International Molders and Foundry Workers Union of North America

International Molders and Foundry Workers Union of North America was an affiliated trade union of the AFL–CIO. The union traced its roots back to the formation of the Iron Molders' Union of North America, established in 1859 to represent craftsmen who cast wrought iron metal products. It is now part of the GMP International Union.

Organizational history Formation

In the years prior to the American Civil War existing organization of workers in the iron industry was established on the basis of independent local groups. The first local union of iron molders was formed in Philadelphia in 1833. Similar unions were formed in Northeastern cities, although none of these unions lasted more than a few years. In the mid-19th century, there was renewed interest in creating unions for iron industry workers. In 1859, twelve local unions came together to form a national organization in the United States, and the Iron Molders' Union was established at a convention held in Philadelphia on July 5.

The first national convention was attended by 35 delegates, representing local iron molders organizations located throughout the Northeast and as far west as St. Louis.James C. Sylvis, The Life, Speeches, Labors and Essays of Wiliam H. Sylvis. Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, 1872; pg. 30. William C. Rea of Missouri was elected the first president of the organization and a committee of five headed by William H. Sylvis of Pennsylvania was appointed to prepare a declaration to the iron workers of America.

The Molders' Union initially took the form of a loose federation of already existing local organizations, each retaining almost complete autonomy.A.M. Sakolski, "The Finances of the Iron Molders' Union," in Jacob H. Hollander and George E. Barnett (eds.), Studies in American Trade Unionism. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1917; pg. 83.

Initial dues were set by the organization at $10 per local with an additional $10 per delegate sent to the national convention. This proved insufficient and in 1860 per capita dues were initiated at the rate of 5 cents per member per year. This still proved insufficient for the maintenance of a central office and dues were hiked in 1867 to 50 cents per quarter per member and again in 1872 to 25 cents per month.Sakolski, "The Finances of the Iron Molders' Union," pg. 84.

The organization grew rapidly during the years of the Civil War, with non-union journeymen joining in great numbers. By 1866, the Iron Molders' Union touted 137 locals with a total membership of just under 10,000.Iron Molders' Journal, April 1876, cited in Sakolski, "The Finances of the Iron Molders' Union," pg. 84. By 1918, it the membership of the union was estimated to be around 50,000, although measurement was difficult.

In 1899, the union made an agreement with the National Founders' Association (which represented approximately 500 important employers in the industry) to arbitrate bargaining disputes.

Molding machines were gradually introduced over the course of the 1890s without much controversy. However, by 1900, nearly 10 percent of the workers employed by the National Founders' Association were machine operators, which created a push in the union to force the employers to hire molders to work the machines. This was controversial among rank-and-file molders who did not want to operate machines and who expected to earn the same pay as they did when they molded by hand.

Margaret Loomis Stecker wrote of the union in 1918 that it was "known to be one of the best managed, most effectively officered and adequately financed."

The union supported restrictions on immigration.

Mergers A series of mergers led the union to change its name to the International Molders and Allied Workers Union.

In 1988, the Molders and Allied Workers merged with the Glass, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union (GPPA) to create the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union (GMP).

Presidents 1859: William C. Rea 1860: Isaac J. Neall 1861: Norman Van Alstyne 1863: William H. Sylvis 1869: F. J. Meyers 1870: William Saffin 1879: Patrick J. Fitzpatrick 1890: Martin Fox 1903: Joseph F. Valentine 1924: Michael Keough 1932: Lawrence O'Keefe 1938: A. J. Prendergast 1939: Harry Stevenson 1948: Chester Sample 1960: William Lazzerini 1971: Draper Doyal 1976: Carl W. Studenroth 1984: Bernard Butsavage

Footnotes

External links

Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers International Union