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United Mine Workers of America - District #5
Papers
Located in Western Pennsylvania, District #5 of the UMWA included all of
Allegheny and Washington counties, as well as parts of Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Beaver,
Westmoreland, Greene, Fayette, Armstrong and Indiana counties. District #5 was one of the
most powerful districts in the union, due in part to the large concentration of coal
fields and their proximity to Pittsburgh, PA.
From its inception in 1890, District #5 had a strong militant edge, often operating
independently of the UMWA's national leadership. The district had a history of dual union
and progressive movements, including the Progressive Miners' Union in the 1920's, the
National Miners' Union in the 1920's and 1930's, and Joseph Yablonski's challenge for the
presidency of the International in the 1960's. The miners of District #5 were supportive
and active during the UMWA's strike campaigns, particularly the strikes of 1897, 1906,
1922, and 1927.
The District #5 collection is organized into thirteen series: President's Files
(1948-1982), Secretary-Treasurer Files (1896-1984), Local Union Correspondence and
Grievance Files, Local Union Records, Election and Convention Materials, Special
Memebership Committee Correspondence, Welfare and Retirement Fund Cases Files,
Compensation Cases and Related Correspondence, Legal Cases, COMPAC Files, Safety Division
Files, Mine Safety and Health Administration Files, and Region I Organizing Files. The
bulk of the material dates from the 1940's through the late 1980's, although some earlier
material does exist. The early records are somewhat limited, however, having been lost
during several relocations of the District offices.
(245 Linear Feet)
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