Labor leaders--United States

Don Binkowski Papers

drice — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:34:13 -0400

Don Binkowski spent his career serving the people of Michigan as a Warren councilman, delegate of the Michigan Constitutional Convention, and judge in the 37th District Court. Privately, Binkowski, a passionate historian, copiously researched and wrote extensively on Polish and Polish-American history and interests, and on North Detroit. This collection is mainly comprised of Binkowski’s research collected in the pursuit of publication, specifically his three books: Col. P.W. Norris – Yellowstone’s Greatest, Poles Together: Leo Krzycki and Polish Americans in the American Labor Movement, and Leo Krzycki and the Detroit Left. Papers that document Binkowski’s career in public service are also included.

Bob Johnson Papers

mcourtney — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:22:28 -0400

Bob Johnson served Michigan’s AFSCME organizations in various roles throughout his life. In his early career, he helped Local 1182 organize and negotiate to win their first contract. Metropolitan Council 23 in Detroit elected him president soon thereafter. Johnson succeeded in his campaign to become president of Michigan’s powerful AFSCME District Council 25 in 1978. In 1980, he was elected an international vice president of the union to represent workers in the state of Michigan. Johnson died in 1982.

These papers, collected by Bob Johnson and his family, document Johnson’s roles in AFSCME. Materials include correspondence, biographical material, publications, and news clippings highlighting Johnson’s achievements as a leader in AFSCME. The collection also includes photographs of Johnson at AFSCME events and contract signings.

SEIU Executive Office Records

aorchard — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:55:33 -0500

In 1996 Andy Stern was elected President of SEIU and the members of Stern’s New Voices slate took office (Betty Bednarczyk, Patricia (Pat) Ford, Eliseo Medina, and Paul Policicchio). Most of the records in this collection document aspects of this group’s leadership, with the majority of records from the New Voices campaign, the Secretary-Treasurer’s Office (primarily materials relating to AFL-CIO and other organization’s conventions), the Executive Vice President’s office (predominately Pat Ford’s speeches and talking points), subject files and convention records, and audiovisual materials. Records include correspondence, reports, resolutions and amendments, speeches and talking points, photographs, posters, T-shirts, pins, VHS and audio cassettes, CDs, and DVDs.

SEIU Executive Vice President's Office: Patricia Ford Records

aorchard — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:41:28 -0400

In 1973, Pat Ford, then a clerical worker at Alameda County Hospital, aided in the creation of Local 616 by affiliating the 4000-member association with SEIU. Ford held various leadership positions in Local 616, including president (the Local’s first African-American woman president), and Executive Director. In addition to Ford’s service to Local 616, in 1996 she was elected as SEIU Executive Vice President, and reelected in 2000. During her tenure with SEIU, Ford helped to found the Caucus of African Descent (AFRAM), lead SEIU’s government affairs program, and coordinated SEIU’s civil and human rights activism. A full biography on Patricia Ford, may be found in Ford’s oral history held at the Reuther Library.

The SEIU Executive Vice President’s Office: Patricia Ford Records contains digital transcripts of 25 speeches given by Patricia Ford during her tenure as SEIU Executive Vice President. The records particularly reveal Ford’s involvement with organizations such as CBTU, CLUW, and NAACP. Also included is one folder of photographs, primarily featuring Ford at various SEIU events.

Speech transcripts may be found here:
https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/search/node/pat+ford+speech+transcript

UAW Public Relations Department Photographs and Sound and Video Recordings

mwallace — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:01:25 -0400

Since the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW) was established as an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in August 1935, the union has maintained an office to deal with public relations. At that time, a "Committee on Publication" was formed, which became the "Publication Committee" in April 1936. The Committee subsequently became the "Publicity Department" in August 1936, when the UAW became an independent union affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). This became the UAW's Public Relations Department some years later. The primary purpose of the original Committees and Department was the production of the union's national newspaper, the United Automobile Worker, which became Solidarity in 1957. Over the years, as the UAW grew into a large, powerful union, the P.R. department played an increasingly important role in writing speeches and producing various publications. It also generated large numbers of photographic images, created television advertisements, and issued press releases, delivering the union’s official stance on nearly all issues. In recent years, the P.R. Department has also been responsible for maintaining the union’s social media presence. The collection consists of Audio-Visual material, including photographic prints and contact sheets, videotapes, and audio recordings.

