Chapman, Gordon Warner, 1907-

AFSCME Central Files Department Records

jruss — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:09:27 -0400

The AFSCME Central Files Department was established in 1966 to which all departments within the international headquarters contributed correspondence and reports so all material related to a particular incident would be filed together. In 1974, Dr. Philip Mason of the Reuther Library at Wayne State completed a thorough records management survey of AFSCME and recommended that the Central Files Department be dissolved and that individual departments maintain their own records. His recommendation was enacted that same year.

The material in this collection reflects the broad range of operational activities undertaken by the AFSCME International Headquarters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The records reveal information on most aspects of the union’s procedures, on councils and locals throughout North America, and on AFSCME’s dealings with organizations, government entities, and other unions. The records are primarily comprised of correspondence, but other types of records also appear including legal and policy memoranda, financial statements, legal decisions, transcripts from hearings and proceedings, meeting minutes, procedures, by-laws, grievance claims, membership lists, staff activity reports, press releases, and news clippings.

AFSCME International Executive Board (I.E.B.) Records

jruss — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:46:46 -0400

The International Executive Board (IEB) is the top level legislative and policy-making body within AFSCME, except when the convention is in session. The IEB is responsible for interpreting the union’s constitution. The records of the IEB are maintained by the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer. Materials in this collection were pulled together from various shipments from the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer to make a comprehensive record of the proceedings of the AFSCME IEB. Some IEB-related information can still be found in the Secretary-Treasurer’s records.

This collection includes minutes, agendas, and transcripts of the meetings of the International Executive Board of AFSCME from 1935 to 1993. Reports presented to the IEB from various entities and offices like the Office of the President and the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer also appear in the collection. Correspondence on planning the meetings and on various issues that Locals and Councils brought before the IEB appears as well. Resolutions, budgets, judicial panel hearing reports, and other miscellaneous material related to individual IEB meetings also appear in the collection. Materials are arranged chronologically, and are grouped by convention location and date.

AFSCME Office of the President: Arnold S. Zander Records

jruss — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:29:17 -0400

This collection encompasses the Office of the President's records during the tenure of AFSCME's first and founding president, Arnold S. Zander, from 1935 to 1964. Information on the formation of AFSCME and early AFSCME history can be found in this collection. Additionally, the collection reflects the organizing efforts of AFSCME throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and the relations between AFSCME and the AFL, CIO, AFL-CIO, and other unions and organizations. Further, Zander's particular interests in consumer affairs and the international aspects of public employee organizing appear in these records.

Appended to the finding aid is a non-searchable subject and correspondent index.

AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: Gordon Chapman Records

jruss — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:29:03 -0400

The records in this collection were created during the tenure of AFSCME's first and founding president Arnold S. Zander. The Secretary-Treasurer for most of Zander's presidency was Gordon Chapman. The Office of the Secretary-Treasurer during this time period oversaw the general financial health of the international union and kept records for its locals, councils, and the headquarters staff. The Office also maintained the records on dues payments.

The records in this collection relate to the chartering, organizing, placement under trusteeship, and disbanding of thousands of locals and councils in all the United States, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Canada. There is also historical information on some locals and councils, and a small amount of documentation on the financial operations of the Office, with data on salaries and payroll matters.

AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: Gordon Chapman/Joseph Ames Records

jruss — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:47:43 -0500

This collection primarily covers the end of Gordon Chapman’s tenure as Secretary-Treasurer, and all of Joseph Ames’s tenure. These years saw turbulence in the International Union’s politics where founding incumbent president Arnold Zander faced challenges from an opposing faction called the Committee on Union Responsibility (COUR). COUR candidate Jerry Wurf won the presidency at the 1964 convention. Gordon Chapman held the office of Secretary-Treasurer. In 1966, Chapman retired due to poor health. He was replaced by Joseph Ames who had been President Wurf's assistant. Ames served as Secretary-Treasurer until 1972 when he became Judicial Panel Chairman, and William Lucy, then President Wurf's assistant, became Secretary-Treasurer.

