Founded in 1892.
The 1890s was a time of great strife for men and women who lived in the southeast suburbs of Chicago in communities known as Roseland and Pullman. This was a time when industrial giants such as George M. Pullman formed an empire in railroading. He built a community named after himself, demanded that his employees work shifts of 12 to 14 hours daily, seven days a week, live in company owned homes, and shop in company owned stores. He did provide credit but charged heavy interest rates. He controlled the natural gas and water in his model city by charging inflated prices of six to seven times what he paid. Churches were provided, but saloons or brothels were not allowed in his community. Pullman would not allow public speaking, and absolutely NO UNION activity was tolerated.
Thirteen men were determined to overcome the powers of George M. Pullman and his servile type of existence for his employees and families. Together they founded Painters Local Union 265 on October 13, 1892 and were chartered on October 14, 1892.
George M. Pullman fought hard to discourage unions by dismissing anyone involved in union activity and banning them from his community. Six of the original thirteen men that formed the charter used aliases, transferred or were dropped within the first year for fear that serious repercussions would occur from George M. Pullman if they were found to be involved in organizing.
Today we salute these men for their fortitude to stand up to industrial giants like George M. Pullman and for their foresight to organize, bring dignity and wellbeing to the men and women of this great country.
We salute these men… and I am sure they would be as proud today as they were over 124 years ago.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FOUNDING FATHERS OF LOCAL 265:
- W.F. THOMAS – L . HIPPLE – F. POULSON – A.C. BISMETT
- W.L. BURHANS – J. RHODE – C. SCLEETH – R. WIESE
- WM. WELLMAN – E. WILSON – CH. JORGANSEN
- JT. NICHOLS – J. PALM
Because of these MEN and those who followed in the union movement – Painters and Tapers local 265 is alive and well today, 124 years later.