Guide to the American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Files
1930-2001

Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

Phone: (212) 998-2630
Fax: (212) 995-4225
E-mail: gail.malmgreen@nyu.edu

© 2004 Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. All rights reserved.
New York University Libraries, Publisher
Processed by Ted Casselman, 2003.
Machine-readable finding aid derived from a WordPerfect document dated: 2004. Machine-readable finding aid created by Brian Stevens. Description is in English.

Descriptive Summary

Creator: American Postal Workers Union.
Title: American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Files
Dates: 1930-2001
Abstract: Moe Biller served as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union (originally the Postal Union of Manhattan-Bronx Clerks) from 1959 to 1980. As local president he led the New York City union through the hard-fought national postal strike of 1970. From 1980 until his retirement in 2001 he was president of the American Postal Workers Union. This collection consists of a selection of his APWU presidential files, documentation of an oral history project carried out by retirees of the New York Metro Area Postal Union in the late 1970s, and a selection of printed items dealing with postal workers' history of the 1930s collected by Biller.
Quantity: 4.5 linear feet (5 boxes)
Call Phrase: Wagner 099
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Historical/Biographical Note

Moe (Morris) Biller was born in New York City on November 15, 1915. He attended Brooklyn College and City College and began work in the Postal Service in 1937 as a substitute clerk. Except for wartime service in the military he spent the rest of his life in the Postal Service and as a postal union leader. He had held almost every position within his local union (National Federation of Postal Clerks, Local 10) before the local broke away to become the Manhattan-Bronx Postal Workers, a local of the newly formed National Postal Clerks Union. He became president of the new local, 25,000 members strong, in 1959 and led the local through the so-called Great Postal Strike of 1970. This national strike lasted eight days and resulted in the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, creating the U.S. Postal service and granting its employees collective bargaining rights. In 1971 the National Postal Clerks Union joined with four other postal unions to become the American Postal Workers Union. Biller's local took on its present name, the New York Metro Area Postal Union, in 1973; the new name reflected the inclusion of the New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center and the North Jersey Facility in the local's bargaining unit.

Biller was elected president of the American Postal Workers Union in 1980, and carried his activist style into this new arena. He was a long-time supporter of the civil rights movement and of women's efforts to advance in the labor movement. He served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes and United Way, and sat on the boards of university labor studies programs at Cornell University and Empire State College. Biller's personal interest in labor history was exemplified in the cooperation he offered to the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University, to the Tenement Museum on New York's Lower East Side, and to a number of labor history oral history and film projects. It was with his full and enthusiastic support that Dana Schechter embarked on her project to document the history of the New York Metro Area Postal Union through interviews with and by the local's retirees.

In view of his life-long interest in the preservation of labor history, Biller concluded that it was appropriate to mark his retirement from the APWU by donating a selection of his presidential files, as well as his personal collection of memorabilia, signed photographs, posters and books on postal union history to the labor archives at New York University. Incoming APWU president William Burrus confirmed the donation and designated the Robert Wagner Labor Archives as the official repositoryt for APWU records at the same time. In 2001 the union also transferred to NYU a body of records documenting the New York Metro Area Postal Union oral history project; these were apparently given to Moe Biller during his tenure as New York Metro president. On his retirement Moe Biller returned to his beloved New York City to live; he died in New York on September 5, 2003.

Sources:

Walsh, John and Garth Mangum, Labor Struggle in the Post Office: From Selective Lobbying to Collective Bargaining (New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1992).

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Scope and Content Note

Series I: Subject Files, includes correspondence, reports, flyers and clippings documenting Moe Biller's years as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, Local 10). Especially well represented are materials reflecting health and safety hazards in the industry, and the union's energetic attempts to im prove working conditions. A smaller amount of material (mostly convention records, daily schedules, expense records, and committee materials) relate to Biller's tenure as international president of the American Postal Workers Union. Also included are a range of records and printed ephemera documenting the Depression-era history of U.S. postal workers (and their organizations); these were given to Moe Biller by various members of the APWU over the years.

Series II: Oral History Project Files: New York Metro Area Postal Union, consists of background files, transcripts and other documentation produced and collected in the course of an oral history project supervised by Dana Schechter in the late 1970s and carried out by retired postal workers. The audio tapes produced by this project make up oral history collection OH 3 at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. The oral history project includes a lengthy interview with Moe Biller, covering his early life and his years as president of the New York Metro Area Postal Union.

