William Huber
Encyclopedia
William Huber was a carpenter and an American
labor
leader. He was president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
from 1900 to 1912.
As president of the Carpenters, he built a powerful personal machine among the international union's organizers. He expanded the union's jurisdictional claims, and forced the American Federation of Labor
to formally recognize and enforce the union's jurisdiction. He was also a critic of racial discrimination within the union.
After his election, Huber was ordered by the international union's executive board to assist founder and general secretary-treasurer Peter J. McGuire
with his duties. But McGuire's failing health, alcoholism and general unpleasantness led Huber to abandon this role. Huber, along with Frank Duffy
, was one of a group of union leaders who sought to force McGuire into retirement. He personally presented the charges of incompetence and corruption which led to McGuire's dismissal from the union in 1902.
Huber was a key figure in the formation of the Structural Building Trades Alliance
in 1902. He also led raids on the American Wood Workers Union, and forced the union to merge with the Carpenters in 1912.
Huber did not get along well with the generally autonomous members of the international union's executive board. Although he was able to win passage of constitutional amendments that centralized power within the office of the international president, he was exhausted by the battles with the board.
Huber retired as president of the Carpenters at the end of his term in 1912, and was succeeded by James Kirby
.
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...
leader. He was president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America is one of the largest building trades union in the United States. One of the unions that formed the American Federation of Labor in 1886, it left the AFL-CIO in 2001.-Early years:...
from 1900 to 1912.
As president of the Carpenters, he built a powerful personal machine among the international union's organizers. He expanded the union's jurisdictional claims, and forced the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
to formally recognize and enforce the union's jurisdiction. He was also a critic of racial discrimination within the union.
After his election, Huber was ordered by the international union's executive board to assist founder and general secretary-treasurer Peter J. McGuire
Peter J. McGuire
Peter J. McGuire was an American labor leader of the nineteenth century, the founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and one of the leading figures in the first three decades of the American Federation of Labor...
with his duties. But McGuire's failing health, alcoholism and general unpleasantness led Huber to abandon this role. Huber, along with Frank Duffy
Frank Duffy (labor leader)
Frank Duffy was an American labor leader and secretary-general of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America from 1901 to 1950.-Early life and union work:...
, was one of a group of union leaders who sought to force McGuire into retirement. He personally presented the charges of incompetence and corruption which led to McGuire's dismissal from the union in 1902.
Huber was a key figure in the formation of the Structural Building Trades Alliance
Structural Building Trades Alliance
The Structural Building Trades Alliance was an American federation of labor unions in the construction industry. It was founded in 1903 and existed until 1908, when it affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and became the Building Trades Department.The organization's primary goal was...
in 1902. He also led raids on the American Wood Workers Union, and forced the union to merge with the Carpenters in 1912.
Huber did not get along well with the generally autonomous members of the international union's executive board. Although he was able to win passage of constitutional amendments that centralized power within the office of the international president, he was exhausted by the battles with the board.
Huber retired as president of the Carpenters at the end of his term in 1912, and was succeeded by James Kirby
James Kirby
James Kirby was an American labor leader and president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America from 1913 to 1915....
.