UAW Ford Department Records

Collection

Identifier: LR000105

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Important subjects in the collection: Apprentices--United States Automobile industry and trade--Safety measures Automobile industry workers--effect of automation on Automobile industry workers--health and hygiene Collective bargaining--Automobile industry Ford Motor Company Industrial hygiene Industrial safety Insurance, Health Pensions Skilled trades Social security Strikes and lockouts-- Automobile industry Wages--Automobile industry workers

Important corespondents in the collection: Ken Bannon Jesus Chantres Malcolm Denise Dan Forchione John Forsythe Richard Leonard Emil Mazey John Orr Vern Pa rrington Eugene Prato Victor Reuther Walter Reuther Nelson Samp Carl Stellato Peter Vranich

The papers in Part 1 of the UAW Ford Department Collection consist of contract negotiations, correspondence with locals, and other files related to department affairs under the leadership of Richard Leonard.

The papers in Part 2 of the UAW Ford Department Collection consist of general correspondence, reports, minutes, correspondence with locals, negotiations material, especially relative to the 1976 contract, benefits packages, and other files documenting the activities of the department under the leadership of both Richard Leonard and Ken Bannon.

Series Description: Series 1: Administration, 1948-1981 Series 2: Locals and Regions, 1942-1981 Series 3: Negotiations, 1941-1976 Series 4: Subject Files, 1941-1978

Dates

1941 - 1981

Creator

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

Language of Materials

The records are 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

The UAW signed its first contract with Ford Motor Company in 1941 after years of confrontation between labor and management. The first director of the UAW Ford Department was Richard Leonard, a welder from Ohio who had been active in organizing automobile industry workers since the 1930s. A casualty of UAW factionalism, Leonard lost his position to Highland Park Local 400 president Ken Bannon in 1947, who remained director until his retirement in 1980. The UAW Ford Department achieved many gains for Ford employees, including a pension plan, health care benefits, workplace health and safety protection, skilled trades recognition, a shortened work week, more paid days off, supplemental unemployment benefits, and a guaranteed annual income credit.

Extent

62 Linear Feet (18 MB, 53 SB)

Additional Description

Abstract

The UAW signed its first contract with Ford Motor Company in 1941 after years of confrontation between labor and management. They achieved many gains for Ford employees, including a pension plan, health care benefits, workplace health and safety protection, skilled trades recognition, a shortened work week, more paid days off, supplemental unemployment benefits, and a guaranteed annual income credit. Their records document department affairs under the leadership of Richard Leonard and Ken Bannon.

Arrangement

Part 2 Arranged in 4 series - Series 1 (Boxes 1-6), Series 2 (Boxes 6-30), Series 3 (Boxes 30-35), and Series 4 (Boxes 35-47).

Transfers

A large number of Ford local contracts have been placed in the Archives Library, and a few photographs, audio tapes and buttons may be found in the Archives Audiovisual Collection.