Bluestone, Irving

Peter Eckstein Papers

drice — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:35:27 -0400

Peter Eckstein has been involved with labor unions in the state of Michigan since the 1960s. Eckstein served as the research director for Michigan UAW-CAP; executive director of the Governor’s Commission on Jobs and Economic Development, where he drafted several important pieces of worker’s compensation legislation; and finally as research director of the Michigan AFL-CIO. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics and earned his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard. Mr. Eckstein also taught economics at several universities and worked on the political campaigns of Carl Levin, Jennifer Granholm and Howard Wolpe. Eckstein retired in 1999 but is still active in various political causes in
Michigan.

The material in this collection documents Eckstein’s time serving on different government committees, such as those relating to unemployment and worker’s compensation legislation. There is also some material related to his time working for UAW-CAP and on local, state, and national elections. Some of the folder headings were created by Eckstein and contain abbreviations such as WC for worker’s compensation, UC for unemployment commission or VC for venture capital. These abbreviations have been spelled out in full in the finding aid.

Economic Alliance for Michigan Records

drice — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 14:20:01 -0400

The Economic Alliance for Michigan was established as a non-profit labor and business coalition by for-profit companies and unions in 1982. It was founded to create a forum to discuss issues they all faced in their day-to-day operations and implement plans to mitigate these problems. Their ultimate goal is to revive Michigan’s economy and preserve these working conditions to make the state a great place in which to do business and be employed. Some of the issues they are taking action on in 2013 are health care, unemployment insurance, and worker’s compensation. The current board is made up of half businesses and half labor unions, with representation from major corporations and unions.

The Economic Alliance for Michigan Records focus on the founding of the corporation and its early years of operation. This includes the proposal for the Alliance, correspondence regarding initial board members and participating companies and unions, and general correspondence for the Alliance. Also included in the collection are correspondence, memorandums, and proposals regarding the issue of health care legislation and costs that affected Michigan businesses and employees.

Sam Fishman Papers

drice — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:40:58 -0400

Sam Fishman was born January 24, 1924 and spent the majority of his adult life involved with the labor movement in Michigan. He was originally an assembler and machinist for the Ford Motor Company and eventually became an official in UAW Local 400. He later was elected Vice-President of UAW Local 99 and then President of UAW Local 36 at the Ford Assembly Plant. Fishman would go on to serve as head of the UAW Community Action Program (CAP) for 12 years until his election as president of the Michigan State AFL-CIO in 1983. Fishman was heavily involved with the Democratic Party and was a dominant figure in not only Michigan, but also national politics during the late 1970s and 1980s. Fishman passed away in 1987.

The materials in the collection represent Fishman’s time in the UAW and AFL-CIO. There are also materials related to the Democratic Party in local, state and national elections. The bulk of the materials range from 1980 to 1984, when Fishman headed the UAW CAP and the MI AFL-CIO, and correspond to the 1980, 1982 and 1984 elections. Additionally there are materials related to Fishman’s interests in the Social Democrats and Israel.

Douglas A. Fraser Papers

drice — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:51:15 -0400

Douglas A. Fraser retired as UAW President in 1983 and began his professorial career at Wayne State University Labor Studies Department. As professor of Labor Studies at WSU, Fraser engaged workers, students, corporate professionals, and educators in discussion forums focusing on issues in labor and the urban environment. In recognition of his contribution to the field of Labor Studies WSU opened the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues in 1997. Fraser continued his involvement with the UAW into his retirement, attending union meetings, presenting at UAW conventions, and retirement dinners. Fraser also maintained an extensive resume of public appearances and speeches nationwide. Fraser addressed House and Senate Committees on topics ranging from health care, labor law, and human rights. Fraser also held multiple Presidential Appointments including the President’s Advisory Committee to Japan. Locally within Detroit Fraser served on the Detroit Economic Growth Committee, the Economic Club of Detroit, New Detroit, and the United Foundation of Detroit. Fraser partnered with management, co-chairing with Lee Iacocca the Michigan Governor’s Commission on Jobs & Economic Development. Pairing again with management to achieve workers rights Fraser co-chaired the Health Security Action Council with Ford Motor Company’s Peter Pestillo. Extending his influence beyond Detroit Fraser held visiting professorships at Harvard University, University of Oregon, and the University of Michigan.

