The actual origins of the union label began with the guilds of the middle ages, which were the ancestors of modern-day unions. Some time in the 15th century, the goldsmith guilds in England conceived the idea of a stamped-in hallmark on the articles of gold and silver. This mark meant purity, quality and fine workmanship by responsible craftsmen.

Some centuries later, its first known use in North America was in 1869, by the Carpenters' Union. The label was stamped on finished lumber by the Carpenters' "Eight Hour League" to inform consumers that the mills operated on an 8-hour day, thus attesting to a higher quality of working conditions.

Five years later, Union cigar makers, threatened by the sweatshop exploitation of competing firms, began pasting "union made" labels on the boxes that held their products. Their label identified the cigars made under union contract. By 1880 the idea of a union label was so important to the Cigar Makers' International Union that its description and rules for use were written into the union's constitution.

"This certified," the label said, "that the cigars contained in this box have been made by first-class workman, a member of the Cigar Makers International Union of America, an organization devoted to the advancement of the moral, material, and intellectual welfare of the craft."

The cigar makers' rules for use of the union label also established an attribute of the label that continues to be an important part of its strength; it was to be an asset to the union employer as well as to the workers. Funds were allotted from the union's general fund for "label agitation" to promote the purchase of union-made cigars. A measure of quality control also was introduced - no labels were allowed on boxes of cigars destined to be sold for less than 2 cents each.

The union label concept was quickly embraced by the trade union movement. The purchase of union-label cigars was recommended at union conventions. Other unions began designing and promoting labels of their own. The United Hatters of North America, which had adopted a label in 1885, reported having used 95 million individual labels three years later. The union considered the union label a powerful organizing tool.

By the turn of the century, labels were being used by garment workers, printers, bakers, woodworkers, harness makers, iron molders, broom makers, coopers, brewers and barbers (who had invented the union shop card).

Historians were at a loss to explain the union label's growth and its sweeping acceptance by North American society. Some speculate that acceptance came at a time when workers were subjected to and forced to defend themselves against powerful corporate interests and a ruthless economy. The union label seemed to also be a positive way to help build consumer loyalty, and markets for union-made products Today, goods and services produced by organized workers are symbolized by three main devices - the union label, the shop card and the service button.

The Union label, which may be reproduced in various forms, indicates that the goods to which it is attached are made in unionized shops, factories or other establishments. The shop card is a printed sign displayed in the window or on the wall of business places in which union members are employed. The service button is similar to the insignia of lodges or fratenal organizations. These emblems are a guarantee that products are manufactured or processed, and services performed under union standards and in compliance with laws safeguarding workers in respect to health, sanitation, wages, hours and working conditions.

The durability of the union label as a symbol of trade unionism is uncontested. Recognition of its breadth of use is another matter. A reporter for the New York Times, writing in 1958 of plans by the Ladies' Garment Workers Union to spend $2 million to promote its union label, noted "the contradictory nature of this tiny device: its potential power is enormous as its present obscurity ... millions of people don't even know of its existence."

He remarked that "a union label appears on almost every motion picture, but goes unnoticed by viewers. Each light on Broadway," he continued, "carries three union labels, and theatrical and television stage hands license the label to employers and insist on seeing union labels on the scenery and props they move."

Although the label's history is a long and proud one, its idea is as modern today. The "blue label" of the cigar makers is still in use, but the labels of the Horse Collar Makers National Union, piano & organ makers and coopers, for example, have been replaced by those of television, electronics, automobile, food and communications workers, to name a few. Today, shop cards are used in countless hotels, restaurants, bars, transit vehicles and retail stores. As they were in the beginning, the union label & shop card are symbols of quality and good working conditions.