Ames, Joseph Lynn, 1925-

AFSCME Communications Department Records

jruss — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:06:22 -0400

AFSCME has produced a regularly published magazine since its inception. Publication duties for this organ and other materials were accomplished by the Education and Publications Department for the first twenty years of AFSCME’s existence. The 1954 Convention, however, passed Resolution 14, establishing a Publications and Public Relations Department. This new department would continue to publish the AFSCME magazine and other materials and would also take on new media public relations duties both at headquarters, and importantly, in the field. Recognizing that current field staff’s duties did not include crafting AFSCME’s message during organizing campaigns and strikes, it was hoped that the new department would provide skilled public relations professionals on the ground. The new department was created on April 1, 1956. The Publications and Public Relations Department existed until 1971 when the name was changed to the Public Affairs Department. This existed until 2011 when the name was changed again to the Communications Department.

The AFSCME Communications Department Records document the public activities of the Department, AFSCME International, and AFSCME officials. Records include speech transcripts; press releases; surveys and polls; documents related to AFSCME biennial conventions such as transcripts of proceedings, correspondence, and planning documents; correspondence; publications; meeting minutes; clippings; photographs, slides, and negatives; audio and video recordings; and posters.

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: William Lucy Records

jruss — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:21:25 -0400

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer oversees the general financial health of the international union, keeping records for its locals, councils, and the headquarters staff. The Office keeps files on council and local trusteeships, maintains per capita dues payments by locals and councils, issues charters to new locals, and suspends and disbands locals or councils when problems arise. William Lucy held this position for 38 years, 1972-2010.

Lucy joined AFSCME as a civil engineer in Contra Costa, CA in 1956. A decade later, he was working for the International in Washington, D.C. Proving his leadership abilities during the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis, during which Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated, Lucy became AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer in 1972. Alongside his work with AFSCME, Lucy also served with countless labor, civil rights, and civic organizations to advance causes for blacks, women, and workers locally in Washington, D.C., nationally, and internationally. Lucy helped found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972 to represent African Americans in the labor movement. He was instrumental in the Free South Africa Movement's efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. He served as president of Public Services International (PSI) and as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. These activities are reflected in the Records. Lucy retired from the position of Secretary-Treasurer in July 2010 at the AFSCME biennial convention.

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: William Lucy Records document the activities and operations of AFSCME International, the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer, and AFSCME’s state and local councils. The Records also convey the actions of William Lucy in a number of labor and civil rights organizations, including TransAfrica, the NAACP, CBTU, PSI, and the AFL-CIO. The Records include correspondence, reports, speeches, financial information, legal documents, convention transcripts and proceedings, publications, and meeting minutes. Several boxes of audio recordings of International Executive Board meetings are included, and a very small number of photographs appear in the collection.

AFSCME Organizing Department Records

jruss — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:27:42 -0400

This collection reflects the work done by and through the AFSCME Organizing Department, 1967-1972. Important subjects and people that appear in the collection include public employee organizing; recruitment; organizations; elections; strikes; Chairman of the AFSCME Judicial Panel Joseph L. Ames; International Field Director P.J. Ciampa; and International President Jerry Wurf.

Joseph Goulden Papers

scaloia — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 11:30:58 -0500

Joseph C. Goulden’s biography of AFSCME president Jerry Wurf was published in 1982. Wurf, a controversial figure in the labor movement, served as president from 1964 until his death in 1981. He gave Goulden permission to write about him, “warts and all,” and facilitated access to AFSCME records and employees. In addition to Wurf himself, Goulden interviewed AFSCME staff including Al Bilik, Victor Gotbaum, Joseph Ames, William Hamilton, Leamon Hood, Donovan McClure, Gerald McEntee, and Ernest Rewolinski, as well as United States Senator George McGovern, Jerry Wurf’s wife, Mildred Keifer Wurf, and brother, Al Wurf. Goulden also conducted significant research using the AFSCME collections at the Reuther Library. Jerry Wurf passed away in 1981, shortly before the book was published.

The Joseph Goulden Papers contain an annotated manuscript and master proof of Goulden’s book, Jerry Wurf: Labor’s Last Angry Man.

