Green, William (1870-1952), succeeded Samuel Gompers as president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1924, and held the position until his death on Nov. 21, 1952. As president of the AFL, Green worked for laws to help workers and unions. During World War II, he helped work out the labor movement’s “no-strike” pledge.
Green was born on March 3, 1870, in Coshocton, Ohio, where he became a coal miner. He was elected secretary-treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America in 1913. He also served two years in the Ohio Senate. He helped pass the mine safety and workers’ compensation laws in Ohio.
See also American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
