Title: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Records
Inclusive Dates: 1954-1965

Creator:

• Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action

Call Number: Micro 26

Quantity: 3 reels of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Records documenting the growth of sentiment for more direct control of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers by its members, of the 1961 formation of the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action, and of the withdrawal of many west coast leaders from the International and its Pacific Coast Pulp and Paper Mill Employees Association to form the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers. Constituting the files of Burt Wells, secretary-treasurer of both the Rank and File Movement and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers. The collection includes correspondence, minutes, financial reports, press releases and newsletters, and other records. Also present is information on the Better Union Committee of the United Papermakers and Paperworkers.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0026

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During the late 1950's certain members of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers (IBPS&PMW) began to feel that constitutional reforms were necessary in order to democratize the International and make its administration more responsive to the wishes of the rank and file. President John P. Burke was growing old, and they feared that Burke's successors might be less restrained in their application of the broad but poorly-defined powers granted the office by the union's constitution. Moreover, they felt they were not being adequately represented by the International's appointed bargainers in contract negotiations with employers, and that certain of the International's vice presidents were already abusing their powers.

The crisis came in January of 1961 when George Brooks, Director of Research and Education for the IBPS&PMW, and respected by the reform elements within the union, was asked to resign by the International Executive Board. Various ad hoc committees sprang up within the union to protest this action.

In March, 1961, representatives from many areas of the United States and Canada met in Denver to establish the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action (RFMDA). Its initial purpose was to demand reinstatement of George Brooks, but soon adopted a broad platform of reform (much of which had been included in the “Program for Militant Democratic Unionism” which had been widely circulated within the union during the previous year). Many of the proposed reforms centered around the demand for regional election of vice presidents.

The new movement grew, supported by per capita contributions from affiliated locals. Much of the impetus came from the west coast, but other areas were also active. From within the IBPS&PMW the RFMDA established its own skeletal administrative structure, with chairman, vice-chairman, secretary-treasurer, area executives, and organization committee. In general these officers were also leaders in their local unions, and continued to be supported financially by their respective locals. Most of the RFMDA funds appear to have gone into expenses involved with their monthly publication the Amplifier.

Officers of the International became alarmed at this challenge to their authority. They argued that at the very least the new movement could only hurt the union by creating discord, and pointed out that among unions in general, the Pulp and Sulphite Workers had had one of the best records of industrial peace and honest administration. In an anonymous publication, Truth, more bitter opponents charged that the reform leaders were merely petty empire builders, and that some of them were perhaps even communist sympathisers. The reformers retorted with charges of abuse of power and, in some instances, corruption and collusion with employers on the part of certain officers. President Burke attempted to remain as neutral as possible under the circumstances.

In the meantime RFMDA leaders remained optimistic that the 1962 Detroit Convention would offer them an opportunity to have some of their reforms enacted. They were disappointed, however. Some of the western Canadian locals had already been threatening to withdraw from the union, and after the defeat of the RFMDA proposals at the 1962 Convention they established an independent union, the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada. Reform leaders in the United States were as yet reluctant to consider such a step.

During this same general period (late 1950's and early 1960's) the other large AFL-CIO paper workers union, the United Papermakers and Paper-workers, was undergoing a parallel movement for reform, known as the Better Union Committee, which was strongly opposed by UPP President Paul Philips. Although there was no formal connection between the reform movements in the two unions, they followed each other's progress with interest.

The final crisis came on the west coast in 1964 during a “Pre-Wage Conference” of the Pacific Coast Pulp and Paper Mill Employees Association. This organization represent locals of both the Pulp and Sulphite Workers and the United Papermakers and Paperworkers (UPP) unions for purposes of unified industry-wide bargaining. Its officers included leaders in the RFMDA. The Association felt that although international officials and staffs involved with West Coast operation were familiar with existing conditions, they were friendly with the employers rather than militant union leaders. Representatives at the Conference wanted to adopt rules which would permit delegates to industry negotiations to elect a labor co-chairman of the negotiations. This would have been a change from previous years when labor co-chairmen had been selected by mutual agreement among the joint staff of the two international unions. West Coast international vice presidents in attendance to the negotiations refused to allow the labor co-chairman to be elected, and announced that an international vice president would be in charge of the bargaining, as in the past.

