Labor organization of the printing industry began as early as 1836, with the first meeting of the National Typographical Society, later renamed the International Typographical Union (ITU) in Washington, D.C. However, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that mechanization transformed the printing industry into a full-scale trade with craft specialization. Newspaper printing and commercial printing became distinct trades. By the turn of the century several separate printing unions had emerged or seceded from the ITU, including the International Printing Pressmen Union of North America (IPPU) in 1897 and the Amalgamated Lithographers of America (ALA) in 1915. Union membership flourished in the first half of the 20th century, and the unions were able to operate alone. As union membership declined in the later half of century, a series of mergers occurred. The International Printing and Graphic Communications Union (IPGCU) resulted in 1973 from the merger of the IPPU and the International Stereotypers’ and Electroplaters’ Union (IS&EU). In 1983, the IPGCU merged with the Graphic Arts International Union (GAIU) to form the Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU). In 2005, the GCIU decided to merge with the 1.1 million member Teamster union.
The first printing union in Seattle was the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders (IBB) in 1900. Seven years later, the Seattle Web Printing Pressmen & Asisstant’s Union No. 26 was formed. In 1963, Local No. 26 merged with five other Washington printers’ unions to create the Washington state Joint Crafts Council. GCIU branch 767-M was the result of the 1985 merger of PH & PPU Local 50, GCIU Local 26N and GCIU Local 530M. In 1996, GCIU Local 292-M of Portland, Oregon merged with GCIU 767-M. Additionally, between 2002 and 2003, GCIU branches in Bremerton (367-M), Olympia (182-C) and Aberdeen (262-C) merged with Local 767-M, further strengthening the Seattle branch. In 2005, 767-M merged with the Teamster Union 767-M still exists today.
The photographs in this collection chronicle the events and activities related to Seattle branch 767-M of the GCIU and its previous iterations. The films and videotapes depict the events and on-the-job training techniques pertinent to the GCIU as well as the printing industry in general.
The photographs in this collection are open to the public. Access to film and videotapes is restricted. Permission of curator required for viewing. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the Special Collections division of the University of Washington Libraries for details.
Donor: Brian Earl, president of Graphic Communications Internation Union Local 767M, August 9, 2011
Processed by Erin Berg, 2012 ; Completed by Andrew Weaver 2014.
The photographs and moving images in this collection were transferred from the Graphic Communications International Union Local 767M manuscript collection, Accession 0544-001, 2012.
Caption beneath photo: An "All Star" Cast--The Pride of Seattle
Written on verso of duplicate photo: Group picture of 50th Charter Anniversary Dinner held Oct 21, 1957 / New Washington Hotel
Written on verso of duplicate photo: Members received their 50 yr. pins on Oct. 21, 1957 at the 50th Anniversary Dinner / left to rt. / Pres. Frank Elliot / A.S. Dates also charter member & retired / Bill Gress working full time at Seattle Times / C.C. Elliot retired / Bert Hoglund working full time at the University Herald / Roy Dietz working full time at the P.I. / Joe. Shaughnessy retired / Vice President of the P.P.&A.U. Walter Turner
Writte on verso of duplicate photo: Charter & pre charter members at the table / left to rt. / Antony Guinn [Quinn?] of Portland pre charter member of #26 / A.S. Dates Charter member / Frank Dow Charter member / Ed Cannell [Connell?] Charter member also working full time at Seattle Times / Clyde Bowen of San Francisco pre charter member of #26 / Walter Turner Vice Pres. I.P.P.&AU [International Printing Pressmen & Assistant's Union] / Frank Elliot Pres. Local #26 / Ed Weston Pres. Wash. State A.F.L & C.I.O [The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations] / Bert Hoglund 50 yr. pin / Joe Shaughnessy 50 yr. pin / Bill Gress / Roy Dietz / C.J. Peterson / C.C. Elliot
Writte on verso of duplicate photo: American pressmen
Overhead sign reads: Peace on earth / In gratitude for Pope Paul IV's Pilgrimage for Peace to the United Nations / Local One Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Edward Swayduck, President / 113 University Place, New York, N.Y. 10001
Overhead sign reads: Peace on earth / In gratitude for Pope Paul IV's Pilgrimage for Peace to the United Nations / Local One Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Edward Swayduck, President / 113 University Place, New York, N.Y. 10001
Organizational films related to the numerous roles and activities of the printing unions.
