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Summary

Abstract

Meyer Bernstein was an international labor leader and educator, who served the Steel Workers Organizing Committee ( 1936-1941), United Steelworkers of America (1946-1972), in part as the Director of the International Affairs Department; and the United Mine Workers (1972-1973).



Dates

  • Creation: 1930-1984

Extent

13.5 Cubic feet (7 motion picture films)

Background

Biographical Note

Bernstein received bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1936. Immediately after graduation, he joined the staff of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC). After serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II, Bernstein joined the successor of SWOC, the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) as a research assistant and national representative. Bernstein became the union's specialist in international labor and was eventually made its international affairs director. His publications focused on Europe after World War II.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions from this collection are available online at Union Made: Labor's Material Culture and United Steelworkers of America (USWA).

Existence and Location of Copies

Access scans may be available for some materials in this collection. Please contact Special Collections Research Services for more information at spcollections@psu.edu.

General note

This collection of an international labor leader includes correspondence, subject files, diaries, and artifacts from his pre-war involvement with the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), his post-war positions in the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), his service as a labor representative and consultant in Europe for the USWA and others, and his work on the reorganization of the United Mine Workers. There are seven German films on labor topics and post-war trials, and many photographs on labor in America and circumstances in post-war Europe, including a rich collection of images from the Aliquippa strike, the Little Steel strike, and other actions pertaining to the emergence of SWOC. Personal items include a diary and memorabilia from his military service during World War II, and postcards and photographs from his travels worldwide.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff.

Using These Materials

Repository Details

Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Meyer Bernstein Papers (1440), Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.

Title
Meyer Bernstein Papers, 1930-1984
Status
Published
Author
Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff
Date
2011
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2021-05-24: Bianca Alvarez added an Existence and Location of Copies note.