Al Miller, Howard Grant and Herman Tietje (left to right) were three of the first members of the Stereotypers and Electrotypers Union Local No. 91 in Tacoma, when it was organized forty years ago. These three charter members were honored for their service in the union; twenty five members attended the celebration at the New Yorker Cafe (T. Times,10/6/47, p. 3).

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charters--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stereotypers & Electrotypers Union Local No. 91 (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Miller, Al; Grant, Howard; Tietje, Herman;

Permanente Metals was an aluminum producing plant, the demand for aluminum and aluminum made products had dramatically increased since the end of World War II. Aluminum products could be found in kitchens, automobiles, airplanes, luggage, homes and many other areas; aluminum offered durability yet was extremely light weight and versatile. View of Permanente Metals employee oiling a machine, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals had started operations in Tacoma in late October of this year. Permanente Metals employees in plant's pot room, the white powdery substance is alumina, which is discharged into the reduction pots, the molten aluminum is siphoned from the pots into large capacity ladles, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Asbestos Workers Local #50 were hosts to the Western State Conference banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on February 23, 1952. TPL-745

Asbestos Workers' Union Local No. 50 (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Group of 7 under A.F. of L. banner. Hodcarriers & building laborers.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Federation of Labor (Tacoma); Group portraits--1950-1960; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma);

In September of 1953, Tacoma's board of business representatives for AFL unions was photographed in front of the doors of the Labor Temple, 1355 Market Street. The labor group, which met every Wednesday for a luncheon gathering, was one of the only organizations of its kind for exchanging information and the promotion of common interests of union workers. The man seated in the front row, third from the left, is Harry S. McIlvaigh, the long time secretary-treasurer of the Tacoma Labor Council for whom McIlvaigh Middle School is named. (T.N.T. 9/4/1953, p. C5- see picture for names & C-3)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Group portraits; Labor Temple (Tacoma);

Seventeen members, most of them women, of the Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Local #61 posed for a November 21, 1954, photograph, at union headquarters. The union had purchased the building at 1130 Commerce St. several years ago so that members might have a comfortable place to conduct meetings and enjoy social interaction.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Group portraits;

Members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 collected $700 from members to help locally during the 1942 Christmas season. The donated money was divided equally between the Elks Stocking Fillers and the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. Here a night deposit sack containing $350 is presented to the Elks to help pay for their annual Christmas morning party for needy children. Gathered around the big Stocking Fillers cash register are, from left according to the News Tribune: Harry J. Lynch, Erling O. Johnson, Fred Humbert, Carl Webb, Harry T. Salle, Carvel Leighton, Verne Johnson, Raymond T. Tarr, Paul Drake, Merrill C. Thompson and A.T. "Skipper" Delplaine. (TNT 12/22/1942, pg. 7)

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Welders and Helpers Union #568 (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gifts; Cash registers;

R.A. Boedecker (left), the secretary of the Billposters Union, and Carl Escene, the union's business agent, hold several War Chest campaign signs in this photograph from September of 1942. The Billposters Union, Local 49, volunteered their help in posting signs throughout Tacoma's business district and in outlying shopping centers. The signs were a reminder that the War Chest campaign was in October. The Oct. 1942 goal was $385,000. The lamp post behind them, with a freshly mounted sign, is in front of the Medical Arts Building Garage at 474 Market. The 1st Baptist Church at 902 Market can be seen in the background.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Billposters Union, Local 49 (Tacoma); Boedecker, R.A.; Escene, Carl; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

A little to the left advises Carl Escene, on ground, as R. A. Boedecker mounts a War Chest poster on a street light near 747 Market Street in September of 1942. The two men are officers of Bill Posters and Billers Union No. 49. The union is volunteering labor to mount signs reminding that the War Chest fund raising campaign is coming in October. Automobiles on street and First Baptist Church in background. (T. Times 9/30/1942, pg. 11)

Labor Unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Billposters Union, Local 49 (Tacoma); Boedecker, R.A.; Escene, Carl; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Labor Directory/Bulletin Board. Blackboard lists members awarded bonds. Signs over the blackboard say "These are Union Firms, They deserve your Patronage." . Dispatcher cages are also shown.

Labor unions--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

International Woodworkers installation of officers. Nine men stand around a podium. A framed certificate from the International Woodworkers of America leans against the podium, draped in black ribbon. Man in the middle identified as Edward Lohre by a reader.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; International Woodworkers of America (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies;

Bakers Union Banquet at the New Yorker. The banquet on March 31, 1951 celebrated the Golden Anniversary, 50 years from 1901-1951, of the BCWIU of America, Local 126 Tacoma. The evening began with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner, a program and dancing. Several members with over 30 years of union membership were recognized, including the oldest living member John Moeller, who joined in 1902. (TNT 3/30/1951, pg. 16)

BCWIU of America, Local 126 (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

On January 3, 1949, Bartenders' Union members (from left): unidentified man, Ted Mason, Dale Porter with Al S.Taylor at far right reviewed materials used in the bartenders' trade--tools, glasses and bottles of liquor. The public and the Bartenders' Union would no longer have to tolerate incompetent bartenders. Initiative 171 was about to become a law which stated that bartenders had to be properly trained and must keep their bars, tools and themselves clean when serving the public. (T. Times, 1/4/49, p. 1). TPL-8849 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drinking vessels; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Mason, Ted; Porter, Dale; Taylor, Al S.;

The Building and Hod Carriers union celebrated with an "Old Timers' Night". The union presented three union pioneers with honorary lifetime memberships. Seated left to right are the guests of honor, D. L. McInnis, Dan Avery and Joe Collins. Standing are the union officials, Vernie Reed, Ed Younger, Lloyd Warell and Vern Johnson (T. Times, 10/10/47, p. 12).

