Labor and Unions

Artifacts at the National Building Arts Center relating to labor and unions include ribbons, pins, and other regalia from unions and trade groups.

Our research library contains a labor section covering labor relations, labor history, trade unions, and strikes, as well as related economic and sociopolitical works.

Union regalia

A partial list of trade union and trade association items follows. The term “Ribbon” can encompass ribbons with bars, medals, integrated pinbacks, etc.

  1. Case 1
    1. Ribbon: International Association Bridge and Structural Iron Workers of America
      • I. A. B. S. & O. I. W. & P. D. Local No. 18 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers
      • I. A. B. S. & O. I. W.
    3. Ribbon: Amalgamated Association of Iron & Steel Workers
      • A. A. I., S. & T. W. Chain of Rocks Lodge No. 10 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    4. Ribbon: Cartwheel Moulders and Helpers
      • Union No. 7229
    5. Ribbon: Amalgamated Association of Iron & Steel Workers
      • A. A. I. S. & T. W. of N. A. Palace Lodge No. 30 (Granite City, Illinois)
    6. Ribbon: Amalgamated Association of Iron & Steel Workers
      • A. A. I. S. & T. W. Veiled Prophet Lodge No. 52 (Granite City, Illinois)
  2. Case 2
    1. Ribbon: Architectural and Ornamental Terra Cotta Workers
      • A. O. T. C. W. Local Union No. 80 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: Brick, Tile and Terracotta Workers of America
      • National Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1905)
    3. Ribbon: International Brick Tile & Terra Cotta Workers’ Alliance
      • I. B. T. & T. C. W. A. Glen Carbon Local No. 9 (Glen Carbon, Illinois)
    4. Ribbon: United Brick and Clayworkers of America
      • 10th General Convention (S. S. Cape Girardeau, 1928)
    5. Ribbon: United Brick and Clayworkers of America
      • 3rd General Convention (1917)
    6. Ribbon: International Hod Carriers Building & Cement Laborers of America
      • A.K.A. International Hod Carriers Building & Common Laborers Union of America
      • Local Union 100 (East St. Louis, Illinois and vicinity)
    7. Ribbon: B. M. & P. I. U. of A.
      • Local Union No. 3 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    8. Token[?]: United Brick and Clay Workers of America
    9. Pinback button: International Brick Tile & Terra Cotta Workers’ Alliance
    10. Pinback button: International Brick Tile & Terra Cotta Workers’ Alliance
  3. Case 3
    1. Ribbon: International Union of Steam & Operating Engineers
      • Local Union No. 315 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: Hoisting and Portable Engineers
      • Local No. 1 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    3. Ribbon: Junior Order United American Mechanics
      • Jr. O. U. A. M. Gen. N. C. Lyon Council No. 21 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    4. Ribbon: Beer Drivers and Stablemen’s Union
      • Old Reliable No. 43 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    5. Ribbon: Carriage Car and Wagon Painters
      • 232 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    6. Ribbon: International Union of Elevator Constructors
      • Local No. 3 (St. Louis, Missouri)
  4. Case 4
    1. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
      • U. B. of C. and J. of A. Local Union No. 633 (Granite City, Illinois; Madison, Illinois; Venice, Illinois)
    2. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
      • U. B. of C. and J. of A. Local Union No. 765 (Mascoutah, Illinois)
    3. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
      • U. B. of C. & J. Local Union No. 1100
    4. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters
      • A.K.A. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
    5. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters
      • A.K.A. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
    6. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters
      • A.K.A. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
    7. Ribbon: United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
      • Union No. 169 (East St. Louis, Illinois)
    8. Medallion[?]: United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
    9. Envelope: Steiner Engraving & Badge Co.
    10. Ribbon[?]: Amalgamated Wood Workers
      • Local Union No. 38
  5. Case 5
    1. Ribbon: International Brotherhood Electrical Workers
      • I. B. E. W. Inside Wiremen Local Union No. 1 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: Electrical Craftsmen
      • 18th Bi-annual Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1948)
      • Grand Chapter
    3. Ribbon: Electrical Craftsmen
      • 18th Bi-annual Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1948)
      • Grand Chapter
