Washington, D.C.
In every sector of the labor movement, Vice President George Becker, now retired as president of the United Steelworkers of America, is acknowledged and applauded as an outspoken and eloquent advocate of the right of men and women to organize a union and to speak out with a powerful and free voice in their workplaces, in their communities and in their country.
A native of Granite City, Illinois, Becker began work in a steel mill there in 1944, and from that time, rose through the ranks of USWA Local 4804 to become its president. Recognized for his talents by his international union, he became a USWA staff representative, was elected as an international vice president, and served as the top assistant to former USWA President Lynn Williams.
Becker was elected international president of his union for the first time in the 1993, a post that he held until his retirement in February 2001. He has served his union as an innovator in the development of industry safety and health standards and effective collective bargaining. Becker earned respect throughout the labor movement for his leadership of his union’s determined organizing activities and of its corporate campaigns, including the successful worldwide struggle against Ravenswood Aluminum Corporation that saw the return to work of 1,600 Steelworkers after a 20-month lockout and defeated the company’s attempt to destroy the union with permanent replacements.
Vice President Becker was elected to the Executive Council in 1994, and he has chaired a number of the council’s key policy committees including its Economic Policy and Manufacturing and Industrial Committees. In all of his service to the federation, his experience, knowledge and thoughtful opinions have been proven to be essential in the formation of major national policies that have benefited all working families.
Throughout his distinguished career as an officer of USWA, and in his steadfast service to the AFL-CIO, Vice President Becker has been recognized as an advocate for an active and vocal labor movement that fights equally hard for the rights of its members to good and decent jobs and for the rights of all workers to justice and dignity.
The Executive Council, on behalf of the 13 million men and women of the unions of the AFL-CIO, conveys its gratitude and appreciation to Vice President George Becker for his tireless, creative and dedicated service to the labor movement and a good and decent life for every working family.