“Lithuanian Coat Makers Local 54, Brooklyn, ACWA“

The exhibit We Love A Parade, Union Banners Then and Now, includes four extraordinary banners from the nineteenth century and twenty seven garment industry banners from New York City in the twentieth century. The American labor banner — a significant symbol of labor solidarity and strength — has been the communications method of choice for labor unions since its inception.

The Lithuanian Coat Makers Local 54 banner shown here probably dates from the early 1930s, before the Amalgamated was in the AFL. One of the earliest of the ethnic locals, local 54 was described as extremely “devoted to the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America and its principles…”The back of the banner contains the same information in Lithuanian.

Visit the LaborArts exhibit We Love A Parade to see all the union banners currently on display.