Edward Sadlowski
Encyclopedia
Edward Sadlowski, also known as "Oil Can Eddie", is a United States
labor
activist and a past Director of United Steelworkers of America, District 31.
Sadlowski was a candidate for president of the Steelworkers in 1977, running at the head of a reformist slate(Steelworkers Fight Back). During his campaign for District Director of District 31 in 1973, and the subsequent campaign for the presidency of the USWA, he was opposed by incumbent union leadership. During the 1977 election, Sadlowski ran against Lloyd McBride
, who received substantial support from union officers and staff. Sadlowski raised donations from both inside and outside the union. Sadlowski lost the election, and the USWA subsequently outlawed such donations. Sadlowski sued to overturn the union rule on First Amendment
grounds. Although he initially won his case at the federal district and appellate court levels, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the rulings. Sadlowski was featured in the first chapter of the novel "Never a City So Real: A Walk in Chicago."
He is currently a member of the advisory board for the Association for Union Democracy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
labor
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
activist and a past Director of United Steelworkers of America, District 31.
Sadlowski was a candidate for president of the Steelworkers in 1977, running at the head of a reformist slate(Steelworkers Fight Back). During his campaign for District Director of District 31 in 1973, and the subsequent campaign for the presidency of the USWA, he was opposed by incumbent union leadership. During the 1977 election, Sadlowski ran against Lloyd McBride
Lloyd McBride
Lloyd McBride was an American labor leader and president of the United Steelworkers of America from 1977 to 1983.-Early life and union work:...
, who received substantial support from union officers and staff. Sadlowski raised donations from both inside and outside the union. Sadlowski lost the election, and the USWA subsequently outlawed such donations. Sadlowski sued to overturn the union rule on First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
grounds. Although he initially won his case at the federal district and appellate court levels, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the rulings. Sadlowski was featured in the first chapter of the novel "Never a City So Real: A Walk in Chicago."
He is currently a member of the advisory board for the Association for Union Democracy.
External links
- The Association for Union Democracy.
- James Balanoff Papers. Calumet Regional Archives: CRA 417, Box 5. Legal Documents, Ed Sadlowski, 1977-1980. Online directory available.
- Steelworkers v. Sadlowski, 457 U.S. 102 (1982).