The International Association of Machinists, District #54 (f.1913) is a District Lodge, in Cleveland, Ohio, of the parent organization which was founded in May 1888. For more than a century the IAM has served the needs of its membership employed in the machine-tool industry. District 54 was formed in 1913 at the request of the international leadership to coordinate the interests and activities of a number of Cleveland local lodges and to combat the anti-labor movement of the National Association of Manufacturers. Local Lodge #83, established in January 1890, which later merged with several other locals in 1919 to become Local #439, and Auto Mechanics Local #1363 comprised the bulk of District #54's membership and financial support until the 1930s when the National Recovery Act enabled the IAM to expand its ranks. Between 1933 and 1940, nearly a dozen locals were chartered, but financial difficulties and philosophical differences weakened both the local lodges and District Lodge #54.
In 1938 after a reorganization under guidance of the Grand Lodge, which restructured the bylaws and finances of the District Lodge, and the election of a reform-oriented slate of officers headed by Matthew DeMore as President, District #54 achieved stability. Under DeMore's leadership (1939-1961) and with the assistance of a volunteer organizing committee, the membership grew from 4500 in 1939 to 15,000 in 1941. DeMore, considered by the business community to be fair-minded and honest, saw the district through the labor difficulties of World War II; disaffiliation from the American Federation of Labor (AF of L); and several lengthy strikes and bitter jurisdictional disputes during the 1940s and 1950s. Although DeMore was an active participant in these strikes, he advocated the strike weapon only as a last resort. DeMore's tenure with District #54 included his participation in other labor organizations. He served as vice-president of the Ohio AFofL-CIO and the Cleveland AFofL-CIO. He was also a director for the State Council of Machinists. DeMore's career culminated with his election to the office of general secretary-treasurer of the IAM in 1965. Upon his retirement in 1969, DeMore continued his involvement in popular causes through his work with the National Council of Senior Citizens and other activities for the aged.
Known for its progressive social policies, the IAM often led other Unions in pursuing better wages, working conditions and benefits for its members. District #54 provided a model for other lodges to emulate in contract negotiations which produced health and welfare benefits such as medical insurance and guaranteed pension plans. District #54 was also interested in its members outside the workplace, and instituted a number of cooperative enterprises including the Cleveland Homes Committee to provide quality homes for a reasonable price; the Co-Op of Cleveland, a consumer cooperative open to all Union members; and its most successful endeavor, the Union Eye Care Center.
District #54 officials, especially Matthew DeMore, also supported other elements of the labor community including the Cleveland Federation of Labor, Ohio State Council of Machinists and the Tool and Die Conference. The Cleveland and Ohio branches of the Machinist's Non-Partisan Political League were among the strongest in the organization. District #54 also provided leadership at the Grand Lodge level when DeMore became an International Vice-President in 1961 and General Secretary-Treasurer in 1965, the second highest elected position in the IAM.
District #54's post-war membership reflects the decline of the machine-tool industry in Cleveland. From 19,000 in 1961, it has decreased to 12,000 in the late 1980s. However, District #54 remained a training ground for leadership in the organization; IAM president, William Winpisinger, came from the Cleveland area.
The International Association of Machinists, District #54, Records 1903-1965 and undated (1945-1965) consist of minutes, newsletters, correspondence, reports, contracts, financial records, membership rosters, business agents weekly reports, grievance and arbitration proceedings, organizing files, scrapbooks, newspapers, and periodicals.
This collection is an abundant source of information on the Cleveland, Ohio, industrial and business community, particularly on the growth of the machine-tool industry during and after World War II. Labor-Management conflict is well documented in the company Files, especially for some of the larger companies such as Jack and Heintz; Addressograph-Multigraph; Chase Brass and Copper; and Warner and Swasey. Series I and Series II provide detailed information on the day-to-day operations of a major labor union including its relationship with subordinate Locals and the International Headquarters as well as on its organizing efforts. Financial data is located both in the Series I, Minutes, and topical files in Series II, particularly in those of Eric Peterson, who was Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Lodge. Files in Series IV relate to the early history of the IAM in Cleveland, especially the formation of the first lodges, and may be of interest to both labor historians and those interested in community and urban history. Series II files, files in Series V, and newspaper clippings located in Series VI may also prove valuable to urban and community historians interested in cooperative housing and consumer buying ventures. Material on Matthew DeMore and his role as District #54 President and officer in the Grand Lodge hierarchy is located in both Series II and Series V. Political activities of the IAM and District #54 are detailed in the Machinist's Non-Partisan Political League files in Series II and in Series V. Files in Series III, under the heading of Defunct Shops, and Series V, "Local 735 U.E.", that pertain to Local #735 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America-CIO, and Local 1377 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are most valuable as they address not only labor-management conflict, but also representational disputes concerning members of UE Local #735 who sought to disaffiliate themselves from the leadership of the Local who were suspected of Communist sympathies in the politically sensitive era following World War II. The materials detail the Fawick-Airflex strike in 1949 which led to violence, court action and the conviction of the officers of UE #735 including Business Representative Marie Reed Haug. The role of women in the IAM, who worked at skilled jobs in the machine-tool industry, and who were active as shop stewards and union organizers is also documented in the collection, particularly in Series II. The following companies were under contract with District #54, International Association of Machinists, and this list will assist researchers as they use Series II:
The collection is arranged in seven series.
Processed by Richard Hite, Robert Ray, Patricia Stahley, and Bari Oyler Stith in 1990.
None.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4466 International Association of Machinists, District #54 Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
District 54: International Association of Machinists, 1978.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.