UAW Local 650 Records
Collection
Identifier: LR000177
Scope and Content
The records of UAW Local 650 consist of correspondence with other locals and with local union officers, grievances, meeting minutes, office files relating to the Michigan Council CIO and other materials reflecting the activities of the local on behalf of its members.
Series 1: UAW Local 182, Series 2: Correspondence, 1937-1964 Series 3: Minutes, Series 4: Proposed Agreements and Demands, Series 5: Seniority, Series 6: Wages and Rates, Series 7: Grievances, Series 8: Office Files, Series 9: Greater Lansing Labor Council, Series 10: Michigan CIO Council.
Series 1: UAW Local 182, Series 2: Correspondence, 1937-1964 Series 3: Minutes, Series 4: Proposed Agreements and Demands, Series 5: Seniority, Series 6: Wages and Rates, Series 7: Grievances, Series 8: Office Files, Series 9: Greater Lansing Labor Council, Series 10: Michigan CIO Council.
Dates
- 1937 - 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
Local 650 represents the workers of Reo Motors in Lansing, Michigan. Until February 1939, it was a branch of Local 182, an amalgamated union of all the workers in Lansing. In 1934 the Lansing Auto workers seceeded from the AFL and in October 1936 a nucleus of fifty workers in the Stamping, Reo and Oldsmobile plants amalgamated. In March 1937, Local 182 participated in a sit down strike against Reo Motors and forced the company to recognize the Union and to sign an agreement. In August, the Local had 15,000 members(UAW Autoworker, January 8, 1938).
In February 1939, the Reo branch of Local 182 voted to apply to the International Executive Board for a separate charter. The Executive Board approved the request, and Local 650 was established. The new local immediately faced a major crisis.
In November 1938, Reo Motors had declared bankruptcy and most of its workers were unemployed. By 1940 the crisis was over. The Company reorganized in January, in April it signed a closed shop contract with the Union, and by 1941 most of the workers had returned. There were no important conflicts until 1946. There were numerous Company-Union conflicts during the post World War II period, including awild cat strike in 1946. The most important leaders of the Local were W.O. Scholy, President, 1939-1941; Raymond W. Reed, President, 1944-1946 and 1948-1964; Wayne
Keeney, President, 1946-1947, and J.A. Salter, President, 1947-1948.
Extent
13 Linear Feet (26 MB)
Abstract
United Auto Workers Local 650 grew out of Local 182 in Lansing, MI representing Reo Motors employees. The local survived a company bankruptcy and reorganization in the late 1930s and early 1940s and numerous company-union conflicts in the post WWII period. The records of the local reflect its operations and activities upon behalf of its members.
Arrangement
Arranged in 10 series – Series 1 (Box 1), Series 2 (Boxes 1-6), Series 3 (Boxes 6-10), Series 4 (Boxes 11-12), Series 5 (Boxes 12-17), Series 6 (Boxes 18-19), Series 7 (Boxes 19-20), Series 8 (Boxes 20-24), Series 9 (Box 25) and Series 10 (Box 26). Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically therein.
Acquisition
The records of UAW Local 650 were deposited to the Walter P. Reuther Library on January 7, 1965.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Walter P. Reuther Library in April 1965.
- Title
- Guide to the UAW Local 650 Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Walter P. Reuther Library.
- Date
- 1966-04
- 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