Toledo Central Labor Union records

The records of the Toledo Central Labor Union (CLU) provide detailed information regarding the development of local unions and their cooperative efforts within the Toledo area from 1890 to approximately 1960.

The minutes are an excellent source for studying the development of new unions, the political, legislative, and civic activities of unions, the support given unions on strike or involved in grievance/arbitration hearings, and cooperative actions undertaken in support of unions not only within northwest Ohio but also throughout the nation. The minutes are complete for 1890-1894, 1897-1900, 1904-1918, January-June 1927, and 1942-1959, however, the gaps occurring weaken the full potential research value of this record series.

Another important series in this collection is the CLU business agent's reports, 1900-1913, 1916-1925. Although gaps do occur, these reports provide valuable insights into the progress of member unions and the daily activities of the agent--unions meetings attended and expenses incurred.

Correspondence is scattered throughout the years 1918-1925 and includes circular letters regarding legislation, strikes, and CLU activities and correspondence with Toledo City Council. Financial records include state and federal tax reports (1944, 1946-1957); financial ledgers including information on accounts--expenditures and receitps (1911-1920, 1944-1946, 1950-1963); per capita tax records (1907-1908, 1914-1927, 1933-1934) providing information on union membership and dues; financial records documenting the Willys-Overland strike (1919-1920); and payroll registers (1951-1955).

Attendance records (1919-1920, 1930-1935, 1937); officers ballots (1908, 1909, 1924, 1933); Board of Control members (1953); Board of Business Agents' records (1912, 1934); questionnaires, forms, and programs complete the collection. The records are arranged by series and by date. Loose materials are identified and filed separately following the volume with page reference given.

ATTENDANCE RECORDS. 1919-1920, 1930-1935, 1937. Arranged chronologically. Includes name of union, delegates, dates.

BOARD OF BUSINESS AGENTS' RECORDS. July-September 1912, 1934. Arranged chronologically. Includes minutes of meetings, membership records, constitution.

BOARD OF CONTROL MEMBERSHIP RECORDS. 1953. Arranged chronologically. Contains names and date--one entry.

LOCAL #72--GLOVE WORKERS MEMBERSHIP ROSTER. January 1926. Arranged alphabetically by name. Includes name, initiation fee, date, dues paid.

MEMBERSHIP CHARGES AND FINES. 1903-1907. Arranged chronologically by quarter ending date. Contains union name, name of member, amount of charge/fine, reason and date.

MINUTES. November 1890-May 1894, January 1897-January 1900, May 1904-January 1918, January-June 1927, February 1942-November 1959. Arranged chronologically with loose papers filed immediately behind volume in which located. Includes acceptance of union credentials, union reports and activities, treasurer's reports, strike assistance, national and state legislative issues, civic affairs, attitudes towards World War I and II.

CORRESPONDENCE. 1918-1925 (scattered). Arranged after volume in which found and then chronologically. Includes circular letters from other unions and correspondence with the Toledo City Council.

BUSINESS AGENT'S REPORT. October 1900-April 1913, December 1916-July 1925. Arranged chronologically with loose papers filed immediately behind volume in which located. Includes agent's activities, meetings with unions, expenses, meetings with other business agents.

FINANCIAL LEDGERS. 1911-1920, 1944-1946, 1950-1963. Arranged either by account or chronologically. Includes receipts and expenditures by account, check registers giving to whom check issued and amount paid.

HALL AND OFFICE RENT BOOKS. 1915-1919, (1933). Arranged by account (union) and chronologically within the account. Includes amount paid, union name and date.

PAYROLL REGISTERS. 1951-1955. Arranged chronologically. Includes name, address and position of payee, gross and net amounts, deductions, dates.

PER CAPITA TAX LEDGERS. 1907-1908, 1914-1927, 1933-1934. Arranged by union and chronologically. Includes union name, number of members, amounts paid, dates.

TAX RECORDS. 1944, 1946-1957. Arranged chronologically. Includes state wage reports and federal income and excise tax forms.

WILLYS-OVERLAND RELIEF LEDGERS. 1919-1920. Arranged chronologically. Includes relief payments received from outside sources and expenses paid for strike relief.

PROGRAM FOR "THE FACE AT THE WINDOW". undated. No arrangement. Program for production by the Toledo Organized Labor Dramatic Club.

OLD AGE PENSIONS PAMPHLET. undated. No arrangement. Description of legislation being submitted by Ohio State Federation of Labor.

PAMPHLET FROM THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR. 1922. No arrangement. Report of activities of the non-partisan political campaign committee of the AFL in the primaries and elections of 1922.