Skip to Navigation.
Skip to Search.
Skip to Content.
Switch to Default Layout

Franklin D. Schurz Library

Background Image

Guide to Torrington Company Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository:
Indiana University South Bend Archives
1700 Mishawaka Ave. P.O. Box 7111
South Bend, Indiana 46634
Phone: (574) 520 - 4392
Email: astankra@iusb.edu
Creator: Torrington Company
Title: Torrington Company Collection Inventory
Extent: 20 linear feet
Abstract: Includes materials documenting the Torrington Company of South Bend, and its union, the United Automobile Workers Local 590. The Torrington Company was a heavy bearings company. The diversified, multinational corporation Ingersoll-Rand Company acquired the Torrington Company in the mid 1960s. This collection documents the voices of the Torrington Company workers through their union to negotiate with the company and its parent corporation. Ultimately, the Ingersoll-Rand Company shut down the South Bend Torrington plant in 1982. Ingersoll-Rand opted not to renovate the facilities and instead decided to relocate this operation in a non-union facility in South Carolina. Topics covered include basic company insurance coverage, employee and union grievance results, newspaper clippings, photographs covering a wide array of events, contracts, labor agreements, pay procedures, strike records, and information regarding the closing of the company. This collection documents the history – and eventual closing – of an industrial factory in South Bend. It provides excellent documentation of union activities and travails within this factory and its company. More broadly, this collection offers an example of how manufacturing and union jobs have systematically disappeared throughout the Midwest.

Scope and Content Note

This collection is organized by category and chronologically within each category. Materials range from the 1950s to the 1980s. Materials include union-related documents, labor agreements, grievances, contracts, and pension materials.
 

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research. Advance notice is required.
Usage Restrictions: Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, contact the Indiana University South Bend Archivist.
Preferred Citation: [Item]: Torrington Company Collection Inventory, Indiana University South Bend Archives.
Processing Information: Processed by Tony Smith of the Studebaker National Museum, in South Bend, Summer 2006 and by Indiana University South Bend Archives Student Worker Kristi Dunn in Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.
Provenance Note: Collection gathered by IU South Bend faculty member Keith Knauss and then donated to the Studebaker National Museum Archives. The Studebaker Archives in turn donated the collection to the Indiana University South Bend Archives in Summer of 2006.

Torrington Company Collection Inventory Indiana University South Bend Archives

Box Folder Contents
1 1 United Auto Workers [UAW] Local 590 Contracts, 1941-1981.
1 2 Constitutions of the International Union and UAW 590 Contracts, 1953-1978.
1 3 Torrington Employee Contracts, 1963-1966.
1 4 Torrington Correspondence, 1970.
1 5 Fifth Amendment of Supplemental Unemployment Benefit [S. U. B.] Agreement and Plan, 1978.
1 6 Contracts, May 1, 1966 – May 1, 1969.
1 7 Labor Agreements, 1969-1975.
1 8 Miscellaneous: Indiana Democrat Publication (1984), Articles and Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, 1974-1982.
1 9 Labor Agreement, May 1, 1975 – May 1, 1978.
1 10 Pension Agreement, 1952.
1 11 Labor Agreement, May 1, 1978 – May 1, 1981.
1 12 Inter-Office Communications and Labor Articles, 1978.
1 13 Torrington Closing: National Labor Relations Board [NLRB] Papers Closing Announcements and Action Plans, 1980-1983.
1 14 Torrington Grievances, 1976-1980.
1 15 Position Descriptions, 1970-1982.
1 16 Related Torrington Materials: Retirement Plant; Benefit Fund; Strike Assistance; Union Elections; Ingersoll-Rand Investment Plan; Second Annual 1968 “The Town of Torrington” Student Survey, 1968-1989.
1 17 Company Materials: Office (Personnel Directory) – 1980/1982 Thomas Registrar; 1984 Group Insurance Plan; Employee Survey; Moody’s Report (5); Annual Report – 1968.
1 18 Other Corporation Clippings: Fafnir Plant – Arizona (2 copies); Ingersoll Rand 1984-1986 Business Center (5 copies); Textron, Inc.
1 19 Torrington Product Catalogues: Torrington France; Searing News V. 14 No. 1; Torrington Today Fall 1985; Tomas register catalogue (3 copies).
1 20 Torrington Topics: 8 issues of Torrington Topics – Newsletter for South Bend Plant, 1982.
1 21 Precisionist: 3 issues – November 1982, Winter 1984, Summer 1984.
Box Folder Contents
2 1 Torrington Contract: By-laws; 1981 Contract Proposals; Hourly Pension Plan.
2 2 Torrington Contract: Skilled Trades – January 31, 1965.
2 3 Torrington Contract: 1951 – 1954 Contracts.
2 4 Torrington Contract: 1955 – 1964 Contracts.
2 5 Apprenticeship Standards (Folder 1 of 2), 1964-1982.
2 6 Apprenticeship Standards (Folder 2 of 2), 1964-1982.
2 7 D-2 Forms, 1961-1964; The D-2 form is used to apply for driving licenses for larger vehicles such as lorries, minibuses, and buses.
2 8 Various Name Lists; Seniority and Retiring Name Lists (1 of 2), 1964-1980.
2 9 Various Name Lists; Seniority and Retiring Name Lists (2 of 2), 1964-1980.
2 10 Life Insurance, 1977-1979.
2 11 Pay Procedures, 1950-1955 & 1963.
2 12 Awards and Recognition: UAW Region 3 Citizenship Award; 1967 Annual Quota Award to UAW Local 590; UAW Region 3 Cope Award to Local 590 (1966); American Mutual Liability Insurance Company Recognition Award; 1980 Merit Achievement Award.
2 13 Work Measurement, 1967.
2 14 Strike Captains’ Information and Documentation, 1981.
2 15 UAW – CIO Administrative Letter – Book 2, 1951-1953.
2 16 Strike History – Correspondence and Articles, 1968-1969.
2 17 Union Hats, no date.
2 18 Pictures (Torrington, Ingersoll-Rand; 1960s – 1970s), 8mm film, Union Buttons, UAW Queen and Court Newspaper Clipping, Miss UAW 1956.

