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James Wilson (unionist)

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James Adair Wilson (April 23, 1876 – September 3, 1945) was an American labor union leader.

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Wilson trained as a patternmaker. In 1898, he joined the Pattern Makers' League of North America, and he was elected as its president in 1902. In order to take up the post, he moved to New York City, then in 1906, moved to Cincinnati.[1][2]

During World War I, Wilson traveled to Europe twice on labor missions. He served on the War Labor Board, and was an alternate on the National Mediation Board. In 1924, he was elected as a vice president of the American Federation of Labor.[3]

Wilson left his labor union posts in 1934, to become a labor counselor at the International Labour Organization in Geneva. He died in 1945.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Samuel Gompers Papers. University of Illinois Press. 1986. ISBN 9780252033896.
  2. ^ The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. 1967.
  3. ^ a b "James A. Wilson, 69, a leader of labor". New York Times. September 4, 1945.
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Lewis R. Thomas
President of the Pattern Makers' League of North America
1902–1934
Succeeded by
George Q. Lynch
Preceded by
John A. Moffit
James Wood
American Federation of Labor delegate to the Trades Union Congress
1906
With: Frank Keyes Foster
Succeeded by
John T. Dempsey
William E. Klapetzky
Preceded by Fifth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor
1929–1930
Succeeded by
Preceded by Fourth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor
1930–1934
Succeeded by