This collection demonstrates Douglas Fraser's civic and academic involvement following his tenure as President of the UAW. This collection provides insight into the personal relationships Doug Fraser maintained and developed in his role as a university professor.This collection also contains information regarding the multiple roles Doug Fraser held on national and local councils and committees.

UAW Local 239 Records

drice — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:25:38 -0400

United Auto Workers Local 239 serviced General Motors plant employees in Baltimore, MD. The records of the local reflect its activities as representative of Fisher Body Plant workers, before they merged with Local 678, Chevrolet assembly operations.

UAW Local 602 Records

drice — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:22:09 -0400

United Auto Worker Local 602 services Fisher Body Division of General Motors in Lansing, MI. The local's records document routine operations as well as its contribution to the development of the UAW and the advancement of labor in the community.

UAW President's Office: Howard Young Records

drice — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:34:00 -0400

Howard Young began working for the UAW in 1960, as an Actuarial Consultant and later became the Director of the Social Security Department. Later in his UAW career, his main function was as Special Consultant to the President, but he also worked as a member of the Pension Research Council, Director of Social Security, Director of the Research, and Director of Information Systems. He worked for the UAW from 1960-1971 and again from 1974-1987. During that time he worked under four UAW presidents: Reuther, Woodcock, Fraser and Bieber. His work included collective bargaining, public policy on economic and social programs (job and income security, pensions, and benefits), international trade, the impact of technological change on workers, and federal policy regarding energy and automobile standards.

The UAW President’s Office: Howard Young Records consist of the chronological, subject and meeting files of Howard Young during his tenure in various positions at the UAW. The Chronological files combine the correspondence and research from his position as Special Consultant with those from his positions as Director of Social Security, Director of the Research, and Director of Information Systems. The subject files cover a range of topics with emphasis on pensions, auto emissions, international trade, technology, and Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. The meeting files consist of the correspondence, presentations, speeches, and testimony of Howard Young to a wide range of organizations, college classes, conferences and government committees and subcommittees. A gap in the records exists from mid 1971 through late 1974, a period when he was not employed with the UAW.

UAW Public Relations Department Photographs and Sound and Video Recordings

mwallace — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:01:25 -0400

Since the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW) was established as an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in August 1935, the union has maintained an office to deal with public relations. At that time, a "Committee on Publication" was formed, which became the "Publication Committee" in April 1936. The Committee subsequently became the "Publicity Department" in August 1936, when the UAW became an independent union affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). This became the UAW's Public Relations Department some years later. The primary purpose of the original Committees and Department was the production of the union's national newspaper, the United Automobile Worker, which became Solidarity in 1957. Over the years, as the UAW grew into a large, powerful union, the P.R. department played an increasingly important role in writing speeches and producing various publications. It also generated large numbers of photographic images, created television advertisements, and issued press releases, delivering the union’s official stance on nearly all issues. In recent years, the P.R. Department has also been responsible for maintaining the union’s social media presence. The collection consists of Audio-Visual material, including photographic prints and contact sheets, videotapes, and audio recordings.

The Archives at 50: Remembering our Dedication Day, May 23, 1975

eclemens — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:31:14 -0400

This blog post is part of a series celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Reuther Library's building.

May 23, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the Walter P. Reuther Library building – home to the largest labor archives in North America and the Wayne State University Archives. read more »

(980) Doug Fraser, Irving Bluestone, Ken Morris

eclemens — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:34:53 -0500

UAW / General Motors division vice-president Irving Bluestone, UAW president Doug Fraser, and UAW regional manager Ken Morris at a press conference, location unknown, 1979.

(11861) AFT Michigan Banquet

jhelpap — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:03:02 -0400

From Right to Left: Henry Linne (president of Michigan Federation of Teachers) Martha Williams, Irv Bluestone (Vice President of the UAW) and Carl Megel (AFT President)

(24709) AFSCME meets with UAW

jruss — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:36:41 -0400

UAW Vice President Doug Fraser (seated) looks over an AFSCME organization chart during a meeting between the unions at UAW’s Solidarity House in Detroit. Around him, from left: Irving Bluestone, aide to UAW President Walter Reuther; Alton Cobb, director of Detroit Public Employees, AFSCME Council 77; A. L. Zwerdling, legal counsel for AFSCME; Robert Grosvenor, director of AFSCME Michigan Council 7; Robert Crittenden, president of AFSCME Council 55; William Charron, president of AFSMCE Michigan Council 23; William Van Zandt, AFSCME International representative; and Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, AFSCME Michigan Area Director.