Difference between revisions of "William Winpisinger"
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In 1994 William Winpisinger was an initiator of the [[International Peace for Cuba Appeal]], an affiliate of the [[Workers World Party]] dominated [[International Action Center]]. | In 1994 William Winpisinger was an initiator of the [[International Peace for Cuba Appeal]], an affiliate of the [[Workers World Party]] dominated [[International Action Center]]. | ||
| − | Other prominent initiators included Cuban Intelligence agent [[ | + | Other prominent initiators included Cuban Intelligence agent [[Philip Agee]], academic [[Noam Chomsky]], Congressman [[John Conyers]] and [[Charles Rangel]] <ref>International Peace for Cuba Appeal - letterhead, Nov. 14, 1994</ref>. |
==DSA vice chair== | ==DSA vice chair== | ||
Revision as of 19:17, 15 January 2010
Willian W Winpisinger...
William (Wimpy) Winpisinger, (1924-1997) was, at the time of his death, Democratic Socialists of America National Vice-Chair[1]and a retired President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
Career
Winpisinger began his career as an automobile mechanic, learning the trade in the Navy during World War II. He started his IAM membership in IAM Automotive Lodge 1363 and rose from shop steward to local lodge president. In 1951,he became one of the youngest members ever appointed to the IAM's national field staff.
In 1977 Winpisinger was elected President of the IAM. He gained a reputation for bluntness by calling for George Meany, the then President of the AFL-CIO, to retire, because, at 83, Winpisinger considered Meany too old conservative to lead a young workforce.
Winpisinger also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Metalworkers Federation.
Democratic Party activism
In 1980, Winpisinger led a walkout of some 300 delegates from the Democratic Party Convention to protest the Convention's nomination of Jimmy Carter for President. The electronic media ignored the walkout, and Carter operatives blocked the aisles, pushing protesting delegates into seats.
Earlier at the 1980 Democratic Convention, Winpisinger had addressed a Socialist Caucus organized by the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee. Some 100 people, including 40 delegates, came to their feet, as Winpisinger concluded the caucus. Someone shouted, "Wimpy for President". Winpisinger replied, "I'm president of the only thing I want to be president of right now. By the time I learn this job, I'll be ready to retire, and that's it altogether."
Peace activism
Winpisinger worked "for a sane nuclear policy for all people in advocating the conversion of arms production to peaceful purposes" and was a founder and president of the Citizen / Labor Energy Coalition.
Soviet front connection
Winpisinger had a connection to the Soviet front World Peace Council.
The first official World Peace Coucil conference[2]in the US was the Dialogue on Disarmament and Detente held January 25-27, 1978, in Washington, DC.
It was sponsored by a small committee including and World Peace Coucil Presidium member Communist Party USA functionary and Amalgamated Meatcutters Union vice-president Abe Feinglass.
Attendees included Katherine Camp, International President of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Rep. Ron Dellums, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers president William Winpisinger, Edith Villastrigo, legislative director of Women Strike for Peace, Illinois State Representative Peggy Martin Smith and Connecticut State Representative [[Irving Stolberg]].
Collaboration with Jane Slaughter
In 1983 Winpisinger co-authored[3](with radical labor journalist Jane Slaughter) "Concessions & How to Beat Them".
Institute for Policy Studies
Winpisinger was a member[4]of the Institute for Policy Studies 20th Anniversary Committee, which organized an April 5, 1983, reception at the National Building Museum, Washington DC attended by approximately l,OOO IPS staffers and former staff.
In 1993 William Winpisinger was listed[5] among former "Trustees" of the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington DC.
Peace for Cuba Appeal
In 1994 William Winpisinger was an initiator of the International Peace for Cuba Appeal, an affiliate of the Workers World Party dominated International Action Center.
Other prominent initiators included Cuban Intelligence agent Philip Agee, academic Noam Chomsky, Congressman John Conyers and Charles Rangel [6].
DSA vice chair
In 1984 Democratic Socialists of America vice chairs were Harry Britt, Ron Dellums, Dorothy Healey, Irving Howe, Frances Moore Lappe, Manning Marable, Hilda Mason, Marjorie Phyfe, Christine Riddiough, Rosemary Ruether, Edwin Vargas Jr, William Winpisinger[7].
Socialist honoree
William Winpisinger was presented with Chicago DSA's Thomas-Debs Award in May of 1989, a few months before he retired, at the 31st Annual Thomas - Debs Dinner.
References
- ↑ http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngarchive/ng56.html#anchor1041945
- ↑ Information Digest Vol XI #4 2/24/78, pp.62-65
- ↑ http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/Labor/iam/winpisinger.asp
- ↑ Information Digest April l5, 1983 p77-79
- ↑ Institute for Policy Studies 30th Anniversary brochure
- ↑ International Peace for Cuba Appeal - letterhead, Nov. 14, 1994
- ↑ DSA membership letter Oct 24 1984