Guide to the New York City Central Labor Council Photograph Collection
ca. 1940-1997
(Bulk ca. 1970-1989)

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

© 2003 Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. All rights reserved.
New York University Libraries, Publisher
Processed by B. Robertson, 1986; Mary Allison Farley, 1988; Erika Gottfried, 2003.
Machine-readable finding aid derived from a MS Word document dated: 2003. Machine-readable finding aid created by Brian Stevens. Description is in English.


Descriptive Summary

Creator: AFL-CIO. New York City Central Labor Council
Title: Photographs
Dates: ca. 1940-1997, (Bulk ca. 1970-1989)
Abstract: The Central Trades and Labor Council of the American Federation of Labor merged with the New York City Congress of Industrial Organizations Council on February 19, 1959 to form the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The Council is an organization comprised of nearly 400 local union affiliates. The collection consists of approximately 8,200 mostly 8x10 black and white glossy prints, spanning the 1940s through the late 1990s, with the bulk dating from the 1970s and 1980s. Major areas covered by the collection include demonstrations by Council affiliates on various issues, and annual Council activities and events, such as the New York City Labor Day Parade. The principal photographers are Sam Reiss, Alexander Archer, Dan Miller, Jules Geller, and Mildred Gross.
Quantity: 6.75 linear feet (3x5, 5x7, 8x10 photographic prints; b&w & color)
Call Phrase: Photographs 20
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Historical/Biographical Note

The Central Trades and Labor Council of the American Federation of Labor merged with the New York City Congress of Industrial Organizations Council on February 19, 1959 to form the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. This followed the earlier merger (on December 9, 1958) of the New York State's AFL & CIO.

The New York City Central Labor Council is an organization comprised of nearly 400 local union affiliates. It only acts on local activities and concerns. It issues no statements on AFL-CIO policy and does not participate in its local affiliates and their parent organizations. Its purpose, according to its constitution, is to further the rights of workers to organize in unions and bargain collectively; to advocate legislation which is beneficial to workers and oppose that which is not; to correct abuses and to insure the workers their just rights. It also has more social and political purposes: to help all people who work for a living improve their working conditions and raise their standard of living; preserve their rights to act together for mutual aid and advancement; further the cause of unions; strengthen civil rights. It acts as the central force, providing assistance and education through its various committees and councils.

The regular activities of the New York City Central Labor Council are directed by its executive officers, Executive Board, and Delegates' Council meetings. The planning and execution of programs and conferences are conducted by various standing and special committees. These committees are composed of members from affiliated local unions, each with officers and advisory consulting staffs. They are responsible for specific programs and conferences. An important special committee is the Labor Day Parade Committee.

Harry Van Arsdale was elected the president of the Central Trades and Labor Council of the AFL in 1957. With the merger in 1959 he became the President of the Central Labor Council. During his presidency (1957-1986), the council established many diverse committees and programs such as the Rehabilitation Council (1963), Hispanic Labor Committee (1970), and the Black Trade Unionist Leadership Committee (1972). The Council was also instrumental in the founding of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies, in 1971, at Empire State College, State University of New York, to further labor education.

Upon Harry Van Arsdale's demise in 1986, his son, Thomas Van Arsdale was elected to the post of president.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of approximately 8,200 mostly 8x10 black and white glossy prints. Many were shot for potential use in Labor Chronicle, the Council's newspaper (published between the 1960s and early 1980s) and other Council publications.

The images span the 1940s through the late 1990s, although the bulk of them date from the 1970s and 1980s. Major areas within the collection include demonstrations by Council affiliates on various issues, and annual Council activities and events, such as the New York City Labor Day Parade, or the Council's annual Lincoln's Birthday Dinner, which features the bestowal of Annual Distinguished Services Awards on four trade unionists. This event is well-represented in the collection as are many of the Council's special committees.

Individuals are also well-represented, both in portraits and group shots. These include the presidents of the various locals that are represented on the Council, Executive Board members, and of course, the officers of the Council. The officers seen most often are: Harry Van Arsdale, President; Harry Avrutin, Secretary; Morris Iushewitz, Secretary (Avrutin's immediate predecessor); and William Bowe, Treasurer. Of particular interest, the collection also includes numerous photographs of many major New York City and New York State political figures and office-holders, from the 1940s onwards, shown posed with Council members or other labor leaders at events such as the New York City Labor Day Parade. These include mayors Robert F. Wagner, Jr., Abraham Beame, Edward Koch, Rudolph Giuliani, and governors Mario Cuomo and George Pataki.

The principal photographers in the collection (whose credit lines may be seen stamped on the back of many of the images).are Sam Reiss, Alexander Archer, Dan Miller, Jules Geller, and Mildred Gross.

