MONTGOMERY WARDS
Scope and Content Note: Scattered boycotts by RCIA and RWDSU. RWDSU made a mistake at one point of announcing to the press that on a certain date, there would be a work stoppage in all Wards' stores, and that RCIA would also pull its people; RWDSU, however, had not even discussed this with RCIA. RCIA got an agreement from Wards that it would go along with the pattern in a given city, especially in southern Illinois, which was highly organized, and also that Wards would cease its program of fighting the union. Basically, it was just an agreement by both parties to operate on a higher plane. This agreement did not spur any greater organizing push by the union. Wards was more likely to be organized in areas where RCIA was strong; but usually their organization “just happened,” usually from inside.