Communications Workers of America. Local 1153 (Valhalla, N.Y.).

Communications Workers of America, Local 1153 was chartered in 1975, after more than 500 members of the Manhattan-based Local 1150 petitioned for a new local to represent American Telephone & Telegraph's Long Lines (long distance) employees working in the White Plains and Mount Kisco area. The jurisdiction granted compromised Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam Counties in New York; and for the Construction Department only, all of New England, New Jersey and New York. But the majority of Local members are located in White Plains. Like Local 1150, 1153 consists of three sections: Plant (construction and maintenance), Traffic (operators) and Administrative (clerical). Since 1975 the Local has had four presidents: Paul J. Marley (served 1975-1981), Eleanore Collins (1981-1984), Andy Kosar (1984-1999), and Mary Lou Algiere (2000- ). Local 1153 has taken a strong stand on many issues, including job losses, job pressures, seniority rights, the creation of new job titles, health and safety, and discrimination based on sex and race. The collection reflects the Local's aggressive stance in bargaining, its role in the 1983 strike, and its criticism of many features of Divestiture.

From the guide to the Communications Workers of America, Local 1153 Records, Bulk, 1976-1987, 1944-1998, (Bulk 1976-1987), (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)

From the guide to the Communications Workers of America, Local 1153 Records, Bulk, 1976-1987, 1944-1999, (Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive)

Eleanore Collins (d. 1994) was born in the Bronx and raised in Elmsford, NY. She graduated from Mount St. Vincent College and later earned a master's degree in industrial labor relations from Pace University. After working briefly for Reader's Digest and then as a social worker, she took a job as a clerk for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in Manhattan on the eve of World War II. In the early 1950s, she joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 1150. In 1954, Collins's clerical job was transferred to White Plains, NY. There she became a steward and was active in organizing and upgrading clerical titles. Thanks in large part to her efforts, AT&T created the new title of Engineering Associate, representing a substantial boost in status and pay for a female-dominated classification.

Collins was elected to Local 1150's Executive Board and soon became known for her passionate concern for labor education, women's rights, and white-collar organizing. However, on two occasions, during a bitterly contested Local 1150 election and during the equally rancorous telephone strike, she came into conflict with members of her own and other CWA locals. Controversy over disputed election results in CWA Local 1150's 1958-1959 election occasioned a disciplinary hearing against Eleanore Collins in 1960. In 1971, Collins supported a move by fellow co-workers to return to work at a time when the validity of the picket lines was in question. Other Local members accused Collins of defying union directives. In both cases, charges against Collins were later dismissed.

In 1975, Collins joined with a group of White Plains members who broke away from Local 1150 to form a new CWA local, Local 1153. She went on to serve Local 1153 as a board member, convention delegate, education director, and finally as president from 1981 to 1984.

In the later years of her career, Collins's concern with union activities and efforts to aid in worker security was inclined toward securing pensions and health benefits for employees and retirees. This concern extended to all those in need of health care, with an emphasis on senior citizens.

Collins died in St. Louis, MO in June 1994.

From the guide to the Eleanore Collins Papers, 1944-1993, (Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archive)