United Hebrew Trades
Encyclopedia
United Hebrew Trades was an association of Jewish labor unions in New York.
It was founded by the Socialist Labor Party's Yiddish Branch 8 and Russian Branch 17 together with Jewish unions in in New York in October 1888. Among the founding members were Morris Hillquit
and Bernard Weinstein. In 1895, the UHT became a member of the SLP affiliated Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance
, become becoming "District Alliance 2" in February 1896. Some of its constituent unions, however, were still affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and splintered to become the Federated Hebrew Trades of Greater New York in September 1897. As the ST&LA declined, the UHT disaffiliated in 1899 and merged with the newer federation.
In May 1915 eight members of the association's Executive Committee were indicted in New York City and charged with hiring gangsters, including Benjamin Fein, to intimidate uncooperative employers. UHT secretary Abraham Shiplacoff
told the New York Times that "we are not going to allow the reactionary District Attorney to eat our beloved leaders alive."
In 1933, United Hebrew Trades' activists joined with other organizations and trade unions to form the Jewish Labor Committee
, which had its founding convention in February 1934. In the 1990s, the UHT changed its relationship with the JLC, from that of an independent affiliated organization to the New York Division of the JLC.
It was founded by the Socialist Labor Party's Yiddish Branch 8 and Russian Branch 17 together with Jewish unions in in New York in October 1888. Among the founding members were Morris Hillquit
Morris Hillquit
Morris Hillquit was a founder and leader of the Socialist Party of America and prominent labor lawyer in New York City's Lower East Side during the early 20th century.-Early years:...
and Bernard Weinstein. In 1895, the UHT became a member of the SLP affiliated Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance
Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance
The Socialist Trade and Labor Alliance - commonly abbreviated STLA or ST&LA - was a revolutionary socialist labor union in the United States closely linked to the Socialist Labor Party , which existed from 1895 until becoming a part of the Industrial Workers of the World at its founding in 1905.The...
, become becoming "District Alliance 2" in February 1896. Some of its constituent unions, however, were still affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and splintered to become the Federated Hebrew Trades of Greater New York in September 1897. As the ST&LA declined, the UHT disaffiliated in 1899 and merged with the newer federation.
In May 1915 eight members of the association's Executive Committee were indicted in New York City and charged with hiring gangsters, including Benjamin Fein, to intimidate uncooperative employers. UHT secretary Abraham Shiplacoff
Abraham Shiplacoff
Abraham Isaac "Abe" Shiplacoff was a Russian-born Jewish-American trade union organizer and left wing political activist. Shiplacoff is best remembered as the first Socialist Assemblyman elected in the state of New York and as a prominent target of prosecution for sedition under the Espionage Act...
told the New York Times that "we are not going to allow the reactionary District Attorney to eat our beloved leaders alive."
In 1933, United Hebrew Trades' activists joined with other organizations and trade unions to form the Jewish Labor Committee
Jewish Labor Committee
The Jewish Labor Committee is an American secular Jewish organization dedicated to promoting labor union interests in Jewish communities, and Jewish interests within unions. The organization is headquartered in New York City, with local/regional offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago...
, which had its founding convention in February 1934. In the 1990s, the UHT changed its relationship with the JLC, from that of an independent affiliated organization to the New York Division of the JLC.
Further reading
- Detailed entry for the UHT under "Organizations"
- Needling Capitalism: Unionizing American Jewish Workers mentions the UHT and other early Jewish trade unions
- Report of the US Industrial Commission p. 343-345 Discusses the activities of the UHT, as well as a comprehensive list of unions and number of members