"THE BUG"

CWA is now co-owner of the oldest, most widely used and respected, easily recognized union label in the world.  And, as befits such a prestigious union label, it's protected by copyright.

Formally, it's called the Allied Printing Trades Label (APTL).  Informally, friends simply call it the "bug".

The label appears on printed materials to tell all the world that the work was done in a union shop by union members.  (Union Made in the United States of America/Canada)

Over the more than 100 years the bug has been in existence, it has appeared in literally billions of places - from Union Newspapers and Newsletters to Checks, Bumper Stickers, Lottery and Raffle Tickets, Admission Tickets, Signs, Banners, Business Forms, and "Specialty" Printing, which can mean just about anything from Coffee Cups and Pins to Soup Labels and T-Shirts.

To maintain the label's integrity and to assure that it appears only on union printed materials, the International Printing Trades Council (IPTC) serves as a watchdog, protecting the label from misuse and abuse.  More that 190 local printing trade councils across the U.S. and Canada police the use of the label in their areas.

CWA became a co-owner of the "bug" through merger in 1987 with the International Typographical Union (ITU), North America's oldest trade union, founded in 1852.

The allied label is registered with the U.S. Patent Office of the Commerce Consumer and Corporate Affairs in Canada, and with the Secretary of State in each of the 50 states in the U.S.

Illegal use, infringement, limitation and counterfeiting of registered trademarks or labels is a criminal offense throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

History of the Label: 

The Allied Printing Trades Label dates back to 1886 when delegates attending a convention of the ITU instructed the executive council to create " a seal of suitable design".

The seal, delegates said would be used on all printed material, as the customer desired, and use of the seal should be regulated, "so that the product of union labor may be readily known by purchasers, and the demand for publications friendly to the cause of organized workingmen be encouraged."

How to Read the Label:

A legitimate Allied Printing Label when properly "read" will reveal what printer did a certain job.

The Label displays the number assigned to the Union Printer where the work was done.

The Label displays the city where the printing was done.

With this information, the city and number, the Allied Printing Trades Council can identify the printer.  While talking to the Allied Printing Trades Council, you can also get other useful information, such as the names of union typesetters, engravers, mailers and others who can work for you.

PHOENIX ALLIED PRINTING TRADES COUNCIL

602-331-7019

Remember, everytime you purchase items today, it is imperative that you look for the Union Label.  Not only do you want to see that it is made in "United States Of America", but also that is is "union made" with the union label - the "BUG".  It is time to revitalize our labor movement and "we" must actively participate starting today!

Here are three links to ponder:

Union Jean and Apparel Co.

Justice Clothing Company

No Sweat Apparel

GOD BLESS UNIONS!