The early records in this collection document the activities of President Zander's assistant Leo Kramer and COUR, illustrating their rival campaigns. The later records in this collection document the activities of the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer, including finances, conventions, International Executive Board meetings, correspondence and speeches, political activities, legislation, files on councils and locals, and files on various associations with which AFSCME had relationships.

AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: Government and Civic Employees Organizing Committee Records

jruss — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:41:02 -0400

In early 1950, the United Public Workers union was expelled from the CIO for alleged communist activities, leaving behind an anti-communist group called the Government Workers Union. In February of 1950, the CIO chartered the Government Workers Union as the Government and Civic Employees Organizing Committee (GCEOC) and gave the new committee jurisdiction over federal, state, and local employees. In the next five years, GCEOC aggressively attempted to reach full union status within the CIO but failed to do so before the AFL-CIO merger in December 1955. After the merger, GCEOC was absorbed by the AFL's AFSCME. Some of the GCEOC personnel and many of its locals transferred into AFSCME, but by the late 1950s almost all traces of the old GCEOC had disappeared.

These records detail the breakup of the United Public Workers and the formation of the Government Workers Union and the GCEOC. There is considerable documentation on GCEOC Local 1 in Washington, D.C., which became AFSCME Local 1, and of GCEOC organizing efforts in the 1950s in the United States, Canada, and Panama.

NOTE: A non-searchable subject and correspondents index is appended to the end of the guide.

Gordon W. Chapman Papers

jruss — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:34:38 -0400

Gordon W. Chapman was elected secretary-treasurer of AFSCME in 1937. He served until 1944 when he became executive assistant to AFSCME president Arnold Zander. In 1948, he was reelected to the office of secretary-treasurer. Chapman resigned from AFSCME in 1961 to accept a State Department appointment as special assistant for the coordination of international labor affairs. In 1962, he was once again elected as secretary-treasurer of AFSMCE where he served until his retirement in 1966 due to poor health. During the 1950s, Chapman also worked actively with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

Chapman placed his papers with the Reuther Library in 1979. His collection reflects almost exclusively his work in AFSCME.

(8874) Gordon Chapman

jruss — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:57:23 -0500

Former Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman speaks at the 1960 AFSCME International Convention in Philadelphia.

(8875) Gordon Chapman and Arnold Zander

jruss — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:06:27 -0500

AFSCME President Arnold Zander (right) and Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman at the 1954 International Convention.

(8876) Gordon Chapman and Jerry Wurf

jruss — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:20:17 -0500

Gordon Chapman (left) and Jerry Wurf are pictured here at a 1963 conference in Milwaukee for the Committee on Union Responsibility (COUR). The next year, running on reform, Wurf beat founding president Arnold Zander to lead the union, with Chapman as his running mate.

(10318) 1965 Constitutional Convention

jruss — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:57:49 -0400

Newly elected international President Jerry Wurf (right) and Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman lead the International Executive Board (IEB) in discussion about the proposed constitution just before the June 1965 Constitutional Convention in Minneapolis at which the union reformed its constitution.

(10319) Constitutional Convention

jruss — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:01:20 -0400

(10505) 1958 AFL-CIO Convention

jruss — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:53:28 -0400

Members of the AFSCME delegation to the 1958 AFL-CIO Convention in Washington, D.C. listen to proceedings. From left they are then Regional Director Jerry Wurf, Organizing Director Thomas E. Morgan, Secretary-Treasurer Gordon W. Chapman, and President Arnold S. Zander.

(10511) 1965 AFL-CIO Convention

jruss — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:32:29 -0400

Members of the AFSCME delegation at the 1965 AFL-CIO Convention in San Francisco listen to a speaker. Clockwise from the front left: Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, Area Director James McCormick, Vice President Ruby Wicker, Contra Costa Local 1675 business agent Harry Clarke, Vice President Harry Gray, Vice President James Broyer, Mendicino State Hospital Local 519 member Sidney Lee, Cincinnati Labor Council delegate Al Bilik, Vice President Father Albert Blatz, Vice President Joseph Ames, assistant to the president Robert Hastings, Vice President Don McCullar, and President Jerry Wurf.

