Title: Harold Christoffel Oral History Interview
Inclusive Dates: 1987

Creator:

• Christoffel, Harold, 1912-

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 40

Quantity:

• 2 audio cassettes
• 2 digital files (1.95 GB)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

An oral history interview by Stanley Mallach and Joseph Broderick with Harold Christoffel--president of the United Automobile Workers Union, Local 248 at the Allis-Chalmers Corporation (ACC) plant in West Allis, Wisconsin from the late 1930s until February 1945, when he entered military service--at Christoffel's home outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 23 June 1987. The interview deals with the founding and operations of the CIO News (Wisconsin) and West Allis plant newspapers and the role of these publications in labor relations at ACC and in the rise of the CIO in Wisconsin. Also contains information about conflicts between ACC and Local 248 and the rise and internal operations of the Milwaukee County Industrial Union Council (MCIUC) and the Wisconsin State Industrial Union Council (WSIUC). The interview deals with the founding, purposes, effectiveness, editorial policy, story sources, and distribution of the Allis-Chalmers Workers' Union News, the CNW, and the Local 248 page and Local 248 edition of the CNW. Notable in the interview are Christoffel's comments on the purposes of the publications as information and organizing arms of Local 248 and the MCIUC and WSIUC; on race relations at ACC and in Local 248; on aspects of labor relations at the West Allis plant and the CNW coverage of the 1939 and 1941 strikes; on friction between the labor movement in Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Journal; on the coverage of union elections and John L. Lewis by the CNW; and on the stand of Local 248 on American entry into World War II before 7 December 1941 and attitudes toward the war effort after December 7.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0040

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Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Interview transcript available online.

• Alfred Hirsch Oral History Interview. UWM Manuscript Collection 39.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. The original audiocassettes are restricted. Users must access the network copy available in the archives.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

A Fromkin Oral History interview by Stanley Mallach and Joseph Broderick with Harold Christoffel. The transcription was by Edward Hatton and Stanley Mallach. The interview was conducted at Mr. Christoffel's home by Stanley Mallach and Joe Broderick on 23 June 1987.

Processing Information

Mark A. Vargas processed the collection at the Archives in May 1994.

	Interview
Audio   1-2	Audiocassette Access Restrictions: The original audiocassettes are restricted. Users must access the network copy available in the archives.
Electronic Folder	Digital Physical Description: 2 digital files (1 hr., 34 min.; 1 hr., 27 min.)
	Transcript Read the transcript.