California Industrial Union Council

History

The building of the California CIO, beginning in the mid-1930s, was a period of tremendous union activity and organizing. The Labor Herald, published weekly, recorded CIO activity from 1937 to 1953. The paper began as a voice for the CIO in Northern California; in 1941, it extended its coverage to all of California. A Southern California edition and a Southern California editor was added in 1945. Unions made per capita payments to support the newspaper and this provided a subscription to each member. The California CIO, under such leaders as Harry Bridges and Philip Connelly, reflected progressive, left-wing leadership. The photo collection records its activities, especially during the 1940s, the World War II years and the tumultuous period after the war which saw bitter strikes and a major political battle against the Taft-Hartley Bill.

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