John DeConcini
John DeConcini (September 14, 1918 – October 13, 1998) was an American labor union leader.
Born in Philadelphia, DeConcini grew up in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania. He began working at the Bond Bread Company before World War II, where he organized a local of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union of America. He became a full-time organizer for the union in 1941, but left the role to serve in the US Army as a paratrooper during World War II. After the war, he returned to work for the union, becoming president of the Philadelphia local in 1950, and then as vice president of the international union in 1952.[1][2]
DeConcini was one of four leaders who objected to corruption in the union. In 1957, they founded the rival American Bakery and Confectionery Workers' International Union. As executive vice president, DeConcini was prominent in efforts to bring the two unions back together, which occurred in 1969. He held the same role in the merged union, and then in 1978 was elected as president.[1]
Membership of the union fell under DeConcini's leadership, but he set up its first political action committee. He served on the executive committee of the AFL-CIO, and also as a trustee of the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. He retired in 1992, and died six years later.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Levy, Claudia (October 15, 1998). "JOHN DECONCINI, BAKERY UNION CHIEF, DIES AT 80". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Easterbrook, Gregg (May 1983). "Voting for unemployment". The Atlantic. Retrieved 6 February 2023.