Meyer Bernstein was a labor official specializing in international affairs.
Bernstein received an AB degree from Cornell University in 1936. Immediately after graduation, he joined the staff of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee . After serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II, Bernstein was rehired by the successor of the Committee, the United Steelworkers of America (CIO) as a research assistant and national representative. Bernstein became the union's specialist in international labor and was eventually made its international affairs director.
Copy of a 78 page unpublished manuscript by Meyer Bernstein on the United Steelworkers of America election of officers held in 1965.
The following personalities predominate throughout the manuscript: David J. McDonald (president of the United Steelworkers seeking re-election); Howard J. Hague (vice-president, seeking re-election); Al Whitehouse (candidate for secretary-treasurer, running with McDonald); James Griffen (McDonald's campaign manager); I.W. Abel (presidential candidate); Joseph Molony (vice-presidential candidate); Walter Burke (candidate for secretary-treasurer); Joseph Germano (Abel's campaign manager); and Donald Rarick (Dues Protest Committee).
Events and issues discussed include the decline in Steelworkers' membership while staff was being enlarged; a union consititutional amendment on retirement; the election of district directors; the controversy over the appointment and activities of election "tellers"; a union-commissioned poll by Oliver Quayle and Company (national polling organization); the solicitation of campaign funds; then current contract negotiations; "tuxedo trade unionism"; racism and the black vote; the impact of the Landrum-Griffin Law; and the effect of the Honest Ballot Association.
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"The Steelworkers Election, 1965" Manuscript #5008. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
78 pages