George Burt Papers
Collection
Identifier: LP000539
Scope and Content
These papers are composed almost entirely of the minutes of these council meetings from 1940 to 1953, and of Burt's reports to the council. Interspersed among them are other reports to the council, and resolutions. These are followed by two folders from the council which contain its by-laws, with revisions, and a few financial reports, from 1940-1943. The remaining five folders in the collection are materials from other groups or from Burt not relating directly to council affairs.
Important subjects covered in the collection are: All Canadian Congress of Labor: CIO amalgamation Political action Postwar wage increases Regional relations with the UAW International union World War II: Industrial Disputes
Series Description: Series I, District Council 26, 1940-1953: Minutes, reports and related materials. There are also items relating to the World Federation Trade Union and the history of the UAW in Canada.
Important subjects covered in the collection are: All Canadian Congress of Labor: CIO amalgamation Political action Postwar wage increases Regional relations with the UAW International union World War II: Industrial Disputes
Series Description: Series I, District Council 26, 1940-1953: Minutes, reports and related materials. There are also items relating to the World Federation Trade Union and the history of the UAW in Canada.
Dates
- 1940 - 1953
Creator
- Burt, George, 1903- (Person)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.
History
George Burt, born in 1903 in Ontario, was the head of the Canadian region of the UAW from 1939 until his retirement in May, 1968. He had been the first treasurer of UAW Local 222 in Oshawa, Ontario, the place where a strike in 1937 against General Motors brought, according to many, "the CIO to Canada."
In addition to being the Canadian director of the UAW, Burt also became a general vice president of the Canadian Labour Congress which he represented at conferences on the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and served for two years as president of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
He was involved in every major contract negotiation with the big auto companies during his 29-year directorship, especially with the granting of union security at Ford in Windsor, 1946; of Ford pensions, 1950; of the SUB fund at GM, 1958; and of wage parity at Chrysler, 1968.
Just after his retirement, Burt was given an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Windsor.
The Canadian region of the UAW was originally known as District Council 26, and was chartered in 1939. This district council is the only survivor of the old UAW nomenclature, and is generally synonymous with Region 7, which comprises all of Canada. District Council 26 met every three months, and Burt, in his capacity as regional director, reported to it regularly.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 MB)
Abstract
George Burt served as Director of the Canadian region of the United Auto Workers from 1939 until his retirement in 1968. Mr. Burt’s papers are largely composed of council meeting minutes and Mr. Burt’s reports to the council. Also present are papers related to World War II labor issues, and the history of the UAW in Canada.
Arrangement
Arranged in 1 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-3). Folders are arranged chronologically.
Acquisition
The papers of George Burt were placed in the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs in March of 1972 and were opened for research in January, 1982.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Walter P. Reuther Library in January 1982.
- Title
- Guide to the George Burt Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Walter P. Reuther Library.
- Date
- 1982-01
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA