United Shoe Workers of America

The United Shoe Workers of America (USWA) was a trade union representing workers involved in making shoes and other leather goods.

History

The union was founded in 1937, when the United Shoe and Leather Workers' Union merged with the Shoe Workers' Protective Union.[1] It affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations, and by 1953, it had around 60,000 members.[2] In 1955, it transferred to the newly merged AFL–CIO.[3]

The union's membership declined during the 1970s, in line with employment in the industry, and by 1979 was down to 25,000. It negotiated a merger with the independent Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen, the idea being that the resulting union would itself affiliate to the Retail Clerks International Union. However, the unions could not agree on how power would be distributed in the new shoe section. Instead, in 1979, it merged into the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers' Union.[4]

Presidents

1937: Powers Hapgood[5]
1939: Frank R. McGrath[5]
1947: Raymond Swansen[5]
1948: Rocco Francheschini[5]
1949: William Thornton[5]
1952: Russell J. Taylor[5]
1956: George Fecteau[5]

References

  1. ^ Reynolds, Lloyd G.; Killingsworth, Charles C. (1944). Trade Union Publications: The Official Journals, Convention Proceedings, and Constitutions of International Unions and Federations, 1850-1941. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press.
  2. ^ Durkin, Martin P. (1953). Directory of Labor Unions in the United States (PDF). Washington DC: United States Department of Labor. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Inactive Organizations" (PDF). UMD Labor Collections. University of Maryland. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  4. ^ Adams, Larry T. (September 1984). "Labor organization mergers 1979-84: adapting to change". Monthly Labor Review: 21–27.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Notable Names in American History. Clifton, New Jersey: James T. White & Company. 1973. p. 559. ISBN 0883710021.