(1894 – 1980) President of the AFL-CIO from 1955 to 1979, George Meany was the most powerful labor leader at a time when labor unions had considerable influence in American politics.

Born in New York City, Meany rose through union ranks to become the president of the New York State Federation of Labor and then head of the American Federation of Labor in 1952. With the strength of the CIO compromised by the purges of communists, Meany was able to merge the two labor organizations, becoming the new federation’s first president. Generally conservative in inclination (he refused to endorse the March on Washington), Meany was angered by Democratic Party reforms in 1972. He refused to support George McGovern for US president, the first time a labor leader had not supported Democrats since the New Deal. Meany renewed his support for the Democrats in 1976, but later denounced Jimmy Carter’s stagflationary economic policies. Having indirectly aided Richard Nixon, he did the same for Ronald Reagan, whose policies after Meany’s death would significantly diminish the power of unions.