Central Illinois Typographical Union #177 Collection

Title

Central Illinois Typographical Union #177 Collection

Subject

Labor unions
Printing industry
International Typographical Union
Labor union members
Printing industry--Employees
Printing industry--Employees--Labor unions
Congresses and conventions

Description

The Central Illinois Typographical Union #177 began in May 1878 as the Springfield (Ill.) Typographical Union No. 177. During the 1970s the Jacksonville, Decatur, Danville, Quincy, Taylorville and Hannibal, Missouri, locals joined Number 177 and in 1975 the name changed to the Central Illinois Typographical Union.

The union was part of the International Typographical Union which formed in 1867 to advance the interests of the printers and to promote harmony among them. The first issues the unions dealt with were pay, working hours and conditions. After the unions became more established they worked for more long term concerns such as old age pensions, mortuary benefits and paid sick time.

The unions also worked to start an apprentice program. In 1915 the Springfield local voted to make the term of apprenticeship five years, with pay of $5.00 per week the first year. Apprentices had to qualify by having their grammar, spelling and other academic skills tested, to assure that their work on the linotype or teletype setters would produce accurate results. The Woman’s Auxiliary of the ITU was formed in 1902 to raise awareness of union products, the union label, and to raise funds for the Printer’s Retirement Home or to help families of members during hard times.

Jacksonville’s union joined No. 177 in 1897. It was not until 1971 that Taylorville joined. Then Decatur merged with the Springfield union in 1975, Quincy in 1976 and Danville in 1978. The union's name changed to Central Illinois Typographical Union in 1975. In the 1980’s computers became prevalent and allowed for the writer and editor of a story to also act as printer. This caused union membership to drop drastically.

Photographs in this collection include images of members attending the 117th International Typographical Union convention and union member group photos.

Collection Items

Baseball Club
Members of an unidentified baseball club pose for a team picture. The writing at the bottom of the photograph reads, "Back Row: Lischer, Miller, Sharhfin, Northrup, Porviance. Front Row: Kimpel, K. Barch, Adams, Isaacs, Hurlburt."

International Typographical Union
Union members pose for a group photo.

Danville Typos
Danville union members pose for a group photo.

Timesheet
The Journal Printing Company time sheet hangs on a clipboard with the printers' time cards.

Committee on Laws
Members of the Committee on Laws sit at a long table looking at reading materials.Committee members (from left to right) include: "Dan E. Reetz, Chairman;" "Robert E. Petersen;" "George C. Reid;" "David L. Pike;" "Robert J. Andrews;" "James K.…

Group at a Party
An unidentified group of people pose for a group picture while enjoying themselves at an unidentified event.

117th Convention of the International Typographical Union
Two men look at an item on a table under a banner advertising the Central Illinois Typographical Union's desire to host the 120th International Typographical Union Convention in Springfield, Illinois.

117th Convention of the International Typographical Union
Members of the union enjoy a dinner during the 117th International Typographical Union convention taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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