High stakes, last stands, and fleeting triumphs: The United Rubber Workers in the post war period 1945-1976

John L Woods, Purdue University

Abstract

The history of the United Rubber Workers in the post-World War II period was more often than not a contest of high stakes, but it also, ultimately became a series of last stands. This dissertation explores how the union sought to reinvigorate itself in the post-war period. Beginning in 1945, the union changed its name and welcomed a new President who would lead the union through the tumultuous immediate post-war years. Under his leadership the union sought to address the political, social, economic and cultural changes of the period. As the union entered the late 1960s and early 1970, a new guard of leaders worked to direct the union as it navigated the upheavals associated with the emergence of the global economy. Reaching its zenith following an industry-wide strike in 1976, the URW would be forced to address the wholesale flight of jobs from its headquarters in Akron, Ohio, the self-proclaimed "Rubber Capital of the World." When it was all over, the union found that it could no longer stand on its own in the face of the growing global threat, so it turned for help to a larger and stronger union, and with the stroke of a pen, the union, as so many companies in the rubber industry had done earlier, entered into a merger that offered greater support and deeper pockets and the United Rubber Workers became United Steel Workers.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Gabin, Purdue University.

Subject Area

American history|Labor relations

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS