In 1967, the Penn State University Libraries' Historical Collections and
Labor Archives (HCLA) became the official repository fro the historical
records of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). This body of material
documents the internal and external activities of every hierarchical
level of the organization. The main components of the USWA Archive are the
records from the International Executive Board, elected officials, staff
departments, and district and local union offices. The verbatim transcripts of
the Executive Board proceedings provide insight into the Steelworker's second-highest
policy making body. The files of the international officers reveal the union's
relations with the labor movement, state governments, and the daily administration
of the organization.
Records of the district offices contain valuable documents on organizing,
contract negotiations, grievances, and political action at the regional and
local levels. There are also minute books, financial records, and detailed
grievances for several important union locals. In addition to several thousand
cubic feet of files, the USWA Archive contains newsletters, publications, posters,
photographs, sound recordings, and movie film. Complementing the Steelworker's
official records are the nearly two hundred oral histories of former union
officers, staff members, and rank and file activists. Each interview has been
transcribed and indexed.
Complementing the USWA Archive are the numerous manuscript collections documenting
the activities of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee, predecessor of the USWA.
These include personal correspondence, diaries, reports, research files, and
memorabilia of Clint Golde, Harold Ruttenberg, Meyer Bernstein, E.J. Lever, and
Frank Fernbach. The records of several unions that preceded or merged with the
United Steelworkers of America are also represented in HCLA. These include
the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, the International
Union of District 50, and the Aluminum Workers of America.
Since 1967, when Penn State became the official repository for the historical
records of the United Steelworkers of America, HCLA has attempted to collect
documents created by the union that student, historians, and union members may want
to review in order to understand the origins and development of the Steelworkers.
Individuals, local unions, and districts are encouraged to deposit their
Steelworker records in the USWA Archive at Penn State. This may include union
newsletters, grievance files, minute books, membership records, office
correspondence, scrapbooks, and photographs.
When historical records are deposited at Penn State, the HCLA staff organizes and
catalogs them so they are ready for public use. The records are stored in
fireproof facilities that are secure from theft and vandalism. People who do
research with the records must use a supervised reading room and are not
allowed to remove the records, even to another part of the library. These procedures
insure that the collections remain available to future researchers. Union
members are encouraged to visit HCLA and to use the records in the Steelworkers'
archive.
Those interested in depositing historical records in the USWA Archive should
call HCLA during business hours at (814) 863-3181, or mail an inquiry to:
HCLA
The Pennsylvania State University
104 Paterno Library
University Park, PA 16802
HCLA welcomes all researchers to examine the collections in the Steelworkers'
archive. A small number of the collections are restricted, however, and those
planning to visit should contact HCLA in advance for information about the
materials they wish to use. Summary information on many collections in the
archive is available from the University Libraries' catalog (LIAS). Researchers
may also find collection descriptions in two national databases: the Research
Libraries Information Network (RLIN), and the On-Line Computer Library Center,
Inc. (OCLC). HCLA is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Photocopies of documents can be made on the premises, with permission from the
staff. Further information about copying services, collections, travel, and
local arrangements can be obtained by calling HCLA during business hours at
(814) 865-7931, or by mailing an inquiry.
