John Harte Papers
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Abstract
John Harte, as a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 608 and of Carpenters for a Stronger Union has been striving for democracy within the union structure since 1973. The collection documents Harte's efforts to bring fair practices to the union, and the repercussions he suffered as a result. The collection includes letters, election materials, flyers, court documents and newspaper clippings.
Historical/Biographical Note
In October 1973 John Harte brought his first documented complaint against officials of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 608. From 1973 through the early 1990s Harte took part in a continuing campaign for fair practices and democracy in the local. Also active within the organization Carpenters for a Stronger Union, he was involved in attempting to restructure the election process in the union, and making hiring books available to rank and file members to view. The way in which union members were placed on jobs was the major issue for Harte, believing that preferential treatment was given to loyalists over dissenters who wanted to see more accountability in the way the union operated. On his behalf, the National Labor Relations Board brought suit against Local 608, and when the union still delayed in letting Harte see the hiring books, another suit for contempt was brought against it. The case between the National Labor Relations Board and Local 608 lasted from 1987 to 1994. In the early 1990s a federal racketeering charge was brought against Local 608 for alleged involvement with the Genovese crime family. In the RICO case John Harte was one of many people to give a deposition about the activities and irregularities of the union.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged alphabetically. The collection is organized into 1 series:
Missing Title
- Series I: Subject Files, 1973-1995.
Scope and Content Note
The collection contains the records of John Harte's struggles within the Carpenters Local 608. Letters documenting his attempts to secure information about the job placement practices of the union and legal records for suits files against the local by the National Labor Relations Board are contained in the collection. Also included are copies of testimony by Harte and others relating to the union and organized crime in a RICO suit. Newspaper clippings, election materials, flyers and publications relating to the union and to the activities of Carpenters for a Stronger Union are also collected.
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Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by John Harte were transferred to New York University in 2003 by John Harte. 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; Collection name; Collection number; 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by John Harte, 2003. The accession number associated with this gift is 2003.019.