Skip to search Skip to search results

RG13. AFL-CIO. Research Department

 Record Group
--- Agency History --- After the 1940 convention the CIO established an Economic Division, headed by Ralph Hetzel, Jr., to prepare information and analyses on matters of national economic importance, including taxation, price control, and fiscal policy. In 1942 J. Raymond Walsh assumed the leadership of the newly named Department of Research and Education. Kermit Eby headed the department from 1947 to 1950 when Stanley H. Ruttenberg became director. --- The decision of the 1944 AFL convention to obtain the services and advice of persons technically trained in the analysis of issues of economic and industrial relations marked the first formal establishment of research services for the AFL. Ultimately known as the Research Department, this unit collected and analyzed information on issues of importance to the leaders of the federation. --- The bureaucratic structure of the AFL department was somewhat fluid until after the merger in December 1955, but by 1957 it had become the AFL-CIO Research Department headed by Stanley H. Ruttenberg. Ruttenberg was succeeded by Nat Goldfinger who served until his death in July 1976 when Rudolph Oswald became the director. The name of the department was changed in 1981 to the Economic Research Department. In August 1978 issues having to do with safety and health were transferred to a new Department of Occupational Health and Safety. A 1996 merger of the Economic Research Department with the Employee Benefits Department led to the formation of the Public policy Department. --- Anne Draper apparently came to work for the department as a para-professional in 1961 but by 1963 had become a research associate. In 1971 Draper became a department economist who specialized in issues of wages, prices, and consumer affairs. --- Staff List --- CIO --- Kermit Eby, director, 1947-1950; Katherine Pollak Ellicson, associate research director, 1950- ; Nathaniel Goldfinger, associate research director, 1950-1955; Ralph Hetzel, Jr., director, 1940-1942; Everett Kassalow, associate director, [1940] -1950; Stanley H. Ruttenberg, director, 1950-1955; J. Raymond Walsh, director, 1942-1947; --- AFL-CIO --- Arnold Cantor, assistant director, 1975- ; Frank L. Fernbach, assistant director, 1963-1968; Marvin Friedman, assistant director, 1967-1970; Nathaniel Goldfinger, assistant director, [1956]-1963, director, 1963-1976; Peter Henle, assistant director, 1957-1961; Rudolph Oswald, director, 1976-1996; Frank Pollara, assistant director, 1971-1972; Stanley H. Ruttenberg, director, 1956-1963; Henry Schechter, deputy director, 1981-1987.

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

AFL-CIO Economic Research Department, Office of Wage and Industrial Relations Records, Anne Draper records

 Collection 0041-LBR-RG13-006
Abstract

Anne Draper was a staff member and economist of the AFL-CIO Economic Research Department, specializing on issues of wages and prices. Her work shows the interest of the Federation on issues such as credit unions, consumer problems, and the women's movement. The Economic Research Department specialized on providing information about economic issues to the AFL-CIO. This collection consists of material created and collected by Anne Draper.

AFL-CIO Research Department, Frank Fernbach papers

 Collection 0033-LBR-RG13-002
Abstract

Frank Fernbach worked in the Research Department of both the CIO and the AFL-CIO from 1942 to 1968. This collection contains his correspondence and subject files on matters related to agricultural policy.

AFL Research Department, Convention Meeting records

 Collection 0027-LBR-RG13-007
Abstract

This collection covers the planning of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) national convention in 1953. The planning process was done under the AFL Research Department, which collected information of importance to the AFL. Documents include agendas, reports, speeches, and correspondence.

CIO Research Department, Everett Kassalow papers

 Collection 0007-LBR-RG13-004
Abstract Everett Kassalow worked for the CIO from 1945 to 1950 in a variety of roles including Associate Director of research for the CIO Department of Research and Education. This collection contains his files from the time when he worked for the CIO, primarily in 1949 and 1950 as Associate Director of Research and Executive Secretary of the Full Employment Committee. Materials included are: drafts of a CIO manual, committee and training programs, corporation financial reports, information on the...

CIO and AFL-CIO Research Department, Nathaniel Goldfinger records

 Collection 0046-RG13-003-LBR
Abstract

Nathaniel (Nat) Goldfinger worked on economic research and education at the CIO prior to the merger with AFL, and eventually became the second director of the AFL-CIO Research Department. His work with both organizations mainly concerned economics, for example, inflation, monetary policy, and unemployment. This collection is comprised of his correspondence and subject files for his work with the CIO, the AFL-CIO, and other labor committees and organizations.

CIO and AFL-CIO Research Department, Stanley H. Ruttenberg papers

 Collection 0070-LBR-RG13-005
Abstract Stanley H. Ruttenberg was an organizer for the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) becoming the Associate Director of Research in 1939 until 1948 when he became director of the CIO Department of Education and Research. After the merger of the CIO and the American Federation of Labor (AFL) Ruttenberg was named director of the AFL-CIO Department of Research until he move to the U.S. Department of Labor. The collection consists of subject files, speeches, and correspondence during his...

AFL and AFL-CIO Research Department, Boris Shishkin papers

 Collection 0069-LBR-RG13-001
Abstract Boris Shishkin was a Russian immigrant who became a researcher and economist for the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in the 1930s and 1940s. Later he was the AFL-CIO Civil Rights Department director and secretary of the federation's Housing Committee. The collection provides some documentation on Shishkin's early educational and professional career, but, in more depth, his work with the AFL on issues of racial discrimination and housing. Types of materials include subject files, economic...