Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Jean Gundlach papers, 1921-1998
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Gundlach, Jean
- Title
- Jean Gundlach papers
- Dates
- 1921-1998 (inclusive)19211998
- Quantity
- 3.29 cubic feet (5 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 5207
- Summary
- Papers of a trade union employee and activist
- 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
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
For thirty years Jean Gundlach served as administrative assistant of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Coast Committee, working closely with ILWU President Harry Bridges.
Gundlach was born in Missouri and moved to Seattle in the 1940s. In 1946 she began work as secretary of the Committee for Maritime Unity, and later worked for the United Fisherman and Allied Workers of America (UFAWA). When the UFAWA merged with the ILWU in the 1960s, Gundlach went to work for the ILWU and Harry Bridges.
Throughout her life, Gundlach was devoted to progressive causes, working with migrant farm workers in the 1950s and even leading a walkout at the ILWU when Bridges and other officers treated staff unfairly. In the 1990s Gundlach was instrumental in obtaining a formal apology from the University of Washington to the victims of the Canwell Committee trials. In 1992 she had a major role in the creation of the Harry Bridges Chair in Labor Studies, and in 2008 was awarded the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies’ Robert Duggan Distinguished Supporter of Labor Studies Award. Jean Gundlach passed away December 11, 2009.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Clippings, photographs, and an assortment of textual items and ephemera from Gundlach's employment by trade unions, most notably the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union in San Francisco. Some items date from her retirement in Western Washington. Also includes a scrapbook that Gundlach created for Harry Bridges on his 70th birthday.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Labor Archives of Washington.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
To the extent that they own the copyright, the donor has transferred the copyright of the materials to the University of Washington; however, copyright in some items in this collection may be held by their respective creators. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Organized into 3 accessions.
- Accession No. 5207-001, Jean Gundlach papers, approximately 1960-1985
- Accession No. 5207-002, Jean Gundlach papers, 1921-1998
- Accession No. 5207-003, Jean Gundlach scrapbook on Harry Bridges, approximately 1945-1971
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 5207-001: Jean Gundlach papers, approximately 1960-1985Return to Top
Scope and Content: Clippings, photographs, and an assortment of textual items and ephemera from her employment by trade unions, most notably the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union in San Francisco. Some items date from her retirement in Western Washington.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Jean Gundlach, 1999-12-01
| Description |
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Jean Gundlach papers |
Accession No. 5207-002: Jean Gundlach papers, 1921-1998Return to Top
Scope and Content:
- Subject files on maritime and labor history and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Correspondence, meeting agendas, and conference programs and minutes of the ILWU's Pacific Coast Pensioners Association from Gundlach's time as an officer and member of the PCPA.
- Correspondence and materials from Gundlach's role in the founding and subsequent involvement in the Harry Bridges Chair for Labor Studies at the University of Washington.
- Personal correspondence with friends in the labor and left political circles.
- Subject files on labor and maritime poetry by poets and writers such as Carlos Bulosan, Al Valenzuela, Gus Rystad, Herb Phillips, and Jerry Tyler.
- Correspondence and materials relating to Gundlach's role on the Carlos Bulosan Manuscripts Committee, which sought to assemble and donate poet and author Carlos Bulosan's work to an archives. Eventually the papers became part of the University of Washington's Special Collections.
- Biographical materials on Gundlach's brother, Ralph Gundlach, as well as biographical and memorial materials on Roy J. Kennedy.
- Materials from Gundlach's role as a member of Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 29 including contract negotiations and a strike.
- Two scrapbooks relating to Harry Bridges, the ILWU, and labor history.
- Photographs of labor and maritime subject and people, many of which appear to have been originally published or gathered.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Jean Gundlach via the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington, 2013
| Description |
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Jean Gundlach papers |
Accession No. 5207-003: Jean Gundlach scrapbook on Harry Bridges, approximately 1945-1971 (bulk approximately 1971)Return to Top
Scope and Content: Scrapbook created by Jean Gundlach for Harry Bridges on his 70th birthday in 1971. Bridges was the founding and longtime President of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union. Gundlach loaned this scrapbook to Robert Cherny during the writing of his biography of Bridges. The scrapbook contains a mix of materials, including a hand-painted cover, telegrams, letters, greeting cards, photographs, and other ephemera.
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: To the extent that they own the copyright, the donor has transferred the copyright of the materials to the University of Washington; however, copyright in some items in this collection may be held by their respective creators. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Acquisition Info: Donated by Robert Cherny, 2022-09-06
| Description |
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Jean Gundlach scrapbook on Harry Bridges |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Labor movement--Washington (State)
- Labor unions--Washington (State)
- Labor--Washington (State)
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
- Political activists
Personal Names
- Gundlach, Jean--Archives
- Gundlach, Jean--Archives
Corporate Names
- International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union--Employees
- Pacific Coast Pensioners Association--Employees
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington) (creator)
- Labor Archives of Washington (University of Washington), curator (creator)
