Thomas Alfred Rickert (April 24, 1876 – July 28, 1941) was an American labor union leader.

Born in Chicago, Rickert studied business, but then became a garment cutter, and joined the United Garment Workers of America. In 1904, he was elected as president of the union. As leader of the union, he was regarded as a strong negotiator, and a close associate of Samuel Gompers. However, two-thirds of the union's membership split away to form the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, alienated by Rickert's conservative approach.[1][2]

He served on the National War Labor Board during World War I, and was a vice-president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1918. In 1934, he denounced the New Deal, arguing that the government was competing with private enterprise and thereby destroying jobs. In 1939, he became part of the AFL team negotiating with the rival Congress of Industrial Organizations, in which post he opposed any concessions to the other organization.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Thomas A. Rickert, A.F.of L. official". New York Times. July 30, 1941.
  2. ^ a b The Samuel Gompers Papers. University of Illinois Press. 1986. ISBN 9780252033896.
Trade union offices Preceded byBernard A. Larger President of the United Garment Workers of America 1904–1941 Succeeded byJoseph McGurdy Preceded byWilliam D. Mahon Fifth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor 1923–1924 Succeeded byJacob Fischer Preceded byWilliam Green Fourth Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor 1924–1926 Succeeded byJacob Fischer Preceded byWilliam Green Third Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor 1926–1928 Succeeded byJacob Fischer Preceded byFrank Duffy Second Vice-President of the American Federation of Labor 1928–1941 Succeeded byMatthew Woll
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