Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Burt D. Wells papers, 1950-1971
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
-
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
-
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 NoteReturn to Top
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 DescriptionReturn to Top
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 InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
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 InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following series and subseries:
-
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
-
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 CollectionReturn to Top
SERIES 1 : RANK AND FILE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION , 1953-1965 Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 1/1-3/2
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1-26 |
Subseries A
:
Correspondence
|
1959-1965 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Correspondence: Dismissal of
George Brooks, Appointment of Jerald Hatt Controversy |
1962-1963 |
| 1/2 | Regional Correspondence: Rank
and File Movement for Democratic Action |
1959-1963 |
| 1/3 | Correspondence with Locals:
Protest Letters Regarding Firing of George Brooks |
1960-1962 |
| 1/4 | Correspondence: Rank and File
Movement for Democratic Action |
1960-1962 |
| 1/5 | Correspondence with Locals
Around United States: Detroit Convention |
1962 |
| 1/6 | Correspondence: Brooks
Dismissal, United Papermakers and Paperworkers and Frank Grasso, Detroit
Convention |
1960-1962 |
| 1/7 | 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
|
1962 |
| 1/8 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Convention, Detroit, Michigan: Burt
Wells' Convention Materials [2 of 2] |
1962 |
| 1/9 | 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 Resolutions |
1962 |
| 1/10 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Correspondence: George Brooks' Dismissal
[1 of 2] |
1961 |
| 1/11 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Correspondence: George Brooks' Dismissal
[2 of 2] |
1961 |
| 1/12 | Gerard Schmidt Firing Case at
International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Local 318,
Glen Cove, New York |
1962 |
| 1/13 | Proposal for Constitutional
Reform for Elections |
1962 |
| 1/14 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence |
1961 May-December |
| 1/15 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence |
1962 January-May |
| 1/16 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence |
1962 June-December |
| 1/17 | Union Locals Correspondence:
George Brooks Resignation |
1961 |
| 1/18 | Quarterly Audit Report Inquiry
by Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action |
circa 1960-1962 |
| 1/19 | United Papermakers and
Paperworkers |
1960-1961 |
| 1/20 | F.J. Tierney's Resignation
Letter to President Burke |
1962 May 9 |
| 1/21 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Opposition [1 of 2] |
1961-1962 |
| 1/22 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Opposition [2 of 2] |
1961-1962 |
| 1/23 | Opposition to Appointment of
Jerald Hatt as International Representative |
1963-1964 |
| 1/24 | Support for Reinstatement of
George Brooks |
1961-1962 |
| 1/25 | International Officer
Correspondence: George Brooks' Resignation and Southwest Area Staff |
1961 |
| 1/26 | 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
|
1964-1965 |
| 1/27-2/22 |
Subseries B
:
Individual
Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action Member
Correspondence
|
1960-1964 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/27 | Amden, Richard, Local 183,
Everett, Washington |
1961-1962 |
| 1/28 | Ballantyne, James, President,
Local 89, Kapuskasing, Ontario |
1961-1962 |
| 1/29 | Bartlett, Harold M., Local 22,
Fort Orange, New York |
1961-1962 |
| 1/30 | Benson, Herman W., Editor of
Union Democracy in Action newsletter |
1961-1962 |
| 1/31 | Bevan, Edwin C., Treasurer of
Rank and File Movement for Democratic Action |
1962 |
| 2/1 | Braaten, Orville, Business
Agent, Local 433, Vancouver, British Columbia |
1961-1963 |
| 2/2 | Chatham, R. H., West Monroe
Local 512, Louisiana |
1961-1962 |
| 2/3 | Dukes, Clarence W., San Joaquin
Local 713, Antioch, California |
1961-1962 |
| 2/4 | Cowman, William H., President
of Local 400, Brunswick, Georgia |
1962 |
| 2/5 | Farrace, Arthur, Antioch,
California |
1961-1962 |
| 2/6 | McCormick, Bob, Western Canada
Council, Ocean Falls, British Columbia |
1961-1962 |
| 2/7 | MacPhee, Angus, Watson Island
Local 708, Prince Rupert, British Columbia: Committee of Inquiry, Cuba Trip and
Communist Allegations |
1961-1962 |
| 2/8 | Marshall, Peter,
Secretary-Treasurer of Western Canada Area Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action, Local 312, Ocean Falls, British Columbia |
1961-1964 |
| 2/9 | Melton, Melvin, Secretary of
Local 194, Bellingham, Washington
Includes essays submitted by union members to story contest
about corruption in the International.