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Arrangement

Folders are arranged chronologically within each series and subseries.
Organized into 12 series:
I. Organization
II. Affiliates
III. Services
IV. Events
V. Chronological
VI. Portraits, Individuals
VII . Parades
VIII. Demonstrations
IX. Electoral Politics
X. Other Organizations
XI. Copy Negatives
XII. Oversized Prints
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Related Material at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives

New York City Central Labor Council Collection (Wagner 049)

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Separated Material

There is no information about materials that are associated by provenance to the described materials that have been physically separated or removed.

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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:
Avrutin, Harry--Portraits.
Bowe, William--Portraits.
Iushewitz Morris--Portraits.
Van Arsdale, Harry, 1905-1986--Portraits.
Subject Organizations:
Labor Chronicle.
Subject Topics:
Collective bargaining.
Demonstrations--United States--New York (N.Y.)--Pictorial works.
Industrial hygiene--Law and legislation.
Labor Day--Pictorial works.
Labor leaders--United States--New York (N.Y.)--Portraits.
Labor union meetings -- Pictorial works.
Labor union members--United States.
Labor unions--Congresses and conventions--portraits.
Labor unions--Political activity--Law and legislation.
Mediation and conciliation, Industrial.
Subject Places:
New York (State)--New York.
Document Types:
Black-and-white negatives.
Photographs.
Photoprints.
Other Names:
Archer, Alexander.
Geller, Jules.
Gross, Mildred.
Miller, Dan.
Reiss, Sam.
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Administrative Information

Provenance

Donated by New York City Central Labor Council in several installments, beginning in July 1986.

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); The New York City Central Labor Council Photograph Collection; Photographs 20; 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: ORGANIZATION

 

Subseries A. History and Predecessor Organizations

Folder   Title Date
1 CIO – NYC COUNCIL undated
Folder   Title Date
2 COUNCIL MERGER Jan 13, 1959
 

Subseries B. Central Labor Council Elections

Folder   Title Date
3 INSTALLATION of OFFICERS – [NYC – Central Labor Council?] Dec 16, 1982
Folder   Title Date
4 SWEARING IN Dec 20, 1984
Folder   Title Date
5 ELECTIONS Mar 20, 1986
 

Subseries B. Central Labor Council Elections

Sub-Subseries 1) Executive Board

Folder   Title Date
6 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Mar 18, 1971
Folder   Title Date
7 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Jul 13, 1972
Folder   Title Date
8 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Sep 21, 1972
Folder   Title Date
9 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Sep 20, 1973
Folder   Title Date
10 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Jan 17, 1974
Folder   Title Date
11 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Apr 18, 1974
Folder   Title Date
12 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Dec 19, 1974
Folder   Title Date
13 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Mar 26, 1975
Folder   Title Date
14 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Aug 1975
Folder   Title Date
15 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Nov 20, 1975
Folder   Title Date
16 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Sep 16, 1976
Folder   Title Date
17 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Dec 16, 1976
Folder   Title Date
18 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING May 19, 1977
Folder   Title Date
19 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Aug 17, 1978
Folder   Title Date
20 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Dec 21, 1978
Folder   Title Date
21 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Jul 19, 1979
Folder   Title Date
22 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Nov 20, 1980
Folder   Title Date
23 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Apr 16, 1981
Folder   Title Date
24 EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING May 6, 1982

Sub-Subseries 2) Other

Folder   Title Date
25 MEETINGS – Miscellaneous – Mostly unidentified undated
Folder   Title Date
26 ADVISORY COUNCIL – LABOR COLLEGE MEETING Jun 14, 1977
Folder   Title Date
27 ADIVSORY COUNCIL Sep 7, 1978
Folder   Title Date
28 ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING Feb 1980
Folder   Title Date
29 CENSUS MEETING 1980
Folder   Title Date
30 COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING 1975
Folder   Title Date
31 COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING 1976
Folder   Title Date
32 JOBS FOR YOUTH 1967
Folder   Title Date
33 MANPOWER COMMITTEE MEETING 1975
Folder   Title Date
34 SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – AD HOC COMMITTEE May 1, 1980
Folder   Title Date
35 SHORTER WORK WEEK COMMITTEE ca.1950
 

Subseries D. Committees

Sub-Subseries 1) Black Trade Unionists Labor Committee

Folder   Title Date
36 BLACK TRADE UNIONISTS LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE DINNER 1975
Folder   Title Date
37 BTULC –DINNER 1976
Folder   Title Date
38 BTULC –DINNER 1977
Folder   Title Date
39 BTULC –DINNER 1978
Folder   Title Date
40 BTULC –DINNER 1979
Folder   Title Date
41 BTULC –DINNER 1980
Folder   Title Date
42 BTULC –DINNER 1981

