AFT Rhode Island Federation of Teachers Records

Collection

Identifier: LR001349

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The papers of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers reflect the activities of the federation in the areas of improving the status of their membership and public schools through participation in various labor, professional, educational programs, and through the support and sponsoring of political candidates and legislation. The papers also reflect to a lesser extent the activities of the American Federation of Teachers and the various Rhode Island Federation of Teachers Locals' activities in the same areas.

Important subjects covered in the collection are: AFT Administration School Curriculum RIFT Administration Teacher Education RIFT Arbitrations and Grievances Teacher Salaries RIFT Political Action Teacher Strikes School Construction Union Mergers

Among the important correspondents are: John M. Eklund Carl J. Megel John M. Fewkes Sen. Claiborne Pell Arthur J. Hartin Donald Porter Irvin Kuenzli Albert Shanker

Series Description: Series 1: American Federation of Teachers, 1950-1977 Correspondence, notices, convention minutes, reports and other materials relating to the parent organization's activities, administration, and its financial and organizational support of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers.

Series 2: Rhode Island Federation of Teachers Executive, 1947-1982 Correspondence, minutes, reports, clippings, and other materials relating to the activities of RIFT's executive, executive board, and executive organizations in the fields of finance, labor, politics, and education.

Series 3: General Files, 1946-1977 Correspondence, clippings, reports and other materials relating to RIFT's and individual Locals' financial status, educational, labor, charitable programs, arbitrations, grievances, and support of education related legislation.

Dates

1946 - 1982
Majority of material found within 1967 - 1977

Creator

Rhode Island Federation of Teachers (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

The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers headquarters are located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. This organization received its charter from the American Federation of Teachers on March 27,1947. It was originally chartered as the Rhode Island Branch, American Federation of Teachers. In 1958 the organization voted to change its name to the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. The original unions comprising the Rhode Island Branch, AFT, were: the Warwick. Teachers' Union Local 915; the North Providence Federation of Teachers Local 920; the Pawtucket Teachers' Alliance Local 930; the Woonsocket Teachers' Guild Local 251; and the Providence Teachers' Alliance Local 958. The first president of the Rhode Island Branch, AFT, was Edward M. J. Melucci.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (18 MB)

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers consist of correspondence, reports, organizing materials, minutes and general files. The information contains information about the AFT, actions by the executive board and issues facing various locals in Rhode Island. Important correspondence are with Carl Megel, Senator Claiborn Pell, Albert Shanker, Edward McElroy, and John Fewkes.

Arrangement

Arranged in 3 series – Series 1 (Boxes 1-3), Series 2 (Boxes 3-9), and Series 3 (Boxes 9-18). Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject or type of material, and chronologically within subject areas that have more than one folder.

Acquisition

The papers of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers were placed in the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs in November of 1987.

Related Materials

AFT President's Office: Carl Megel Records; AFT President's Office: Albert Shanker Records; AFT Secretary-Treasurer's Office Records; American Federation of Teachers Publications

Transfers

Approximately 27 photographs relating to RIFT's and its Locals' activities in the areas of strikes. politics, and charitable contributions have been placed in Archives Audiovisual Collection.