Scope and Content of the Collection
This is a ten volume collection of charter books divided into three sections. The main set is six volumes and spans the years 1891-1956. The second set of three volumes is an alternate collection of books spanning the years 1918-1966 including the New York City Truck Drivers Union. The third is a single volume containing Canadian locals, 1951-1956.
The main set of volumes (1-6) record the chartering of federal labor unions, newly chartered state and local central bodies, and in some cases national and international unions affiliated with the AFL. Each entry in the main set gives the date of the charter, amount received for the charter, the name of the union, city and state location, the name of the person who sent the fee and a column for remarks. Union numbers were not recorded until February 1895, and beginning in volume 2 a number was assigned to each entry. Sometimes other information such as suspension or rejection was entered. Often the name of the person to whom the charter fee was forwarded is provided.
The second set is an alternate group of books. These volumes overlap and duplicate those of the main set. A new numbering system introduced in January 1956 begins with the number 3000.
The single volume of Canadian locals provides the union number, location, and date chartered with paid membership figures for a twelve month period following the charter date.
