The United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers of America was founded in 1888. In 1889, the name changed to the National Association of Machinists. Two years later, it became known as the International Association of Machinists, and in 1965, this was changed to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Source: IAM History page, IAMAW Website, 2004.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers records document the development of an Atlanta, Georgia, machinists union into an international union. The materials span the years from 1891 to 2002; the bulk of the collection is dated 1935-1989. The papers of the IAMAW include correspondence, minutes, reports, organizational publications, legal and financial records, conference material, speeches, newspaper articles and other material documenting the history of the machinists.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Records is divided into thirteen series:
Original order of the collection was maintained. Newspaper clippings have been copied onto bond paper for protection of content.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Georgia State University Library online catalog (GIL). Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
The IAM donated the bulk of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers collection to the Special Collections Department in 1989, 1991 and 1992. More materials were received in 1993, 1999 and 2000. The Southern Labor Archives is the official repository of the IAMAW.
Unrestricted access.
To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the Worldwide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult the reference archivist to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original. All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
[item], [folder title], [series title], International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Collection, L1992-14, Southern Labor Archives. Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library, Atlanta.
Processed by Robert Dinwiddie. Updated and created by Pam Hackbart-Dean, October 2002; finding aid revised by Morna Gerrard, 2004, and William Hardesty, February 2006.
Database containing folder-level inventory of photographic collection is available in the reading room.
This subseries consists of the minutes of the American Federation of Labor Executive Council. In 1955, the American Federal of Labor merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to become the AFL-CIO. Arrangement is chronological.
The AFL-CIO Executive Council minutes consist of the general board proceedings. Arrangement is chronological.
The American Federal of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations Metal Trades Department Executive Council minutes relate to the actions and organization of the Metal Trades Department. Arrangement is chronological.
The Executive Council Minutes of the IAM contain the proceedings of the Council. There are gaps between 1892 and 1934, as well as 1937 until 1943. Arrangement is chronological.
In 1951, Winpisinger, at age 26, became one of the youngest members of the IAM national field staff. Winpisinger would later serve as IAM president from 1977 until 1989. During his tenure as IAM president and as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, Winpisinger gained a reputation as an outspoken advocate of progressive ideals. He died in December 1997.
The President William W. Winpisinger reading files contain newspaper clippings, printed materials, and correspondence. There are materials related to the 1981-1982 Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike, the energy crisis and George Meany's resignation as President of the AFL-CIO.
This series includes newsletters, biographies, committee reports, newspaper clippings, correspondence, printed materials, and election circulars. Of interest are files related to the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship Training (1940-1951), the history of the International Association of Machinists, the Canadian Labor Congress and the Robert LaFollette Investigating Committee (1937-1941).
These are mainly files of officers who had retired from service in the IAM. Of interest are files related to former IAM Presidents A. J. Hayes and Floyd Smith.
These are reports from the IAM officers to the general membership at the annual conventions. Only 1952 and 1956 are represented.
The speech series is divided by speeches arranged chronologically and speeches arranged alphabetically by speaker. Included in this series are speeches by IAM President Albert J. Hayes, IAM Research Director Vernon Jirikowic, and IAM President William W. Winpisinger.
The mission of the Education Department, now the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center, is to maintain and improve the level of understanding of workers in a rapidly changing world. Its purpose is to meet the complete range of education needs of IAM members.
Included in this subseries are reports, printed materials, memorandums, and correspondence. There are files relating to adult education, scholarships, vocational education and apprenticeship laws by state. Arrangement is alphabetical.
The International Affairs Department represents the IAM on foreign trade matters and promotes labor rights for workers in every country. It works with unions around the world to build international solidarity. Materials in this subseries include printed materials, budgets, and seminar materials.
The Strategic Resources Department represents the IAM's innovative approach to collective bargaining. The department's research staff manages a database of more than 6,000 contracts and its economists keep apprised of industry trends. This department plays a key role in contract negotiations, organizing campaigns, legislative activities and it helps develop strategies for the long-range success of the IAM.