*Not In Folder: Various Photographs: Strike photographs, Torrington Easter party, South Carolina Plant; Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes – 1956 Bargaining Sessions; Strike Cast Book –Strike Letters, Emergency phone numbers; Vax-cid Administrative letter 1952-1953; Employee Strike Pay Cards.

Box Folder Contents
3 1 Pension Plan: 1965 – 1978.
3 2 Pension Plan: 1965 – 1969.
3 3 Pension Investment Reports / Pension Letters, 1965-1969.
3 4 Eye Protection Photographs, no date.
3 5 Torrington Raffle Receipts and Union Notes (1961).
3 6 1980 – 1981 Torrington Financial Statements.
3 7 1981 Supplemental Unemployment Benefit [S. U. B.] Reports.
3 8 1980 S. U. B. Reports.
3 9 1978 – 1979 S. U. B. Reports.
3 10 1975 S. U. B. Reports.
3 11 1972 – 1974 S. U. B. Reports.
3 12 S. U. B. Previous Reports – For File Only; Monthly Reports, Audits, Company Reports (August 1967 – December 1972).
3 13 S. U. B. Miscellaneous.
3 14 Torrington Benefit Trust Life Payments: February 1976.
3 15 Torrington Benefit Trust Life Payments: February / March 1976.
3 16 Torrington Benefit Trust Life Payments: March 1976.
3 17 Torrington Benefit Trust Life Payments: April 1976.
3 18 Torrington Benefit Trust Life Payments: December 1976.
Box Folder Contents
4 1 Torrington Labor Agreement and 1978 Contract.
4 2 Union and Office Retirees, no specific date given.
4 3 Incentive Plans (1974) and Trip Report (July 1980).
4 4 Papers (Union and Company) Related to Plant Closing, 1982-1984.
4 5 Union Correspondence, 1983.
4 6 1980 Manufacturing Plan and Memorandums of Understanding.
4 7 Torrington Insurance (1981).
4 8 Absent Records (1974): 30 Most Absent Employees.
4 9 1963 Letters; International Union Audit Report (March 31, 1965; November 30, 1973).
4 10 Letters / Pension Memorandums (1966).
4 11 Grievance Results (Letters) – 1 of 3, 1970-1982.
4 12 Grievance Results (Letters) – 2 of 3, 1970-1982.
4 13 Grievance Results (Letters) – 3 of 3, 1970-1982; employee discharge materials, 1965.
4 14 Labor Agreement (1978), Memorandum of Understanding (1982), Strike Letter of Appreciation (1974).
4 15 Newspaper Clippings, 1986-1987.
4 16 “Labor’s Role In Corporate Restructurings Under the NLRA” Cameron, George D. III and Fred Naffziger; article, Presented at the American Business Law Association, August 20-24, 1986, Minneapolis, MN.
4 17 Meeting Agendas for Unemployed Union Workers; Retiree Dues; Meeting Minutes, 1980-1982.
4 18 Noah N. Nickell Jr. versus Local Union 488 (UAW); United Steel Workers Contract Analysis, 1971.
4 19 Strike / Grievance Letters, 1974.
4 20 Contract Negotiations – 1975 (1 of 2).
4 21 Contract Negotiations – 1975 (2 of 2).
4 22 Plant Closing Letter; Union Proposal, Arbitration Services News Notes, 1976 & 1981.
4 23 1959 – 1963 Contracts and Union Officers.
4 24 Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Agreement and Plan (May 1, 1975).
4 25 Supplemental Unemployment Benefit [S. U. B.] Trust Fund Position (1967 – 1978; Missing 1976 – 1977).
4 26 S. U. B. 1976 – 1977.
4 27 S. U. B. and Severance Plan – 1 of 4, 1975.
4 28 S. U. B. and Severance Plan – 2 of 4, 1964 & 1975.
