NUEC Becomes IUEC
Before beginning the National Union of Elevator Constructors,
cities had unions with individual names. New York City was founded
June 7, 1894, and was called the Elevator Constructors and Millwrights
of New York City. Chicago was founded on March 12, 1897 and
called the Chicago Elevator Protective Association of Chicago.
St. Louis was formed next on August 12, 1898 and named the United
Elevator Constructors Association of St. Louis. Boston followed
on March 2, 1899 and was known as the Elevator Constructors
Union of Boston. Philadelphia was founded on January 10, 1900
and became the Elevator Erector's Association of Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh was formed sixth in 1901 and named the Elevator Constructors
Union of Pittsburgh.
Becoming a union member during this time was controversial.
However, being a union member allowed protection against unfair
employers even if there weren’t any labor laws to protect
a worker. It was a time when a union card had to be carried
in one's shoe for fear the boss might see it and fire you. Adversity
created the most dedicated and determined unionists.
The year of 1903 was an outstanding one for the young union.
In their first move of international solidarity, the union committed
funds to support the Canadian Defense Fund of the union, contributing
to the Ottawa Defense Fund on behalf of striking constructors
in Canada. As a result, the National Union of Elevator Constructors
became the International Union of Elevator Constructors.
The three-year old union also established its official journal
at the 1903 annual convention that was held in New York. Henry
Snow of Chicago was the first Editor. He designed the emblem
with the little elevator cab inside. The Elevator Constructor
first appeared in November of 1903, and was published in Chicago,
the home of the editor. The Elevator Constructor Journal has
continued without interruption since. The Journal has carried
on the democratic tradition of the IUEC as a vehicle for the
exchange of membership views.
As the IUEC advanced and expanded, with its new name, international
solidarity and a new journal, it developed its own identification.
An emblem and working card were prepared and approved. Except
for an artistic updating of the elevator car in the emblem,
it has remained unchanged since drawn by the first editor of
the Elevator Constructor, Henry Snow.