    4. Ribbon: Ancient Order of United Workmen[?]
      • A. O. U. W. Lodge No. 294 (East St. Louis, Illinois)
    5. Medallion[?]: International Molders Union of North America[?]
      • I. M. U. of N A.
    6. Ribbon: International Molders Union of North America
      • Local No. 220 (Belleville, Illinois)
    7. Ribbon: American Federation of Labor
      • Belleville Trades & Labor Assembly
    8. Medallion[?]: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
    9. Ribbon: American Federation of Labor
    10. Ribbon: Amalgamated Association of Tin Iron & Steel Workers
      • Lodge No. 10
  6. Case 6
    1. Ribbon: U. B. W.
      • Joint Executive Board
      • Grand Reception (1909)
    2. Ribbon: U. B. W.
      • Joint Executive Board
      • Grand Reception (1910)
    3. Ribbon: I. B. T. & T. C. W. A.[?]
      • 15th Annual Convention (Chicago Heights, Illinois, 1913)
    4. Ribbon: Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers International Union
      • (St. Louis, Missouri)
  7. Case 7
    1. Ribbon: C. T. & L. U.
      • B. T. C. Labor Day 1900 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: C. T. & L. U.
      • B. T. C. Labor Day 1900 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    3. Ribbon: Building Trades Council St. Louis, & Vicinity
      • Labor Day 1902 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    4. Ribbon: Building Trades Council St. Louis, & Vicinity
      • Labor Day 1902 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    5. Ribbon: Building Trades Council St. Louis, & Vicinity
      • Labor Day 1903
    6. Ribbon: Labor Day Demonstration
      • Forest Park Highlands, St. Louis, Missouri, 1906
  8. Case 8
    1. Ribbon: International Association of Machinists
      • I. A. of M.
    2. Ribbon: International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers Iron Ship Builders and Helpers of America
      • A.K.A. Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders of America
      • 9th Consolidated Convention (St. Louis, Missouri?, 1910)
    3. Ribbon: [United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America]
      • U. B. of C. & J. of A. 28th General Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1958)
    4. Ribbon: [United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America]
      • U. B. of C. & J. of A. Local Union No. 433 (Belleville, Illinois)
    5. Ribbon: [United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America]
      • U. B. of C. & J. of A. Local Union No. 433 (Belleville, Illinois)
    6. Ribbon: [United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America]
      • A.K.A. Carpenters Union
      • U. B. of C. and J. of A. Local Union No. 433 (Belleville, Illinois)
  9. Case 9
    1. Ribbon: National Building Trades Council
      • Building Trades Council St. Louis, & Vicinity
      • Labor Day 1904
    2. Ribbon: Joint Labor Day Celebration
    3. Ribbon: Joint Labor Day Celebration
    4. Ribbon: St. Louis Labor Temple Co.
    5. Ribbon[?]: Worlds Fair St. Louis
      • 1st Annual Ball Building Trades Council (1904?)
    6. Pinback button: “ST. LOUIS”
    7. Pinback button: B. T. C. and C. T. & L. U.
      • “LET US BUILD A LABOR TEMPLE”
    8. Pinback button: B. T. C. and C. T. & L. U.
      • “LET US BUILD A LABOR TEMPLE”
    9. Pinback button[?]: Building Trades Council St. Louis, & Vicinity
    10. Ribbon: Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America
      • Local 115 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    11. Pinback button: “IN UNION THERE IS STRENGTH” “LABOR OMNIA VINCIT”
  10. Case 10
    1. Ribbon: National Association Sheet Metal Contractors
      • 19th Annual Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1923)
    2. Ribbon: Order of Railway Conductors
      • 35th Session (St. Louis, Missouri, 1916)
    3. Ribbon: [International Association of Bridge Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers]
      • James Byrne Local No. 11
    4. Ribbon: Aluminum Workers International Union
      • Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1959)
    5. Ribbon: Ancient Order of United Workmen[?]
      • Grand A. O. U. W. Reunion (St. Louis, Missouri, 1892)
    6. Ribbon[?]: The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers
      • (St. Louis, Missouri, 1911)
    7. Ribbon: International Association of Marble, Slate and Stone Polishers, Rubbers and Sawyers, Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Helpers
      • 6th Convention ([illegible])
    8. Ribbon: International Association of Marble, Slate and Stone Polishers, Rubbers and Sawyers, Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Helpers
      • 8th Convention (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1953)
    9. Tassel[?]: “DELEGATE”
    10. Tassel[?]: “DELEGATE.”
    11. Ribbon: I. H. C. B. & C. L. U. of A.
