Paperhangers Local 490 was organized in New York City as a single exclusive local in 1864. After its early formation as section 70, Paper Hanger's Local Union of America, it merged with the Knights of Labor and a few other affiliations to establish a name for itself. From this it emerged as a semi-autonomous group, with bargaining power of its own.
From the 1950s, the Local remained an outpost of opposition to the leadership of the District Council. It began in 1953, when Daniel French, the President of the Local, learned of a secret agreement for lower wages. French opposed the Local's secret operations and this led to numerous court cases and the Paper Hanger's Strike of 1962. The defiance of Local 490 to the District Council escalated after this and divided the two further. James Bishop, the Secretary-Treasurer, elected in 1973, is one example of these hostilities between the two. After his murder in 1990 by the mob, government investigation into organized crime activity within the District Council gained momentum.
From the description of Records, 1894-1957. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 477061423