4 29 S. U. B. and Severance Plan – 3 of 4, 1965 & 1979.
4 30 S. U. B. and Severance Plan – 4 of 4, 1966, 1980 & 1983.
Box Folder Contents
5 1 Date of Birth and Company Insurance Files (1 of 2), 1962-1976.
5 2 Company Insurance Files (2 of 2), 1961-1970.
5 3 D-2 Forms, 1968; The D-2 form is used to apply for driving licenses for larger vehicles such as lorries, minibuses, and buses.
5 4 D-2 Forms (1970 – 1975); Form 5500 (1975 – 1977).
5 5 D-2 Forms (1959 – 1963; 1967-1969).
5 6 Retirees Files, 1977-1978.
5 7 Insurance Amendments, 1969, 1974-1977.
5 8 Benefit Association of Railway Employees (Non-Occupational Hospital Expense Contract); Benefit Trust Life Insurance Company, 1958 & 1978.
5 9 Benefit Association of Railway Employees – 1951 (Group Life Insurance Contract).
5 10 Benefit Association of Railway Employees: Life Contract; Accidental & Health; Hospital & Surgical, 1951.
5 11 Group Life Contract Amendment; Non-Occupational Hospital Expense Contract, 1949.
5 12 Benefit Group Insurance for Retirees Amendment, 1963.
5 13 Benefit Group Major Medical Expense Contract, 1968.
5 14 Benefit Trust Life Insurance Documents, 1969.
5 15 Major Medical – health and injury documentation, 1969; injury records, 1982.
5 16 Waiver of Insurance Benefits, 1974-1976.
5 17 Insurance – Additions and Deletions of coverage, 1972.
5 18 Insurance Forms (Blank), no date.
5 19 Local 590 Insurance (1 of 2), 1961-1965.
5 20 Local 590 Insurance (2 of 2), 1966-1970.
5 21 Insurance Plans, no date.
5 22 Insurance Booklets, 1959-1971.
5 23 Retention Amendments, 1961.
5 24 Experience Reports, 1965-1969.
5 25 Waiver of Insurance Benefits; Elimination Agreement, 1966-1975.
Box Folder Contents
6 1 Bargaining Committee, 1965-1967.
6 2 Time Study Audit, 1974-1975.
6 3 Union Time Study Questionnaire, 1980.
6 4 Grievances, 1951-1964.
6 5 “SD – Roll – Payset – Up”, Audit Report, 1960.
6 6 Contract Property of Armand C. Thomas, 1966 – 1969.
6 7 Request for Strike Authorization U.A.W. International: June 23, 1976.
6 8 Strike Benefit Fund: June 17, 1978.
6 9 Strike Benefit Fund: Week #4.
6 10 Strike Benefit Fund: May 19, 1978.
6 11 Strike Benefit Fund: No Date.
6 12 Strike Benefit Fund: May 26, 1978.
6 13 Strike Benefit Fund: No Date.
6 14 1978 Strike Records.
6 15 Various: Contacts, Grievance, 1962 Christmas Brackets, Council Hats.
6 16 Stamped Cage Construction, 1963-1965.
6 17 Inspection, 1980.
6 18 Meeting (Union) Notes, New Hires, Union Articles, Actions taken on Grievances, 1965 & 1967.
6 19 Pay Procedure and Miscellaneous Pay Documentation, 1945-1965.
6 20 Bett’s Boreing Mill, 1976-1978.
6 21 Safety, 1981-1982.
6 22 Retiree Information, 1979-1982.
6 23 Borematics, 1976.
Box Folder Contents
7 1 National Bearing Wage-Hour Council; UAW - 1963, 1965, 1968, 1969 (2) 1971 (2), 1972, 1973, 1975 (2), 1977, 1978 (2), 1979 (2), 1980.
7 2 Jim Blondell Collection: Congress and Union Correspondence; Articles concerning work hazards and European bearings in the U. S., 1977-1978.
7 3 Strategic Plans (1 of 2): Torrington Bearings Division; What IS the Torrington Bearings Company?, 1981-1982.
