The records provide rather consistent documentation of the activities of the union from its inception in 1938 until the late 1980s, with only a few records dating from the early 1990s. Particularly well documented by minutes, convention proceedings, and scrapbooks are the union's early years. Also well represented is the period from 1969 to 1988. Records from these years include General Executive Board, sub-committee, and regional board minutes; contract proposals; and correspondence. There is little documentation, however, dating from the 1950s and the 1960s. The union's newsletter, Our Voice, which is available on microfilm in the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, is also an essential historical source.
The HISTORICAL RECORDS include the minutes and correspondence documenting the beginning of the union in 1938. Also from that period are microfilmed scrapbooks, several examples of IULIA constitutions, and a history (1970s?) that first appeared in Our Voice. The scrapbooks were destroyed after filming but original photographs have been retained as part of the collection. The photographs include images of union meetings and portraits of members.
MINUTES provide comprehensive documentation of the operation of the union from 1969 to 1988. These files include references to grievances, contract negotiations, and other union business, while the regional board minutes provide a more in-depth look at the issues. Also representing this time period are the LOCAL RECORDS, which consist of officer lists identifying the local leadership and financial reports which document membership and financial patterns. A small file of correspondence arranged by local number refers only to the period 1981-1982. Although much of this correspondence is routine, covering matters related to membership, dues, and benefits, the file also includes grievance reports. This is the only documentation in the papers of this aspect of collective bargaining, and some of the reports are unusually detailed and informative.
The CONTRACTS series documents negotiations with Prudential from 1961 to 1991. The files include proposals made by both the union and Prudential, correspondence between the negotiators, and notes taken by the union negotiator. This material, which is complemented by the GEB minutes, provides a good look at the negotiation process.
The CONVENTIONS series is divided into proceedings and convention material. The proceedings primarily consist of transcripts of the conventions that were held annually until 1942, biennially until 1964, and triennially thereafter. The run is complete except for the period from 1952 to 1962. This series is especially important for understanding the early years of the union when it was a small organization tackling a major industry. Also included are two tape recordings of conventions, apparently proceedings not covered by paper records. The convention material generally documents arrangements, pre-convention planning, and committee work.
The MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS include files of President Robert C. Schuetz and Office Manager Geraldine Gallen. These files cover only 1982, and it is assumed that similar material for other years was discarded before transfer to the Historical Society. Also included are sample form letters and policy statements, a confidential internal document entitled “Equity Product” that was issued by the Prudential, and documents pertaining to two 1974 arbitration cases.
The most important part of the series consists of correspondence and other documents about affiliation with the larger national unions that represented insurance workers. This documentation begins with an extended report on merger discussions which took place in Ohio in 1944. It also includes correspondence about affiliation with both the AFL and the CIO and then with the AFL-CIO's Insurance Workers International Union during the 1950s. Unfortunately, there is no similar material in this collection on the eventual merger with the United Food and Commercial Workers. Also useful in this series is an undated draft constitution for a proposed International Council of Life Insurance Agents and copies of strike leaflets (circa 1959) that were distributed by Local 1706 (New York) of the Insurance Workers International Union.
