An Early History of Local 601

The Early History of Local 601 Shown Through Correspondence of Margaret Darin and A. Logan Burkhart

Prior to 1936, efforts to establish an enduring union organization at Westinghouse's giant East Pittsburgh plant had failed. The strikes of 1914 and 1916 produced only short-lived organizations (1914 strike photo album). With the industrial union drives of the 1930's, union pioneers like Margaret Darin and Logan Burkhart helped bring about a powerful electrical workers organization on an industrial basis, UE Local 601. Their correspondence from the UE National Office Files traces some of the early struggles to get Westinghouse to accept the union -- and negotiate with it.

"....urgently request that the company reopen negotiations...."

Local Presidents send telegram to A. W. Robertson, Chairman of Westinghouse Board of Directors.
August 12, 1937

"....it would be inadvisable to change these methods by entering into a contract....."
Chairman Robertson responds to Local Presidents.
August 12, 1937

"....the Westinghouse Company is going to be obstinate regarding the question of a signed contract."

Darin writes to James Carey, General President.
August 18, 1937

"If we play our cards carefully and correctly we are sure to succeed...."

page 2 of Darin's letter to Carey.
August 18, 1937

"....anything that the company does at this time will result in strengthening your local union."

Carey responds to Margaret Darin's letter.
August 19, 1937

"The fight, from now on, is going to be an open and vicious one."

Darin writes to James Matles, Organizational Director of UERMWA.
September 10, 1937

"...we have already started to handle the Westinghouse situation."

Matles responds to Margaret Darin, Recording Secretary Local 601.
September 15, 1937

"I think that they would not agree to mediate if the law did not compel them."

Darin writes to Jim Matles.
October 20, 1937

Ross Hammill?? to James Carey
July 24, 1937

Correspondence regarding the establishment of the new District 6 and the change from ERWU Local 1010 to the current UERWA Local 601.

Emspak to Margaret Darin
April 8, 1936

Correspondence regarding the change from ERWU Local 1010 to the current UERWA Local 601.

Margaret Darin to Emspak
April 19, 1936

"...labor politics cannot be non-partisan; either they are for labor or against it....."
Regarding Participation in a Non-Partisan League

Burkhart to Carey
April 20, 1936

Correspondence regarding the change from ERWU Local 1010 to the current UERWA Local 601.

Emspak to Margaret Darin
April 22, 1936

A Request for More Organizing Applications

Burkhart to Emspak
May 16, 1936

"Things are commencing to hum to the tune of 'Our Union's Growing Stronger Every Day'."

Margaret Darin to Carey
May 18, 1936

"The open forum at which Metcalfe spoke was a successful one but not successful enough to make him join the union..."

Margaret Darin to Emspak
May 21, 1936

"...Recruitment is still going strong but now our main problem is to keep these members interested."

Margaret Darin to Emspak - 2
May 21, 1936

Telegram regarding an article written by Burkhart.

Emspak to Margaret Darin
May 25, 1936

Telegram regarding speakers for an event.

Burkhart to Margaret Darin
May 23, 1936

"You are deeply involved in the organization work and are familiar, to some extent, with problems that women in the industry must be faced with..."

Emspak to Margaret Darin
May 25, 1936

"...We are writing to several other active girls in various locals in an attempt to get something [a Women's Column] rolling along these lines."

Emspak to Margaret Darin - 2
May 25, 1936

"Our Mass meeting was a very successful one... Yesterday we called together a group of ten women and laid the ground work for a Women's Auxilliary..."

Margaret Darin to Emspak
June 19, 1936

"...A real desire to help was shown by every woman present....I still intend to write the article for the People's Press."

Margaret Darin to Emspak - 2
June 19, 1936