UAW President's Office: R.J. Thomas Papers

Collection

Identifier: LR000115

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Part 1: Series 1, UAW Executive Board Minutes and Reports, 1940-1947, Series 2, R. J. Thomas Office Files, 1938-1964,

Part 2: Series 3, R. J. Thomas Office Files, 1942-1946,

Part 3: Series 4, R. J. Thomas Office Files, 1944-1947.

Dates

1936 - 1964

Creator

International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (Organization)

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

R. J. (Rolland Jay) Thomas was assistant to Philip Murray from 1947 to 1956, and to George Meany from 1956 to 1964. Subjects of interest in the collection are UAW factionalism, General Motors Strike (1945-46). Allis Chalmers Strike (1947), the UAW war effort, and the organization of the West Coast aircraft industry. Correspondents include George Addes, John Brophy, Richard Frankensteen, Homer Martin, George Meany, Wyndham Mortimer, Frank Murphy, Victor Reuther, Walter Reuther, August Scholle, Maurice Sugar. An oral history interview with Mr. Thomas is available.

Extent

17 Linear Feet (34 MB, 8 scrapbooks)

Additional Description

Abstract

Minutes of the UAW Executive Board (1940-47). correspondence, clippings, reports, and memorabilia collected by Mr. Thomas during his tenure as president of the UAW (1939-46). and vice-president (1937-39 and 1946-47). He was assistant to Philip Murray from 1947 to 1956, and to George Meany from 1956 to 1964. Subjects of interest in the collection are UAW factionalism, General Motors Strike (1945-46). Allis Chalmers Strike (1947), the UAW war effort, and the organization of the West Coast aircraft industry. Correspondents include George Addes, John Brophy, Richard Frankensteen, Homer Martin, George Meany, Wyndham Mortimer, Frank Murphy, Victor Reuther, Walter Reuther, August Scholle, Maurice Sugar. An oral history interview with Mr. Thomas is available.

Arrangement

Part 1: Arranged in 2 series – Series 1 (Box 1-7), Series 2 (Box 8-14, 8 scrapbooks). Folders are arranged alphabetically. Scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

Part 2: Arranged in 1 series - Series 3 (Box 15-27). Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Part 3: Arranged in 1 series - Series 4 (Box 28-34). Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition

Part 1: The records of R. J. Thomas were depostied to the Walter P. Reuther Library in 1964.

Part 2: The records of R. J. Thomas were depostied to the Walter P. Reuther Library in 1967.

Part 3: The records of R. J. Thomas were depostied to the Walter P. Reuther Library in 1972.

Related Materials

UAW President's Office: Homer Martin Records; UAW President's Office: Walter P. Reuther Records

Transfers

Part 1: Photographs, awards, badges, gavels, flag, plaque, original sketch of R. J. Thomas, cartoons and other items have been transferred to the Archives Audiovisual Collections.