The collection is organized in two parts. Part I consists of the materials received in 1969 and organized in 1974. Part II consists of materials received in 1978 and organized and added in 1988.
Part I: Materials Organized in 1975, dated 1904-1962. Box 1-6
Part I of the Papers of ACA, Local 111 include correspondence, minutes, bulletins, ballots, petitions, newspaper clippings, and various documents such as contracts, pension plans and arbitration decisions. The bulk of the records cover the years 1942-1961. They are arranged in one alphabetical file. A disappointing aspect of the collection is its generally fragmentary record of activities; this is particularly apparent in the minutes which are incomplete and often take the form of rough notes.
The most complete files are those dealing with contract negotiations, particularly the Northern (Canadian) negotiations. They provide a good record of the negotiation process and document the basic, practical concerns of the union and its members. Other especially useful materials include the files on pensions, giving a complete history of the cable workers' pension plans from 1904 to 1955, and the papers filed under “Western Union Cables Divestment” plus related materials filed under “Federal Communications Commission.”
The correspondence found in the folders titled “Correspondence” is generally routine though that with the Northern units yields information on their relationship with the local as a whole. Additional correspondence is found throughout the collection.
Part II: Materials Added in 1988, dated 1943-1973. Box 7-10
The additions to the records of ACA, Local 111 include the same type of documentation contained in the earlier portion of the collection, generally supplementing the earlier information and providing some coverage for a more recent period. Like the earlier material, the 1988 addition is arranged as an alphabetical subject file. Also like the earlier material, the 1988 addition contains little information pertaining to the charges of Communist subversions which troubled the international during the 1950's.
This section contains a constitution, by-laws, minutes, correspondence, contract negotiation files and memoranda of understanding. Also included is material pertaining to the merger of Western Union and Postal Telegraph and the subsequent divestiture of Western Union's cable operations, FCC hearings, pension plan negotiations, and miscellany.
The ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS contain two sets of by-laws. One set applies to the union and another set applies to the Democratic Republican Independent Voter Education (DRIVE), an organization legally separate from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters with which the ACA was affiliated after 1966. DRIVE had its own constitution which is included with the by-laws. Also included are by-laws for the DRIVE Ladies Auxiliary.
MINUTES are from executive board meetings in New York (1961-1968) and general membership meetings of the Montreal (1943-1966) and New York (1958-1968, 1971) branches. Minutes can also be found scattered in the contract negotiation files and the correspondence files pertaining to Northern and United States stations.
CORRESPONDENCE is arranged alphabetically by subject; it covers the dates 1943 to 1968. Of note are two folders regarding disciplinary actions (1961-1968).
The CONTRACT NEGOTIATION files are arranged chronologically and cover the period 1949 to 1973. Most files include minutes, correspondence, and agreements. Memoranda of understanding are also arranged chronologically and date from 1944 to 1964.
DIVESTMENT AND MERGER FILES consist of correspondence, FCC hearings information, agreements, and union statements and bulletins. Additional material pertaining to the ACA response to the merger and divestment can be found in the records of the ACA international (Mss 298/Mss 734).
The MISCELLANY includes newspaper clippings regarding the 1958 Montreal negotiations, financial reports for Joint Council #16 of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), newsletters, statements and other fragmentary documents. In addition, there are materials relating to the issue of wage parity between Canadian and United States workers. This material includes union agendas, a study on earning comparisons between Western Union and Radio Corporation of America, wage classifications and automatic progression scales, contract wage comparisons, and various WU financial reports.