Sub-Subseries 2) Hispanic Labor Committee

Folder   Title Date
43 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – AWARDS undated
Folder   Title Date
44 CONFERENCE – HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE undated
Folder   Title Date
45 SPANISH LABOR COMMMITTEE – MEETING – See also: HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE Feb 5, 1970
Folder   Title Date
46 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – DINNER 1973
Folder   Title Date
47 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – DINNER? Jan 11, 1974
Folder   Title Date
48 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – ENDORSES GOV. CAREY Oct 26, 1975
Folder   Title Date
49 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – CONFERENCE Apr 16, 1977
Folder   Title Date
50 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – DINNER Dec 18, 1976
Folder   Title Date
51 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – DINNER Dec 2, 1978
Folder   Title Date
52 HISPANIC LABOR COMMITTEE – DINNER Nov 24, 1979

Sub-Subseries 3) Interim Organization

Folder   Title Date
53 INTERIM ORGANIZATION Dec 27, 1974
Folder   Title Date
54 INTERIM ORGANIZATION – STEERING COMMITTEE 1978

Sub-Subseries 4) Non-Partisan (Boro and County)

Folder   Title Date
55 [non-partisan Boro Committees? – Elections] ca.1969
Folder   Title Date
56 NON-PARTISAN BORO COMMITTEE 1970
Folder   Title Date
57 NON-PARTISAN COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS 1972
Folder   Title Date
58 NON-PARTISAN – 5 COUNTY COMMITTEES 1972
Folder   Title Date
59 NON-PARTISAN – 5 COUNTY COMMITTEES 1978
Folder   Title Date
60 NON-PARTISAN – 5 COUNTY COMMITTEES 1979
Folder   Title Date
61 NON-PARTISAN – 5 COUNTY COMMITTEES 1980
 

Subseries E. Conventions

Sub-Subseries 1) AFL-CIO

Folder   Title Date
62 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO 1963
Folder   Title Date
63 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO 1970
Folder   Title Date
64 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO Nov 22, 1971
Folder   Title Date
65 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO 1977
Folder   Title Date
66 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO 1979
Folder   Title Date
67 CONVENTION – AFL-CIO 1981

Sub-Subseries 2) New York State AFL-CIO

Folder   Title Date
68 CONVENTION – New York State AFL-CIO 1971
Folder   Title Date
69 CONVENTION – New York State AFL-CIO 1972
 

Subseries F. Conferences

Folder   Title Date
70 CONFERENCES – Miscellaneous unidentified and undated undated
Folder   Title Date
71 CONFERENCE – UNEMPLOYMENT 1958
Folder   Title Date
72 CONFERENCE – EDUCATION May 21, 1966
Folder   Title Date
73 CONFERENCE – DRUG ABUSE 1970
Folder   Title Date
74 CONFERENCE – IMPORTS 1971
Folder   Title Date
75 CONFERENCE – NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE 1971
Folder   Title Date
76 CONFERENCE – PAYABLE TAX 1971
Folder   Title Date
77 CONFERENCE – UNITED ITALIAN-AMERICAN LABOR COUNCIL 1971
Folder   Title Date
78 CONFERENCE – INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 1972
Folder   Title Date
79 CONFERENCE – NEW YORK WOMEN’S TRADE UNION 1974
Folder   Title Date
80 CONFERENCE – HELP FOR UNEMPLOYED Mar 21, 1975
Folder   Title Date
81 CONFERENCE – EDUCATION Aug 10, 1978-Aug 13, 1978
Folder   Title Date
82 CONFERENCE – JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE 1979
Folder   Title Date
83 CONFERENCE – EDUCATION Jun 9, 1981
Folder   Title Date
84 CONFERENCE – ROOSEVELT CENTENARY 1982
 

Subseries G. Delegates

Folder   Title Date
85 DELEGATES MEETING undated
Folder   Title Date
86 DELEGATES MEETING 1972
Folder   Title Date
87 DELEGATES MEETING 1974
Folder   Title Date
88 DELEGATES MEETING 1976
Folder   Title Date
89 DELEGATES MEETING 1977
Folder   Title Date
90 DELEGATES MEETING 1981
Folder   Title Date
91 DELEGATES MEETING – VISIT COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS undated
Folder   Title Date
92 DELEGATES MEETING – VISIT COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS 1976

