Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, Local 363, 1967

Members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA), Local No. 363 (Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania), were entitled to privileges at the Union Center, a recreation area at Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.  The membership card pictured here was for Helen Mae Dietrich, a retired member, 1967-1968, who lived in Specktown, Lykens Township. During her working years at the Gratz Shirt Factory, she was active in union affairs and represented the local at several national conventions in Atlantic City during the 1940s.

A description of the Union Center appeared in the Lebanon Daily News, 30 October 1953:

Guest Cottages at Clothing Workers’ Resort

Three guest cottages on the former Alden estate in Cornwall are shown, looking south from the mansion house… being prepared for a resort and recreation area for workers of the Pennsylvania Joint Board of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.  Each of the cottages has been renovated with new social rooms, kitchens, solariums, bedrooms and bathrooms…. Behind a barn is a five-acre artificial lake for swimming….. Final touches are [also] being put to the 70-year old Alden estate mansion “Milwood” at Cornwall….

On the back of the membership card the rules and privileges are stated:

  1. Member must present this card for admission to Union Center (Card not transferable).
  2. Members have the privilege of bringing their immediate family, (husband or wife, children, father and mother living in same household.)  NO OTHER RELATIVES OR FRIENDS OR NEIGHBORS WILL BE PERMITTED.
  3. Members will be held responsible for the conduct of their immediate family.
  4. The Union reserves the right to withdraw the privileges of the Union Center from any member (and/or his immediate family) guilty of misconduct.
  5. The Union Center is your home – Enjoy it – Help keep it clean!  Do not abuse any articles on premises.  Preserve your privileges.

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The blog is especially interested in photographs taken of Lykens Valley area ACWA members taken at the Union Center and can post the pictures here.  Clothing manufacturing was a significant industry in the area that employed thousands of skilled laborers over many years, especially women, for whom the factories provided a major area of employment.

See also:

Gratz – Dormar Manufacturing Company, 1953

 

Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.