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Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315 (Atlanta, Ga.) records

 Collection
Identifier: L1972-58

Scope and Content of the Records

The records of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315 includes letters, agreements, printed materials, lists and notes to describe the Union's dealing with nine separate Atlanta companies from 1947 to 1969. Contract proposals and grievances concerning seniority, excessive absence and termination are principal subjects of the files.

Dates

  • Creation: 1947-1969

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

History of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315

RWDSU was created in 1937 as the United Retail Employees of America by the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Clarence Coulter, then general secretary-treasurer of the Retail Clerks International Association (RCIA), was a strong supporter of craft unionism and had suspended a number of RCIA's New York City locals for opposing this policy. The suspended locals formed the United Retail Employees of America and affiliated with the CIO. The union experienced significant growth in the 1930s, primarily in New York state. In 1941, the union struck Gimbel's department store and won a 40 hour work week. Many large department stores in the city followed suit. In 1938, the union changed its name to the United Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. Union 315 began in 1947, under the direction of Southern Regional Director, John J. Shulter, to represent workers nine Atlanta companies.

Extent

0.35 Linear Feet (in 11 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

The records of The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315 contain letters, agreements, printed material, lists and notes describing the Union's work with nine Atlanta companies during the years 1947-1969.

Arrangement

Files are arranged in alphabetical order.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315, 1972. Sears, Roebuck and Company file was added to this collection from L1974-18 and includes National Labor Relations Board Decision and Order material, 1958.

Separated Materials note

During processing, agreements and constitutions were separated to other Southern Labor Collections. For contracts, see the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union contracts collection or other contracts finding aids. For constitutions, consult archivist.

Separated to Southern Labor Archives Agreements Collection

  1. United Steelworkers of America, 1951, 1955-1956
  2. Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315, 1947, 1950-1951, 1953, 1955-1956, 1958-1964, 1968
  3. American Bakers and Confectionery Worker, Local 42, 1960-1961
  4. United Mine Workers of America, Local 15152, undated

Separated to Southern Labor Archives Constitutions Collection

  1. Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315, undated

Processing Information

Processed by E. L. Eltzroth at the file level, 1972.

This collection guide was created from a legacy finding aid. The inventory's contents and storage locations of separated materials (if applicable) were not verified at that time.

Subject

Title
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 315 (Atlanta, Ga.):
Subtitle
A Guide to Its Records at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Georgia State University Library
Date
1972
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)