History of the Aberdeen
Central Labor Union

The Aberdeen Central Labor Union was chartered November 15, 1915.
Charter Members were:

    Railway Carmen's Union
    Typographical Union
    Cigar makers Union
    Stationary Engineers Union
    Barbers Union
    Tailors Union
    Painters Union

In the history from the beginning of the labor movement to the close of the Civil War we know that Central Labor Unions existed by the work they accomplished or attempted either in legislation of in organization or in assisting strikes and boycotts.

Delegate bodies would come together to work towards one special objective. When the objective was attained or was deemed unattainable, the body of delegates would disband to be formed again when some wrong had been done in the city against the working people.

After the war laborers all over the United States became obsesses with the spirit of organization--local unions by the thousands were formed. Laboring men looked for something larger and more powerful than local unions, hence the idea to for a

Union of Unions

Macmillian 1899

The Aberdeen Central Labor Union was incorporated March6, 1964 as Quint City Trades and Labor Building. They incorporated to erect, improve, furnish, maintain and operate a labor building or home and meeting place for members of Labor Unions.

The first meeting after incorporation was held on May 25, 1964 at the Labor Temple at 19 3rd Ave SE with members from:

    BMWE of American
    IBEW Local 706
    CWA Local 7504
    Meat Cutters & Grocery Clerks Local 318
    Machinists Local 862

Executive Board elected:

President: Robert K Williams
Vice President:  Richard Nelson
Secretary/Treasurer:  Boyd Obermeyer

On May 16, 1978 the building at 12 South Main was purchased with the help of people like Gary Ellsworth, Bruce Hart, Jerry Opshaul and Gary Job. The Machinists Union Local Lodge 862 lent the CLU the down payment to buy the building. The CLU paid the old Labor Hall off early thanks to union members who donated $33 per member to help get it paid off by June 30, 1990.

As of February 11, 2002 the Aberdeen Central Labor Union has 10 affiliated Local Unions with 403 members:

    IAM & AW Local 862
        IAM & AW District Lodge No. 5
    ABEW 426
    AFSCME 162
    AFSCME 1922
    BAC 3
    BMWE 2825
    CWA 7504
    IBEW 706
    IAFFA 446
    NALC 502

In 2002 the Blackstone Group purchased the building on 12 South Main and the construction of the new Central Labor Union building began.

CLU President Richard Jensen, Vice President Jim Goetz, Treasurer Jim Kraft and Secretary Gary Job and other union members met with Tom Aman & Jerry Nichols, representatives of the Blackstone Corporation and with everyone's input a deal was made. Overseeing the construction was Richard Jensen and Jim Goetz. By November 2002 the Central Labor Union held its first meeting in the new building on 617 South 15th Street.

The 2003 Executive Board:

President: Richard Jensen
Vice President:  Jim Goetz
Recording Secretary:  Tim Even
Treasurer:  Gary Heuttl

November 15, 2002 IAM & AW District Lodge No. 5 moved into the new CLU and began renting the offices that were incorporated into the new buildings design.

*Anyone who has and personal experiences or information that you may have to add please e-mail, mail of call the District Office. Thank you!