These materials were collected by Frank R. Stella while he served as secretary or treasurer of several labor organizations in Kenosha during his working life and after his retirement. There are very few personal papers in the collection.
The few PERSONAL PAPERS include Stella's dues books from his membership in the Journeymen Barbers' International Union of America, Local 379, Kenosha, dating from his initiation on July 25, 1927 through 1974. Also included is the union's “Revised Manual of Common Procedure,” with annotations listing the union offices he held, membership cards, and dues books from the International Association of Machinists, Lodge 34. The remainder of the personal materials consist of two form letters, a meeting notice, and a few printed materials published by the Liberty Lobby.
COOPERATIVE BUSINESS FILES contain fragmentary records of the Union Co-operative Publishing Company, Kenosha, formed in 1939 to report on labor activities and issues from a union perspective. Included are articles of organization and contracts, correspondence and newsclippings, minutes and agenda of board of directors' and stockholders' meetings, and a few financial records.
Stella's records of the activities of SENIOR CITIZEN ACTION COALITIONS include a constitution, convention information, correspondence, membership lists, and minutes of the Allied Council of Senior Citizens of Wisconsin, some of concern social security issues. There is also a labor agreement between American Motors Corporation and Lodge 34, by-laws, constitutions, correspondence, and an organizing guide of the Retirees Club of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Lodge 34. For the Racine County Community Action Group there is a small file of consumer information and sources, correspondence, and minutes.
Records of UNION CLUBS include by-laws and cash balance statements of the Ke-Nash-a Club, Kenosha, established by Nash Motors (later Nash Kelvinator Corporation and American Motors Corporation) founder and chairman of the board for his employees. The Ke-Nash-a Club was both a social organization and a mutual aid fund, providing insurance coverage for illnesses and accidents, free legal advice, and loans to members. The Club also sponsored athletic teams and printed a monthly magazine, the Ke-Nash-a Club News. The records of the Kenosha Union Club, Inc. were generated by the secretary's office. They include an audit report, attendance lists, correspondence, and miscellaneous financial records.
UNION RECORDS contain scattered materials from four Kenosha, labor unions. From the Journeymen Barbers' International Union of America, Local 379, are records of the secretary-treasurer, including constitutions, by-laws, an agreement, correspondence, news clippings highlighting local labor leaders, a cash book, a dues collection book, membership lists, and apprenticeship information.
Documents from the Kenosha AFL-CIO Council include Stella's own file of correspondence, mailing lists, and other papers, originally entitled “When I Was Cors Secy [Corresponding Secretary] of Kenosha AFL-CIO Council.” Of note are letters to Senators Joseph Lourigan, 1967, and William Proxmire, 1967; Walter Reuther, 1968; and George Meany, 1968; and letters regarding a court case and charges against Frank Greco, a delegate to the Kenosha AFL-CIO Council, 1967-1968. Other records include correspondence, contracts, financial statements, and insurance from Labor Day Festivals, and AFL-CIO merger agreements and the papers from the first Wisconsin convention, 1958.
One folder of materials concerning the Kenosha Trades and Labor Council includes a few treasurer's reports, copies of the constitution and by-laws, and items pertaining to a dispute on firefighters' promotions, 1937.
The Kenosha Union Label Council was founded in 1936 as the Kenosha Union Label League (the name was changed about 1950) to encourage businessmen to stock union labor merchandise and to persuade citizens to buy only union labeled products. Correspondence, printed matter, dues receipts, and minutes were separated from Stella's papers and added to the records of the organization (also donated by Stella), call number Parkside Mss 21. The Council also published the annual “Union Label Directory and Purchasing Guide,” to raise funds and to promote businesses selling union merchandise.