(11307) 1940 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:00:55 -0400

Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman addresses the 1940 AFSCME Convention in Duluth, Minnesota, as President Arnold Zander listens.

(11308) 1940 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:06:14 -0400

Delegates at the 1940 AFSCME Convention in Duluth, Minnesota, cast ballots as officials Gordon Chapman and Arnold Zander (far right) look on.

(11312) 1954 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:03:06 -0400

At the 1954 AFSCME Convention in Los Angeles, AFSCME officials count votes on an amendment about increasing the number of votes for large locals. From left: Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, Atlanta delegate Julia Elliot, Minneapolis delegate Richard Moe, and Philadelphia delegate Allen Blackwell.

(11317) 1954 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:58:22 -0400

Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (left) and President Arnold Zander at the 1954 AFSCME Convention in Los Angeles.

(11335) 1960 AFSCME Convention

jruss — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:03:31 -0400

Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman addresses the 1960 AFSCME Convention in Philadelphia.

(11396) 1964 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:13:42 -0400

Outgoing President Arnold Zander swears in new officers, including new President Jerry Wurf, at the 1964 AFSCME Convention in Denver, CO. From left: Vice Presidents Don McCullar, Harry Gray, William Richard, Lillian Roberts, John Caldwell, Ruby Wicker, Steve Clark, Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, President Jerry Wurf, and Vice Presidents Rena Ainsworth, N. B. Crippen, Father Albert Blatz, and James A. Broyer.

(11405) 1964 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:22:56 -0400

Jerry Wurf and Gordon Chapman’s campaign poster hangs over the AFSCME 1964 Convention floor in Denver, CO.

(11407) 1966 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:25:19 -0400

Vice President Hubert Humphrey addresses the 1966 AFSCME Convention in Washington, D.C. Secretary Treasurer Gordon Chapman sits left of Humphrey, President Jerry Wurf and Executive Assistant Joseph Ames sit right of Humphrey.

(11417) 1966 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:35:15 -0400

The AFSCME Executive Board is sworn into office by Carl D. Gastineau, president of St. Paul City and County Employees Local 8, at the 1966 Convention in Washington, D.C.

(11567) Committee on Union Responsibility

jruss — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:02:16 -0400

Committee on Union Responsibility (COUR) leaders from left: Father Albert Blatz, Jerry Wurf, James Broyer, and Gordon Chapman. Blatz and Broyer were international vice presidents. Gordon Chapman was international secretary-treasurer under both Arnold Zander and Jerry Wurf.

(11568) Committee on Union Responsibility

jruss — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:18:16 -0400

Committee on Union Responsibility (COUR) leaders Gordon Chapman (left) and Jerry Wurf greet supporters at the 1963 COUR Conference in Milwaukee.

(11664) Maritime Trades Department

jruss — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:36:02 -0500

AFSCME leaders, International Vice President Father Albert Blatz (left), President Jerry Wurf, and Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (right), speak with a fellow delegate at the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department Conference in 1965.

(11671) New England Educational Conference

jruss — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:50:07 -0500

AFSCME members tour the United Nations headquarters in New York City during the AFSCME New England Educational Conference. Three AFSCME leaders face a display on refugees. From left: Leo Kramer, assistant to President Zander; Gordon Chapman, Secretary-Treasurer; and George Lima, New England Regional Director.

(11672) AFSCME Staff and Leaders

jruss — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:11:34 -0500

AFSCME leaders and staff pose in front of the International Headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin in 1949. AFSCME moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. in 1957. In the front row, the first three from left are Colonel A. E. Garey, civil service counsel for AFSCME; Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman; and President Arnold Zander. A young Jerry Wurf, who became President in 1964, can be seen in the second standing row between Chapman and Zander.

