United Labor Policy Committee records

The United Labor Policy Committee, formally organized December 14, 1950, consisted of representatives :from the American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations, International Association of Machinists, and the Railway Labor Executives' Association. It grew out of discussions on unification between the AFL and the CIO. In April 1950, Philip Murray, president of the CIO, proposed a conference to discuss unity and extended the invitation to the United Mine Workers as well as the AFL. The AFL Executive Council let it be known that they thought the first step should be "organic unity" between the CIO and the AFL. In June and July 1950, the two organizations appointed unity committees but these committees only met one time. In their convention proceedings :for the year both the AFL and the CIO expressed concern that the negotiations were not continuing and doubts about the other group's desire for unity.

The ULPC came together in December 1950 to develop policy on issues that affected labor, particularly its participation in defense and mobilization programs. Several labor members had been on the Wage Stabilization Board but only in an advisory capacity as was their representation within the defense program. Eventually, in protest, labor representatives withdrew from the board and from defense agencies with approval of the ULPC.

The government made some concessions, allowed wage increases and more complete representation on several boards. On April 30, 1951, the ULPC unanimously recommended that labor representatives return to these positions. The AFL voted to disband the committee on the grounds that it had fulfilled its purposes and that its continued existence would be a barrier to AFL and CIO unity. The CIO disagreed with their conclusion but on August 28, 1951, the committee disbanded and their period of cooperation came to an end.