Leonard R. Sayles papers, 1950-1962

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection contains research work which formed the basis of two of Sayles' books, The Local Union and Behavior of Industrial Work Groups. The collection includes interviews, case studies, and observation analyses.

Description

Summary

Interviews and observation analyses which formed the basis of his two books, THE LOCAL UNION and BEHAVIOR OF INDUSTRIAL WORK GROUPS. Most of the interviews were conducted in the period 1950-1952 in local unions in upstate New York. The largest number are from the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Workers local in Dunkirk, N.Y. and they include descriptions of various kinds of meetings (grievance, union, political) as well as interviews and observation notes involving the membership, their families, and relationships with management. He also studied several other steel worker locals, less intensively, in upstate New York and western Pennsylvania. There are also interviews with a local of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers in Rochester, N.Y. (Michaels-Sterns factory); and copies of George Strauss' work in an American Can plant in Fairport, N.Y. and in a variety of building trades locals in the Rochester, N.Y. area.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Leonard R. Sayles papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Sayles, Leonard R. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1977. Accession number--M-77.

Publications About Described Materials

Sayles, Leonard R. Behavior of Industrial work groups; prediction and control. New York : Wiley, 1958.

Sayles, Leonard R. and George Strauss. The Local Union, its Place in the Industrial Plant. New York : Harper, 1953.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged 09/--/89 Christina Hilton Fenn

Papers processed by HR, 1977, with additional work done by Kellie Walsh (Rutgers University) and Catherine C. Ricciardi, 2011-2012.

Revision Description

2009-06-26 File created.

2012-07-20 xml document created by Catherine C. Ricciardi.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

Leonard Robert Sayles (b. 1926), Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, first came to Columbia University in 1956. The interviews in this collection represent the most intensive, nondirective explorations of manufacturing workers' relationships to their local unions and their families and jobs of the period. The interviews grew out of a foundation-sponsored (Grant Foundation) study of local unions directed by W.F. Whyte of Cornell University. Professor Sayles worked with George Strauss.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.