National Federation of Post-Office Clerks, Local No. 4 records
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- National Federation of Post-Office Clerks, Local No. 4 records
- Date
- 1895-1960, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 2.5 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Labor union meetings.
- Labor unions
- Labor unions -- Kentucky -- Records and correspondence.
- Labor unions -- Organizing
- Lists
- Louisville (Ky.) -- Commerce.
- Minutes (Records)
- Postal service -- Employees -- Labor unions -- Kentucky.
- Postal service -- Kentucky.
- Reports.
- Seniority, Employee.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject in five series: Local No. 4, Louisville, Kentucky, National Federation of Post Office Clerks, National Federation of Post Office Clerks, Louisville Post Office, and Subject Files. Most categories are subdivided by type of material or topic and arranged thereunder chronologically.
- Preferred Citation
- 61m100: [identification of item], National Federation of Post-Office Clerks, Local No. 4 records, 1895-1960, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The first organization of postal employees in Louisville was formed on November 9, 1895. It was associated with the National Association of Post Office Clerks as Branch No. 80. The main purpose of the organization was to influence legislation pending before Congress. After the first push, interest seemed to wane and disagreements developed within the union. The last recorded meeting was August 22, 1898.
- The present Louisville postal clerks' organization was formed just before the organization of the National Federation of Post Office Clerks in Chicago, August 27, 1906. The Louisville group was one of six locals represented and was designated Branch No. 4. The local regarded the founding date of the National Federation as its own anniversary.
- The major difference between the postal clerks' union and other unions is that the men are employed by the federal government instead of by private business. Because of this, Article II, Section 3, of the National Federation Constitution says, ".... Legislation and not strike is the last resort in the adjustment of our grievance …". This also means that much of the energy of the union is directed toward influencing postal legislation. Other than this, union activities are the same as in any other union.
- A Sick Benefit Branch was organized as early as 1913, to provide as much as $250.00 relief for any ill member. Women were always admitted to membership, but the relation of the union to black clerks was a continuing problem.
- In 1971 five unions, the United Federation of Postal Clerks, the National Postal Union, the National Association of Post Office and General Service Maintenance Employees, the National Federation of Post Office Motor Vehicle Employees, and the National Association of Special Delivery Messengers combined into the American Postal Workers Union.
- The American Postal Workers, Local No. 4, Louisville, is still active with 624 members in 2020.
- Resources:
- "American Postal Workers, Local No. 4, Louisville", Union Facts, https://www.unionfacts.com/lu/71576/APWU/4/, accessed 2020 November 30.
- "American Postal Workers Union", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Postal_Workers_Union#, accessed 2020 November 30.
- "APWU History", APWU, https://www.apwu.org/apwu-history, accessed 2020 November 30.
- Scope and Content
- The National Federation of Post-Office Clerks, Local No. 4 records (dated 1895-1960, undated; 6 boxes, 2.5 cubic feet) comprises documents created by Louisville's local post office union, as well as, the Allied Council of Federal Employees in Louisville, the Central Kentucky District of the Kentucky Federation of Post Office Clerks, the Kentucky Federation of Post Office Clerks, The National Federation of Post Office Clerks, and the National Association of Letter Carriers. The documents include minutes, financial statements, reports, and correspondence of the Allied Council of Federal Employees in Louisville, to which the postal local belonged from 1942 to 1952. The collection also contains minutes and the constitution and bylaws of the local, as well as materials on the 1954, 1956, and 1958 conventions of the Kentucky Federation of Post Office Clerks. Seniority lists of the Louisville Post Office are present, along with miscellaneous materials such as clippings, union publications, and reports from national conventions. There are also records of the Allied Council of Federal Employees which is composed of representatives from postal and railway unions. Of significance is the correspondence between union members and their elected representatives in Washington, D.C.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to these materials belong to the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Local No. 4, 1913-1959
Constitution, by-laws, and membership application for No. 4 and for Sick Benefits Branch, 1951-1955
Dues and sick benefits book, 1913-1923
Dues and sick benefits book, 1917-1934
General correspondence, primarily with the national office and concerning job status and seniority, 1952-1959, undated
Labor Management Council material, 1954
Membership lists, 1955-1959
Minute book, 1913-1917
Minute book, 1918-1927
Minute book, 1928-1934
Minute book, 1934-1940
Minute book, Sick Benefit Branch, 1926-1937
Minute book, Sick Benefit Branch, 1937-1945
Minutes, 1940-1945
Pay increase correspondence This is correspondence between the union members and their representative in Washington. From Kentucky, Senators Alben W. Barkley, Earle C. Clements, John Sherman Cooper, and Thruston B. Morton and Representative John M. Robsion, Jr., are represented. Senator Homer E. Capehart and William E. Jenner and Representatives D. Bailey Merrill and Winfield K. Denton are represented from Indiana., 1953-1958
- Box 3, folder 2
Scope and Contents
This correspondence is between the union members and their representative in Washington. From Kentucky, Senators Alben W. Barkley, Earle C. Clements, John Sherman Cooper, and Thruston B. Morton and Representative John M. Robsion, Jr., are represented. Senator Homer E. Capehart and William E. Jenner and Representatives D. Bailey Merrill and Winfield K. Denton are represented from Indiana.
Roll book, 1926-1936
Roll book, 1936-1944
Roll book, 1944-1957
Scrapbook cover with names of members who sent letters, circa 1940
Scrapbook, World War II letters from union members, 1944-1945
The Louisville Fed, official publication of No. 4, scattered issues, 1948-1958
Kentucky Federation of Post Office Clerks, 1956-1960
National Federation of Post Office Clerks, 1908-1959, undated
3rd annual convention (photograph), Labor Day, Louisville, Kentucky, 1908
- Box 4, folder 5
Scope and Contents
The 1908 meeting was held in Louisville. Pictures, program, proceedings, resolutions, and report are included.
Federation News Service, 1951-1959
Miscellaneous material including publications of other locals, clippings, and publicity, 1954-1958
National Federation of Post Clerks: Brief History ... and A Record of 50 Years Progress, circa 1952
Proceedings and reports, 30th convention, 1958
Program, report, and special-issue livewire for 50th anniversary convention, 1956
Resolutions to be acted upon by the National Federation of Post Office Clerks, 1958 August 25-30
The Union Postal Clerk, 1956-1958
Louisville Post Office, 1895-1898, undated
Subject files, 1942-1956
Allied Council of Federal Employees, Louisville, Kentucky, 1942-1954
- Box 5, folder 7
Scope and Contents
This material includes minutes, financial statements, reports and correspondence. The Council was composed of representatives from the National Federation of Post Office Clerks, No. 4, National Association of Letter Carriers, No. 14, Motor Vehicle Employees, Railway Mails Association, National Association of Post Office and Railway Mails Service Laborers, Custodial Lodge No. 457, and Post Office Mechanics.
National Association of Letter Carriers Bulletin, 1954-1956
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
