Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union. Local 340

The Retail Clothing Salesmen of Greater New York was chartered in 1910 by the United Hebrew Trades and organized men's clothing salesmen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and along Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn.

The Union later affiliated with the Retail Clerks International Protective Association as Local 717, then Local 1006 RCIPA. In about June 1938 it joined the Amalgamated Clothing Workers as Local 340.

From its base in the "Mom and Pop" retail trade, Local 340 organized salesmen at all of the men's clothing stores on Fifth Avenue--Brooks Brothers, Wallach's, Rogers Peet, as well as major chains such as Robert Hall, Crawford, and Ripley's. During the 1940's wartime boom, business was especially good, and at its height, Local 340 had contracts with over 200 shops.

The 40 hour, 5 day work week was established for retail clothing salesmen in 1952. Business fell off somewhat from its wartime peak during the 1950's. The personal service provided by Local 340 members became less of a draw for shoppers. Department stores and discount outlets increased in popularity. During the 1960's the union made major efforts to maintain wage and benefit standards, in spite of the closings of many of its original small shops.

In recent years membership has picked up again, in spite of the continuing crisis in the retail business in New York City. Barney's is one of Local 340's largest shops, and Brooks Brothers, Bonds and Wallach's remain solid. Membership in 1987 rose to over 1,200 because of aggressive organizing in downtown Manhattan men's clothing stores.

From the description of Minutes [microform], 1925-1975. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 79782130