Kansas City Typographical Union # 80 Records (KC208)

The Typographical Union # 80, representing the printing industry worker, originally received its charter from the National Typographical Union on August 10, 1865. During the mid-1870's, they lost members and suffered other organizational problems primarily because of a dispute with the Kansas City Journal and the generally anti-union atmosphere in Kansas City. This resulted in the loss of its charter around 1878. Two years later, after reorganizing, the Local was issued a new charter by the International Typographical Union on December 15, 1880, and began to grow stronger. However, problems with the Journal continued until 1885 when the Union called a boycott of companies advertising in that newspaper. It was a long time coming, but the union could finally claim victory when on September 20, 1892, the Journal signed a contract allowing union workers to be employed at the paper. By 1888, the local boasted a membership of 161 and was strong enough to entertain the 36th Annual Session of the International Typographical Union in Kansas City June 11-16.

The Records contains minutes for regular and executive board meetings. Also included is the copy of the 1892 contract signed by the Kansas City Journal, and a program for the 1980 International Typographical Union (ITU) meeting held in Kansas City. The records of the Kansas City Mailers Union #7 and the local for the Communication Workers of America, which merged with the ITU, are also included. Also part of the collection are records of contract negotiations, charges, appeals, and arbitration. 1883-1994

43 cubic feet

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri

updated: Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
(816) 235-1543 WHMCKC@umkc.edu