Dissident locals of the IBPS&PMW and the UPP withdrew from the conference and from their respective international unions. They formed an entirely new union, the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW). It is not surprising to find that AWPPW President, William Perrin, and the Secretary-Treasurer, Burt Walls, also held high office in the RFMDA.

Further information on the reform movements in the IBPS&PMW and the UPP, and on the formation of the AWPPW, may be found immediately following this inventory at the beginning of the film, in extracts from two issues of Union Democracy in Action, an independent publication edited by Edmund Benson, a sympathiser with the movements.

The Papers included in this film are from the office of Burt Wells, presently Secretary-Treasurer of the AWPPW, having held the same office with the RFMDA. They date almost exclusively from the early period of the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action, 1961-1962. However, the film also contains some materials predating and postdating the movement, as well as a limited quantity of correspondence and other materials relating to reform attempts in the UPP.

The files, as received by the Society, were found to overlap considerably. Some attempt has been made to minimise this overlapping by consolidating various “general” and “miscellaneous” correspondence files into a single chronological file. However, substantial overlapping--both as to subject matter and as to individual correspondents--will still be found among almost all of the correspondence folders. In some instances a letter and its reply may even be found in separate folders (such cases as were noted were corrected). In other cases duplicate copies of letters (either typed or photocopies) may occur in more than one folder. (The various leaders in the reform movement evidently provided each other with numerous copies of relevant segments of their own correspondence. As much duplication as possible was eliminated in the preparation of the material for filming.)

A complete listing of folders, in order as they appear on the film, follows below. Folders are numbered consecutively to facilitate location on the film. The number of a given folder will appear with each item within that folder as it is filmed. Items within folders are arranged chronologically by days where possible, except that letters that were stapled with enclosures or replies were not separated.

Acquisition Information

Loaned for microfilming by Burt Wells, Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, Portland, Ore., 1965, through arrangements made by George Hagglund, Wisconsin School for Workers, March 15, 1965.

Processing Information

Processed by Emily Al-Khazraji, 6/4/65.