Researchers interested in Goulden's interviews should see the Jerry Wurf: Labor's Last Angry Man Oral Histories.

AFSCME's History-Making 1964 Convention

scaloia — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:04:06 -0400

Fifty-five years ago, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees elected a new president who would dramatically change the trajectory of the union.

A founding member of the Wisconsin Service Employees Association in 1932, Arnold Zander took the lead in forming the national public employee union that would become AFSCME. read more »

AFSCME memo, Fitzpatrick to Ames, Michigan donations, 1968

scaloia — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 11:59:16 -0500

Tom Fitzpatrick writes to Joe Ames, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer, that Ames's speech at the Michigan Leadership Conference inspired attendees to pass a resolution (attached) calling on Michigan Locals and Councils to make donations to support the Memphis Sanitation Workers on strike.

(7681) Lillian Roberts serves jail time after leading strike, New York, 1968

jruss — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:46:58 -0400

Lillian Roberts, center, stands with AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames (right of Roberts) outside of the New York City jail as she arrives to serve her sentence in December 1968. Roberts was found in violation of the no-strike provision of New York's Taylor law and sentenced to 30 days. She was released early on December 24, 1968.

(8873) Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames

jruss — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:48:54 -0500

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames speaks at the AFSCME Michigan leadership conference in 1966.

(8897) AFSCME marches for King

jruss — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:23:40 -0500

AFSCME International President Jerry Wurf (left), International Organizer James Howard (middle), and International Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames participate in the memorial march for Martin Luther King, Jr. King was assassinated while supporting Memphis Local 1733’s sanitation workers’ strike.

(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.

(10513) AFL-CIO Convention

jruss — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:59:06 -0400

The AFSCME delegation at the 1969 AFL-CIO Convention in New York. From left, clockwise: two unknown members, President Jerry Wurf, Vice President Father Albert Blatz, assistant to the president Fred Jordan, Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, assistant to the president Bill Lucy, and International Vice President Ethelrie Harper.

(10702) 1974 Convention

jruss — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:12:26 -0400

AFSCME leaders appear on stage at the 1974 International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. From left: Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy, Gerald McEntee who became International President in 1981, Judicial Panel head Joseph Ames, and William McEntee, father of president McEntee, former president of District Council 33 in Philadelphia, and former International Vice President.

(11306) 1971 AFSCME Area Directors Meeting

jruss — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:13 -0400

AFSCME leaders meet at the 1971 Area Directors Meeting in Washington, D.C. Seated at the back table, facing the camera, from left to right, are AFSCME International officers William Lucy, Jerry Wurf, P.J. Ciampa, and Joseph Ames.

(11398) 1964 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:15:37 -0400

AFSCME leader Joseph Ames speaks to the 1964 Convention in Denver, CO. Seated at the table are Al Bilik and Dorothy Bonneau.

(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.

(11409) 1966 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:27:08 -0400

AFSCME leader Joseph Ames (left) and International Vice President Father Albert Blatz at the 1966 AFSCME Convention in Washington, D.C.

(11423) 1968 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:41:21 -0400

AFSCME leadership and guests, including Organizer P.J. Ciampa, Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, President Jerry Wurf, and Coretta Scott King, lead delegates in song at the 1968 Convention in Bal Harbour, FL.

(11427) 1968 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:46:15 -0400

AFSCME officers are sworn in at the 1968 AFSCME Convention in Bal Harbour, FL. From left: Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, President Jerry Wurf, International Vice President Father Albert Blatz.

(11428) 1968 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:48:17 -0400

The Reverend H. Ralph Jackson of Memphis gives the thumbs up to celebrate the recent success of the sanitation workers’ strike. President Jerry Wurf and Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames look on at the 1968 AFSCME Convention in Bal Harbour, FL.

(11430) 1968 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:49:43 -0400

AFSCME leadership and guests (President Jerry Wurf, Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, Coretta Scott King, Reverand Ralph Abernathy, among others) at the 1968 Convention in Bal Harbour, FL.

