Spotlight the Label

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.

Spotlight the Label — IAFF

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...

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Spotlight the Label–SIU

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...

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Spotlight the Label: IUPAT

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...

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