The tradition of May 1 as the international holiday of the working class began in the United States, but for many decades was lost to the U.S. working class. Beginning in 2006, with mass marches and work stoppages by immigrant workers, working people in this country have begun to reclaim their day.
Julius Emspak – one of the founders of UE and the union's first general secretary-treasurer – died of a heart attack 50 years ago, on April 26, 1962, at age 57. Emspak played a major role in shaping UE in its earliest years and in helping the union survive the fierce attacks on its existence in the 1950s.
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| Some of the New Jersey Renzenberger workers during a visit by James Hill, vice president of UE Local 1177 and a Chicago Renzenberger driver. Brother Hill is third from the right. |
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| Right to left in front row: Wes Coleman, UE Local 1177; Eveleyna Washington, WWJ Interfaith Action Committee and Joliet Coalition of Black Trade Unionists chair; Susan Hurley, director of Chicago Jobs With Justice; and Elce Redmond of the South Austin Coalition. |
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Part of the UE contingent in the HKonJ march. From left to right: William Newsome, Local 150; Rafael Garcia, L. 120; Vera Nedrick and Wilma Nedrick, L. 160; Deb Gornall, Eastern Region; Larsene Taylor, L. 150; Patrick Brown, L. 160; Ciscero Warren and Kenny Myatt, L. 150 |
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| CAW Local 27 President Tim Carrie and UE Local 506 President Roger Zaczyk at the big London labor rally. Behind them are UE International Representative Gene Elk and Local 506 Executive Board Member Mike Ferritto. |
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| Rick Peduzzi |
Rick Peduzzi, the union's hardworking director of special projects whose many contributions to the union include creating and maintaining this website, died January 18 as the result of an apparent stroke. He was just 56 years old.
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| David Montgomery addressing delegates to UE's 71st Convention in New Haven, 2009.(Photo by Ron Flowers) |
Richard D. Wolff is a professor of economics who has published numerous books on the subject of economic democracy and has appeared as a guest on television and radio news programs including Democracy Now! and The Real News. He currently hosts a weekly radio program on economics and society called Economic Update, at WBAI in New York City.
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