Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Local 1-S, Department Store Workers Union Photographs
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Abstract
The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union had its origins in efforts to organize the workers of Macy's department store in New York City. These efforts finally came to with the passage of the Wagner Act in 1935 and the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1938. The union made its first gains among non-selling departments of Macy's in the late 1930s, but by 1943, 54% of the salesclerks voted for union representation. Originally affiliated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), in the wake of the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act, Local 1-S seceded from the RWDSU but re-affiliated in 1955. Most of the material in this collection relates to the 40th Anniversary Exhibits for Local 1-S (1978) and for Local 3, Bloomingdale's, another department store local (1979). Oversized materials include panoramic shots of shop stewards conferences and a luncheon. In addition, Local 1-S scholarship recipients are pictured.
Historical/Biographical Note
The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union had its origins in efforts to organize the workers of Macy's department store in New York City. These efforts came to fruition with with the passage of the Wagner Act in 1935 and the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1938. Sam Kovenetsky was chosen to head the organizing drive. He began to work full-time for the union, along with other organizers including Marcella Loring and Bill Goltz. The union made its first gains among non-selling departments of Macy's inthe late 1930s, but by 1943, 54% of the salesclerks voted for union representation. Through negotiations, Local 1-S bargained for employee benefits and for language that eliminated racial and religious discrimination. Originally affiliated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), in the wake of the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act, Local 1-S and other left-wing locals seceded from the RWDSU but by 1955, 1-S re-affiliated with RWDSU.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged topically.
The files are grouped into 1 series:
Missing Title
- Container list.
Scope and Content Note
Most of the material in this collection of black and white photographs relates to the 40th anniversary exhibits mounted by Local 1-S (in 1978), as well as by United Storeworkers Organization--Local 3, Bloomingdale's (in 1979)--another department store local of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Photographs of sets of exhibit panels are included for both exhibits, as well as contact sheets and copy prints of images of events connected with the 1-S exhibit. Oversized materials include panoramic shots of shop stewards conferences and a luncheon. In addition, Local 1-S scholarship recipients in 1963, 1966, 1967 and 1969 are pictured. With the exception of a portrait of Mr. A. Lesser, none of the persons in the photographs are identified. Photographers and photographic studios represented include Sam Reiss and Standard Flashlight Company.
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Organizations
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Local 1-S, Department Store Workers Union Photographs; PHOTOS 028; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union (New York, N.Y.) sent a gift of their records in 1980. Photographs from this donation were separated at that time and established as the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Local 1-S, Department Store Workers Union Photographs (PHOTOS 028). The accession number associated with these photographs is 1979.010. In 2003 the union sent two additional donations of their records. Photographs from those donation were added to this collection. The accession numbers associated with these gifts are 2003.023 and 2003.024.
