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Guide to the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S, Records WAG.012

Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012
(212) 998-2596
special.collections@nyu.edu


Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives

Collection processed by Processed by Hillel Arnold

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on February 02, 2022
Description is in English using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

 Edited by Nicole Greenhouse to reflect additional administrative information and added archived websites  , February 2022

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union (New York, N.Y.)
Source: Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union. Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union (New York, N.Y.)
Title: Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Local 1-S, Records
Dates [inclusive]: 1939-2009, (Bulk 1947-1976)
Dates [bulk]: 1947-1976
Abstract: Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, Local 1-S Department Store Workers Union was organized at Macy's in New York City on June 7, 1939 by the Congress of Industrial Organizations' Department Store Organizing Committee. Headed by Sam Kovenetsky, a stockroom worker who served as Business Manager of Local 1-S from 1939 to 1948 and as President from 1948 to 1980, the union bargained for employee benefits including increased job security, higher minimum wages, and a company-paid health insurance plan. Originally affiliated with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Local 1-S and other left-wing locals seceded from the RWDSU in 1948 after the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act. However, in 1951 Local 1-S re-affiliated with the CIO under a separate charter as an international union, the United Department Store Workers of America and in 1955 the Local re-affiliated with the RWDSU. The records consist of correspondence, minutes, constitutions, notes, speeches, newsletters, agreements, contract negotiations, grievances, annual reports, economic reports, memoranda, circulars and brochures.
Quantity: 13 Linear Feet in 13 record cartons.
Quantity: 3 websites in 3 archived websites.
Location: Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu at least two business days prior to research visit.
Language: Materials are primarily in English with some Spanish on the websites.
Call Phrase: WAG.012