George Banks was a pioneering leader of the United Steelworkers. He was born in Hebbardsville, Ky., the third of seven siblings. Orphaned at 19, he brought his four younger brothers to Cleveland in 1943 and helped to support them by tending the blast furnace at Republic Steel. During the 1960s, he became what survivors believe to be the first black secretary and first black president of Local 1157.
I believe that in about 1970, he became the first such assistant director of District 28. He joined negotiations around the country and conferences in Japan. George retired in 1990, became a board member of SOAR in District 1 and a representative for the Alliance for Retired Americans. He also helped found an area chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, which works for racial and economic justice.
"Even though he was hard-nosed on what was the best thing for the members, he took the time to talk, explain and listen," Frank Valenta, former head of the Cleveland AFL-CIO and the steelworkers' old District 28, said.
Jim Centner, former SOAR Director in a letter to George on his 80th birthday said, “You have against insurmountable odds, made a difference. What you have accomplished over your decades of union service is a perfect example of what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.”
My own memories of George Banks are primarily during the off work hours we spent together in Washington D.C. while serving as legislative interns for the union. George was strictly spit and polish. I think he got a big kick out of being with a country bumpkin like myself. I think the highlight of his time in Washington was our visit to the African American Civil War Memorial & Museum.
George died in 2010 at age 86.
1 comment:
Nice work Charlie.
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