National Federation of Post-Office Clerks, Local No. 4 records

Abstract

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.

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.
Finding Aid Author
Revised by Kaitlyn Moran, 2022 March 22
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

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Dues and sick benefits book, 1913-1923

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Dues and sick benefits book, 1917-1934

  • Box 1, folder 3
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General correspondence, primarily with the national office and concerning job status and seniority, 1952-1959, undated

  • Box 1, folder 4
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Labor Management Council material, 1954

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Membership lists, 1955-1959

  • Box 1, folder 6
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Minute book, 1913-1917

  • Box 1, folder 7
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Minute book, 1918-1927

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Minute book, 1928-1934

  • Box 2, folder 1
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Minute book, 1934-1940

  • Box 2, item 2
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Minute book, Sick Benefit Branch, 1926-1937

  • Box 2, folder 3
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Minute book, Sick Benefit Branch, 1937-1945

  • Box 2, item 4
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Minutes, 1940-1945

  • Box 3, folder 1
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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.

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Roll book, 1926-1936

  • Box 3, folder 3
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Roll book, 1936-1944

  • Box 3, folder 4
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Roll book, 1944-1957

  • Box 3, folder 5
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Scrapbook cover with names of members who sent letters, circa 1940

  • Box 6, item 1
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Scrapbook, World War II letters from union members, 1944-1945

  • Box 3, folder 6-7
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The Louisville Fed, official publication of No. 4, scattered issues, 1948-1958

  • Box 3, folder 8
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Kentucky Federation of Post Office Clerks, 1956-1960

22nd and 24th biennial conventions, 1956-1960

  • Box 4, folder 1
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Central Kentucky District minutes, undated

  • Box 4, folder 2
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Constitution and by-laws, 1956

  • Box 4, folder 3
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Kentucky Federation News, scattered issues, 1956-1958

  • Box 4, folder 4
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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.

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Federation News Service, 1951-1959

  • Box 4, folder 6-7
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Miscellaneous material including publications of other locals, clippings, and publicity, 1954-1958

  • Box 4, folder 8
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National Federation of Post Clerks: Brief History ... and A Record of 50 Years Progress, circa 1952

  • Box 4, folder 9
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Proceedings and reports, 30th convention, 1958

  • Box 4, folder 10
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Program, report, and special-issue livewire for 50th anniversary convention, 1956

  • Box 5, folder 1
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Resolutions to be acted upon by the National Federation of Post Office Clerks, 1958 August 25-30

  • Box 5, folder 2
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The Union Postal Clerk, 1956-1958

  • Box 5, folder 3
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Louisville Post Office, 1895-1898, undated

Minutes, 1895-1898

  • Box 5, folder 4
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My Job, training manual compiled for new employees, undated

  • Box 5, folder 5
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Seniority lists, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6
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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.

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National Association of Letter Carriers Bulletin, 1954-1956

  • Box 5, folder 8
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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.

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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.