Spotlight the Label
“After the Civil War, American labor unions began using individual logos, both as a means of group identification, and as printed seals or labels affixed to union made products, to assure the consumer of the quality of the products manufactured in union shops. The label movement was also a non-violent means of garnering public support for the labor movement, by encouraging boycotts of products made by companies that did not support labor’s goals,” says Kim Munson, art historian.
Since late 2012 the Union Label Department has been featuring information on modern day union labels in our bimonthly newsletter, the Label Letter. As Ms. Munson explains in her research “the symbols and messages contained in these logos have changed due to union mergers, economic transformations, changes in the political climate, and cultural/societal trends in general.” Our goal is to educate the general population about the modern day labels they may see today.
SAG-AFTRA: ‘We worked hard… didn’t cave… got the deal we needed’
After 118 days of being on the picket lines, SAG-AFTRA leaders announced on November 8, that they had approved a tentative agreement with the major studios. The months-long strike affected thousands of workers and crippled much of the Los Angeles entertainment...
Spotlight the Label–Transport Workers Union
The Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO represents nearly 140,000 members across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities, and services, and gaming sectors. TWU founding president Michael J. Quill formed the union in New York in 1934. It was the...
Spotlight the Label — American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, was founded in 1916 and today represents 1.6 million members in more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide. Five divisions within the AFT represent the broad spectrum of the AFT's membership: pre-K...
Spotlight the Label–United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement workers of America
The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy. UAW-represented workplaces range from multinational...
Spotlight the Label — IAFF
The IAFF is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 21st century. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the IAFF represents more than 300,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in...
Spotlight the Label–THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO is the largest union of maritime workers in North America, representing upwards of 65,000 longshoremen on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Great Lakes, major U.S. rivers, Puerto Rico and Eastern Canada. In its...
Spotlight the Label–The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is a large and diverse organization, representing 720,000 members across North America. Newly sworn in President, Robert Martinez, Jr., is the 14th International President in the union’s 128...
Spotlight the Label–National Association of Letter Carriers
The National Association of Letter Carriers is the sole representative of city delivery letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service. Since it was founded in Milwaukee in 1889, the NALC has had a long and distinguished history of defending the rights of letter...
Spotlight the Label–SIU
The Seafarers International Union, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters, AFL-CIO, represents professional United States merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades. SIU members sail in the three shipboard...
Spotlight the Label: IUPAT
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) represents a growing force of over 160,000 active and retired men and women in the United States and Canada. Its members work in the Finishing Trades as Industrial and commercial painters, drywall...