Burt D. Wells papers, 1950-1971
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Wells, Burt D.
- Title
- Burt D. Wells papers
- Dates
- 1950-1971 (inclusive)19501971
- Quantity
- 3.6 cubic feet (4 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6176 (Accession No. 6176-001)
- Summary
- Papers of paper worker union organizer and officer Burt D. Wells related to his involvement with the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers, Local 242 of Portland, Oregon; the revolt of the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action; and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research use but records are stored offsite; advance notice is required for use.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Full processing supported by the Labor Archives Fund and the Labor Archives of Washington State Budget.
Biographical Note
Burt D. Wells was President of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers (IBPS&PMW) Local 242 in Portland, Oregon. Wells also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action in the late 1950s-early 1960s, a committee formed by members of IBPS&PMW locals in protest of decisions made by the International leadership, including the dismissal of Research and Education Director, George Brooks in 1961. These and similar efforts within paper worker unions across the U.S. and Canada resulted in the establishment of rebel union, the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers in 1964 where many dissatisfied members of the IBPS&PMW and United Papermakers and Paperworkers relocated themselves.
Content Description
Papers of paper worker union organizer and officer, Burt D. Wells, consisting primarily of records related to his involvement with the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers, including correspondence, newsletters, legal files, reports, press, and flyers as well as general correspondence and other records related to the International Brotherhood of Pulp Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers and Local 242 in Portland, Oregon. There is considerable overlap of related materials across series and subseries but maintained to respect the arrangement of the materials prior to processing.
Other Descriptive Information
Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.
Use of the Collection
Preferred Citation
Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, Burt D. Wells papers, 6176-001, box number, folder number.
Restrictions on Use
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following series and subseries:
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SERIES 1: RANK AND FILE MOVEMENT FOR
DEMOCRATIC ACTION
- Subseries A: Correspondence
- Subseries B: Individual Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Member Correspondence
- Subseries C: Meetings and Conventions
- Subseries D: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Financial and Administrative Records
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SERIES 2: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD
OF PULP, SULPHITE AND PAPER MILL WORKERS
- Subseries A: International
- Subseries B: Rose City Local 242, Portland, Oregon
- SERIES 3: ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PULP AND PAPER WORKERS
- SERIES 4: PUBLISHED MATERIAL
Acquisition Information
Donated by Rosa Millo Eyer, originally a part of the John H. Eyer papers (3932-001), 1987-09-14
Processing Note
Processed by Assistant Labor Archivist Crystal Rodgers
Processing completed in January 2018, including refoldering and rehousing of material, preservation photocopies of thermofax paper made, rusty fasteners removed and replaced with plasticlips, and acid free paper interwoven between newspaper clippings. Materials arranged into series and subseries physically and intellectually.
Separated Materials
Material Described Separately:Due to the collection's distinctiveness as a body of records belonging to Burt D. Wells and the material's historical significance, this collection was separated from the first accession of the John H. Eyer Papers (Manuscript Accession 3932-001) during processing in December 2017.
Related Materials
Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers records (manuscript collection 2052)
Detailed Description of the Collection
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SERIES 1: RANK AND FILE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION, 1953-1965
Container: Box/Folder 1/1-3/2
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Subseries A: Correspondence, 1959-1965
Container: Box/Folder 1/1-26
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Description: Correspondence: Dismissal of George Brooks, Appointment of Jerald Hatt ControversyDates: 1962-1963Container: Box/Folder 1/1
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Description: Regional Correspondence: Rank and File Movement for Democratic ActionDates: 1959-1963Container: Box/Folder 1/2
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Description: Correspondence with Locals: Protest Letters Regarding Firing of George BrooksDates: 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/3
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Description: Correspondence: Rank and File Movement for Democratic ActionDates: 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/4
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Description: Correspondence with Locals Around United States: Detroit ConventionDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/5
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Description: Correspondence: Brooks Dismissal, United Papermakers and Paperworkers and Frank Grasso, Detroit ConventionDates: 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/6
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Convention, Detroit, Michigan: Burt Wells' Convention Materials [1 of 2]
Contains full issues of the following print publications: Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers' Journal, Vol. XLVI, No. 1, Jan-Feb 1962; Clean-UPP, Vol. 2 No. 2, May-June 1963; Pulp & Paper Worker, Vol. 17, No. 2, 1962 August; Oregon Labor Press, Vol. 63, No. 38, Portland, September 21, 1962
Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/7 -
Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Convention, Detroit, Michigan: Burt Wells' Convention Materials [2 of 2]Dates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/8
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers 26th Annual Convention, Detroit, Michigan: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Local Delegates and Proposed ResolutionsDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/9
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Correspondence: George Brooks' Dismissal [1 of 2]Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/10
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Correspondence: George Brooks' Dismissal [2 of 2]Dates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/11
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Description: Gerard Schmidt Firing Case at International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Local 318, Glen Cove, New YorkDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/12
