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Aluminum Workers' International Union

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The Aluminum Workers' International Union (AWIU) was a labor union representing metal workers in the United States.

The union's origins lay in Local 18356, established on August 1, 1933, by Alcoa workers in the Allegheny Valley. The local argued that the American Federation of Labor (AFL) should charter it as an industrial union for workers in the industry. The AFL was unwilling to do so, but compromised in May 1934 by founding the Aluminum Workers' Council. Local 18356 later transferred to the Congress of Industrial Organizations, becoming part of the rival Aluminum Workers of America, but the council remained in existence.[1]

The council was chartered by the AFL on February 26, 1953, as the AWIU.[2] In 1955, it affiliated to the new AFL–CIO, and in 1957, it had 24,000 members.[3] By 1980, its membership had grown to 27,000.[4] On August 5, 1981, it merged with the United Brick and Clay Workers of America, to form the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers' International Union.[2]

Presidents

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1953: Eddie Stahl[5]
1967: Henry Olsen[5]
1973: Vernon E. Kelly
1977: Lawrence Holley

References

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  1. ^ Meyerhuber, Jr, Carl (1981). "ORGANIZING ALCOA: THE ALUMINUM WORKERS' UNION IN PENNSYLVANIA'S ALLEGHENY VALLEY, 1900–1971". Pennsylvania History. 48 (3).
  2. ^ a b "Inactive Organizations" (PDF). UMD Labor Collections. University of Maryland. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  3. ^ Directory of National and International Labor Unions in the United States (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Labor. 1957. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  4. ^ Directory of National Unions and Employee Associations (PDF). Washington DC: United States Department of Labor. 1980. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b Notable Names in American History. Clifton, New Jersey: James T. White & Company. 1973. p. 557. ISBN 0883710021.