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Phillip Murray


Phillip Murray was an important American labor leader born in Blantyre, Scotland, 25 May 1886, to Irish immigrants William and Rose Ann (Layden) Murray. The family emigrated to Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh in 1902 and Phillip became a naturalized American citizen in 1911. He became a member of the international board of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)in 1912, President of UMWA District 5 in 1916, and UMWA International Vice President in 1920. During the First World War he served on Pennsylvania's Regional Labor Board and in 1935 was named to the National Industrial Recovery Administration. He was Chairman of the Steel Workers' Organizing Committee (SWOC), 1936-1942, and its successor, the United Steelworkers of America, 1942-1952. Murray succeeded John L. Lewis as President of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1940, a post he held until his death in 1952. During the Second World War, Murray promoted the active cooperation of labor in the war effort. After the war, he pledged full support in the campaign to purge Communists out of the CIO ranks. Murray was married in 1910 to Elizabeth Lavery and they had one child, a son named Joseph William Murray. It should also be noted that Murray was very proud of his Scottish identity, retaining a Scottish brogue and often appearing in public wearing a kilt.

Thanks to William J. Shepherd for sending this in


 

 


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