Christopher Rhoades Dykema Papers
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Abstract
Christopher R. Dykema was a caseworker for the New York City Department of Social Services, Human Resources Administration and a member of the Social Services Employees Union (SSEU, AFSCME District Council 37, Local 371). While a member of the union, he served as a union delegate and grievance committee chairman, was a participant in contract bargaining (1970-1974), and represented SSEU-Local 371 on the New York City Labor Council (1972-1974). This collection contains material documenting his involvement with various political organizations and unions, and it includes material written by Christopher Dykema for the SSEU and for the New American Movement.
Historical/Biographical Note
After graduating from Columbia University in 1966, Christopher Rhoades Dykema began working at the New York City Department of Social Services, Kingsbridge Welfare Center as a caseworker and joined the Social Service Employee Union (SSEU); the union, now SSEU, AFSCME DC 37, Local 371, was then independent. It had been formed when caseworkers split from Local 371 in 1962. He served as an alternate delegate for the union while at Kingsbridge.
Dykema left the Welfare Center for a few years and returned in 1970 to the Bronx Bureau of Child Welfare, where he was active in setting up the Bureau in the union. In the early 1970s, he served as an alternate delegate and delegate from Bronx BCW. He also served as grievance committee chairman and chapter secretary. He participated in contract bargaining (1970-1974) and represented SSEU-Local 371 on the New York City Central Labor Council (1972-1974).
Christopher Dykema was a member of the union during the merger in 1968 of the SSEU and Local 371, and dealt with the aftermath of the reorganization plan set forth after the merger. In the 1969 contract, the union abandoned the caseload limitations and some hiring demands in return for extra money. However, caseloads continued to grow and this collection reflects the caseload problems of the Bureau of Child Welfare. Adding to these problems was the profound effect of the budgetary crisis in New York City in 1975 along with the spiraling inflation of the rest of the decade. This brought about new concerns for the union relating to job security, decline of services to clients, and pay increases based on a weak economy.
During this time, Mr. Dykema was also active in various leftist political organizations, including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the New American Movement (NAM).
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by topic within each series.
Organized into 2 series:
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- Series I. Political Activity
- Series II: Social Services Employees Union
Scope and Content Note
Series I: Political Activity, 1966-1988.
Series I includes documents illustrating Dykema's involvement in various leftist political groups including Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the New American Movement (NAM). Included in this series are flyers, pamphlets, clippings, and publications from various organizations. Highlights include a pamphlet written by Dykema on socialist organizing in the working class, a paper written by Dykema on the 1975 fiscal crisis in New York City, and SDS and NAM convention material.
Series II: Social Service Employees Union, 1965-1980.
Series II includes minutes, leaflets, notes and papers related to union activities and dissident factions within the local. The series covers union politics, elections, caucuses, negotiations (1970-1974), collective bargaining demands (1971-1974), and grievances (1970-1975). Also included is the SSEU-Local 371 publication Organizational Newsletter(1970-1980). There is a specific focus on the activities of the Bureau of Child Welfare, where Dykema worked. Highlights of this series include a report on the SSEU, written by Dykema, that was presented at a NAM convention.
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Conditions Governing Access
Access to Series III (boxes 5 through 17) is restricted until the death of the donor and his wife.
Conditions Governing Access
Grievance files in Series II are restricted unti 2044.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Christopher Dykema were transferred to New York University in 1982 by Christopher Dykema. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Archives. Please contact tamiment.wagner@nyu.edu, (212) 998-2630.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date; Christopher Rhoades Dykema; WAG 016; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Christopher Dykema in 1981. The accession number associated with this gift is 1981.003. Additional materials were donated in 1989, 1991, 1998 and 2007.