Springfield Ladies' Handbag Inc.

 The manufacturing of handbags was another type of business one would not expect to find in Holyoke. The story of the short-lived Springfield Ladies' Handbag, Incorporated, is one that went full circle, as its journey unfolds.

The Springfield Ladies' Handbag Inc. was a New York City-based manufacturer of women's leather, imitation leather, and cloth handbags. It opened a plant at 101 Taylor Street in Springfield around 1931. The company also had a smaller presence in Holyoke with 50 workers in leased space at the White and Wyckoff plant, adjacent to the Riverside plant.

In January 1933, the Springfield plant was closed and merged into the White & Wyckoff facility. Shortly after, in August 1933, several hundred employees voted to join the International Pocketbook Union. The company agreed to a 40-hour workweek and a pay increase as a result of that action.

In May 1934, there were rumors that the company would relocate to the Dwight Mills in Chicopee. Contrary to this report, the company leased another 20,000 square feet of space from White & Wyckoff in June 1934, as its business was growing.

In September 1934, workers went out on strike, seeking a 36-hour workweek and an increase in wages. At the time, 434 employees were working, and the plant did not operate during the strike. The strike was protracted and fractious, with neither party willing to agree to a settlement. 

The company threatened to shut down and relocate to Syracuse, New York, where wages were lower. Initially, this was viewed as a bargaining chip used by the company. 

However, the union's issues were elevated to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which found the company guilty of not acting in good faith in negotiating with the workers' union. The NLRB announced its decision in late March 1935, and the company agreed to comply by reopening the plant, rehiring the employees, and dealing in good faith with the union.

In May 1935, the strike was settled, and the company announced plans to reopen the Holyoke mill and take back its 450 employees between June 15 and July 1, 1935. All seemed well after the 10-month strike had ended.

However, also in May 1935, the NLRB dismissed its case against Resnick Brothers, the parent corporation of New York. Once the case was dismissed, William and Murray Resnick abandoned the agreement made with the NLRB to reopen the plant and hire back the employees.

On July 24, 1935, the company announced it would reopen as National Ladies' Handbags Inc. and operate with 40 employees. It relocated to 101 Taylor Street in Springfield, coming full circle to where the business first operated in 1931. Work began at the Springfield location in August 1935.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.