(11687) AFSCME Police Conference

jruss — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:13:02 -0500

President Arnold Zander speaks at the 1959 AFSCME Police Conference. Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman is seated beside him.

(11951) AFSCME Headquarters Purchase

jruss — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:15:19 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (right) and AFSCME General Counsel Herbert Thatcher (standing) watch as International Association of Machinists Secretary-Treasurer Eric Peterson signs over the deed to the Washington, D.C. building that became AFSCME International Headquarters for eight years in 1957.

(12289) Union Industry Show

jruss — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:33:08 -0400

AFSCME President Arnold Zander (left) and Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman look at the AFSCME display at a 1960 union industry show in Washington, D.C.

(24804) Industrial Union Department Convention

jruss — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:23:05 -0400

Senator Hubert Humphrey (right) greets AFSCME President Arnold Zander and the AFSCME delegation at the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Department convention. Left to right: AFSCME Director of Organization Tom Morgan, Zander, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, Administrative Vice President Milton Murray, International Vice President William McEntee, and Humphrey.

(24806) Chapman and Humphrey

jruss — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:46:19 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (center) greets Senator Hubert Humphrey (left) at an event held at AFSCME Local 1675 in Contra Costa, CA.

(24815) Mazey, Chapman, Stengel

jruss — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:27:13 -0400

Union leaders meet at an event at AFSCME Council 77 in Michigan. Left to right: UAW Secretary-Treasurer Emil Mazey, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, and AFSCME Michigan Council 77 President Ernest Stengel.

(27276) AFSCME Local 8 50th Anniversary, 1969, Executive Board

scaloia — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:35:23 -0400

Executive board members of AFSCME Local 8, St. Paul and Ramsey County, Minnesota employees, joined by AFSCME secretary-treasurer Gordon Chapman (standing with glasses) at the local’s 50th anniversary celebration.

(27278) AFSCME Local 8 50th Anniversary, 1969

scaloia — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:41:35 -0400

AFSCME Local 8, St. Paul and Ramsey County Minnesota, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1969. From left to right: AFSCME secretary-treasurer Gordon Chapman; Mrs. and Neil Sherburne; Mrs. and Harry Schwabel, president of Local 8; Mrs. and Judge Ronald Hachey; and Carl Gastineau, program chairman.

(29059) AFSCME hosts British visitor

jruss — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:33:27 -0400

AFSCME officials host Jim Johnson of Great Britain, a member of Parliament and an officer of the National Union of General Municipal Workers. From left: Milton Murray, AFSCME Administrative Vice President; Tom Morgan, Director of Organization; Johnson; William McEntee, International Vice President from Pennsylvania; Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman; and President Arnold Zander.

(29062) AFSCME hosts Indonesian visitors

jruss — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:59:36 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman welcomes public employee union visitors from Indonesia.

(29065) AFSCME hosts Japanese visitors

jruss — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:21:48 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (left) and President Jerry Wurf (right) host members of Jiricho, Japan's public employee union, at AFSCME headquarters in Washington, D.C.

(29069) AFSCME hosts Turkish visitors

jruss — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:54:20 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman (second from right) hosts labor leaders from Turkey at AFSCME headquarters in Washington, D.C.

(29070) Carl Gastineau Testimonial Dinner

jruss — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:21:52 -0400

AFSCME officials celebrate with Minnesota Council 6's Carl Gastineau at his retirement. From left: AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Gordon Chapman, Gastineau, Harry Schwabel, and AFSCME President Jerry Wurf.

(30501) AFSCME New York District Council 37 conference

jruss — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:30:54 -0400

AFSCME International leader Gordon Chapman speaks at the New York District Council 37 Fall Conference on "Making Collective Bargaining Work." Seated right of Chapman is DC 37 leader Jerry Wurf who went on to become AFSCME president, 1964-1981.