International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers

The International Brotherhood of Pottery and Allied Workers (IBPAW), commonly referred to by its earlier name, the National/International Brotherhood of Operative Potters (NBOP/IBOP), is a union affiliated with the AFL/CIO. The Brotherhood was founded in 1890 when skilled pottery workers and unionists in the vicinity of East Liverpool, Ohio, broke away from the then faltering Knights of Labor. By 1900, Ohio's share in pottery production had grown, and under the strong leadership of Albert S. Hughes, Thomas J. Duffy, and Edward Menge, the Brotherhood was generally successful in attracting members and in bringing about favorable changes in labor-management relations. Five locals were formed in the early years. Differences with the eastern faction based in the Trenton, New Jersey pottery center were ultimately resolved and, by the beginning of the twentieth century, the Brotherhood had become a national union. It had secured a uniform wage contract and had approximately 6,500 workers on its membership rolls in 1911.

From the description of Records, 1889-1971. (Kent State University). WorldCat record id: 39531457