Leon Bates (labor leader) facts for kids
Leon E. Bates Sr. (born December 3, 1899 – died July 25, 1972) was an important labor union leader in America. He worked with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union from 1937 until he retired in 1964. He was one of the first African-American union organizers to work for the UAW-CIO (which stood for the Congress of Industrial Organizations).
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About Leon Bates
Early Life and Work
Leon Bates was born in Carrollton, Missouri. He went to the Lincoln Institute for a year. Then, he moved to Detroit with his family to find work in factories. This was during the busy years around World War I. After the war, he stayed in Detroit.
In Detroit, Leon met and married Anna L. Perry. They had two children. Before joining the union, Leon had many different jobs. He worked as a taxi driver and a general laborer.
Joining the Labor Movement
In the 1920s and 1930s, many workers in America were trying to form unions. This was a challenging but exciting time. Unions like the United Mine Workers, the Pullman Porters, and the Teamsters were working hard to organize. They faced many difficulties to gain rights for workers.
By 1935, Leon Bates was working at the Briggs Manufacturing Company in Detroit. Briggs made car bodies for companies like Ford and Chrysler. Leon became very involved in the organized labor movement at Briggs. He worked hard to help workers get fair treatment.
Working with the UAW
Fighting for Workers' Rights
By 1937, the UAW-CIO successfully organized workers at Briggs Manufacturing. They signed an agreement for fair working conditions. Leon Bates became a strong union steward for UAW Local #212.
At that time, Briggs was a major employer of African-American workers in Detroit. The UAW-CIO made a special effort to include these workers in their organizing. This was unusual because many unions back then did not accept African-American members. The UAW even encouraged local unions to elect African-American delegates to their meetings. Leon Bates was one of two African-American delegates chosen by Local #212 in 1937.
Organizing Ford Workers
The UAW also worked to organize employees at the Ford Motor Company. On May 26, 1937, UAW organizers faced a violent attack from Ford's security guards. This event became known as the Battle of the Overpass. Henry Ford did not want unions in his factories. He tried to stop the UAW's efforts.
The UAW learned from this event and changed their plans. In 1940, they increased their efforts to organize Ford workers. They got help from the CIO. The UAW knew they needed to include all workers, especially African-American workers, to succeed. They hired seven African-American organizers, and Leon Bates was one of the first.
Leon Bates and John Conyers Sr. led the Ford organizing drive in Detroit. They met with Ford workers in their homes and at churches. They worked very long hours. The UAW also built stronger relationships with groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League.
The Ford organizing drive ended on June 20, 1941. The Ford Motor Company signed an agreement with the UAW-CIO. This was a big victory for the union.
Battling Unfair Practices
After organizing the major car companies, UAW organizers faced new challenges. During World War II, some white workers refused to work with African-American workers. These were called "hate strikes" and were part of unfair "Jim Crow" policies. For example, at Packard Motors, white workers walked off the job when African-American workers were promoted.
African-American organizers like Leon Bates had to fight for their union and for fairness at the same time. The UAW pushed the U.S. Government to punish companies with unfair labor practices. The union also ordered its own members to return to work, threatening to remove local leaders if they refused.
A Champion for Equality
In 1941, Leon Bates took on a new role in Indianapolis, Indiana. Even though many companies had signed union agreements, some areas still had unfair "Jim Crow" policies. Many UAW local unions were still segregated.
Leon Bates worked as a representative for the UAW's International Office. One of his toughest jobs was at the International Harvester Foundry. This factory had a "Jim Crow" system, with two separate union locals based on race and job type. Local #226 was for laborers, mostly African-American workers. Local #998 was for skilled workers, mostly white. Leon Bates worked hard to fight for job equality and to end these unfair practices.
He traveled many miles to visit local unions, helping with organizing, training union leaders, and investigating unfair treatment. He often faced challenges finding places to rest in towns that did not welcome African Americans. Sometimes, local African-American families and churches would offer him a meal and a place to stay.
Leon Bates was known for holding union members accountable. He would tell members off if they were not doing their part at work and trying to hide behind union rules. He also led important councils within the UAW, representing workers from specific companies or skilled trades.
Life After Retirement
In 1964, Leon Bates retired from the UAW. He and his wife, Anna, moved to their vacation home in Idlewild, Michigan. He remained very active in his retirement. He became a UAW representative for retirees. He was also elected as the Supervisor for Yates Township, Lake County, Michigan and a County Board Member. He was the first African American to be elected to the Lake County, Michigan Board of Commissioners.
He continued to be involved in politics at both state and national levels. In 1972, while running for reelection as Township Supervisor, he drowned in Lake Idlewild.
His funeral was attended by many important political and union leaders. The UAW Local #226's Union Hall in Indianapolis is named "Reuther - Bates Hall" to honor him and Walter Reuther.
Leon Bates is buried in the Yates Township Cemetery in Idlewild, Michigan.
See also
- Timeline of labor issues and events
- List of strikes