Reel   1 Folder   1	Series: Extracts from Union Democracy in Action, No. 4 and No. 14 Jan., 1962, and Jan., 1965 Scope and Content Note: Containing background information on the reform movements in the IBPS&PMW and the UPP, and on the formation of the AWPPW.
	Series: Correspondence	⇧
Reel   1 Folder   2	General correspondence, 1959-1962 Scope and Content Note: This file contains letters relating to the Program for Militant Democratic Unionism, to George Brooks' resignation, and to the anonymous publication Truth. It also includes most of the correspondence exchanged between President Burke and various individuals in the RFMDA. Excepting UPP correspondence, this is the only folder containing correspondence prior to 1961. For 1961-1962 it overlaps with the other correspondence folders.
Reel   1 Folder   3	Correspondence relating to contributions and per capita fees, Mar., 1961 - Nov., 1962 Scope and Content Note: Many letters in this folder relate primarily to other topics--including proposed reforms, etc.--and only incidentally to financial matters.
Reel   1 Folder   4	Correspondence with opponents to reform, Mar., 1961 - Nov., 1962 Scope and Content Note: (Correspondence with individuals - Please note that correspondence with any of the following persons prior to 1961 will appear with the general correspondence, Folder 2; also note that letters from a given individual may occur in almost any folder in addition to the one with his name on it.)
Reel   1 Folder   5	Ameden, Richard, RFMDA Organization Committee, Local 183, Everett, Wash., Jan., 1961 - July, 1962
Reel   1 Folder   6	Ballantyne, James, RFMDA Organisation Committee, Local 89, Kapuskasing, Ont., Feb., 1961 - Nov., 1962
Reel   1 Folder   7	Bartlett, Harold M., RFMDA Area Executive for the Middle Atlantic Area (replacing Scarselletta), Local 22, Fort Orango, N.Y., May, 1961 - Aug., 1962
Reel   1 Folder   8	Benson, Herman, Editor of Union Democracy in Action, New York, June, 1961 - April, 1962
Reel   1 Folder   9	Bevin, Edwin, RFMDA Area Executive for Calif., Local 850, Antioch, Calif., Jan. 3 - 23, 1962
Reel   1 Folder   10	Braaten, Orville, RFMDA Area Executive for Western Canada Local 433, Vancouver, B.C., Jan., 1961 - June, 1963
Reel   2 Folder   11	Chatham, R. H., RFMDA Chairman Local 512, West Monroe, La., Jan., 1961 - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   12	Cowman, William H., Local 400, Brunswick, Georgia, Feb., 1962 - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   13	Dukes, Clarence, RFMDA Organisation Committee, Local 713, Antioch, Calif., Feb., 1961 - July, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   14	Farrace, Arthur, RFMDA Area Executive for Calif. (until Oct., 1961), Local 249, Antioch, California, Feb. - Sept., 1961
Reel   2 Folder   15	McCormick, Robert, Sec.-Treas., Western Canada Council of Pulp and Paper Mill Unions, Ocean Falls, B.C., Feb., 1961 - April, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   16	Macphee, Angus, RFMDA Organisation Committee Sec., B.C. Committee of Inquiry, Local 708, Prince Rupert, B.C., Feb., 1961 - June, 1962; Feb. 18, 1964
Reel   2 Folder   17	Marshall, Peter, RFMDA Organization Committee, Local 312, Ocean Falls, B.C., April, 1961 - July, 1964
Reel   2 Folder   18	Melton, Melvin, Local 194, Bellingham, Wash., Feb., 1961 - Dec., 1963 Scope and Content Note: Many items in this folder were undated. Approximate dates were supplied in brackets.
Reel   2 Folder   19	Mercer, Graham, Local 194, Hoquiam, Wash., Feb., 1961 - July, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   20	Perrin, William, RFMDA Vice-Chairman, Local 68, West Linn, Oregon, Mar., 1961 - Sept., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   21	Rogers, Henry, RFMDA Organization Committee, Local 375, Philadelphia, Penn., Feb., 1961 - Nov., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   22	Rosebush, George, RFMDA Area Executive for Central Canada Local 89, Kapuskasing, Ont., May, 1961 - June, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   23	Ruddick, Godfrey, Sixth Vice President, IBPS&PMW Little Rock, Arkansas, Jan., 1961 - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   24	Savage, Leo, RFMDA Area Executive for New England, Local 41, Gilman, Vermont, Feb., 1961 - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   25	Scarselletta, Mario, RFMDA Area Executive for Middle Atlantic Area (later replaced), Local 20, Glens Falls, N. Y., May - June, 1961 Note: See also Folder 4.
Reel   2 Folder   26	Schmidt, Gerard J., Local 316, Glen Cove, N. Y., May - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   27	Schmidt, Herbert, Local 253, South Gate, Calif., Feb. - June, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   28	Stanley, L. R., Local 171, Vancouver, Wash., April, 1961 - Oct., 1962 Note: See also Folder 4.
