James Suffridge

American labor unionist

James A. Suffridge (February 2, 1909 - June 7, 2001) was an American labor unionist.

James Suffridge

7th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1953–1968
Preceded by| Clarence C. Coulter
Succeeded by| James Housewright
International Secretary-Treasurer of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1947–1953
5th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1944–1947
Personal details
Born| Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Suffridge's father encouraged him to box as a child. James then followed his father in becoming a grocer, moving to Oakland, California, where he joined the Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU). He was soon elected as leader of his local, in which role he encouraged Asian Americans to join the union, while they were often excluded from other unions. He also became known for making compromises with large grocery chains, in exchange for them permitting their workers to unionize.[1][2]

In 1944, Suffridge was elected as president of the RCIU, moving to the top position of secretary-treasurer in 1947. He moved the union's headquarters to Lafayette, Indiana, and then to Washington D.C.. In 1953, the union decided to make the presidency its senior position, and Suffridge moved back into it. He came to national prominence, and in 1961 went on an international goodwill tour with Lyndon B. Johnson. He was elected as president of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, and Technical Employees in 1964.[1][2][3]

Suffridge retired from the RCIU in 1968, and from the international federation two years later. He moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he was active in the Shriners and played golf.[1]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Zielinski, Graeme (June 14, 2001). "Union Leader James Suffridge Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
2. ^ a b Nominations to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Board of Directors. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1970.
3. ^ "UFCW mourns Vernon Housewright". UFCW Action. 14: 4. 1992.

Trade union offices

Preceded by

W. G. Desepte

|  President of the Retail Clerks International Union
1944-1947  | Succeeded by

Vernon Housewright

Preceded by

C. C. Coulter

|  General Secretary of the Retail Clerks International Union
1947-1953  | Succeeded by

Vernon Housewright

Preceded by

Vernon Housewright

|  President of the Retail Clerks International Union
1953-1968  | Succeeded by

James Housewright

Preceded by

William A. Lee
J. Scott Milne

|  American Federation of Labor delegate to the Trades Union Congress
1954
With:  Paul L. Phillips | Succeeded by

Michael Fox
C. J. Haggerty

Preceded by

Joe Hiscock

|  President of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, and Technical Employees
1964-1970  | Succeeded by

Alfred Allen