Promotional film for the Local Number 45 of the Amalgamated Litographers of America. Film shows methods/processes used in lithographic production. Produced by Elektra Film Productions, Inc.
1 reel (400 feet): sound, color; 16mm
The film shows footage of Edward Swayduck meeting with Francis Spellman, the sixth Archbishop of New York. Swayduck presents spellman with a poster created by the Amalgamated Lithographers of America, celebrating Pope Paul VI's Pilgramage for Peace to the United Nations.
1 reel (100 feet): sound, color; 16mm
This film documents the employee strike against the
1 reel (600 feet) (18 minutes): sound, color; 16mm
Produced by the Industrial Union Department of the AFL-CIO.
1 videocassette (VHS) (20 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
1 videocassette (VHS) (13 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the International Association of Machinists.
1 videocassette (VHS) (16 minutes, 28 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the Communications Workers of America.
1 videocassette (VHS) (8 minutes, 15 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the Commitee for Workplace Fairness.
1 videocassette (VHS) (14 minutes, 37 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by NPES [National Printing Equipment Association].
1 videocassette (VHS) ( minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
The film emphasizes the merits of becoming a shop stweard and the role the shop steward plays in day-to-day shop activities. Produced by the International Association of Machinists.
1 videocassette (VHS) (16 minutes, 28 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
1 videocassette (VHS) (minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Footage of the printing process and people working in an unidentified print shop.
1 videocassette (VHS) (minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by United Farm Workers of America.
1 videocassette (VHS) (15 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the Industrial Union Department of teh AFL-CIO.
1 videocassette (VHS) (minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
New member orientation film.
1 videocassette (VHS) (18 minutes, 26 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
60-second informational spot about the strike against the
1 videocassette (VHS) (60 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Part I written, produced and directed by Larry Angel. Part II written and produced by Carl Charlson.
1 videocassette (VHS) ( minutes, seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the International Association of Machinists.
1 videocassette (VHS) (minutes, seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Produced by the Labor Research Association.
1 videocassette (VHS) (19 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Training films created to teach specific jobs and techniques related to the printing industry.
1 videocassette (VHS) (45 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Instructional video showing how to engage in joint problem-solving and achieve maximum mutual gain. Produced by HIRE [Human Incentive & Resource Education] Institute.
1 videocassette (VHS) (20 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film about planning a printed piece, the four basic printing categories and how to select a printer. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Brian Jones.
1 videocassette (VHS) (20 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film about the principles, materials and processes involved in graphic design. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Pat Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (26 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film which describes the relationship between mechanicals and the negatives and plates, to ensure control over quality, time and cost. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Brian Jones.
1 videocassette (VHS) (20 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film detailing how to step a single color job or a four color job. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. by Bill and Janet Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (28 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film describing how to eliminate problems associated with the duplicator press. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Randy Warren.
1 videocassette (VHS) (20 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film covering basic stripping techniques for a one color flyer and an envelope, as well as stripping in halftone. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Bill and Janet Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (14 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that outlines stripping a job with reverses, shrinks, spreads, under color stayaway and a four color process pop-out. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Bill and Janet Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (23 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that shows the most economical way to set up a commercial printing job. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Bill Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (22 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that outlines the basic properties and processes of film and camera operation. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Bill Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (11 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that shows how to correctly expose and develop the printing plate. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Randy Warren.
1 videocassette (VHS) (12 minutes, 30 seconds): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that details the basics of color stripping. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises.
1 videocassette (VHS) (56 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Educational film that shows how to set up your camera for shooting halftones, duotones, copydotting and other special effects. Produced by Sunshine Enterprises. Hosted by Bill and Janet Burnett.
1 videocassette (VHS) (15 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"
Shows Union members how to go on house calls and speak with potential members about the benefits of joining the Union. Produced by United Steelworkers of America.
1 videocassette (VHS) (23 minutes): sound, color; 1/2"