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Description: Proposal for Constitutional Reform for ElectionsDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/13
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General CorrespondenceDates: 1961 May-DecemberContainer: Box/Folder 1/14
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General CorrespondenceDates: 1962 January-MayContainer: Box/Folder 1/15
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General CorrespondenceDates: 1962 June-DecemberContainer: Box/Folder 1/16
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Description: Union Locals Correspondence: George Brooks ResignationDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/17
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Description: Quarterly Audit Report Inquiry by Rank and File Movement for Democratic ActionDates: circa 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/18
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Description: United Papermakers and PaperworkersDates: 1960-1961Container: Box/Folder 1/19
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Description: F.J. Tierney's Resignation Letter to President BurkeDates: 1962 May 9Container: Box/Folder 1/20
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Opposition [1 of 2]Dates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/21
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Opposition [2 of 2]Dates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/22
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Description: Opposition to Appointment of Jerald Hatt as International RepresentativeDates: 1963-1964Container: Box/Folder 1/23
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Description: Support for Reinstatement of George BrooksDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/24
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Description: International Officer Correspondence: George Brooks' Resignation and Southwest Area StaffDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 1/25
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Description: Burt Wells' Correspondence with University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin State Historical Society: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Records
This file contains correspondence related to the loan of RFMDA records to archives for microfilming
Dates: 1964-1965Container: Box/Folder 1/26
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Subseries B: Individual Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Member Correspondence, 1960-1964
Container: Box/Folder 1/27-2/22
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Description: Amden, Richard, Local 183, Everett, WashingtonDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/27
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Description: Ballantyne, James, President, Local 89, Kapuskasing, OntarioDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/28
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Description: Bartlett, Harold M., Local 22, Fort Orange, New YorkDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/29
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Description: Benson, Herman W., Editor of Union Democracy in Action newsletterDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 1/30
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Description: Bevan, Edwin C., Treasurer of Rank and File Movement for Democratic ActionDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 1/31
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Description: Braaten, Orville, Business Agent, Local 433, Vancouver, British ColumbiaDates: 1961-1963Container: Box/Folder 2/1
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Description: Chatham, R. H., West Monroe Local 512, LouisianaDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/2
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Description: Dukes, Clarence W., San Joaquin Local 713, Antioch, CaliforniaDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/3
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Description: Cowman, William H., President of Local 400, Brunswick, GeorgiaDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/4
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Description: Farrace, Arthur, Antioch, CaliforniaDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/5
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Description: McCormick, Bob, Western Canada Council, Ocean Falls, British ColumbiaDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/6
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Description: MacPhee, Angus, Watson Island Local 708, Prince Rupert, British Columbia: Committee of Inquiry, Cuba Trip and Communist AllegationsDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/7
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Description: Marshall, Peter, Secretary-Treasurer of Western Canada Area Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action, Local 312, Ocean Falls, British ColumbiaDates: 1961-1964Container: Box/Folder 2/8
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Description: Melton, Melvin, Secretary of Local 194, Bellingham, Washington
Includes essays submitted by union members to story contest about corruption in the International.
Dates: 1960-1964Container: Box/Folder 2/9 -
Description: Mercer, Graham, Local 169, Hoquiam, WashingtonDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/10
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Description: Perrin, William, Local 68, West Linn, OregonDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/11
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Description: Rodgers, Henry, Local 375, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [1 of 2]Dates: 1961-1963Container: Box/Folder 2/12
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Description: Rodgers, Henry, Local 375, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2 of 2]
Contains issue of Local 375 East Coast Newsletter
Dates: 1961-1963Container: Box/Folder 2/13 -
Description: Rosebush, George, Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Area Chairman for Ontario and Manitoba, Local 89, Kapuskasing, OntarioDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/14
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Description: Ruddick, Godfrey J., International Vice-President, Little Rock, ArkansasDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/15
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Description: Savage, Leo R., President of United Gilman Local 41, Gilman, VermontDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/16
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Description: Scarselletta, Mario, President of Hudson River Local 20, Glens Falls, New YorkDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/17
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Description: Schmidt, Herbert, Secretary of South Gate Local 253 Correspondence: 1962 Election Dispute and Rank and File Movement for Democratic ActionDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/18
