Guide to the Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 953 Records,​ 1935-​1943

Summary Information

Title: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Local 953: Records

Inclusive Dates: 1935-1943

Creator: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Local 953 (Eau Claire, Wis.)

Call Number: Eau Claire Mss AC

Quantity: 4.8 c.f. (12 archives boxes)

Repository: Housed at the Area Research Center, William D. McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Library-Archives Division

Archival Locations: UW-Eau Claire McIntyre Library / Eau Claire Area Research Ctr.

Abstract: Correspondence, bills, receipts, and employment agreements of Local 953. Included is information on negotiations with the Northern States Power Company, relationships with the parent union and other locals, efforts to organize non-union workers, and other topics. The files are those of the Business Manager, Sherman (Shorty) Preston.

Language: English

Scope and Content Note

These records throw light on the everyday activities of Local 953. The scope ranges from the disciplining of members delinquent in their dues payments, to the seeking of advice from the national organization on what steps to take against recalcitrant employers. Information is present on the relationships the local and individual members, other IBEW locals, regional labor organizations, and the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor. The struggle with rival unions for dominance in particular spheres is evident as is the continual struggle to organize workers in non-union establishments such as the Rural Electrification Associations. The prominent figure is the business manager, Sherman (Shorty) H. Preston.

The bulk of the material is from the years 1939-1941. Most of the collection is correspondence but also present are bills, receipts, agreements, minutes of meetings, memoranda, and printed matter. The collection's alphabetical organization corresponds to the filing system used by Local 953.

Administrative/Restriction Information

Acquisition Information 

Presented by Local 953, Eau Claire, Wis., May 1951.

Search Terms/Subject Terms

• Northern States Power Company (Wisconsin)
• Electricians—Labor unions—Wisconsin—Eau Claire
• Preston, Sherman H.

Contents List

Box 1American Federation of Labor, Washington, D.C. Box 1Agreements - St. Paul and Minneapolis Box 1A - Miscellaneous correspondence Box 1Arnold, L. G., Eau Claire, Wis. 
Bills Box 11939 Jan.-1941 April Box 21941 May-Dec. Box 2Boyle, M. J., International Vice President of IBEW, Chicago, Ill., Correspondence, 1935-1941Box 2Brown, Edward J., Correspondence, 1939-1941 Note: Brown first was president of the State Conference; in 1940 he became president of IBEW.Box 2Boley, K. H., Electric, Eau Claire, Wis.
Bugniazet, G. M., International Secretary of the IBEW, Washington, D.C. Box 2Correspondence, 1939-1941 Box 3Per Capita Taxation Lists and Correspondence Box 3Electrical Worker's Benefit Association Correspondence Box 3B - Miscellaneous correspondence, 1939-1941 Box 3Chippewa Trades and Labor Council Correspondence Box 3Christoffersen, Henry, Attorney, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 3Committee: AttendanceBox 3Committee: Nominating Box 3C - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941 Box 3Delegates to I.O. Convention, 1941  Box 3Draft List Box 3D - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941 Box 3Eastern Minnesota Division Correspondence, 1939-1941Box 3Eau Claire Building and Trades CouncilBox 4Eau Claire Trades and Labor Council Box 4Eau Claire Transportation Co. Box 4E - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941Box 4Eau Claire Book and Stationery Co. Box 4Farmers Equity Union, Wisconsin Division, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 4Friederick, Raymond, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 4F - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941Box 4G - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941 Box 4H - Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1939-1941Box 4Hansen, Harold M., Muskegee, Oklahoma and Texas Box 4Hartzell, Robert Steward, Jim Falls, WisBox 4Hurtley, Archie, Mondovi, Wis. Box 4Industrial Commission of Wisconsin Box 5Inside Wiremen Correspondence, 1937-1941Box 5Insurance Box 5Ingles, AndyBox 5Joint Utility Council Box 5J - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 5Kelley Construction Co.Box 5K - Miscellaneous CorrespondenceBox 5Local Unions, Miscellaneous Correspondence with, 1938- 1941 
Local 953 Box 6General CorrespondenceBox 6Executive Board Minutes Box 6Miscellaneous Box 6Monthly Financial Reports Box 6Names and Addresses of Members Box 6Steward Letters Box 6By-laws Box 6Wage Reports Box 6Local B-23, IBEW, St. Paul, Minn. Box 6Local B-110, IBEW, St. Paul, Minn. Box 6Local 135, IBEW, La Crosse, Wis.Box 6Local B-160, IBEW, Minneapolis, Wis.Box 7Local 176, IBEW, Joliet, Ill. Box 7Local 292, IBEW, Minneapolis, Minn. Box 7Local 702, IBEW, Springfield, Ill. Box 7Local B-749, IBEW, La Crosse, Wis. Box 7Local 928, IBEW, Red Wing, Minn. Box 7Local B-949, IBEW, Austin, Minn. Box 7Local B-965, IBEW, Prairie du Sac, Wis. Box 7Long, Jean, Menomonie, Wis. Box 7L - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 7Lufsky, WilliamBox 7Meyers, L.E., Company Box 7Moving Pictures OperatorsBox 7M - Miscellaneous CorrespondenceBox 7Northern States Power Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 7Northern States Power Co., Eau Claire, Wis. 
Northern States Power CoBox 12Agreements and NegotiationsBox 7Sick Leave Box 7Newfoundland CorrespondenceBox 7N - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 7National School and Equipment Co.Box 8O - Miscellaneous CorrespondenceBox 8Office Workers' Union, Eau Claire, Wis. Box 8O - Miscellaneous Correspondence 
Preston, Sherman H., Local 953 Business ManagerBox 8Correspondence, 1939-1941Box 8Reports Box 8 Patrow, George, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 8Q - Miscellaneous Correspondence 
Rural Electric Associations Box 8Correspondence and Allied Material Box 9Buffalo Electric Cooperative, Alma, Wis.Box 9Chippewa Valley R.E.A. Cooperative, Holcombe, Wis.Box 9Clark Electric Cooperative, Greenwood, Wis. Box 9Dunn County Electric Cooperative, Menomonie, WisBox 9St. Croix Electric Cooperative, Baldwin, Wis. Box 9Research Dept., IBEW, Washington, D.C. Box 9Ramharter, George, Eau Claire, Wis.Box 9R - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 9Sippy, Steve, Chippewa Falls, Wis. Box 9Social Security Statements Box 9State Conference, IBEWBox 9Stenehjam, L. C., Eau Claire, Wis. Box 9Stocks Electric Co., Eau Claire, Wis.Box 9S - Miscellaneous CorrespondenceBox 9Touchstone, IvanBox 9Tracy, D. W., International President, IBEW, Washington, D.C., Correspondence Box 9T - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 9Unemployed Box 9Union National Bank Box 9United Electric Service Box 9Urtubees, P. D. Box 9U - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 10V - Miscellaneous Correspondence Box 10Winger, R. D., Chetek, Wis.Box 10Woodford, M. V. Box 10Wage and Hour CorrespondenceBox 10W - Miscellaneous CorrespondenceBox 11Wisconsin Hydro Electric Co., Amery, Wis., Correspondence and Allied Material Box 11Wisconsin Hydro Electric Co., continuedBox 11Wisconsin Labor Relations Board, 1937 Box 11Wisconsin State Federation of LaborBox 11Z - Miscellaneous Correspondence