| Summary: | Papers of the Newfoundland Lumbermen's Association (N.L.A.) and related material were deposited in the Archives and Special Collections in February 1999. The papers were generated during the years 1914 to 1992 and detail the labour activities of the Association, - particularly its efforts to win the support of Newfoundland loggers and woods workers, and its relationship with rival unions and bargaining - agents. - - This collection allows researchers to examine the life cycle of a Newfoundland labour movement and see - how it went from being strong in membership and influence, only to split amid cries of weak leadership and - inadequate representation. It also provides financial data to enable researchers to see what expenses - and monetary investments were involved in conducting day to day affairs of a labour organization. - - It is not only the details about the N.L.A. that are important however. There are letters and sketches of - logging camps and the conditions that loggers faced while working in them, all of which provide a glimpse - into the early days of logging in Newfoundland from the logger's point of view. These materials show how - the N.L.A. was attractive to the loggers, and how an important part of its mandate was to improve their - plight and working conditions. - - Other materials such as press releases, newspaper clippings, speeches, and company statements provide - researchers with a history of public opinion of the N.L.A. and other labour movements. Also found within - the collection are minutes of various yearly meetings and conventions, which methodically trace the - progress and setbacks of the various players in labour activities within the province. - - This collection documents the life of an organization formed to better the working lives of its members - - Newfoundland woods workers. Conversely, it also details the demise of an organization that could not - adequately satisfy the needs and demands of the people it was meant to represent. - -
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