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Arrangement

Each of the two series is arranged alphabetically by topic.
Organized in two series:
I. Subject Files
II. Oral History Project Files: New York Metro Area Postal Union
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Related Material at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives

American Postal Workers Union Photograph and Memorabilia Collection (see archivist for access).

New York Metro Area Postal Union Photographs (Photographs 011).

New York Metro Area Postal Union Records (Wagner 103).

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Separated Material

A large collection of photographs and memorabilia have been separated to the Non-Print Department of the Tamiment Library.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 998-2630
Fax: (212) 995-4225
E-mail: gail.malmgreen@nyu.edu

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Access Points

Subject Names:
Biller, Moe (Morris).
Goodman, Sidney.
Salk, Charles.
Schechter, Dana.
Subject Organizations:
American Postal Workers Union.
New York Metro Area Postal Union.
Subject Topics:
Postal Strike, United States, 1970.
Postal workers--Labor unions.
Strikes and lockouts--Postal Workers.
United States Postal Service -- Employees -- History.
Subject Places:
New York (State) -- New York.
Washington, DC.
Document Types:
Clippings.
Correspondence.
Records.
Transcripts.
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Administrative Information

Provenance

These records were donated by APWU president Moe Biller at the time of his retirement in the fall of 2001. The donation was confirmed by incoming president, William Burrus.

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); The American Postal Workers Union: Moe Biller Files ; Wagner 099; box number; folder number;
Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.

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Container List

[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]

 