UFW Office of the President: Arturo Rodriguez Records

drice — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:28:09 -0400

Arturo Rodriguez became president of the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1993 upon the death of Cesar Chavez, co-founder and president of the UFW from its start and Rodriguez’s father-in-law and mentor. Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1949 and attended Catholic schools there. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1971 and a Masters degree in social work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1973.

Rodriguez learned of Cesar Chavez’s work for farm workers from his parish priest in 1966 and became involved in the UFW’s grape boycott while in college. Thereafter, Rodriguez worked with the UFW and, after graduating from the University of Michigan, Rodriguez went to work full time for the UFW, initially organizing boycotts. His work with the UFW has included organizing boycott efforts, organizing union representation elections, teaching classes on union organizing, negotiating and administering union contracts, working on providing union services and settling worker grievances, campaigning for ballot propositions and political candidates, and serving on the UFW’s executive board.

Upon becoming president of the UFW, Rodriguez led a significant new field organizing and contract negotiating drive, adding substantial numbers of members to the UFW. During his presidency the UFW has also campaigned for new laws and regulations protecting farm workers, including immigrant workers, and sought to provide representation to farm workers by providing them with benefits and services through the UFW.

The UFW Office of the President: Arturo Rodriguez Records consists of files maintained by the UFW president’s office while both Cesar Chavez and Arturo Rodriguez served as president and includes files of collective bargaining agreements, events attended by the president and other UFW officials, public actions undertaken by the UFW, the president’s correspondence, the UFW’s constitutional conventions, the operations of the UFW’s benefit and service organizations, and UFW organizing and boycott efforts, as well as general office correspondence and phone logs for a number of UFW officers. There are also research publications. Files from Arturo Rodriguez, predating his election as president of the UFW are included.

UFW Office of the President: Cesar Chavez Records

drice — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:34:57 -0400

Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers, in 1962 at a convention he called. Growing up a migrant farm worker he honed his skills as an organizer with the Community Services Organization in California before splitting with them to form the NFWA. He would serve as president of the UFW until his death in 1993. These records reflect Chavez's beginnings with the CSO and the formative years of the NFWA, United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, and the UFW as well as some milestones in his personal life.

Alan Reuther: the UAW's Voice in Washington

mosmith — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:54:47 -0400

The Walter Reuther Library is pleased to announce that an oral history with Alan Reuther is now open for research. Alan Reuther was the Legislative Director for the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW). He served in the UAW’s Washington Office from 1982 until his retirement in 2010. Over the course of his tenure as Legislative Director, Automotive News often cited Reuther as one of the 50 most influential people in the auto industry. read more »

Myra Wolfgang: New inductee to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame

aergas — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:54:35 -0400

The Reuther Library salutes Myra Wolfgang as she is inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame this month.

Almost 40 years after her death, Myra Wolfgang stands among the giants in Detroit’s labor movement. Her involvement in labor organizing began not long after graduating from Northern High School in Detroit in 1931. By the age of 23, she was leading strikes and directed organizing drives in local businesses, through the local chapter of the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union (today known as UNITE HERE!). She first received national publicity for organizing a “pink-collar” sit-down strike among women workers at the Woolworth’s department store in Detroit in 1937. read more »

Oral History Heroes: Dave Miller

rbizonet — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 11:51:35 -0500

Since his early days as a child laborer in a textile mill, Dave Miller (1891-1979) devoted himself to the labor movement. Miller shared his life and times—and thoughts on the present and the future—in a circa-1972 interview available in the Reuther Library’s holdings.

Working on cataloging this interview, I came away impressed with Miller’s witness to a broad range of developments and events that shaped the twentieth century, not to mention his direct involvement in some them, including his advocacy for women’s suffrage and against the death penalty and his fight for universal health care. Miller deserves recognition for his pioneering work in the UAW alone, but he did that and more. read more »

(8745) Walter Reuther and Richard Frankensteen "Battle of the Overpass" Dearborn Michigan

eclemens — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:23:50 -0500

Walter Reuther and Richard Frankensteen shortly after being attacked by Ford Service men during the “Battle of the Overpass”. The men were beaten for distributing United Auto Workers leaflets outside of the Ford Rouge Plant, Dearborn, Michigan.

(11720) Portrait, Walter P. Reuther, 1963

eclemens — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:20:05 -0400

Walter Reuther (right) shaking hands over a conference table with Louis Seaton (left); both men are standing; there are several unidentified men in the background.