(11432) 1968 AFSCME Convention

pneirink — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:51:16 -0400

Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames (left) and President Jerry Wurf applaud U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey at the 1968 AFSCME Convention in Bal Harbour, FL.

(11558) Canadian Union of Public Employees

jruss — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:29:57 -0400

AFSCME leader Joseph Ames, left, chats with Florence and Stan Little and Walter Bradley, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) at the CUPE Convention in Edmonton, Alberta in December 1973.

(11563) Constitutional Revision Commission

jruss — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:17:23 -0400

As part of its constitutional revision process, AFSCME sought input from its members. This hearing, held in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 17-18, 1964 allowed the midwestern region to voice its opinions. Constitution Revision Commission Chairman Joseph Ames, Secretary Vivian Moore, and member Olive Beasley listen to comments from Donald Burke, president of Ohio District Council 51.

(11651) Coalition of American Public Employees

jruss — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:46:39 -0500

The Coalition of American Public Employees (CAPE) was created as a joint effort between AFSCME and the National Education Association (NEA). Leaders of the newly formed group speak at a press conference in March 1971. From left: NEA Executive Secretary Sam Lambert, NEA President Helen Bain, AFSCME President Jerry Wurf, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, and AFSCME Executive Assistant Bill Lucy.

(11656) Southwestern Legislative Convention

jruss — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:17:55 -0500

AFSCME Judicial Panel Chairman Joe Ames (left) administers an oath of office to Maynard White of Houston Local 1550 at the 1972 Southwestern Legislative Convention.

(12099) Wurf, Wurf, and Ames

jruss — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:13:08 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (left); his brother, Al Wurf (middle), director of New York’s AFSCME Council 50; and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joe Ames (right) clasp hands in August 1967.

(12266) St. Louis staff conference

jruss — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:03:06 -0500

AFSCME staff members attended a staff conference in St. Louis in 1959. Third from right is a young Joe Ames who began his AFSCME career in St. Louis before moving to Washington to become assistant to President Wurf, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer, and finally AFSCME Judicial Panel chairman. Ames also helped rewrite the AFSCME constitution in 1965.

(12299) International Executive Board Meeting

jruss — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:48:56 -0400

Arvid Anderson, director of New York City’s Office of Collective Bargaining, speaks at a dinner during an AFSCME International Executive Board meeting in New York City. Seated and facing the camera are Victor Gotbaum, director of New York City’s District Council 37; AFSCME President Jerry Wurf; and then Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames.

(12484) AFSCME financial study committee, 1969

scaloia — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 09:04:57 -0500

This image appeared in the December 1969 issue of AFSCME’s Public Employee magazine with the caption: A special committee to study financial operation of the union met in International headquarters last month. The committee members, from left, are Norm Schut, executive director, Council 28, Olympia, Wash.; Kenneth Dixon, president, Local 1550, Houston; Arthur Tibaldi, treasurer, Council 37, New York City; John Wethington, president, Local 410, St. Louis; Joseph Bolt, director, Council 62, Indianapolis; AFSCME President Jerry Wurf; Ernest Crofoot, director, Council 67, Baltimore; AFSCME Business Manager James O'Malley; AFSCME Secretary- Treasurer Joseph L. Ames; Jack Merkel, executive director, Council 1, Trenton, N.J.; Thomas J. King, legal and contract analyst, Council 24, Madison, Wis.; Ellis Farrar, president, Local 1497, Detroit; George Hammond, executive director, Council 9, Missoula, Mont.; Howard V. Doyle, president and executive director, Council 41, Boston, and Mrs. Carmen Mendoza, executive director, Council 19, Chicago.

(24731) AFSCME Leaders Remember King

jruss — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:50:36 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joe Ames (left) and P. J. Ciampa (middle), organizer and leading negotiator during the successful 1968 sanitation workers strike, are seated on the dais in Memphis at the first anniversary memorial of Martin Luther King’s assassination.

(24733) AFSCME Leaders Remember King

jruss — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:57:58 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (back seat) and Secretary-Treasurer Joe Ames (front seat) ride in a car during remembrance events in Memphis on the first anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination.

