Union Label and Service Trades Council of Greater New York and Long Island.

The Union Label Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor chartered the Central Union Label Council of New York City on July 8, 1911. Like its parent body established by Samuel Gompers in 1909, the New York Label Council was dedicated to "a more systematic and thorough agitation and demand for union made and particularly union label products, and for the patronage of union stores and places where persons employed wear the union button of the organizations issuing them". The Label Council and later its state counterpart focused on lobbying, service and publicity, all in the interest of union labelled goods produced by members of craft unions. Although separate central bodies existed in Manhattan and Brooklyn in 1911, the Central Union Label Council, headquartered in Brooklyn in its own building at 902-4 Broadway and meeting at the Brooklyn Labor Lyceum, bridged the boroughs. Charles Sinnigen, a member of the Electrotypers Local 100, served as Secretary. He spoke at union meetings throughout the city to enlist the cooperation of members and to encourage locals to affiliate with the Council.

During the teens, Central Union Label Council work expanded in a number of directions. In 1916, the Council sold stock to establish a department store for union label products. Union Label Stores, Incorporated operated as a retail outlet for union labelled merchandise throughout the thirties until the increasing numbers of retail stores carrying union made and labelled products forced the store to close in 1947. During World War I, the Label Council backed the war effort by selling thousands of dollars of War Bonds. In addition, in 1918 the Council began publishing the monthly Union Label Advocate which was issued until 1932. During the twenties, Union Label Clubs in each borough were established as fraternal and social organizations to promote the union label. The clubs found support among the skilled needle trades, capmakers, the ILGWU, the United Garment Workers, the Machinists, the Teamsters, the Operating Engineers, the Brewery Workers and the Painters.

In 1935, the ULSTD of the AFL chartered a ULSTD for the state of New York. The organization moved to Bible House where Charles Sinnigen directed both the city and the state organization as Secretary-Treasurer. Not a member organization, affiliates paid per capita dues to the state body. Each city elected delegates but was represented by a vice-president only if five or more unions per city were affiliated. The state organization called conventions annually and published the Union Label News.

After Sinnigen's death in 1949, Harry Avrutin, formerly an organizer for the Office and Professional Employees International Union, was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Union Label and Services Trades Council of Greater New York. Placing greater emphasis on publicity tactics, Harry Avrutin published annual buyers' guides to union-made products, mounted labor-management trade shows during "Union Label Week" (the first week of September), staged the Miss Union Maid beauty contest, sponsored a weekly Labor Press radio program, and engaged in other efforts designed to promote union labor and products, and, increasingly, to encourage unionized business to remain in the metropolitan area. In 1959, the New York Council expanded its juridiction to Nassau-Suffolk Counties.

From the description of Records, 1911-1979. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 83195809

In 1911, the Union Label Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor chartered the Central Union Label Council of New York City. Like its parent body, which had been established by Samuel Gompers in 1909, the New York City Label Council was dedicated to "a more systematic and thorough agitation and demand for union-made and particularly union label products, and for the patronage of union organizations issuing them." In 1916, the Council sold stock to establish a department store of union label products, which it then ran and stocked. After World War II, the increasing number of retail stores carrying union-made products greatly increased, prompting the Council to close its store in 1947.

The Label Council, and later its state counterpart, focused on lobbying, service and publicity, all in the interest of union-labeled goods produced by members of craft unions. Although separate central bodies existed in Manhattan and Brooklyn in 1911, the Central Union Label Council, headquartered in Brooklyn in its own building at 902-4 Broadway, bridged the boroughs. Charles Sinnigen, a member of the Electrotypers Local 100, served as the Council's Secretary. In 1935, the Union Label Trades and Services Department of the AFL chartered a Union Label Trades and Services Department for the state of New York. The organization moved to Bible House, where Charles Sinnigen directed both the city and the state organization as Secretary-Treasurer. The state organization called conventions annually and published the Union Label News .

After Sinnigen's death in 1949, Harry Avrutin, formerly an organizer for the Office and Professional Employees International Union, was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Union Label and Services Trades Council of Greater New York. Placing greater emphasis on publicity tactics, Avrutin published annual buyers' guides to union-made products, mounted labor-management trade shows during "Union Label Week" (the first week of September), staged a"Miss Union Maid" beauty contest, sponsored a weekly Labor Press radio program, and engaged in other public relations efforts designed to promote union labor and products, and, increasingly, to encourage unionized business to remain in the metropolitan area. In 1959, the New York Council expanded its jurisdiction to Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

From the guide to the Union Label and Service Trades Council of Greater New York and Long Island Photographs, Bulk, 1957-1970, 1938-1981, (Bulk 1957-1970), (Tamiment Library / Wagner Archives)