Labor Unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Charters--Tacoma; Aged persons--Tacoma; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma);

In June 1936 the Steel Workers Organizing Committee was formed, Phillip Murray, Vice-President of the United Mine Workers was appointed Chairman of the new committee. By the end of 1936 125,000 steel workers had joined the union. View of Permanente Metals employee working in plant, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

25 people in auditorium for Cooks & Waiters Union. Members of the Cooks and Waiters Union are enjoying a presentation at one of their meetings. There are only a few men in the audience of nearly 100 people.

Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma District Council. Group of 39; present and past members for the last 20 years. The man in the front holds the framed charter for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. TPL-8379

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Copy of the customers' drawing. The Carpenters Union Hall, for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local #470 in Tacoma. Building designed by McGuire & Muri, Architects. Built in 1954, the building was opened in April of 1955. The contractor was Concrete Construction Co.

Carpenter's Union Local No. 470 (Tacoma); Architectural drawings;

The Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO, held their 16th annual convention at the Winthrop Hotel on May 18, 1957. Members listened to speakers discussing pertinent issues of adequate wages, a state merit system, and how a state employees union meets the problems of a changing administration. View of speaker and extended microphone at podium; there is a large circular logo "American Federation State County Municipal Employees AFL-CIO" on the back of the podium. A can of Walla Walla green peas is next to a pitcher of water. Photograph ordered by Washington Federation of State Employees. (TNT 5-18-57, p. 4)

Washington Federation of State Employees (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

The Labor Temple on Market St. was home to a variety of unions with each union having a designated room. Among the many unions were the Butcher Workmen Union Local #554, the Bakers Union Local #126, Bricklayers Union Local #1 and the Motor Coach Employees Union Local #758, in addition to the Pierce County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO and United Labor Advisory Committee of Pierce County. Formerly the Hiroshimaya Hotel, the Labor Temple was purchased in 1941 by the Labor Council and completely paid for by 1943. View of members of the Plumbers and Fitters Union Local #82 who met in Room 201 of the Labor Temple; on the wall near the men are signs from other unions. Photograph ordered by the Plumbers Union.

Labor unions--Tacoma; Plumbers & Fitters Union Local No. 82 (Tacoma); Labor Temple (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Labor Center. View of massive Labor Center which had been dedicated on March 10, 1972. The three story building housed the Pierce County Labor Council, Tacoma Labor Advocate newspaper, and more than 30 unions. Photograph ordered by Dunham & Bush, Seattle.

Labor Center (Tacoma);

The above men and women, representing the cooks & assistants, waiters, waitresses and bartenders of Local No. 61, posed for a group portrait on November 26, 1971, at union headquaters, 805 Pacific Ave. Photograph ordered by the Hotel-Motel Restaurant Employees International Union, Local No. 61.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1970-1980;

On Monday morning August 5, 1935 the Sawmill and Timber Workers' Union strike that had crippled Tacoma's mills for 13 weeks came to an end. Mill workers, like these at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company returned to work. By a vote of 1,391 to 97 the union's members accepted the offer of the mill owners including a 40 hour week, an 8 hour day, and time and one-half for overtime. (T.Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

This happy group of unidentified lumber mill workers, entering the yards of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. on August 5, 1935, were returning to work after the settlement of a strike that lasted 13 weeks. Some employees proudly wear their Union buttons on their hats, celebrating their new contract. The agreement called for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, an 8 hour day, time and 1/2 for overtime, reemployment of striking employees and recognition of the union. The vote on the contract was 1391 to 97. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Cooks and Waiters Union, Local 61, Cabaret Ball at Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. (filed with Argentum)

Labor unions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On July 12, 1935, traffic stopped as the Washington National Guard and striking mill and timber workers met in a bloody battle that began at 11th and A St, and ended with cracked heads and numerous arrests. The problem was made worse by hundreds of curious onlookers. Guardsmen in gas masks used tear and ammonia gas bombs to control the crowd. The gas was largely ineffectual, as the demonstrators picked up the bombs and hurled them back at the guardsmen. The National Guard formed lines shoulder to shoulder and pushed the crowd up the hill to Yakima, where it dispersed. (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1) TPL-8771

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Lumber mill employees entering the yards at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. are happy to return to work today after the end of the strike that paralyzed activity for the past 13 weeks. The workers just voted positively on an agreement submitted by 22 Tacoma mill owners. The agreement called for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, 8 hour day, time and 1/2 for overtime, reemployment of striking employees and recognition of the union. The vote on the agreement was 1391 to 97. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

A returning lumber mill employee proudly wears his Union button on his hat after the settlement of a strike that lasted 13 weeks. The agreement called for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, 8 hour day, time and 1/2 for overtime, reemployment of striking employees and recognition of the union. The vote on the agreement was 1391 to 97. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg. 1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

ca. ,1925. In 1925, the building at 1221-23 Pacific Ave. housed the 4 L Hall, home to the "Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen." The National Department Store was located at 1223 Pacific and sold camping and outdoor goods, as well as shoes and furnishings. The store is littered with signs advertising a "going out of business" sale. The address also included 113-23 So. 13th St. This structure, originally built for the National Bank of Commerce, was remodeled in 1922 for the 4-L's, apparently including the removal of several upper floors. The building was later demolished. (WSHS)

Loyal Legion of Loggers & Lumbermen (Tacoma); National Department Store (Tacoma);