Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Suffridge's father encouraged him to box as a child. James then followed his father in becoming a grocer, moving to Oakland, California, where he joined the Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU). He was soon elected as leader of his local, in which role he encouraged Asian Americans to join the union, while they were often excluded from other unions. He also became known for making compromises with large grocery chains, in exchange for them permitting their workers to unionize.[1][2]
In 1944, Suffridge was elected as president of the RCIU, moving to the top position of secretary-treasurer in 1947. He moved the union's headquarters to Lafayette, Indiana, and then to Washington D.C.. In 1953, the union decided to make the presidency its senior position, and Suffridge moved back into it. He came to national prominence, and in 1961 went on an international goodwill tour with Lyndon B. Johnson. He was elected as president of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, and Technical Employees in 1964.[1][2][3]
Suffridge retired from the RCIU in 1968, and from the international federation two years later. He moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he was active in the Shriners and played golf.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcZielinski, Graeme (June 14, 2001). "Union Leader James Suffridge Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
^ abNominations to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Board of Directors. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1970.
^"UFCW mourns Vernon Housewright". UFCW Action. 14: 4. 1992.
james, suffridge, james, suffridge, february, 1909, june, 2001, american, labor, unionist, international, president, retail, clerks, international, unionin, office, 1953, 1968preceded, byclarence, coultersucceeded, byjames, housewrightinternational, secretary,. James A Suffridge February 2 1909 June 7 2001 was an American labor unionist James Suffridge7th International President of the Retail Clerks International UnionIn office 1953 1968Preceded byClarence C CoulterSucceeded byJames HousewrightInternational Secretary Treasurer of the Retail Clerks International UnionIn office 1947 19535th International President of the Retail Clerks International UnionIn office 1944 1947Personal detailsBornKnoxville Tennessee U S Born in Knoxville Tennessee Suffridge s father encouraged him to box as a child James then followed his father in becoming a grocer moving to Oakland California where he joined the Retail Clerks International Union RCIU He was soon elected as leader of his local in which role he encouraged Asian Americans to join the union while they were often excluded from other unions He also became known for making compromises with large grocery chains in exchange for them permitting their workers to unionize 1 2 In 1944 Suffridge was elected as president of the RCIU moving to the top position of secretary treasurer in 1947 He moved the union s headquarters to Lafayette Indiana and then to Washington D C In 1953 the union decided to make the presidency its senior position and Suffridge moved back into it He came to national prominence and in 1961 went on an international goodwill tour with Lyndon B Johnson He was elected as president of the International Federation of Commercial Clerical and Technical Employees in 1964 1 2 3 Suffridge retired from the RCIU in 1968 and from the international federation two years later He moved to Fort Myers Florida where he was active in the Shriners and played golf 1 References edit a b c Zielinski Graeme June 14 2001 Union Leader James Suffridge Dies Washington Post Retrieved 19 September 2022 a b Nominations to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Board of Directors U S Government Printing Office 1970 UFCW mourns Vernon Housewright UFCW Action 14 4 1992 Trade union officesPreceded byW G Desepte President of the Retail Clerks International Union1944 1947 Succeeded byVernon HousewrightPreceded byC C Coulter General Secretary of the Retail Clerks International Union1947 1953 Succeeded byVernon HousewrightPreceded byVernon Housewright President of the Retail Clerks International Union1953 1968 Succeeded byJames HousewrightPreceded byWilliam A LeeJ Scott Milne American Federation of Labor delegate to the Trades Union Congress1954 With Paul L Phillips Succeeded byMichael FoxC J HaggertyPreceded byJoe Hiscock President of the International Federation of Commercial Clerical and Technical Employees1964 1970 Succeeded byAlfred Allen Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Suffridge amp oldid 1193007988, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