|
1960-1964 |
| 2/10 | Mercer, Graham, Local 169,
Hoquiam, Washington |
1961-1962 |
| 2/11 | Perrin, William, Local 68, West
Linn, Oregon |
1961-1962 |
| 2/12 | Rodgers, Henry, Local 375,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [1 of 2] |
1961-1963 |
| 2/13 | Rodgers, Henry, Local 375,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2 of 2]
Contains issue of Local 375 East Coast
Newsletter
|
1961-1963 |
| 2/14 | Rosebush, George, Rank and File
Movement for Democratic Action Area Chairman for Ontario and Manitoba, Local
89, Kapuskasing, Ontario |
1961-1962 |
| 2/15 | Ruddick, Godfrey J.,
International Vice-President, Little Rock, Arkansas |
1961-1962 |
| 2/16 | Savage, Leo R., President of
United Gilman Local 41, Gilman, Vermont |
1961-1962 |
| 2/17 | Scarselletta, Mario, President
of Hudson River Local 20, Glens Falls, New York |
1961-1962 |
| 2/18 | Schmidt, Herbert, Secretary of
South Gate Local 253 Correspondence: 1962 Election Dispute and Rank and File
Movement for Democratic Action |
1962 |
| 2/19 | Stanley, L. R., Secretary,
Local 171, Vancouver, Washington: Anti-Rank and File Movement for Democratic
Action Correspondence |
1960-1962 |
| 2/20 | Sterman, Albert, Local 375,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Correspondence with International about John McNiff
and Education Spending |
1961-1962 |
| 2/21 | Stewart, L. E., President,
Local 253, South Gate, California Correspondence: Election Dispute |
1962 |
| 2/22 | Wilner, Don S., Correspondence
with Burt Wells and William Perrin |
1961-1962 |
| 2/23-32 |
Subseries C
:
Meetings and
Conventions
|
1959-1963 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/23 | Northwest Committee for Union
Justice: Correspondence and Minutes |
1961-1962 |
| 2/24 | British Columbia Committee of
Inquiry Minutes: George Brooks Resignation |
1961 |
| 2/25 | Western Canada Area of the Rank
and File Movement for Democratic Action: Meeting Minutes |
1961 |
| 2/26 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action: Mid-Atlantic States Conference Meeting Minutes |
1961 June 3 |
| 2/27 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action: Southeast Area Conference Meeting Minutes |
1962 March 3 |
| 2/28 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Area Executive Conference, Denver, Colorado: Meeting
Minutes |
1961-1962 |
| 2/29 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Local 89, Kapuskasing, Ontario: Special
Meeting on Connolly and Hayes Dismissal |
1960 August 28 |
| 2/30 | Meeting Minutes of Joseph
Tonelli's Staff at Prince George Hotel |
1961 March |
| 2/31 | Western Canada Council of Pulp
and Paper Mill Unions Spring Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia: Meeting
Minutes |
1962 May 14 |
| 2/32 | United Papermakers and
Paperworkers: Correspondence, Reports, Court Records, Newsletters |
1959-1963 |
| 2/33-3/2 |
Subseries D
:
Rank and File
Movement for Democratic Action Financial and Administrative
Records
|
1953-1964 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2/33 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Per Capita Dues Payments [1 of 2] |
1961-1962 |
| 2/34 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Per Capita Dues Payments [2 of 2] |
1961-1962 |
| 2/35 | Amplifier Subscribers, Paper
Worker Members, and Executive Officers Mailing Lists |
circa 1953-1964 |
| 2/36 | Reform Movement Background:
Assorted Writings by Burt Wells and Others |
1960-1964 |
| 2/37 | Reform Movement: Burt Wells'
Affidavit and Court Exhibit Files |
circa 1957-1964 |
| 3/1 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Handbook for Constitutional Reform |
circa 1962 |
| 3/2 | Rank and File Movement for
Democratic Action Financial Statements and Receipt Logs |
1961-1962 |
SERIES 2 : INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF PULP, SULPHITE AND PAPER MILL WORKERS , 1950-1964 Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/3-23
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/3-11 |
Subseries A
:
International
|
1958-1964 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/3 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence [1 of
2] |
1959-1960 |
| 3/4 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers General Correspondence [2 of
2] |
1959-1960 |
| 3/5 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Financial Quarterly Reports |
1958-1961 |
| 3/6 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Reports of the Auditor |
1961-1962 |
| 3/7 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Complete Report of the Special
Investigating Committee [on Vice President Joseph Tonelli] |
1960 September 20 |
| 3/8 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers Report of Union Job Evaluation
Committee |
1963 January 14 |