Series I: Subject Files
Box Folder Title Date
1 1 American Federation of Labor: Di Bartolomeo Materials 1932
1 2 A. Philip Randolph Institute 1932
1 3 Advertising Tracking Study 1983
1 4 Americans for Democratic Action: Award to Moe Biller 1982
1 5 APWU: Birmingham, AL Local 1974
1 6 APWU: History 1985
1 7 APWU News 1974
1 8 APWU: Rossdale Interview undated
1 9 APWU vs. U.S. Postal Service, San Francisco Bulk Mail Center 1980
1 10 Arbitration Procedure 1980
1 11 Arbitration Procedure and Cases 1983-1985
1 12 Bargaining 1970-1973
1 13 Bargaining 1978-1981
1 14 Bargaining 1985
1 15 Bargaining: Agreement 1981
1 16 Bargaining: Overtime Dispute (Article 8) 1984
1 17 Barry, D. John undated, 1966, 1968
1 18 Benefits: General 1971
1 19 Biller, Anne 1979
1 20 Biller, Moe: Biographical undated, 1982-1984
1 21 Biller, Moe: Compensation and Benefits 1976-1984
1 22 Biller, Moe: Joke Newspapers undated
1 23 Bolger, William F. undated, 1979
1 24 "Bowing to Billerism and Other Matters": Fortune Magazine Jun 1992
1 25 "Bulk Battle": News Flash 1974
1 26 Catholic Interracial Council of New York: Award to J. McMillan 1982
1 27 Capitol Building Access: APWU Officers 1984
1 28 Civil Service: Pamphlets 1955, 1957, 1959
1 29 Clerk Craft Conference 1980
1 30 Clinton, William J., President: MB Support For 1994
1 31 Clippings: Federal Times 1973
1 32 Clippings: New York Daily News 1970
1 33 Clippings: New York Post 1970
1 34 Clippings: New York Times 1970
1 35 Clippings: The Progressive 1970
1 36 Clippings: Washington DC Press 1970
1 37 Committee on Political Action 1983
1 38 Committees 2000
1 39 Concerned Postal Workers: Workers Action Movement 1973
1 40 Constitution and By-Laws undated, 1978
1 41 Contract Stations: Problems 1992
1 42 Convention 1980
1 43 Convention: Amnesty for Fired Postal Workers 1980
1 44 Convention: Las Vegas, Wedding Ceremony 1990
1 45 Convention: Location Complaint 1980
1 46 Convention: Resolutions 1980
1 47 Correspondence undated, 1961-1986
1 48 DiBartolomeo, Mando: Collection of Material on Postal History 1930-1935
1 49 Diary of Events Nov 1980-Dec 1980
1 50 Discrimination Complaint: N. Atkinson 1980
1 51 Drug Enforcement: In Post Office 1983
1 52 Elections: APWU 1972
1 53 Elections: APWU 1980
1 54 Elections: APWU 1983
1 55 Elections: APWU Vice-President undated
1 56 Elections: Federal 1980
1 57 Ellis Island: Awards Gala 1999
1 58 Expenses: MB 1981
1 59 Expenses: MB 1982
1 60 Expenses: MB 1983
1 61 Expenses: MB 1985
1 62 Expenses: MB 1986
1 63 Expenses: MB 1987
1 64 Expenses: MB 1988
1 65 Expenses: MB 1989
1 66 Expenses: MB 1990
Box Folder Title Date
2 1 Fair Labor Standards Act: Lawsuits, etc. 1980
2 2 Federal Service: General 1962-1969
2 3 Filbey, Francis S. 1970-1974
2 4 Fiscal Crisis: NYC 1975
2 5 AFreeze March@: Clippings (from Max Eastman) 1934
2 6 General Scheme of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri (Donated to APWU by Robert D. Kessler) 1946-1950
2 7 Glossary of Postal Terms 1988
2 8 Goodman, Sidney: Death of 1971
2 9 Goodman, Sidney: General 1968-1969
2 10 Goodman, Sidney: Retirement 1969-1976
2 11 Goodman, Sidney: Testimony 1969
2 12 Goodwin, Leo: Schack Affair 1961
2 13 Grievances: General undated
2 14 Handman, Ephraim (Frank): Charles Salk Account of undated
2 15 Health and Safety: Accident Prevention 1979
2 16 Health and Safety: Asbestos 1980
2 17 Health and Safety: Morgan Mail Facility 1978-1980
2 18 Health and Safety: Morgan Mail Facility, OSHA Reports 1979-1980
2 19 Health and Safety: Facility at New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Report, etc. 1979-1980
2 20 Health and Safety: General 1980
2 21 Health and Safety: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Recommendations undated
2 22 Health and Safety: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center, OSHA Survey 1980
2 23 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 1978
2 24 Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: Convention Proceedings 1932
2 25 Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: DiBartolomeo Materials 1931-1934
2 26 Illinois Federation of Postal Clerks: Women's Auxilliary 1931
2 27 Iran: Robert Armao and the Shah 1979
2 28 Italian Americans in APWU 1979
2 29 Kay, Abe: Charles Salk Account of undated
2 30 Kennedy, Robert F. 1965, 1993
2 31 Komansky, Samuel: Life in the Postal Service 1976
2 32 Las Vegas Area Local 1994-1997
2 33 Local Implementation: Arbitrator's Award 1979
2 34 Local Memorandum of Understanding: NY Bulk and Foreign Mail Center 1975-1978
2 35 Locker Inspection: Protest 1980
2 36 Manhattan-Bronx Postal Union: Union Mail Clipping 1970
2 37 Methods Improvement Program 1980
2 38 Miami: Asbestos Protest, etc. 1980
2 39 National Association of Letter Carriers-APWU Arbitration Case 1984
2 40 National Association of Letter Carriers: Branch 36 1978
2 41 National Association of Substitute Post Office Employees: Leaflet undated
2 42 National Federation of Post Office Clerks: Mando DiBartolomeo Historical Materials 1931-1932
2 43 National Postal Clerks Union: Manhattan-Bronx Case 1959
2 44 National Postal Union 1960, 1967
2 45 New York Bulk and Foreign Mail Center 1974
2 46 New York Federation of Post Office Clerks: Constitution and Bylaws undated
2 47 New York Federation of Post Office Clerks: Contingency Fund 1956
2 48 New York Metro Area Postal Union: Award to Moe Biller 1983
2 49 New York Metro Area Postal Union: History 1974
2 50 New York Metro Area Postal Union: Leaflets (with Charles Salk Comments) 1976
2 51 New York Metro Area Postal Union: ANews Flash@ 1970, 1974
2 52 New York Metro Area Postal Union: Women Stewards Meeting 1974
2 53 OSHA: New Directions Grant Application 1983
2 54 Pay Rates 1975
2 55 Penn Terminal Employees: Hand-Drawn Card to MB undated
2 56 Pension Adjustments 1980
2 57 Pepper, Claude: Banquet undated
2 58 Postal Laws and Regulations 1951
2 59 Postal Press Association 1980
2 60 Postal Service 1969-1986
2 61 Postal Service: Arbitration Case (Costa, M.) 1974
2 62 Postal Service: General 1979-1981
2 63 Postal Service: History 1974
2 64 Postal Sub: National Union of Substitute Post Office Employees 1934
2 65 Postal Workers Defense Committee: San Francisco 1980
2 66 Postscript: The Voice of the NY Post Office 1967
2 67 Presidents' [sic] Conference 1980
2 68 ARemember Moe Biller?@ Army Magazine, Sep 1975 1975
2 69 Resolutions 1980
2 70 Retirement: MB (Photocopy of Album) 2001
2 71 Revolutionary Union: Draft Program 1973
2 72 Riesel, Victor 1978
2 73 Safety Conditions: High-Volume Books 1979
2 74 Salk, Charles: General undated, 1972-1977
Box Folder Title Date
3 1 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1981
3 2 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1983
3 3 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1984
3 4 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1985
3 5 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1986
3 6 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1987
3 7 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1988
3 8 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1989
3 9 Schedule: Biller, Moe 1990
3 10 Schedule: Biller, Moe (Calendar) 1981-1982, 1985
3 11 Schedule: Biller, Moe (Calendar) 1988-1990
3 12 Schedule: Biller, Moe (Calendar) 1991, 1993-1994
3 13 Schedule: Biller, Moe (Calendar) 1995, 1997-1998
3 14 Schedule: Biller, Moe (Calendar) 1999
3 15 Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (I) 1978-1979
3 16 Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (II) 1978-1979
3 17 Scheme Committee (APWU and Postal Service): Meetings and Background Materials (III) 1978-1979
3 18 Scotto Trial 1979
3 19 Selective Service Registration: Objection by Postal Clerks 1980
3 20 South Shore Area Local 3844: "The Weird" 1980
3 21 Strachan, John R.: Manhattan Postmaster 1982
3 22 Strike: Article on National Guard Role (Army Magazine) Sep 1975
3 23 Strike: Articles 1970
3 24 Strike: Charles Salk File undated
3 25 Strike: Charles Salk "The Eve of the Strike" Jul 1976
3 26 Strike: Chronology of Events 1970
3 27 Strike: Threats 1978
3 27a Strike: Union Mail 1974
3 28 Strike: U.S. vs. Branch 36, NALC 1970
3 29 Substitute Post Office Clerks Association: Newsletter 1932
3 30 Substitute Post Office Employees Association: 1933-1934
3 31 Supervisory Personnel (204B) Returning to Bargaining Unit: Grievances 1980
3 32 Taxes 1986
3 33 Telecommunication Deregulation 1980
3 34 Union Democracy: Attendance Requirements 1978
3 35 Union Recognition: Biller Testimony 1961
3 36 Union Mail: Manhattan, Bronx Clerks 1960, 1969
3 37 U.S. Labor Department Suit: Back Pay 1978
3 38 U.S. vs. APWU, et al.: Limitation of Hours 1974-1980
3 39 Wiretapping: Britain 1980
3 40 Working Conditions: Washington, DC 1981
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Series II: Oral History Project Files, New York Metro Area Postal Union
Box Folder Title Date
4 1 Blacksin, Harry 1962-1977
4 2 General 1976-1979
4 3 Transfer Agreement, Questionnaire, List of Interviewees 1976-1983
4 4 Transcripts: Aronberg, Arnie (Notes) 1979
4 5 Transcripts: Biller, Moe Jul 1976-Aug 1976
4 6 Transcripts: Biller, Moe (Notebook) 1976
4 7 Transcripts: Biller, Moe 1977
4 8 Transcripts: Biller on Strike Controversy undated
4 9 Transcripts: Epstein, Max 1976
4 10 Transcripts: Excerpts, Building the Union undated
4 11 Transcripts: Excerpts, Misc. undated
4 12 Transcripts: Excerpts, Pivotal Events undated
4 13 Transcripts: Excerpts, Working Conditions undated
4 14 Transcripts: Goldberg, Bernard 1976
4 15 Transcripts: Group 1: Rosner, Salk, Ryland 1977
4 16 Transcripts: Group 2: Rosner, Salk, Ryland, Epstein, Rock 1977
4 17 Transcripts: Kamish, Harry 1976
4 18 Transcripts: Kaye, Abe 1977
4 19 Transcripts: Mandel, Sidney undated
Box Folder Title Date
5 1 Transcripts: Resnick, Elsie 1976
5 2 Transcripts: Resnick, Robert 1976
5 3 Transcripts: Rosner, Milt 1976-1977
5 4 Transcripts: Ryland, Arthur 1976
5 5 Transcripts: Salk, Charles 1976
5 6 Transcripts: Seligman, Philip 1976
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