IUANPW
International Union of Allied, Novelty and Production Workers (IUANPW)
Headquarters245 Fencl Lane Hillside, Illinois 60162
Location
  • United States, Canada
Members
18,000
Key people
Mark Spano, President; Benny Castro, Secretary-Treasurer
AffiliationsAFL–CIO
Websiteiuanpw.org

The International Union of Allied Novelty and Production Workers (IUANPW) is an American labor union representing over 18,000 employees. Traditionally it organized workers at toy factories but, as that industry moved overseas, it evolved into a general union in a variety of industries. The union is affiliated with the AFL–CIO.

History

The IUANPW was established in the 1940s. The union was originally named the International Union of Dolls, Toys, Playthings, Novelties and Allied Products of the United States and Canada. The name was changed to the International Union of Allied, Novelty and Production Workers in the late 1970s as toy manufacturing was largely shipped overseas.

During the 1990s, the union struggled with infiltration by organized crime. Union officer John Serpico from the Chicago Outfit was convicted of fraud with pension funds, two members of the Colombo crime family were convicted under the RICO Act for taking bribes from an employer on behalf of the union, and union attorney Sanford Pollack was convicted of both racketeering and arson to conceal evidence.[1][2][3]

The 23rd Quinquennial Convention of the International Union of Allied, Novelty and Production Workers was held from April 26, 2021 to April 29, 2021 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Also in 2021, the union lead an unsuccessful organizing drive for employees of cookie maker Tate's Bake Shop where the employer was accused of threatening to deport undocumented workers.[4]

Today the IUANPW represents a wide array of job classifications at numerous employers in industries including general manufacturing, construction, food production, transportation, and automotive fields. Members make the Weber grill.

Structure

A majority of the membership is concentrated in the Chicago and New York City metro areas but the union currently represents workers in 11 states and Ontario, Canada. It is especially active with the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Divisions

Executive board

References

  1. ^ Heddell, Gordon S. (September 30, 2001). "Semiannual Report to Congress" (PDF). U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  2. ^ Simpson, Cam (August 5, 1999). "Feds Indict Labor Leader". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  3. ^ "Civil RICO Actions". LIUNA. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
    - Masten, Charles C. (September 30, 1996). "Semiannual Report to Congress". U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General. p. 38. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  4. ^ Lewis, Caroline (March 11, 2021). "Undocumented Workers At Tate's Bake Shop Say They're Being Threatened Ahead Of Union Vote". Gothamist. Retrieved October 14, 2021.


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