Graphic Arts International Union

The Cleveland Local No. 24-P of the Graphic Arts International Union was founded in 1900 as a part of the International Typographical Union; at this time, the local had nineteen members. In 1903, the International Photoengravers Union of North American and the International Typographical Union agreed to the transfer of all photoengraving locals to the jurisdiction of the photoengravers union. The process of photo-engraving, although no longer done completely by hand, consists of making an etched printing plate from a photograph or drawing. This skill is an important part of the publishing, advertising and other industries producing large quantities of identical printed pictures. In addition to this change in status, Cleveland Local No. 24-P received a charter from the American Federation of Labor in that same year.

In the 1930's the Photoengravers made the first moves toward a merger with the Amalgamated Lithographers of America by encouraging cooperation between photoengraving and lithographic locals. These first tentative moves culminated in the 1964 merger of the two internationals into Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union.

Cleveland Local No. 24-P retained its original name under the terms of the merger. Also in 1964, the Cleveland local merged with Photoengravers No. 51 of Akron under the Cleveland name.

Automation and a shrinking membership encouraged the movement toward a single graphics art union on the international and local levels. This movement resulted in the 1972 merger of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders and the Lithographers and Photoengravers International Union into the Graphics Arts International Union. On the local level, Cleveland Local No. 24-P had, in 1966, further expanded its jurisdiction by merging with Youngstown Local No. 63-P. In 1976 Local 24-P expanded again by taking in the Photo-industrial Local No. 24-a.

Cleveland Local No. 24 has supported the formation of stronger union by patronizing such publications as the Cleveland Citizen and the Erie Labor Journal, and by participating in organizations such as the Cleveland Federation of Labor and the Allied Printing Trades Council. The local has encourages excellence in the profession by supporting national established apprenticeship standards, and by creating retraining programs for journeymen.

From the guide to the Graphic Arts International Union, Local No. 24-P Records, 1912-1974, (Western Reserve Historical Society)