| 3/9 | International Brotherhood of
Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers and United Papermakers and Paperworkers
Pre-Wage Conference Minutes |
1959 May 11 |
| 3/10 | International Executive Board
Meeting Minutes |
1960-1962 |
| 3/11 | Paper Worker Union Local
Rosters and Officers Lists |
circa 1960-1964 |
| 3/12-23 |
Subseries B
:
Rose City
Local 242, Portland, Oregon
|
1950-1963 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/12 | Local 242 Resolution Proposals
to International President-Secretary |
1962 |
| 3/13 | External
Correspondence |
1953-1957 |
| 3/14 | Wage Stabilization Board
Correspondence |
1951-1963 |
| 3/15 | Local and International
Resolutions |
circa 1957-1963 |
| 3/16 | Rose City Local 242 Information
for New Members |
circa 1950-1957 |
| 3/17 | Portland and Salem, Oregon
Labor Councils: Correspondence |
1954-1955 |
| 3/18 | Local 242 Internal
Correspondence [1 of 2] |
1955-1963 |
| 3/19 | Local 242 Internal
Correspondence [2 of 2] |
1955-1963 |
| 3/20 | Unemployment Benefits
Information |
1956-1958 |
| 3/21 | Correspondence to and from
International and Local 242 Quarterly Reports |
1952-1962 |
| 3/22 | Local 242 Financial
Report |
1957 |
| 3/23 | Artifact: Burt D. Wells'
Detroit Convention Ribbon and Medal Pin |
1962 |
SERIES 3 : ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN PULP AND PAPER WORKERS , 1952-1971 Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/24-46
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/24 | Association of Western Pulp and
Paper Workers: Correspondence, Minutes, Reports, Published Material |
1969-1971 |
| 3/25 | Election Campaign: Flyers and
Press |
circa 1967 |
| 3/26 | Attorney Retainer Fee
Policy |
1966 |
| 3/27 | Burt Wells' Letter of Credentials
as Representative of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper
Workers |
1964 October 8 |
| 3/28 | Uniform Labor Agreement Committee
Draft Bylaws |
circa 1964 |
| 3/29 | Burt Wells' Personal
Correspondence |
1952-1965 |
| 3/30 | Presidents William Perrin and
Hugh Bannister: Correspondence, Ephemera, Press |
1962-1970 |
| 3/31 | Burt Wells' Secretary-Treasurer
Reports to the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers |
circa 1964-1967 |
| 3/32 | Transcript of Wayne Morse's
Keynote Speech at the 4th Annual Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers
Convention |
1969 September 15 |
| 3/33 | Draft of The Paper Rebellion: The Story of the Association of Western
Pulp and Paper Workers by Paul L. Kleinsorge and William C.
Kerby |
1966 |
| 3/34 | H.W. Benson's Article on
Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers in Union
Democracy in Action
|
1967 |
| 3/35 | Elections: Flyers, Press, and
Correspondence |
1967-1969 |
| 3/36 | Referendum Election |
1967 |
| 3/37 | Local 7 Pipefitters Union Picket
at Boise-Cascade Plant in Salem, Oregon |
1967 |
| 3/38 | Local 153, Longview, Washington:
Picket Line Crossing |
1964 December |
| 3/39 | Local 672 Newsletter
The Little Rebel
|
1967 January |
| 3/40 | Office Policies and Personal
Issues |
1965-1967 |
| 3/41 | Southern Washington Area Council
Meeting Minutes |
1968 April |
| 3/42 | Burt Wells' Secretary-Treasurer
Quarterly Report |
1970 March 31 |
| 3/43 | Local 64, Portland, Oregon:
Executive Board Newsletter |
1970 December 14 |
| 3/44 | Local 6 and 68 Election Rules
Violations |
1970 |
| 3/45 |
The
Necessity of Reform in the Pulp and Paper Union Movement
Report |
circa 1964 |
| 3/46 | Assorted Correspondence and
Reports |
1966-1968 |
SERIES 4 : PUBLISHED MATERIAL , 1953-1965 Return to Top
Container(s): Box-folder 3/47-4/8
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 3/47 | Assorted News Clippings on Paper
Worker Unions in the Pacific Northwest [1 of 2] |
1964-1965 |
| 3/48 | Assorted News Clippings on Paper
Worker Unions in the Pacific Northwest [2 of 2] |
1964-1965 |
| 4/1 |
Portland
Reporter News Clippings on Paper Workers |
1964 |
| 4/2 |
Post Record
Newspaper of Camas and Washougal, Washington: Clippings on Paper Workers
Union |
1964-1965 |
| 4/3 |
The Broke
Beater Newsletter of International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and
Paper Mill Workers Local 153, Longview, Washington |
1964 |
| 4/4 |
Clean
UPP Newsletter of the United Papermakers and Paperworkers |
1961-1963 |
| 4/5 | Employee Welfare Trust
Funds |
1953-1954 |
| 4/6 | Assorted Articles, Pamphlets, and
Handouts |
1960-1964 |
| 4/7 |
Political
Memo Newsletter of the AFL-CIO |
1955-1956 |
| 4/8 |
Union
Democracy in Action Issues and Publicity |
circa 1959-1962 |
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
-
Corporate Names
- Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington) (host institution)
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