Steelworkers Leader Calling It Quits

Thu., Dec. 14, 2000

From Staff

The president of the United Steelworkers of America said Wednesday he will resign at the end of February.

In a letter from his Pittsburgh office, George Becker told Steelworkers that it was time to retire. Becker, 72, has been a Steelworker for 56 years, the past six as union president.

“I’m in good health, and I have enjoyed serving as your president more than any other endeavor in my lifetime, but I can’t escape the fact that I am 72 years old,” Becker said. “I know in my heart that it’s time to make a change.”

Leo Gerard, now the union’s secretary-treasurer, will succeed Becker.

During the two-year labor dispute between Steelworkers and Kaiser Aluminum Corp., Becker visited Spokane at least twice for rallies.

He is credited with some of the tactics employed by unions struggling with employers: namely, taking the fight beyond the picket lines to the customers of corporations.

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Steelworkers Leader Calling It Quits

Jesse Tinsley

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