The New Leader, 1927-1931

The collection contains the early records of the Dressmakers' Union Local 22. For later records when Charles Zimmerman was manager, see 5780/014. There are lists of active members, as well as members of the executive board. The records consist of when Local 22 was a member of the Joint Board of the Dress and Waistmakers', but also after the merger when they were a member of the Joint Board of the Cloak, Skirt, Dress and Reefer Makers' Union (composed of Locals 2, 3, 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 35, 45, 48, 64, 82 and 89). There is correspondence with the Dress Joint Board, the Cloak and Dress Joint Board, and other Joint Boards across the country.



Of interest could be material on the finances of the local, correspondence with the International, and election materials. It was during this time that Local 22 was plagued by internal fighting as Communists within the local rose to power. By the end of 1926, the Communists had gained control of the dress organization in New York and it took until 1929 before the locals began to reorganize.



The collection also includes discussions for a general strike in the dress industry, and preparations and some material on the strike of 1933. Social causes supported by Local 22 include sanatoriums, the Union Health Center, Pioneer Youth Camp, relief work and charity.