      • Possibly International Hod Carriers Building & Common Laborers Union of America
      • 8th Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1941)
    12. Ribbon: I. H. C. B. & C. L. U. of A.
      • Possibly International Hod Carriers Building & Common Laborers Union of America
      • 8th Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1941)
    13. Ribbon: I. H. C. B. & C. L. U. of A.
      • Possibly International Hod Carriers Building & Common Laborers Union of America
      • 8th Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1941)
    14. Medal[?]: American Federation of Labor
      • 72nd Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1953)
    15. Pinback button: National Brotherhood of Operative Potters
    16. Pinback button: International Molders & Foundry Workers Union of [North America]
      • “25 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP”
    17. Pinback button: Cabinetmakers
      • 1596 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    18. Pinback button: Carriage Builders National Association
    19. Pinback button: I. A. M.
      • 25
    20. Pinback button: I. A. M.
      • 15
  11. Case 11
    1. Photoprint
    2. Ribbon: Coopers’ International Union of [North America]
      • No. 3 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    3. Photoprint
    4. Ribbon: Coopers International Union
      • No. 148
      • Central Trades & Labor Union of St. Louis & Vicinity
    5. Photoprint
  12. Case 12
    1. Ribbon: I. B. of C. R. D. & W. W.
      • Local Union No. 2 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: Composition Roofers
      • Union No. 1 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    3. Ribbon: United Mine Workers of America
    4. Ribbon: Hrv. Rad. Pod. Društvo Bratska Sloga
      • National Croatian Society of the [United States of America]
      • Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica U. S. Jedinjenih Državama
      • Odsjek Broj 429 N. H. Z. (Wood River, Illinois)
    5. Ribbon: Hrv. Rad. Pod. Društvo Bratska Sloga
      • Croatian Fraternal Union of America
      • Hrvatska Bratska Zajednica u Americi
      • Odsjek Broj 343, H. B. Z. (Wood River, Illinois)
    6. Ribbon: [United Mine Workers of America]
      • U. M. W. of A. Annual Convention Sub Dist., No. 6 (East St. Louis, Illinois, 1910)
  13. Case 13
    1. Ribbon: International Moulders Union of North America
      • I. M. U. of N. A. Core Makers Local No. 426 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    2. Ribbon: A. F. of M.
      • Local No. 2 (St. Louis, Missouri)
      • 25th Anniversary M. M. B. A. (1910)
    3. Medal[?]: I. B. B. of [illegible]
      • (St. Louis, Missouri, 1903)
    4. Ribbon: T. M. A.
      • 11th Biennial Convention (St. Louis, Missouri, 1907)
    5. Envelope: Steiner Engraving & Badge Co.[?]
    6. Ribbon: International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers Iron Ship Builders Welders & Helpers of America
      • Wood River Lodge No. 483 (Alton, Illinois)
    7. Pinback button[?]: National Association of Stationary Engineers
      • Missouri No. 2 (St. Louis, Missouri)
  14. Case 14
    1. Ribbon: Clay Miners of St. Louis
      • A.K.A. Clay Miners of America?
      • Local Union No. 9310
    2. Ribbon: Clay Miners and Laborers Union
      • Central Trades & Labor Union of St. Louis & Vicinity
      • No. 12640
    3. Ribbon: I. B. of T. C. S. & H. Coal Teamsters
      • Local Union No. 608 (St. Louis, Missouri)
    4. Ribbon: Illinois Clay Manufacturers’ Association
      • 37th Annual Convention (Springfield, Illinois, 1915)
    5. Ribbon: Brick Manufacturers Association
      • Constitutional Centennial Celebration, 1887
    6. Ribbon: Illinois Clay Workers Association
      • (Streator, Illinois, 1896)
    7. Ribbon: Order Kokoal
      • (St. Louis, Missouri, 1911)
    8. Ribbon: Illinois Clay Manufacturers Association
      • 32nd Annual Meeting (Champaign, Illinois, [1910])
    9. Ribbon: Illinois Clayworkers Association
      • Note workers, not manufacturers.
      • 28th Annual Meeting (Champaign, Illinois, 1906)
    10. Ribbon: Illinois Clay Manufacturers’ Association
      • 31st Annual Meeting (Champaign, Illinois, 1909)
    11. Pinback button: “BRICKMAKERS”
    12. Pinback button: Brick Sand & Terra Cotta Drivers
      • [Local?] 716 (___, 1916)
      • C. T. C. & H. U. of C. & V.
    13. Pinback button: Brick and Clay Workers
      • Local 853
    14. Pinback button: A. P. Green Fire Brick Company fireman
  15. Case 15
    1. Ribbon: A. K. U. V. [Arbeiter Kranken Unterstützungs Verein]
    2. Ribbon: Arbeiter Kranken Unterstützungs Verein
    3. Ribbon: Arbeiter Kranken Unterstützungs Verein
    4. Ribbon: A. K. U. V. [Arbeiter Kranken Unterstützungs Verein]
    5. Ribbon: A. K. U. V. [Arbeiter Kranken Unterstützungs Verein]