About Us
In June, 1852, fifty-four journeymen printers employed in Chicago land shops founded Chicago Typographical Union. The shops in Chicago were small, with many proprietor-members. At the newspapers, editors, who were like printers themselves, also became members of the Union.
In those days, printers were paid according to lines of type set in a day, with adjustments made for different kinds of skills.
In 1875, CTU joined the International Typographical Union, which had been established in June, 1869.
As is the practice today, each shop then had a chapel and a chapel chairman (shop steward), who was called “father,” and the chairman was responsible for the collection of union dues. But, at that time, unlike this day and age, the chairman also distributed work to make sure it was distributed fairly and to avoid favoritism.
With the advent of the Linotype machine in the 1890’s, printers moved to a system of hourly wages, and in 1906, established an eight-hour day. In 1945, Chicago printers won a 36 ¼ hour workweek.
Members of Chicago Typographical Union were also active in other trade union organizations. By the 1860’s, they had held the presidencies of the General Trades Assembly of Chicago and the National Typographical Union.
Chicago was active in International Typographical Union affairs and was considered a trendsetter among ITU locals. In 1881, a CTU member was among the ITU’s delegation present at the founding of the American Federation of Labor.
At the 1884 convention of the AFL, CTU member A.C. Cameron, representing the Chicago Trades and Labor Assembly, introduced the following resolution: “Resolved, that the first Monday in September of each year be set apart as a laborer’s nation holiday, and that we recommend its observance by all wage workers, irrespective of sex, calling, or nationality.” The first nation-wide observance of Labor Day took place on September 7, 1885.
In celebrating our 152nd anniversary, not only do we now represent printers and editorial employees in the Chicago land area, our reach in the 21st century expands as far north as the Wisconsin border, as far west as Oswego, as far south as Orland Park in Illinois and Highland in Indiana, and as far east as Michigan City Indiana.
No. 16 continues its tradition of excellence in negotiating job security, fair wages and working conditions, regardless of economic climate. |
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Chicago Typographical Union No. 16/CWA 14408
Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Section of the Communication Workers of America Oldest Trade Union in Chicago - Organized 1852
1580 S. Milwaukee Avenue - Suite 208
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 247-8855 Fax (847) 247-8553
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