This subseries includes copies of job descriptions for all nine IAM Master Agreement plants. These Master Agreement plants are LaCrosse, Mankato, Olympia, Omaha, Pocatello, Portland, St. Louis, Walla Walla, and Van Nuys. Also included are job descriptions for Beech Aircraft Corporation, Boeing, General Dynamics (Convair), General Electric, Continental Can Company, Lockheed Corporation, and McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation.
The mission of the Communications Department is to keep members
informed of union goals, programs, and issues important to working families.
The department publishes the
Robert Kalaski was the Director of the Communication Department. These materials consist of correspondence and day files (memos, agendas, correspondence and some financial statements) related to public relations for the IAM. Arrangement is chronological.
The bulk of this subseries consists of videocassette recordings produced by the union, taped from commercial programs, filmed by videographers at union events, or contributed by union members. Within formats, the holdings are arranged chronologically, with undated materials at the end of each formats section.
These recordings span dates from 1976 to 1992 and include such
topics as appearances by William W. Winpisinger (IAM's president, 1977-1989) at
union functions and on commercial radio and television; the 1982
Electronic Newsletters (ENL), produced by IAM-TV, include such
titles as
Audiocassettes consist of a set titled
Films in this collection include
The filmed series,
Three films in the series,
Continuous improvement is an important goal of the IAM Cares programs. IAM Cares offers annual professional staff training programs. This subseries includes reports, minutes and reports on various IAM Cares projects.
The financial records consist of internal financial oversight reports. Arrangement is chronological.
This subseries contains official auditor reports of the International Association of Machinists from 1949 until 1984. Also included are the Mount Vernon liquidating trust financial statements from 1934 until 1939 and Union Investment Company financial statements from 1934 until 1937. Arrangement is chronological.
The reports from the IAM National Pension Fund and the IAM Labor-Management Pension Fund make up this subseries. Arrangement is chronological.
These are the cash receipts and disbursement ledgers for the IAM. The ledgers are in fragile condition and require special handling.
(Ledgers are housed in Alumni Hall)
The Machinists' Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) was established in 1947 following labor's defeat in the battle to stop the enactment of the Taft-Hartley Act. It is the official political arm of the International Association of Machinists.
This subseries consists of financial ledgers, field reports, bulletins and a handbook for grassroots activities. Arrangement is chronological.
This is the official newsletter of the MNPL. Arrangement is chronological.
These are research files used by the IAM headquarters. The subject files series consists of printed materials, newspaper clippings, research materials, and correspondence. There are materials related to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Day in 1981, civil rights, collective bargaining, communism, IAM history, Mexicana Airlines contract negotiations, the Wage Stabilization Program, and Labor Day. There are also files that contain extensive materials related to IAM buildings. Of interest are letters from George Pearlman (1974-1979) as well as a large number of pamphlets. These pamphlets include materials related to the Tool, Die and Precision Machinists Apprenticeship program, case studies in labor ideology, as well as health and retirement issues. Arrangement is alphabetical.
The Local Lodges subseries consists of minutes that date back to 1899 and financial ledgers from local Lodges 8, 33, 148 and 918. Arrangement is chronological by lodge.
The ITWF files contain correspondence, printed materials, as well as programs from world congresses held in Ireland, Spain, United States and Luxembourg. Arrangement is chronological.
The IBB subseries consists of Proceedings of the consolidated conventions held in Montreal, Canada, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Long Beach, California. Arrangement is chronological.
When several IAM locals or other unions bargain with the same employer, the Collective Bargaining Department (formerly the Coordinated Bargaining Department) coordinates the negotiations. Today, the Collective Bargaining Department works closely with the IAM Legal Department, Strategic Resources Department and the High Performance Work Organization Department to maintain IAM contracts with industry leaders.
This subseries contains files related to contract negotiations and arbitrations between the IAM and various aircraft and railroad companies. Some were reached through collective bargaining, while other contracts had to go through arbitration. Arbitration is the process of resolving a dispute or grievance outside the court system by presenting it to an impartial third party or panel for a decision that may or may not be binding.