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Description: Stanley, L. R., Secretary, Local 171, Vancouver, Washington: Anti-Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action CorrespondenceDates: 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/19
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Description: Sterman, Albert, Local 375, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Correspondence with International about John McNiff and Education SpendingDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/20
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Description: Stewart, L. E., President, Local 253, South Gate, California Correspondence: Election DisputeDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 2/21
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Description: Wilner, Don S., Correspondence with Burt Wells and William PerrinDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/22
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Subseries C: Meetings and Conventions, 1959-1963
Container: Box/Folder 2/23-32
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Description: Northwest Committee for Union Justice: Correspondence and MinutesDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/23
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Description: British Columbia Committee of Inquiry Minutes: George Brooks ResignationDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 2/24
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Description: Western Canada Area of the Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action: Meeting MinutesDates: 1961Container: Box/Folder 2/25
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action: Mid-Atlantic States Conference Meeting MinutesDates: 1961 June 3Container: Box/Folder 2/26
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action: Southeast Area Conference Meeting MinutesDates: 1962 March 3Container: Box/Folder 2/27
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Area Executive Conference, Denver, Colorado: Meeting MinutesDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/28
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Local 89, Kapuskasing, Ontario: Special Meeting on Connolly and Hayes DismissalDates: 1960 August 28Container: Box/Folder 2/29
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Description: Meeting Minutes of Joseph Tonelli's Staff at Prince George HotelDates: 1961 MarchContainer: Box/Folder 2/30
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Description: Western Canada Council of Pulp and Paper Mill Unions Spring Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia: Meeting MinutesDates: 1962 May 14Container: Box/Folder 2/31
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Description: United Papermakers and Paperworkers: Correspondence, Reports, Court Records, NewslettersDates: 1959-1963Container: Box/Folder 2/32
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Subseries D: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Financial and Administrative Records, 1953-1964
Container: Box/Folder 2/33-3/2
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Per Capita Dues Payments [1 of 2]Dates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/33
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Per Capita Dues Payments [2 of 2]Dates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/34
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Description: Amplifier Subscribers, Paper Worker Members, and Executive Officers Mailing ListsDates: circa 1953-1964Container: Box/Folder 2/35
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Description: Reform Movement Background: Assorted Writings by Burt Wells and OthersDates: 1960-1964Container: Box/Folder 2/36
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Description: Reform Movement: Burt Wells' Affidavit and Court Exhibit FilesDates: circa 1957-1964Container: Box/Folder 2/37
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Handbook for Constitutional ReformDates: circa 1962Container: Box/Folder 3/1
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Description: Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Financial Statements and Receipt LogsDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 3/2
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SERIES 2: INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF PULP, SULPHITE AND PAPER MILL WORKERS, 1950-1964
Container: Box/Folder 3/3-23
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Subseries A: International, 1958-1964
Container: Box/Folder 3/3-11
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence [1 of 2]Dates: 1959-1960Container: Box/Folder 3/3
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence [2 of 2]Dates: 1959-1960Container: Box/Folder 3/4
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Financial Quarterly ReportsDates: 1958-1961Container: Box/Folder 3/5
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Reports of the AuditorDates: 1961-1962Container: Box/Folder 3/6
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Complete Report of the Special Investigating Committee [on Vice President Joseph Tonelli]Dates: 1960 September 20Container: Box/Folder 3/7
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Report of Union Job Evaluation CommitteeDates: 1963 January 14Container: Box/Folder 3/8
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Description: International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers and United Papermakers and Paperworkers Pre-Wage Conference MinutesDates: 1959 May 11Container: Box/Folder 3/9
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Description: International Executive Board Meeting MinutesDates: 1960-1962Container: Box/Folder 3/10
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Description: Paper Worker Union Local Rosters and Officers ListsDates: circa 1960-1964Container: Box/Folder 3/11
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Subseries B: Rose City Local 242, Portland, Oregon, 1950-1963
Container: Box/Folder 3/12-23
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Description: Local 242 Resolution Proposals to International President-SecretaryDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 3/12
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Description: External CorrespondenceDates: 1953-1957Container: Box/Folder 3/13
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Description: Wage Stabilization Board CorrespondenceDates: 1951-1963Container: Box/Folder 3/14
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Description: Local and International ResolutionsDates: circa 1957-1963Container: Box/Folder 3/15
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Description: Rose City Local 242 Information for New MembersDates: circa 1950-1957Container: Box/Folder 3/16
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Description: Portland and Salem, Oregon Labor Councils: CorrespondenceDates: 1954-1955Container: Box/Folder 3/17
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Description: Local 242 Internal Correspondence [1 of 2]Dates: 1955-1963Container: Box/Folder 3/18
