Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Knauss, Keith, 1945-
- Abstract:
- This collection contains the personal files of Keith Knauss, Program Coordinator and Professor at the Indiana University South Bend Division of Labor Studies from 1972 to 2001. During Knauss' time at IU South Bend, he developed and taught credit and non-credit courses for the Division of Labor Studies program on subjects such as collective bargaining, labor history and law, and union leadership. He was also an active member in several labor organizations and worked closely with many local union leaders. This collection consists of Keith Knauss' research materials and published articles on topics such as the Torrington Ingersoll-Rand class action lawsuit, Cell Manufacturing, and Total Quality Management; class materials, personal awards and records from a wide variety of labor unions.
- Extent:
- 29.2 cubic feet (21 standard records cases, 2 photo boxes, 1 ephemera box, 1 media box, and 12 items in flat storage.)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Keith Knauss papers, Indiana University South Bend Archives
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Born December 26, 1945, in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Keith Knauss received his B.A in Labor Management Relations from Pennsylvania State University and his M.A in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota. He served in the 25th Infantry Division in the Vietnam War from August 1969 to May 1971 and was honorably discharged. Before and after serving in the war, he worked as a Program Coordinator and Instructor at the University of Minnesota. In August 1972, Knauss was hired by Indiana University's Division of Labor Studies to establish the first full-time regional labor education operation off the Bloomington campus. Knauss worked as Coordinator and Professor at the IU South Bend office which opened in February 1973. He developed new education programs throughout Northern Indiana, taught credit and non-credit programs, developed and maintained relationships with labor leaders and university personnel, and conducted and published research on several labor studies topics, including an extensive case study of the Torrington and Ingersoll-Rand Company's relationship with workers and unions co-authored with Michael Matuszak (University of Kentucky). During his time as Program Coordinator, Knauss was active in several other labor organizations. His memberships included: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (delegate, North Central Indiana Council since 1973), American Federation Teachers Local 2254 (treasurer, Local 2002, 1973-1989), University and College Labor Education Association (chair, professional council, 1978-1979), Workers Education Local 189 (treasurer, 1972-1975), and International Industrial Relations Association. He also served as the first chairperson of the Professional Council, University and College Labor Education Association (UCLEA). In 1984 he received the Herman Frederic Lieber Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 1985 he delivered the keynote address at IU South Bend's Annual Honors Day. In 1992, he was honored by the Michiana Area Labor Advisory Committee for 20 years of dedicated service. Knauss retired from Indiana University and the Labor Studies program in 2001.
- Scope and Content:
Contents of this collection pertain to the personal research, writing, and achievements of Indiana University of South Bend Professor Keith Knauss. Subject matters include: Correspondence: Letters between unions and companies previously mentioned, as well as Keith Knauss and Mike Matuszak Events: Events Keith Knauss attended including conferences, Solidarity Day/Labor Day parades and speeches, workshops, Labor Union Materials: Materials such as meeting minutes, transparencies, correspondences, agreements/contracts and other documents pertaining to various labor unions. Notably, United Autoworkers Aircraft and Agriculture Workers (UAW), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), various labor agreement handbooks, United Steelworkers of America (USWA), United Mineworkers of America (UMWA), United Rubber Workers (URW), American Postal Workers Union, and Trade Union Women. There are also files relating to general labor studies history, including materials from corporations such as Uniroyal, Dodge/Reliance/Exxon. Also contains several labor union pins and T-shirts Personal Files: Includes personal awards, achievements, nomination documents, promotion/tenure evaluations, gradebooks, resumes/biographies, photographs from events and personal travels, personal notes from meetings, and other miscellaneous personal effects Publications: Articles and papers written and published by Keith Knauss. Materials relating to the 1984 Torrington Company South Bend plant closure and the class action suit filed against them. Materials on Dodge Reliance (Exxon) Facilities. Materials on Cell Manufacturing and its impact on union collective bargaining relationships and day-to-day working conditions. Materials on Total Quality Management Research Materials - Includes newspaper clippings, labor agreement booklets, some photographs, company records, and materials used in Keith Knauss' research/writings on the subjects listed in the Publications series
- Processing information:
Processed by Quinn Newell, Student Archival Assistant. Finding aid completed in September 2022. Files in this collection were rearranged into series and subseries by function. Photographs, ephemera and audiovisual materials were removed from original folders to be stored separately for preservation purposes, but documentation of their original location in the collection has been maintained.
- Arrangement:
Collection is arranged into 6 series: Labor Union Materials, Personal Files, Publications, Research Materials, Correspondence, and Events. Series are arranged chronologically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Labor unions --Indiana.
- Places:
- Labor Unions -- Michigan
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research. Advance notice is required.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Keith Knauss papers, Indiana University South Bend Archives
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University South Bend
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Schurz Library1700 Mishawaka AvenuePO Box 7111South Bend, Indiana 46634, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University South Bend
- CONTACT:
-
574-520-4392archiusb@iu.edu