William Green (U.S. labor leader)

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For other people with the same name, see William Green.
William Green in 1919

William B. Green (March 3, 1873 – November 21, 1952) was an American trade union leader. Green is best remembered as the president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1924 to 1952. He was a strong supporter for labor-management co-operation and was on the frontline for wage and benefit protections and industrial unionism legislation.

As president of the AFL, he continued the development of the federation away from the foundations of "pure and simple unionism" to a more politically active "social reform unionism."[1]

Early life

Green was born March 3, 1873, in Coshocton, Ohio, the son of Welsh immigrants. His father was a coal miner.[2] Green went to work himself in the coal mines in 1889, at 16.[1]

Union career

He became involved in the trade union movement as a young miner and was elected as secretary of the Coshocton Progressive Miners Union in 1891. The Coshocton Progressive Miners Union later became a local of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). In 1890, Green became the subdistrict president of the UMWA; he became UMWA Ohio district president in 1906.[1]

In 1910, he was elected to the

Paris Peace Conference in 1918.[1]

William Green (Right) with Illinois State Federation of Labor President Reuben Soderstrom, circa 1935

In 1924, he became president of the AFL following the death of

Harry Truman appointed Green to the National Advisory Committee on Mobilization during the Korean War.[1]

He is best remembered for having presided over the split in the AFL, which led to the founding of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).[4]

Strategy

Under Green's presidency in the 1920s, the AFL changed its political strategy of confrontation to one of co-operation. Unlike Green, Gompers had frequently projected an independent and confrontational approach for the federation, despite his affiliation to the

Wilson administration
.

Green favored a more co-operative style for the

labor movement. He won public support for legislating benefits for all workers and co-operated with employers in the name of mutual self-interest and the collective good. Green supported union-management co-operation in everyday functions at the workplace. He also supported reducing hours of labor, as it would increase the worker's living standards and participation for civic engagement. Ultimately, Green supported a voluntary incomes policy between labor and management, binding higher wages to productivity growth.[1]

Accomplishments

Green's support was critical to winning passage of the

Norris-La Guardia Act of 1932, which reduced the practice of labor restrictions and banned the yellow-dog contract. Green was also successful in acquiring federation support for a national unemployment insurance system, sponsored largely by employer donations.[1]

In 1935, Green facilitated the passage of the

Fair Labor Standards Act, becoming the first federal law in instituting minimum wages and the 40-hour workweek.[1]

Death

Green died November 21, 1952, at 79 in Coshocton, Ohio.[5][6][7] He was buried in South Lawn Cemetery.[8]

Legacy

Labor Hall of Fame
.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "William F. Green (1873-1952)", AFLCIO.org; accessed February 19, 2016.
  2. ISBN 0-88706-870-7
    .
  3. ^ a b "Biography of William Green". Roosevelt University Library. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  4. ISBN 9781438416113
    .
  5. ^ 1996 Labor Hall of Fame article, dol.gov; accessed February 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "William Green". The New York Times. November 22, 1952. p. 22.
  7. ^ "William Green Is Dead at 82. Headed A.F.L. Since 1924. He Succumbs in Ohio After Heart Attack. Meany Is Expected to Succeed Him". The New York Times. November 22, 1952. p. 1.
  8. ^ "Green Is Buried As Town Mourns. Labor Leaders, U. S. Officials Join in a Final Tribute to President of A.F.L.". The New York Times. Coshocton, Ohio (published November 25, 1952). November 24, 1952. p. 22.
  9. ^ Staff (July 30, 1970). "Cabrini-Green Public Housing Project: Chicago Police Officer's Nightmare". The Owosso Argus-Press. Chicago. Associated Press. p. 13. Retrieved May 9, 2023 – via Google News Archive.

Further reading

External links

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Preceded by
Edwin Perry
 Secretary-Treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America
1913–1924 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the American Federation of Labor
1924–1952 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Fifth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor
1918–1919 		Succeeded by
Preceded by fourth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor
1919–1924 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Third Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor
1924 		Succeeded by
Ohio Senate
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President of the Senate

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