Alexander M. Richmond Papers

Collection

Identifier: M003

Staff Only

Abstract

Alexander Malcolm Richmond (1889-1957) was employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company (1922-1949) and was involved in union activities with Main Line Lodge, No. 146, Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America (1940-1951). He was also an executive board member of the Joint Protective Board, Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America (1949-1951). His papers include business correspondence concerning working conditions, union business, work violations, and safety issues; documents relating to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company; documents relating to the American Federation of Labor, Railway Employees Department; and documents relating to the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America. He was was born in 1889 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dates

1940-1951

Creator

Richmond, Alexander M. (Alexander Malcolm), 1889-1957 (Person)

Biographical / Historical

Alexander Malcolm Richmond was born in 1889 in Chicago, Illinois. As a young man he spent time in Nebraska and South Dakota, entering the employment of the railroad in 1905. He arrived in Denver, Colorado in 1922 and served as a fireman, carpenter, or carman with the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy lines until his retirement in 1949. His employment records indicate he became a helper in January, 1926 and a carman in January, 1937. The time of his most active service with the union, Main Line Lodge, No. 146, Denver, Colorado of the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America (BRCA) began in 1940 when he was a local committeeman and subsequently, local chairman in February, 1944 of the shop committee at the New Shops. As local chairman, Richmond forwarded the petitions, complaints, and grievances of the union to national officers. In 1949 he became an executive board member of the Joint Protective Board (BRCA) and the same year he attended its convention as a delegate.

Richmond died July 1, 1957 and was survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, three sisters, one brother, and four grandchildren.

The BRCA was founded in 1888 and affiliated with the AFA (now the AFL/CIO) during Richmond's tenure as local representative. It changed its name in 1968 to the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States and Canada.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 record box, 1 half letter document box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The Alexander M. Richmond Papers cover the activities of Main Line Lodge, No. 146, Denver, Colorado, of the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America during the years he was particularly active in the lodge, 1940-1951. Members of the local lodge worked as painters, carmen, carpenters, painter helpers, upholsterers, or coach cleaners. Topics covered in detail are union activities during World War II, labor relations in the postwar period, jurisdictional disputes with other unions, concerns for safety, and contract violations. Extensive correspondence was carried on with national union officials and copies of letters sent as well as replies received are included. Also included are the printed notices, brochures, and announcements issued by the national union informing locals of activities, negotiations, and projects undertaken or contemplated for the future. Special attention should be drawn to the employment records maintained by the lodge between 1940-1951. Wage rates for men and women, vacation assignments, and seniority disputes provide a picture of working conditions at the shops in Denver during this period.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in five series:; 1. Correspondence, Alexander M. Richmond, 1940-1951.; 2. Correspondence Miscellaneous, 1941-1951.; 3. Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company, 1941-1950.; 4. American Federation of Labor, Railway Employees’ Department, 1941-1951.; 5. Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America.;