Archie W. Robinson Papers

Collection

Identifier: LP001355

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Archie W. Robinson Collection contains memos, newspaper and magazine clippings, manuscript drafts, notes, and interviews, U.S. Labor Department statistics, wire service reports, and some correspondence. The material spans Robinson’s career in journalism and deals with the major labor issues of his time.

Important subjects in the collection: AFL-CIO—History Collective Bargaining—Agricultural Implement Industry Collective Bargaining—Auto Industry Collective Bargaining—Electrical Workers Collective Bargaining—Maritime Industry Collective Bargaining—Public Employees Collective Bargaining—Railways Collective Bargaining—Steel Industry Labor Unions—Johnson Administration Labor Unions—Kennedy Administration Labor Unions—News Media Labor-Management Relations—Truman Administration George Meany National War Labor Board Labor Unions—Political Elections Sit-Down Strike, Flint, Michigan UAW—History United Mine Workers of America—History United Steelworkers of America—History

Important correspondents in the collection: George Addes George Meany Frank Murphy Walter P. Reuther Maurice Sugar

Series Description: Series I: Labor Unions and Industries, 1932-1980 Series II: Subject Files, 1927-1980

Dates

1927 - 1980

Creator

Robinson, Archie W. (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. Restrictions: Researchers may encounter records of a sensitive nature – personnel files, case records and those involving investigations, legal and other private matters. Privacy laws and restrictions imposed by the Library prohibit the use of names and other personal information which might identify an individual, except with written permission from the Director and/or the donor.

History

Archie W. Robinson was born in 1906 in Detroit. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1927 and began working for the Detroit News. He covered law and crime for several years, and from 1934 to 1942 served as the paper’s labor editor. During World War II, he worked for the National War Labor Board as a press officer and later joined U.S. News and World Report as labor editor, where he remained until his retirement in 1975. In 1981, Robinson wrote George Meany and His Times, a history of the AFL-CIO and its long-time president. Mr. Robinson died in 1987.

Extent

28 Linear Feet (28 SB)

Additional Description

Abstract

Journalist Archie Robinson served as the labor editor of the Detroit News, as a press officer for the National War Labor Board, as labor editor of the U.S. News and World Report, and authored George Meany and His Times, a history of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and its president. Mr. Robinson’s papers document his career in journalism and his coverage of major labor issues.

Arrangement

Arranged in 2 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-18), and Series 2 (Boxes 18-28).

PLEASE NOTE: Folders are computer-arranged alphabetically within each series in this finding aid, but may actually be dispersed throughout several boxes in the collection. Note carefully the box number for each folder heading.

Transfers

A few photographs have been placed in the Archives Audiovisual Department, and a small number of newspapers, contracts, constitutions, bylaws, and books received with the collection may be found in the Archives Library.