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Series II: AFFILIATES

Folder   Title Date
93 Miscellaneous Affiliates 1971
Folder   Title Date
94 CONVENTION – COUNCIL SUPERVISORS + ADMINISTRATORS – AFL-CIO 1972
Folder   Title Date
95 ACTORS EQUITY – HEARING 1977
Folder   Title Date
96 TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION – LOCAL 100 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Mar 1973
Folder   Title Date
97 SCHOLARSHIP – Local 23-25 1965

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Series III: SERVICES

 

Subseries A. Educational Programs

Sub-Subseries 1) ILR (School of Industrial and Labor Relations—Cornell University)

Folder   Title Date
98 RISLEY’S CLASS – VISITS CLC 1979
Folder   Title Date
99 RISLEY’S CLASS – VISITS CLC 1976

Sub-Subseries 2) Empire State College

Folder   Title Date
100 EMPIRE COLLEGE undated
Folder   Title Date
101 LABOR COLLEGE 1971
Folder   Title Date
102 LABOR COLLEGE 1972
Folder   Title Date
103 LABOR COLLEGE – COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CLASS – AP. 1981
Folder   Title Date
104 LABOR COLLEGE DINNER May 1975
Folder   Title Date
105 LABOR COLLEGE DINNER Sep 1976
Folder   Title Date
106 LABOR COLLEGE – FIRST GRADUATION Sep 3, 1973
Folder   Title Date
107 LABOR COLLEGE – GRADUATION Sep 6, 1974
Folder   Title Date
108 LABOR COLLEGE – GRADUATION Jun 25, 1976
Folder   Title Date
109 LABOR COLLEGE – GRADUATION Jun 24, 1977
Folder   Title Date
110 LABOR COLLEGE – GRADUATION Jun 13, 1981
Folder   Title Date
111 LABOR COLLEGE – GRADUATION Jun 25, 1982
Folder   Title Date
112 LABOR COLLEGE – SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CEREMONY Dec 1, 1979

Sub-Subseries 3) Wagner Summer School

Folder   Title Date
113 WAGNER SUMMER SCHOOL 1964
Folder   Title Date
114 WAGNER SUMMER SCHOOL 1966
Folder   Title Date
115 WAGNER SUMMER SCHOOL 1965
 

Subseries B. Camps

Folder   Title Date
116 CAMP SEBAGO undated
Folder   Title Date
117 CAMP WABENAKI undated
 

Subseries C. Social Services/ Community Services

Folder   Title Date
118 PERFORMING ARTS + CULTURAL PROJECT 1970
Folder   Title Date
119 RED CROSS – LABOR SEMINAR May 1975
Folder   Title Date
120 RED CROSS – LABOR SEMINAR May 1977

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Series IV: EVENTS

 

Subseries A. Central Labor Council Annual Events

Sub-Subseries 1) Community

Folder   Title Date
121 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1968
Folder   Title Date
122 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1972
Folder   Title Date
123 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1974
Folder   Title Date
124 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1975
Folder   Title Date
125 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1977
Folder   Title Date
126 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1978
Folder   Title Date
127 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1979
Folder   Title Date
128 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1980
Folder   Title Date
129 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1981
Folder   Title Date
130 COMMUNITY SERVICE INSTITUTE 1983

Sub-Subseries 2) Conference—Civil Rights

Folder   Title Date
131 CONFERENCE – CIVIL RIGHTS 1964
Folder   Title Date
132 CONFERENCE – CIVIL RIGHTS 1965
Folder   Title Date
133 CONFERENCE – CIVIL RIGHTS 1969
Folder   Title Date
134 CONFERENCE – CIVIL RIGHTS 1971

Sub-Subseries 3) Labor Day Mass

Folder   Title Date
135 LABOR DAY MASS – ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL Sep 6, 1970
Folder   Title Date
136 LABOR DAY MASS 1972
Folder   Title Date
137 LABOR DAY MASS 1973
Folder   Title Date
138 LABOR DAY MASS 1974
Folder   Title Date
139 LABOR DAY MASS 1976
Folder   Title Date
140 LABOR DAY MASS 1977
Folder   Title Date
141 LABOR DAY MASS 1979

Sub-Subseries 4) Labor Day Street Fair

Folder   Title Date
142 LABOR DAY – STREET FAIR 1979

Sub-Subseries 5) Lacey, Martin Scholarship

Folder   Title Date
143 LACEY, MARTIN – SCHOLARSHIP 1966
Folder   Title Date
144 LACEY, MARTIN – SCHOLARSHIP 1970
Folder   Title Date
145 LACEY, MARTIN – SCHOLARSHIP 1972
Folder   Title Date
146 LACEY, MARTIN – SCHOLARSHIP 1974
Folder   Title Date