Finding aid for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11 Records

History of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11 (f. 1881), is an AFL-CIO trade union of carpenters in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally chartered as Local 1 on June 17, 1881, the Brotherhood provided illness and accident benefits by 1883. Several locals were formed in Cleveland in the early years, including two Bohemian and two German locals. The National was founded in August 1881 by Peter J. McGuire, an "unkempt" socialist "with a drooping mustache and deep-set burning eyes" who was formerly a member of the Socialist Labor Party. McGuire lived in Cleveland from 1884 through 1886 during which time the national's headquarters were in Cleveland. Despite McGuire's orientation, the Brotherhood has traditionally been a conservative trade union. The Carpenters were chosen by Samuel Gompers of the AFL to lead the fight for the eight-hour day in 1890. Though they were not completely successful, members of the Building Trades Council (including the carpenters) in Cleveland did win reduced hours. In 1912, Cleveland's carpenters won the half day on Saturday that reduced the work week to 55 hours. Due to the Depression and to the formation of the International Woodworkers of America of the CIO, membership in Local 11 dropped severely during the 1930s to only a tenth of its 1920 membership of 2,800. It recovered strongly during World War II and has remained a strong and active union. Cleveland's District Council 2 and local affiliates (including Local 11) are headquartered at 3615 Chester Avenue in Cleveland.

Scope and Content

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11 Records, 1882-1943 and undated, consist of minutes, delegate lists, expense books, and dues books (including members names and their dues payments).

This collection pertains to the activities, membership, and finances of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11. Those interested in the history of organized labor in Cleveland, Ohio, particularly in the carpentry trades, will find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4184 United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11 Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 11, 1983.

Processing Information

Processed by Daniel J. Linke in 1988.

Detailed Description of The Collection