Represented in this series are National Labor Relation Board cases from the 1930s to the 1950s, the Presidential Emergency Board cases and the National Mediation Board cases. Also documented are disputes between machinists and Eastern Airlines, National Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Pan American Airlines, Trans American Airlines, and Capitol Airlines. In addition, there are contracts related to the Railway Labor Act as well as the Railroad Industry. Included in this series are exhibits presented during negotiations on contracts including newspaper articles, copies of previous agreements, surveys, and reports. Issues covered include: vacation pay, retirement plans, sick leave, annual leave, overtime compensation, seniority, as well as other areas of concern.
This subseries consists of contracts, contract booklets as well as letters of agreement between the machinists and various railroad companies around the country. Arrangement is by format and then alphabetical by railroad company.
Railroad Company and Union agreements by company. Booklets
The Grand Lodge Rolls contain the list of members from the IAM. Each roll consists of the name of the individual and a date. Dates of birth are noted sporadically. These are not in consistent alphabetical order. These materials are in fragile condition and require special handling. Some have been microfilmed for preservation purposed.
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The Convention series consists of speeches, lists of delegates, resolutions, proceedings, roll calls and officer reports. Of interest is a speech by Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon to the 1960 IAM delegation. Arrangement is chronological. For a more full history of the IAM conferences, please review the IAM conference proceedings (1924-1988) that have been cataloged separately and can be located in GIL.
In 1977, the IAM established a package sponsorship association with the USAC National Championship Series for the Indianapolis "500" and the Machinists Union 150-mile Championship Event at the Trenton International Speedway. The IAM also sponsored a car and race team. The IAM Race Car series includes newspaper clippings, programs, Indianapolis 500 yearbooks, media guides and photographs. The photographs have been removed for preservation purposes, but are available on request.
After the events of September 11, 2001, the IAM wanted to honor the men and women who were involved with the rescue, recovery and rebuidling at the World Trade Center in New York City. A videotape was created from an oral history project about these events.
Note: List compiled at time of processing. Materials must be requested separately; consult reference archivist.
The original Constitution was adopted May 1889, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the first convention of the United Machinists and Mechanical Engineers of America, at which time the name of the organization was changed to the National Association of Machinists. Over the history of the IAM, the Constitution has been revised numerous times. The Committee on Law, as required by the Constitution, prepares a ballot of proposed recommended changes for the membership to consider. If the changes are approved, the Constitution is revised. Copies of the IAM Constitutions, as well as the Constitutions of the IAM District Lodge 4 (1938-1961) are located with the Constitutions collection.
Proceedings of the IAM District Lodge 4 (1911-1965) and the IAM Joint Aircraft and Missile and Related Electronic Conference (1959) are located with the Proceedings collection. Review card catalog for complete listing.
Artifacts in the Machinists collection include: the shovel for the groundbreaking of the Machinists headquarters in December 1954; Thomas Talbot's shaving brush and razor sharpener; and various strike signs. There are also numerous convention badges. The convention badge was not only a means of identifying members at the convention, it was often the only tangible memento of the meeting. (464 items, 1888-1992.)
All artifactual items have been inventoried and are accessible by number and form. (see IAM artifact database)
The collection includes the IAM Library, periodicals, and
journals. All books are currently being cataloged with Library of Congress
identification and will be placed in the Georgia State University's
OPAC-On-Line Public Access Catalog. Some of the titles include the
A series of reproductive prints of oil paintings by J. B. Dineen follow the films in this inventory [21 prints]. The prints are framed with mats and plexiglass and are generally 24" × 21," or slightly larger. Usually depicted by Dineen are men, and a few women, working on large machinery and airplanes or at assembly lines.
Posters in the collection [28 items] highlight topics such as the March 8 International Women's Day; Health Care for All; AI.A.M.A.W. On Strike Against Continental and Eastern Airlines Subsidiaries of Texas Air Corporation; 1881 Labor's Centennial 1981"; the November 1974 Congress of Cuban Women (Congreso, Federacion, De Mujeres, Cubanas; and a caricature imitating Gone with the Wind, with Ronald Reagan carrying Margaret Thatcher, with the text, She promised to follow him to the end of the earth. He promised to organize it.