Part I
Papers, 1951-1963 Part II
14.5 Linear Feet

The papers of the Michigan Federation of Teachers were deposited in the Reuther Library in 1965. The papers deal with the AFT and other local teachers unions. The important subjects in Part I deals with political action, tenure, school board´s anti-union bias and workersÕ education. Part II subjects are with the Detroit Federation of Teachers, Conferences, lobbying efforts, the Michigan AFL-CIO and teachers' salary and fringe benefits.

Massachusetts Federation of Teachers
Papers, 1952-1980 (predominantly, 1960s-1970s)
12 Linear feet

Chartered in 1938, the MFT was originally known as the Massachusetts State Branch until the 1960s. The papers reflect the relationship of local school boards and communities with teachers as well as other staff members of the school systems. Most of the documents relate to contract negotiations and collective bargaining. The collection also contains a large number of newspapers clippings dealing with issues of concern to educators, parents and school officials.

Ohio Federation of Teachers
Papers, 1938 - 1987 (predominantly 1972-1984)
6.5 Linear Feet

This state federation was chartered in February 1938. The papers of the OFT convey the activities of the federation in many areas of union and political activities.

Rhode Island Federation of Teachers
Papers, 1946-1982 (predominantly, 1967-1977)
9 Linear Feet

The Rhode Island State Federation was chartered in March 1987. The papers of the RIFT reflect the activities of the federation in the areas of improving the status of their membership and public schools through participation in various labor, professional, educational programs and through the support and sponsoring of political candidates and legislation.

Related Collections

Brookwood Labor College
Papers, 1921-1937
24.5 Linear Feet

The Brookwood Labor College was a co-educational resident workers' institution situated at Katohah, New York. Founded in 1921, the college called for progressive, non-factional education for workers as it sought to play an increasing role in the task of building a militant, intelligent, powerful labor movement. In a couple of years Brookwood was officially endorsed or financially supported by thirteen national and international unions including the AFT. In 1933 Brookwood weathered a faculty conflict concerning its policy of non-factional labor education and continued on until 1937 when it closed its doors due to a lack of funds.

Brookwood Labor College - Mark and Helen Starr
Papers, 1917-1972 (predominantly, 1934-1962)
25 Linear Feet , 1 oversize folder

Mark Starr was born in England in 1894. Starr came to the United States to teach at the Broookwood Labor College as extension director. In 1934 the International Ladies Garment Workers Union hired him as director of the Educational Department, where he served until 1960. In the early 1960s Starr traveled for the International Labour Office to Singapore, Tanganyika, and Uganda gathering information about labor in those countries and training labor leaders. The collection contains newspaper clipping, manuscript drafts, correspondence, and pamphlets relating to Starr's research, writing and travels.

Detroit Board of Education/Detroit Public Schools
Papers, 1860-1980 (predominantly 1920-1965)
51 Linear Feet

The Detroit Board of Education documents the administration, fiscal operation, personnel, publications, activities, programs and services of the Detroit schools. To a lesser degree it documents professional organizations and citizens committees concerned with the Detroit schools. There is considerable information on personnel including the military records o Detroit schoolmen, Employees Retirement System and the election of Social Security to supplement the retirement system.

The Detroit Education Association
Papers, 1914-1968
24.5 Linear Feet
The Detroit Education Association (DEA) was established in 1956 to promote the interests of the school children of the Detroit Public Schools and to advance the professional interests of its members. The predecessor to the DEA was the Detroit Teachers Association which was founded in 1897. The collection covers the collective bargaining elections with the DFT, various meetings, conventions, publicity and education proposals for Detroit public schools.

Detroit Public Schools Community Relations Division
Papers, 1943-1977 (predominanlty, 1970-1976)
8.75 Linear Feet

These files reflect the effort of the Detroit School Board and key administrative staff to confront and deal with issues involved in achieving school desegregation and improved racial relations.

Detroit Public Schools: Decentralization Study Committee
Papers, 1969-1978 (predominantly, 1977-1978)
3.5 Linear Feet

On December 17, 1976, the Detroit Central board of Education had officially requested "a management audit" of the decentralized school system from its establishment in 1970. The committee was appointed by Governor Milliken and Mayor Young on May 5, 1977. There instructions were to evaluate three principal issues about the community, efficiency and at what monetary cost had decentralization affected Detroit and how did Detroit compare to other Michigan and U.S. cities.

Detroit Teachers' Association - Wayne State University Chapter
Papers, 1933-1963
1/2 Linear Foot, 1 scrapbook

Membership to the chapter was open to all members of the staff of the University whose function was classroom interaction, library service, student personnel service or research. The bulk of the membership came from the College of Education. The chapter became inactive in 1959.

Grand Rapids Education Association
Papers, 1907-1967
4.5 Linear Feet

The Grand Rapids Teachers Club held their first meeting on January 7, 1907. This group included all levels of professional education, elementary, secondary and college. They were interested in the standards of education. In 1963, after a revision of the structure of the club and a new constitution, the name changed to the Grand Rapids Education Association. The important subjects in this collection are professional problems, salaries and Michigan Education Home Association.

University Staff Association
Papers, 1956-1969
.5 Linear Foot

The University Staff Association represents the clerical, technical, and professional non-academic employees of WSU. The Association represented various non-academic employees since 1932, first as the Detroit Association of School Secretaries, and in 1956 as the WSU University Office Personnel Association. This collection contains newsletters minutes and agreements.

Ernest C. Smith
Papers, 1962-1977 (predominantly, 1964-1971)
1.5 linear feet

Ernest C. Smith was born December 17, 1925 and taught social studies in Detroit public high schools becoming a department head. He was involved in the black civil rights movement and found neither major political party satisfactory as a vehicle for black aspirations. So he helped found the Michigan Freedom Now Party , an all-black party which ran candidates in the general election of November, 1964. From 1969 to 1977 Mr. Smith and other Detroit teachers were involved in a long legal struggle over the agency shop clause in the DFT with the Detroit Board of Education. He became active in the Michigan citizens for Right To Work and other national right-to-work committees.

Owosso Education Association
Papers, 1914-1968
9 Manuscript Boxes

The Owosso Education Association developed out of the Owosso Teachers Club. Minute booksdocument the history of this social and beneficent organization to 1914. Its subsequent transformation into a bargaining agency can be seen in these records. To a great extent it was attributable to certain state legislation, such as the first Michigan tenure law, passed in 1936 and amended in 1965. The other legislation passed in 1965 were Public Acts 282 and especially 379. These bills mandated school boards to bargain with an agent selected by teachers for that purpose and brought teacher-school board relations under the Labor Mediation Board. Most of the collection relates to the 1966-1967 collective bargaining with the Owosso Board of Education, called professional negotiation by the MEA.

British Columbia Teachers' Federation
Papers, 1976-1977
1 Folder

The papers consist of several issues of newsletters and reprints of articles relating to the efforts of the Federation to provide curricular material on labor history in the Canadian schools.

revised July 2008
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