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Description: Local 242 Internal Correspondence [2 of 2]Dates: 1955-1963Container: Box/Folder 3/19
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Description: Unemployment Benefits InformationDates: 1956-1958Container: Box/Folder 3/20
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Description: Correspondence to and from International and Local 242 Quarterly ReportsDates: 1952-1962Container: Box/Folder 3/21
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Description: Local 242 Financial ReportDates: 1957Container: Box/Folder 3/22
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Description: Artifact: Burt D. Wells' Detroit Convention Ribbon and Medal PinDates: 1962Container: Box/Folder 3/23
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SERIES 3: ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PULP AND PAPER WORKERS, 1952-1971
Container: Box/Folder 3/24-46
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Description: Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers: Correspondence, Minutes, Reports, Published MaterialDates: 1969-1971Container: Box/Folder 3/24
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Description: Election Campaign: Flyers and PressDates: circa 1967Container: Box/Folder 3/25
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Description: Attorney Retainer Fee PolicyDates: 1966Container: Box/Folder 3/26
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Description: Burt Wells' Letter of Credentials as Representative of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper WorkersDates: 1964 October 8Container: Box/Folder 3/27
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Description: Uniform Labor Agreement Committee Draft BylawsDates: circa 1964Container: Box/Folder 3/28
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Description: Burt Wells' Personal CorrespondenceDates: 1952-1965Container: Box/Folder 3/29
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Description: Presidents William Perrin and Hugh Bannister: Correspondence, Ephemera, PressDates: 1962-1970Container: Box/Folder 3/30
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Description: Burt Wells' Secretary-Treasurer Reports to the Association of Western Pulp and Paper WorkersDates: circa 1964-1967Container: Box/Folder 3/31
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Description: Transcript of Wayne Morse's Keynote Speech at the 4th Annual Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers ConventionDates: 1969 September 15Container: Box/Folder 3/32
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Description: Draft of The Paper Rebellion: The Story of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers by Paul L. Kleinsorge and William C. KerbyDates: 1966Container: Box/Folder 3/33
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Description: H.W. Benson's Article on Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers in Union Democracy in ActionDates: 1967Container: Box/Folder 3/34
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Description: Elections: Flyers, Press, and CorrespondenceDates: 1967-1969Container: Box/Folder 3/35
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Description: Referendum ElectionDates: 1967Container: Box/Folder 3/36
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Description: Local 7 Pipefitters Union Picket at Boise-Cascade Plant in Salem, OregonDates: 1967Container: Box/Folder 3/37
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Description: Local 153, Longview, Washington: Picket Line CrossingDates: 1964 DecemberContainer: Box/Folder 3/38
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Description: Local 672 Newsletter The Little RebelDates: 1967 JanuaryContainer: Box/Folder 3/39
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Description: Office Policies and Personal IssuesDates: 1965-1967Container: Box/Folder 3/40
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Description: Southern Washington Area Council Meeting MinutesDates: 1968 AprilContainer: Box/Folder 3/41
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Description: Burt Wells' Secretary-Treasurer Quarterly ReportDates: 1970 March 31Container: Box/Folder 3/42
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Description: Local 64, Portland, Oregon: Executive Board NewsletterDates: 1970 December 14Container: Box/Folder 3/43
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Description: Local 6 and 68 Election Rules ViolationsDates: 1970Container: Box/Folder 3/44
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Description: The Necessity of Reform in the Pulp and Paper Union Movement ReportDates: circa 1964Container: Box/Folder 3/45
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Description: Assorted Correspondence and ReportsDates: 1966-1968Container: Box/Folder 3/46
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SERIES 4: PUBLISHED MATERIAL, 1953-1965
Container: Box/Folder 3/47-4/8
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Description: Assorted News Clippings on Paper Worker Unions in the Pacific Northwest [1 of 2]Dates: 1964-1965Container: Box/Folder 3/47
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Description: Assorted News Clippings on Paper Worker Unions in the Pacific Northwest [2 of 2]Dates: 1964-1965Container: Box/Folder 3/48
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Description: Portland Reporter News Clippings on Paper WorkersDates: 1964Container: Box/Folder 4/1
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Description: Post Record Newspaper of Camas and Washougal, Washington: Clippings on Paper Workers UnionDates: 1964-1965Container: Box/Folder 4/2
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Description: The Broke Beater Newsletter of International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Local 153, Longview, WashingtonDates: 1964Container: Box/Folder 4/3
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Description: Clean UPP Newsletter of the United Papermakers and PaperworkersDates: 1961-1963Container: Box/Folder 4/4
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Description: Employee Welfare Trust FundsDates: 1953-1954Container: Box/Folder 4/5
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Description: Assorted Articles, Pamphlets, and HandoutsDates: 1960-1964Container: Box/Folder 4/6
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Description: Political Memo Newsletter of the AFL-CIODates: 1955-1956Container: Box/Folder 4/7
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Description: Union Democracy in Action Issues and PublicityDates: circa 1959-1962Container: Box/Folder 4/8
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Labor movement--Oregon
- Labor union members--Oregon
- Labor unions--Oregon
- Labor unions--Oregon--Officials and employees
- Labor--Oregon
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Wells, Burt D.--Archives
Corporate Names
- International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers
- Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action
Other Creators
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Corporate Names
- Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington) (host institution)
