50 Years of IUE

                             -A Proud History

The IUE was born on November 2nd 1949, but its proud history can be traced back to 1933, when IUE's  first President, James B. Carey helped worker organizations in radio, manufacturing and related industries establish a national union, the National Radio and Allied Trades. That union became part of the historic committee of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Three years later, the radio group became the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers.

 Sixteen years later, the IUE was formed amidst bitter battles against anti-democratic influences in industrial unions.  Even since, the union has fiercely guarded its democratic mandate from local unions up to the international union, handing members the power to direct and determine their own futures.  Described as a union in a hurry by CIO President Phillip Murray, IUE hit the ground running. From Carey through the administrations of Paul Jennings, David Fitzmaurice, William H. Bywater and Edward Fire, IUE elected leaders and members have fought for -- and won-- dignity, a meaningful voice on the job, a decent standard of living and a better way of life.

IUE Local 755 is the founding local of the IUE.  Since 1949, we have been bringing dignity to the workplace and a voice on the job to thousands of working men and women.  While the acronym IUE has remained the same through the years, the full name reflects the Union's dynamic changes. The most recent came in 1987, when the United Furniture Workers of American merged with the IUE, creating today's International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers, AFL-CIO.

Today, IUE is an international union with 400 strong, active local unions all across the United States and Canada.  IUE members come from all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds.

IUE has spent 50 years fighting for workers  . . . winning better wages and benefits in our contracts. . . taking the lead in the civil rights and women's movement . . .seeking stronger safety, health and other laws affecting workers on Capital Hill.

From the shop floor to the bargaining table, from the picket lines to the halls of congress, IUE always stands up for what is fair, just and right for working Americans and their families.

 

A Brief historical timeline of IUE Local 755

  After the Union of Electrical Workers was decertified as the bargaining agent for Delco Product hourly rated employees, Local 755 became the founding Local for the new International Union of Electrical Workers in 1949.   The Local IUE 755 Union hall was located at 20 Madison Street, near the downtown Dayton Delco Products plant on East First St.

The first President elected by IUE Local 755 members was E.J. "Jim" Craft. Elected Chairman of the Shop Committee was C.L. Montgomery and Bob Akers was elected Executive Secretary. This same team was re-elected in November 1949, and 1950. In 1951 and 1953 they were also re-elected for two-year terms. Jim Kraft was also elected as the first IUE-GM Conference Board Chairman during this period.

In 1955 Jim Greenwood defeated Kraft for President and C.L. Montgomery and Bob Akers remained as Shop Chairman and Executive Secretary.

In 1957 N.J. Vincent was elected President, Johnny Duell was elected Shop Chairman and Bob Akers as Executive Secretary.

In 1959 C.L. Montgomery, Robert Q. Preston and Bob Akers were elected to the three top offices. They were re-elected in 1961. Stanley Bereda filled the unexpired term of C.L. Montgomery in 1962.

In November 1963, James Greenwood was elected President, Wiley Stamper Chairman and Bob Akers Executive Secretary. William Johnson filled the unexpired term of Greenwood from May of 1963 to November of 1965.

In 1965 Robert Preston was elected President, Andy Lucas Shop Chairman and Bob Akers Executive Secretary.

Preston, Lucas and Akers were re-elected in 1967 for three year terms instead of two. Paul Hunt was elected as Shop Chairman in February 1970, replacing Andy Lucas.

Bob Preston, Delmar Collinsworth and Bob Akers were elected in November 1970.

In November 1974, Bob Livingston was elected to his first term as President. Delmar Collinsworth was elected Shop Chairman and Bob Akers was elected for his 14th term as Executive Secretary.

Elections were moved from November to May of the following year and in 1977 Bob Livingston was re-elected President. Delmar Collinsworth went to the International and Frank Keaton was elected Shop Chairman. Bob Akers retired after 31 years as Executive Secretary and Jim Jones was elected to replace him.

Bob Livingston was elected to his third term as President in 1980. Frank Keaton and Jim Jones were also re-elected. During this term, Bob was elected to serve as IUE-GM Conference Board Chairman. First Vice President Curt Rhodin replaced him as President of Local 755. Frank Keaton retired during this term and was replaced as Shop Chairman by John Pulliam.

In 1983 Bob Preston was again elected President of Local 755. Ronnie Hall was elected Shop Chairman and Dave Ramey was elected Executive Secretary.

Bob Preston retired and Mike Fisher was elected President in 1986. Ronnie Hall and Dave Ramey were re-elected to their respective jobs.

In 1988 the members of Local 755 proudly moved into their new Union hall, located at 1675 Woodman Drive in Dayton, Ohio. The members of Local 755 purchased this Property and building from the Dayton Power and Light Company. The building was completely renovated with offices for each of the Officers, a large conference room for Executive Board and other business meetings and a large meeting hall for membership meetings and ample off street parking. Additional space was provided for the IUE-GM Joint Activities Center. This new facility is one of the finest Local Union halls in the country. It is also an ideal location for fund raising activities carried on by Local 755 members. The hall is also available for rentals with Local 755 members receiving special rates.

Mike Fisher, Ronnie Hall and Dave Ramey were re-elected in 1989. In 1990, Conference Board Chairman Frank Sollito appointed Dave Ramey as the IUE-GM Conference Board's first director of training. Denny Thomas replaced Dave as Executive Secretary.

In 1992, Kenny Brown was elected President, Brad Phillips was elected Shop Chairman and Harold Pigman was elected Executive Secretary. In 1993, Brad Phillips retired and Roger Moses was appointed to finish the term as Shop Chairman. In 1994 Kenny Brown accepted a position with the IUE-GM Conference Board and First Vice President Henry Woolum stepped up and filled the position of President for the remainder of the term.

In 1995 Henry Woolum was elected President, James Clark Shop Chairman and Denny Thomas Executive Secretary. In 1996, Denny Thomas was elected Secretary-Treasurer of IUE District 7, and Steve Lykins was appointed to fill his position for the remainder of the term.

In January 1997, Henry Woolum accepted a position with the IUE-GM Conference Board, and First Vice President Kenny Woolum stepped up and filled the position of President for the remainder of the term effective January 1997.

In May 1998, Kenny Woolum, Jim Clark and Steve Lykins were elected to their respective positions without opposition.

In October of 1999, Kenny Woolum retired and R. Keith Bailey became the new president of the local.

In 2000, the IUE and the CWA merged and IUE Local 755 became IUE-CWA Local 755

In February of 2001, Jim Clark was elected Conference Board Chairman and Dave Heizer was appointed to finish out his term as Chairman.

In March of 2001, Steve Lykins retired and accepted a job with the Conference Board. David Hill was appointed to fill out his term.

In May of 2001, Keith Hammond was elected President, Dave Heizer was elected Chairman and David Hill was elected Executive Secretary.

Keith Hammond retired in February of 2004 and Vice President Mike McKenna filled his unexpired term. In May of 2004, Larry West was elected President, Keith Bailey was elected Chairman and David Hill was re-elected Executive Secretary.

Local 755 remains very active is community affairs and frequently engages in fund raising activities to benefit the American Cancer Society, COPE and other causes. Local 755 has been recognized as having one of the outstanding Community Service Networks in the Dayton area.