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Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records 1920-1968 (bulk 1950-1968)

Title: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records 1920-1968 (bulk 1950-1968)

Part I consists of general correspondence, subject files, and personal papers of the brotherhood's founder, A. Philip Randolph, documenting the growth and functions of the union. The Subject File contains a large quantity of material on the growth and functions of the union from 1940 to 1968 and includes agreements reached between the brotherhood and the nation's major railroad lines. Included also is material exchanged between the local unions and the brotherhood's headquarters, as well as files relating to biennial conventions, financial matters, and the ladies auxiliary. There are no records relating to Randolph's creation of the union in 1925 or to the brotherhood's subsequent struggles for existence while organizing various union locals. Part II consists of correspondence and subject files of brotherhood officials Benjamin F. McLaurin (international field organizer), A. Philip Randolph (founder and president), and Ashley L. Totten (secretary-treasurer), and other subject files, financial records, and miscellaneous records. The Subject File in Part II contains additional agreements between the brotherhood and the railroad companies, but most of the files concern the participation of the union in railway and labor organizations. The most informative material relating to the organizing activities of the union can be found in the files pertaining to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. These activities were carried out under the auspices of the Provisional Committee To Organize Colored Locomotive Firemen. The records document the struggles of African-American firemen to retain their jobs and seniority rights with the railroad companies while seeking to be represented by a labor union. Briefs of legal cases brought by the brotherhood on behalf of the African-American firemen are also included in the files. Some of the material in the files relating to Canada also touches on the organizing activities of the brotherhood.

ArchivalResource: 41,000 items; 144 containers; 70 linear feet

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms000016 View