Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 208

Category: Unions

In 1901, white musicians in Chicago created the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10. The city's black musicians formed their own Local 208. The two locals remained segregated until 1966. Local 208 was one of the most powerful black musicians' union locals in the country, ensuring that a large membership of famous and not-so-famous musicians in Chicago would have access to jobs at standard wage scales. The accompanying photograph shows black musicians paying dues at the Local 208 offices. (Chicago History Museum, ICHi - 21106)