William F. Schnitzler

William Frank Schnitzler (January 21, 1904 – June 17, 1983) was an American labor union leader.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Schnitzler began working on a peddler's wagon, then during World War I worked in an ammunition factory. In the 1920s, he became a metal polisher, then an apprentice baker with the Peerless Baking Company. He joined the Bakery and Confectionery Workers' International Union, rising to become its business agent in 1943, and then its general secretary-treasurer in 1946.[1][2]

In 1950, Schnitzler became president of the union, but in 1952 he moved to become secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), in which role he played a leading role in negotiating its merger with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). When the AFL–CIO was formed, he remained in the same position, the second-most senior role in the federation.[1][2]

In 1961, Schnitzler chaired a committee investigating discrimination against minorities in the union movement, and declared his opposition to racism. He retired in 1969, moving to Lewes, Delaware, where he died in 1983.[1][2]

References

1. Kennedy, Shawn G. (June 19, 1983). "W. F. Schnitzler, labor chief, dies". New York Times. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
2. Lurie, Maxine (2004). Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0813533252.

Trade union offices
Preceded by Herman Winter	Secretary-Treasurer of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers' International Union 1943–1950	Succeeded by James G. Cross
Preceded by Herman Winter	President of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers' International Union 1950–1952	Succeeded by James G. Cross
Preceded by George Meany	Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Labor 1952–1955	Succeeded by Federation merged
Preceded by New position	Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL–CIO 1955–1969	Succeeded by Lane Kirkland
Preceded by Michael Fox C. J. Haggerty	AFL-CIO delegate to the Trades Union Congress 1956 With: Emil Rieve	Succeeded by Joseph D. Keenan Walter P. Reuther