United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, & Plastic Workers of America (Local 704)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-313

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of the records of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, & Plastic Workers of America (URW), Local 704, from 1964 to 2002. The records include administrative files, contracts, grievances and arbitrations, publication, financial records, and some ephemera. The collection documents the role of the Local 704 at the Richardson Company later renamed Spaulding Company; DeKalb, Illinois. The collection documents very little of the start of the Local 704, but contains much of material form the late 1960s through the 1970s. Though the collection contains some material form the 1990s and early 2000s, this time period is weak except in regards to the employee notices which detailed any action that affected an employee such as discipline, layoff, or temporary transfers. A large portion of employee notices are form the 1990s and early 2000s. Material related to the unions role in the bankruptcy proceedings of the Spaulding Company can be found in Series five.

Dates

created: 1964-2002
Other: Date acquired: 06/00/2011

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restriction on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property Rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Local 704 of the United Rubber Workers started around 1963 in the Richardson Company only a few years after the plant opened. The plant created "high-pressured laminated plastic sheets, rods, tubes and fabricated parts and did custom molding." These products were used in a variety of electronic and mechanical devices. Local 704 was a part of District 4 of the International United Rubber Workers, and was an active organization that negotiated several contracts, conducted strikes, and arbitrated numerous grievances representing their fellow workers. Between 1971 and 1973, the Richardson Company was acquired by the Spaulding Company and the DeKalb plant was renamed to Spaulding Fibre Company, and later Spaulding Composites. In 1993, the Spaulding Company filed for bankruptcy and Local 704 represented the workers’ interest within the bankruptcy proceedings. Local 704 eventually came under the United Steelworkers of America in 1995 when the national United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, and Plastic Workers of America decided to merge with the larger union. It was at some after coming under the United Steelworkers of America that Local 704 disbanded.

Note written by

Extent

10.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into six series: (1) Administrative Files, (2) Contracts and Agreements, (3) Grievances and Arbitrations, (4) Publications, Job Guides, and Forms, (5) Finances, and (6) Ephemera. Under Series 1, Administration Files, there are several subseries: (A) Constitution and By-laws, (B) Minutes and Meetings, ( C ) Membership, and (D) Correspondence. Material is generally organized chronologically. Grievances and Arbitration are arranged by grievance number and date within grievance. Employee notices are arranged by type and chronologically within type.

Source of Acquisition

Dana Yarak

Method of Acquisition

Dana Yarak of Conexión Comunidad donated the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum, and Plastic Workers of America, Local 704 Records located in the Conexión Comunidad building, to the Regional History Center in June 2011.