PERSONNEL RECORDS, 1890-1983, primarily date from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s. Notable exceptions, however, include a photocopy of the West Factory time book from 1890 1900, a company payroll from February 1894, and three piece rate books from the period 1926-1939. The piece rate books, arranged by factory department, show employee name and amount earned per piece completed. Many of the records in this subseries set forth personnel practices and policy, through instructions, memoranda, and employee handbooks. Details of Pratt, Read's organization and structure can be found in various organization manuals, charts, and evaluation program records. The company's dealings with the local chapter of the United Furniture Workers of America union are represented by correspondence, 1945-1946; agreements, 1947-1982; a union publicity scrapbook, 1948 1952; and three scrapbooks of news clippings about strikes in 1947 and 1974. This subseries also includes a complete run of Harmony Magazine, the employee newsmagazine, from 1953-1981.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Pratt, Read Corporation Records, 1839-1990, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