(24735) AFSCME Leaders Remember King

jruss — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:06:44 -0400

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joe Ames (right) and Vice President Father Albert Blatz of Minnesota sit on the dais at the first anniversary remembrance of Martin Luther King’s assassination.

(24754) AFSCME Leaders Remember King

jruss — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:12:43 -0400

AFSCME International Vice President Father Albert Blatz (left) of Minnesota and Secretary-Treasurer Joe Ames (center) prepare to march in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the first anniversary of his assassination in Memphis.

(24809) Wurf and Hodgson

jruss — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:20:11 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf (left) shakes hands with Secretary of Labor James Hodgson. AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames is seated behind Wurf.

(24817) Wurf, McGovern, Ames

jruss — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:43:03 -0400

Mildred Wurf, wife of AFSCME President Jerry Wurf, chats with Senator George McGovern (center) and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames at an AFSCME Welfare Conference in November 1969.

(24825) Duluth Local 66 anniversary

jruss — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:37:09 -0400

Minnesota labor and government leaders celebrate the 50th anniversary of AFSCME Local 66, Duluth City and St. Louis County Employees in 1969. From left: Judge Donald Odden, Local 66 President Thomas Black, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, Congressman John Blatnik, Senator Walter Mondale, and Duluth Mayor Ben Boo.

(24826) Local 66 celebrates anniversary

jruss — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:43:55 -0400

Minnesota labor and government leaders celebrate the 50th anniversary of AFSCME Local 66, Duluth City and St. Louis County Employees in 1969. From left: AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, Carl Gastineau, President of Duluth Central Labor Body Joseph Weisinger, and Senator Walter Mondale.

(26839) Council 13 Founding Convention

jruss — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:54:13 -0400

Gerald McEntee speaks at the Pennsylvania Council 13 founding convention. Seated left is Joseph Ames, International Judicial Panel Chair. Seated right is Bill Lucy, International Secretary-Treasurer.

(26912) Council 13 Founding Convention

jruss — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:51:36 -0400

AFSCME International Judicial Panel Chairman Joseph Ames (left) passes the gavel to Pennsylvania Council 13 Executive Director Gerald McEntee at Council 13's founding convention.

(27020) 1969 King anniversary

jruss — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:40:21 -0400

Labor and civil rights leaders participate in a march in Memphis on the first anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination. Among the marchers are civil rights leader James Lawson, AFSCME president Jerry Wurf, Reverend Ralph Jackson, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames, and AFSCME leader Father Albert Blatz.

(27287) AFSCME Local 66, 50 year Anniversary, 1969

scaloia — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:35:13 -0400

AFSCME Local 66, Duluth city and St. Louis county employees, Minnesota, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1969.

Left to right: AFSCME secretary-treasurer Joe Ames presented a plaque commemorating Local 66’s 50 years to Thomas Black, the local’s president and Jim Lasky, Local 66 business agent.

(27902) Ames and Gotbaum

jruss — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:58:15 -0500

AFSCME Judicial Panel Chairman Joseph Ames (left) and New York City District Council 37 Executive Director Victor Gotbaum at the podium in Miami Beach.

(28407) Harry Gray retirement dinner

jruss — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:23:13 -0400

AFSCME dignitaries at a dinner for the retirement of Harry Gray, a leader of New York District Council 37. From left: Lillian Roberts, Harry Gray, Joseph Ames, and unidentified.

(28415) District Council 37's 25th Anniversary

jruss — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:31:13 -0400

Dignitaries celebrate AFSCME New York District Council 37's 25th anniversary in 1969. The first four seated from left are DC 37 Associate Director Lillian Roberts, DC 37 Executive Director Victor Gotbaum, New York City Mayor John Lindsay, and AFSCME President Jerry Wurf. AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames is standing at the far left.

(28416) District Council 37's 25th Anniversary

jruss — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:35:58 -0400

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf speaks at the celebration of New York District Council 37's 25th anniversary. Seated far left is AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Ames; DC 37 Associate Director Lillian Roberts is next to him; and DC 37 Executive Director Victor Gotbaum is seated at far right.

(28417) District Council 37's 25th Anniversary

jruss — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:39:48 -0400