James A. Williams
Williams at a rally for Obama in 2008

James A. Williams was born in 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a prominent labor leader within the United States.[1] After serving in the U.S. Army, Williams worked his way into politics and labor unions.[2][3] He served in positions in Local Union 252 and on boards of various unions and companies.[3] Williams became the president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), where he served from 2003-2013.[2]

Early life and career

Williams grew up in North Philadelphia and Kensington, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1968.[3] Following his high school graduation, Williams embarked on his professional journey as an apprentice with Glaziers, Architectural Metal and Glass Workers Local Union 252 in Philadelphia.[2][4] He then served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 during the Vietnam War.[3] Upon returning home in 1971, he completed his apprenticeship and worked as a skilled journeyman glazier.[2] Williams later accomplished a significant personal milestone by completing his college degree in 2004.[3]

Family

Williams is part of a family with long-standing involvement with union work.[1] Williams' grandfather worked as a union housepainter.[1] Similarly, Williams’ great-grandfather and father were both union glaziers.[1] Additionally, his son, Jimmy Williams, became president of IUPAT in 2021.[1]

Labor Union career

In 1975, Williams was elected as the president and business manager of Local Union 252.[1] He held this position while co-chairing their Pension, Annuity, Health & Welfare, and Vacation Funds, and he also served on numerous boards, including a position on the Philadelphia Private Industry Council.[3]

Williams served from August 1994-1999 as the Allied Region General Vice President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), a prominent labor organization with over 140,000 members in the construction industry across the United States and Canada.[3] Williams was then elected as the General Secretary-Treasurer of IUPAT, where he served as a trustee on multiple pension funds. For example, he played a major role on the IUPAT Local Union and District Council Pension Fund, IUPAT Industry Pension Fund, and the IUPAT General Officers, Staff, and Employees Retirement and Pension Fund.[3]

In April 2003, he was unanimously elected as the general president of the IUPAT by the union's General Executive Board.[2] As president of IUPAT, Williams salary increased significantly, earning a top 15 wage for union leaders across the United States at the time.[5] On June 8, 2005, he was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and the Advisory Board of the AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust.[3] Williams retired as the president of IUPAT on April 1, 2013, replaced by IUPAT Executive General Vice President Ken Rigmaiden.[4]

Relationship with Howard Dean

Williams had a strong relationship with politician Howard Dean during his presidential campaign in 2004, advocating for him in multiple rallies.[6] At the time, Dean was the governor of Vermont.[7] As president of IUPAT, Williams introduced Governor Dean in his address to union members, where he discussed a range of topics including the domestic policies of the George W. Bush administration and employment concerns.[6]

Notable achievements

After serving in the U.S. Army, James Williams was awarded two Bronze Stars, the Army Accommodation Medal, and an Air Medal.[3] Williams also received the Vietnam Veterans Labor Leader of Year award in 1992.[3]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Williams (labor leader).
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Von Bergen, Jane M. "Clear Idea of Building Diverse Union." Philadelphia Inquirer, May 06 2002, ProQuest. Web. 3 Apr. 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Winston, Sherie. "Williams Named Painters' Chief." Enr 248.16 (2002): 10. ProQuest. Web. 3 Apr. 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "James A. Williams - General President Emeritus". IUPAT. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  4. 1 2 "IUPAT General President James A. Williams Retires | Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO". Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  5. ↑ Strope, Leigh. "Reports show union leaders earning six-figure incomes." The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), sec. Business, 29 June 2004. NewsBank: Access World News.
  6. 1 2 "James Williams | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  7. ↑ "The Election of 2004 – Howard Dean". Retrieved 2023-04-26.
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