7 4 Strategic Plans (2 of 2): Torrington Bearings Division, 1982-1983.
7 5 Time Study (1 of 2), 1982.
7 6 Time Study (2 of 2), 1984-1986.
7 7 Ingersoll / Rand Co. (Woodcliff Lake, NJ), 1986; Article concerning Expansion, 1989.
7 8 Ingersoll / Rand Non-Manufacturing Facilities, 1981-1987.
7 9 Union Called Meetings (1987 - ); Miscellaneous, 1986-1987.
7 10 Miscellaneous Articles, 1987-1988.
7 11 Standard Plans, Manuals; Safety Articles; 25th Constitutional Convention Booklet, 1977.
Box Folder Contents
8 1 Torrington South Bend Obituaries, 1985-1990.
8 2 Fafnir Articles, 1982-1988.
8 3 Torrington Company: Broad Street plant closing clippings; Register citizen; Broad Street working agreement, 1980s.
8 4 Fafnir N.B.: Pension Agreement, no specific date.
8 5 Portugal and Australia Torrington Plants, 1975-1980.
8 6 Fafnir – Arkadelphia, Arkansas, 1984-1986.
8 7 Tyger River Plant, no specific date.
8 8 South Bend Plant Closing – Follow up: “Save Our Jobs”; Related interviews (audio tapes).
8 9 Union Auto Workers[UAW] Materials, no specific date.
8 10 South Bend Torrington Quality Circles: NLRB, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC], Prepared automatics incentive plan 1980-1984.
8 11 Precisionist: Plant picture, Productivity Improvement Study, October 1981.
8 12 Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] and Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration [IOHSA], no specific date.
8 13 Miscellaneous Ingersoll-Rand: Reports, newsletters, and letters, no specific date.
8 14 Ingersoll-Rand: Outside of North America, 1975-1980.
8 15 Ingersoll-Rand: Closed plants and photographs, 1980s.
8 16 Parts: Bearings and blueprints, no date.
8 17 Ingersoll-Rand Plan: Knauss papers and articles; Ingersoll-Rand Report, 1961-1983; Moody’s Manual.
Box Folder Contents
9 1 Union Auto Workers [UAW] Region 3, no specific date.
9 2 Assorted Agreements, 1965-1988.
9 3 Ingersoll-Rand Documents, 1987-1988.
9 4 Dresser-Rand Documents, 1980-1990.
9 5 Other Rand Companies: Beebe; Schlage; Canada – Photographs, no specific date.
9 6 Ingersoll-Rand – Impco Sunds Venture: Federal Trade Commission [FTC] Objections, 1980s.
9 7 Open Shop States: Economical Comparison, 1960s.
9 8 Torrington and UAW: UAW Reports; Armand Thomas papers and letters 1958-1965.
Box Folder Contents
10 1 Kevin Knauss Deposition (1 of 3), September 28, 1987.
10 2 Kevin Knauss Deposition (2 of 3), September 29, 1987.
10 3 Kevin Knauss Deposition (3 of 3), November 2, 1987.
10 4 James H. Banks Deposition, October 9, 1986.
10 5 Normal L. Cook Deposition, February 24, 1984.
10 6 Bernard Randall Deposition, October 8, 1986.
10 7 1981-1985 Strategic Plan; Bearing Street Components (October 22, 1981)- Ingersoll-Rand Plans: Operating plans 1982.
10 8 Knauss: Correspondence with attorneys, November 17, 1988.
10 9 Bennett “Letter to Close” and Bennett Deposition (May 20, 1982); Productivity Improvement Study.
10 10 The Case (1 of 2): Civil suit interrogatories, Newspaper clippings, Tax Force Report, March 1982 - 1990.
10 11 The Case (2 of 2): Court Transcript, no date.