Photographer’s caption: “GM’s Louis Seaton (left) and Walter Reuther start off with a handshake.”

(28352) George Clifton Edwards, Speaking, 1950s

eclemens — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:51:05 -0400

George Clifton Edwards, Jr. speaks during a gathering of auto workers, location unknown.

(29228) John Sweeney, Jesse Jackson, Executive Board Meeting, Wasington, D.C., 1987

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:19:28 -0400

Jesse Jackson demonstrates a floor cleaner while John Sweeney, and other attendees watch at the Executive Board Meeting in Washington, D.C.

(29229) Michael Dukakis, Executive Board Meeting, Wasington, D.C., 1987

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:19:28 -0400

Michael Dukakis addresses the attendees at the Executive Board Meeting in Washington, D.C.

(29230) John Sweeney, Jesse Jackson, Executive Board Meeting, Wasington, D.C., 1987

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:19:28 -0400

John Sweeney and Jesse Jackson pose at the Executive Board Meeting in Washington, D.C.

(30608) UAW President Leonard Woodcock, Lordstown, Ohio, 1970

aorchard — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 16:09:25 -0400

UAW President Leonard Woodcock shakes hands with one of the assembly line workers at the Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant.

(32574) New Voice healthcare rally

gstrassel — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 16:46:50 -0500

New Voice healthcare rally against Medicare cuts with John Sweeney in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

(32593) Legislative conference

gstrassel — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:12:15 -0500

Legislative conference, reception, and lobby day in 1995.

Future SEIU president Mary Kay Henry talking with then current president John Sweeney at the SEIU legislative conference in Washington DC.

(32594) SEIU presidents

gstrassel — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:17:03 -0500

Legislative conference, reception, and lobby day in 1995.

Future SEIU president Mary Kay Henry talking with then current president John Sweeney at the union's legislative conference in Washington DC.

(32623) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:36:15 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney talking with actor and activist Ted Danson in Washington DC.

(32624) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:42:51 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney speaking at "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

(32625) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:48:04 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney and with actor/activist Ted Danson talking with other individuals who participated in the "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

(32626) Safeguards press conference

gstrassel — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:50:25 -0500

"Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference with Sweeney and American Oceans Campaign president Ted Danson, 1995.

John Sweeney and Ted Danson look on during the "Citizens for Sensible Safeguards" press conference in Washington DC.

(32647) AFSCME Local 12 members meet AFSCME President Jerry Wurf, 1968

mcourtney — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:32:18 -0500

Originally printed in AFSCME's magazine Public Employee in 1968, this photo of Local 12 members ran with the caption, "International President meets local union members at the University of Iowa. From left are James C. Hall, Richard A. Jensen, Bob O'Donnell, President Jerry Wurf, and Anna Bock."

Podcast: "Democracy is Sweeping Over the World:" Brookwood Labor College at the Nexus of Transnational Radicalism in the Jazz Age

teller — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:24:51 -0500

While the 1920s are often described as "lean years" of progressive action, Andreas Meyris explains how the Brookwood Labor College in Katonah, New York served as a conduit for transnational radicalism in the 1920s while also training labor journalists and up-and-coming labor leaders like Walter Reuther and Rose Pesotta, setting the stage for the explosion of industrial unionism during the 1930s. read more »

[Podcast] Labor Legend Harry Bridges and the Pacific Coast Longshore Strike of 1934

teller — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 15:16:15 -0400

In the first of a two-part series, Dr. Robert Cherny explains how the early life of Australian immigrant Harry Bridges prepared him to lead the groundbreaking 1934 Pacific Coast longshoremen’s and maritime workers’ strikes in the United States, later becoming the first president of the powerful International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). read more »

[Podcast] Oil Can Eddie and the Battle for the Steelworkers’ Union

teller — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:24:21 -0400

Roger Biles and Mark Rose discuss the legacy of Eddie Sadlowski, a charismatic and progressive Chicago steelworker who, unhappy with the United Steelworker of America’s closed-rank authoritarian leadership and tepid support for rank-and-file members, led a highly visible yet unsuccessful dissident campaign in the contentious election for the USWA’s presidency in 1977. read more »

[Podcast] Talking Archives with AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride

teller — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:02:22 -0400

In celebration of the Reuther Library’s 50th anniversary, AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride reflects on the role the union’s history and archives play in current and future labor actions and organizing campaigns. read more »

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