Reel   2 Folder   29	Sterman, Albert, Local 375, Philadelphia, Penn., Nov., 1961 - Aug., 1962
Reel   2 Folder   30	Stewart, L. E., Local 253, South Gate, Calif., Jan., 1962 - June, 1962
Reel   2 Folder   31	Willner, Don S., Attorney for RFMDA, Portland, Ore., July, 1961 - Aug., 1962
	Series: RFMDA - Background	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   32	Articles and other materials prepared by Wells and others illustrating the background and development of the RFMDA, 1961 - 1964
Reel   3 Folder   33	Affidavit by Burt Wells in support of litigation against the IBPS&PMW, giving the history of the reform movement, together with supporting exhibits, August 9, 1964
	Series: RFMDA - Meetings and Minutes	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   34	Meeting formulating the RFMDA, Denver, Colorado: Minutes and miscellany, March 23-24, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   35	Area Executive Conference, Denver, Colorado: Correspondence relating to conference arrangements; Minutes (official copy and drafts); Miscellany, including outline of resolutions and report on the conference, March 12-14, 1962
Reel   3 Folder   36	Northwest Committee for Union Justice: Minutes, Feb., 1961 - Feb., 1962
Reel   3 Folder   37	British Columbia Committee of Inquiry: Minutes, Jan. - June, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   38	Western Canada Area: Minutes, June 10 and Oct. 22, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   39	Middle Atlantic Area Conference: Minutes, June 3, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   40	South East Area Conference: Minutes, March 3, 1962
Reel   3 Folder   41	IBPS&PMW General Convention, Detroit, Michigan, September, 1962
	RFMDA correspondence relating to arrangements
	RFMDA rosters - lists of delegates from affiliates
	RFMDA questionnaires returned by affiliated locals, listing delegates and proposed resolutions (in order by number of local)
	Pre-convention speech on behalf of reform, by Godfrey Ruddick, Sept. 7, 1962
	Post-convention RFMDA meeting, Henrose Hotel, Detroit, Minutes, Sept. 16
	Series: RFMDA - Miscellaneous	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   42	“Proposal for Constitutional Change to Provide for Regional Election of Vice Presidents,” prepared by Melvin Melton, Fall, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   43	RFMDA Financial Statements, April, 1961 - June, 1962
Reel   3 Folder   44	Lists: Amplifier mailing lists and dummy layout; lists of affiliated locals, contacts, International officers, local secretaries, etc.
	Series: IBPS&PMW - Minutes and Reports (Printed)	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   45	Minutes of the International Executive Board, April, 1960 - Sept., 1962
Reel   3 Folder   46	Quarterly financial reports, July - Sept., 1960; Oct. - Dec., 1961
Reel   3 Folder   47	Reports of the Auditor, 1960 and 1961
Reel   3 Folder   48	Complete Report of the Special Investigating Committee (in regard to charges against Vice President Tonelli), Sept. 20, 1960
	Series: United Papermakers and Paperworkers	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   49	Correspondence and other materials relating to the reform movement in the UPP - Contains letters of Paul Philips, Frank Grasso, and others., June, 1959 - April, 1962
Reel   3 Folder   50	Clean-UPP (published by UPP reformers): Vol. 1, Nos. 1-4; Vol. 2, Nos. 1 and 3, Nov., 1961 - July, 1963
	Series: Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   51	Clippings relating to the formation of the AWPPW and subsequent litigation, strikes, etc., May, 1964 - Jan., 1965
Reel   3 Folder   52	AWPPW press releases, Dec., 1964 - Mar., 1965
	Series: Miscellaneous Minutes, Reports, Etc.	⇧
Reel   3 Folder   53	Local 107, N. Y. - Transcript of proceedings at public hearing to investigate the operation and administration of employees welfare trust funds, Sept. 16, 1954
Reel   3 Folder   54	Minutes of the Pre-Wage Conference of the IBPS&PMW and the UPP (Pacific Coast), Portland, Oregon, May 11-29, 1959
Reel   3 Folder   55	Minutes of Special Meeting of Local 89, IBPS&PMW, Kapuskasing, Ontario, August 28, 1960 Scope and Content Note: Attended by Vice Presidents S. A. Stephens and Joseph Tonelli, Research Director (Montreal Office) R. W. Ostling, and International Representatives Patrick D. Connolly and Paul Hayes.
Reel   3 Folder   56	Minutes of Meeting of Staff Members Working Under Vice President Joseph Tonelli, New York City, March 14-15, 1961
Reel   3 Folder   57	Minutes of the Spring Conference of the Western Canada Council of Pulp and Paper Mill Unions, Vancouver, B.C., May 14, 1962
Reel   3 Folder   58	Report of the Union Job Evaluation Committee, IBPS&PMW, Vancouver, B.C., January 14, 1963