Journal Posts - Jan.5, 1933-Feb.8, 1933, 1933

The collection has three distinct components. The first section of the collection mainly consists of correspondence, collected articles and clippings organized alphabetically by either individual or subject. There is letters, expenses and documents about or during his travels, across the country while he was a representative of the ILGWU on the Pacific Coast, and abroad when he toured several countries in Europe visiting Socialist and labor institutions. Some of the other subjects include correspondence with Joseph Breslow, Jean Bangs (first wife), Maurice Brown, Max Danish, including copies of articles Danish had written as well as stories and poems, David Dubinsky, Melech Epstein and Diego Rivera. Available is photographs, programs, clippings and articles from the AFL Conference to Combat Intolerance held in Chicago in 1949. Information is also included on the strike of the H.W. Gossard Co. in 1941 along with clippings and a copy of the agreement with the union. The remainder of the correspondence in this section of the collection documents Plotkin's role as an ILGWU representative and organizer. Notable are the files from his time as the ILGWU representative in Hawaii which contains information and letters documenting the garment industry, factories, and homework situation as well as the standard of living for garment workers on the island. Also significant are the correspondence, reports, recommendations and clippings documenting Plotkin's involvement helping to organize Miami shops through meetings, leaflets and articles. Photographs throughout the collection have been digitized and include portraits of Plotkin, group shots of locals, meetings and conferences, staff and board members, strikes, and his travels such as Florida and his time in Berlin.



The second component of the collection consists of National Labor Relations Board Hearings including the Carson Pirie Scott & Company, the Decatur Garment Company, and the A.F. Keating Company all in Chicago, as well as Wage Board Recommendations and minimum fair wage standards for garment industries in Illinois.



The remainder of the collection is composed of the typed manuscript of Plotkin's time in Berlin in 1932-1933. He begins in October 25, 1932. His diary recounts his travels, individuals he met



As well as his published article "Destruction of the Labor Movement in Germany"