James A. Suffridge (February 2, 1909 – June 7, 2001) was an American labor unionist.

James Suffridge
7th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1953–1968
Preceded byClarence C. Coulter
Succeeded byJames Housewright
International Secretary-Treasurer of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1947–1953
5th International President of the Retail Clerks International Union
In office
1944–1947
Personal details
BornKnoxville, Tennessee, U.S.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Suffridge's father encouraged him to box as a child. James then followed his father in becoming a grocer, moving to Oakland, California, where he joined the Retail Clerks International Union (RCIU). He was soon elected as leader of his local, in which role he encouraged Asian Americans to join the union, while they were often excluded from other unions. He also became known for making compromises with large grocery chains, in exchange for them permitting their workers to unionize.[1][2]

In 1944, Suffridge was elected as president of the RCIU, moving to the top position of secretary-treasurer in 1947. He moved the union's headquarters to Lafayette, Indiana, and then to Washington D.C.. In 1953, the union decided to make the presidency its senior position, and Suffridge moved back into it. He came to national prominence, and in 1961 went on an international goodwill tour with Lyndon B. Johnson. He was elected as president of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, and Technical Employees in 1964.[1][2][3]

Suffridge retired from the RCIU in 1968, and from the international federation two years later. He moved to Fort Myers, Florida, where he was active in the Shriners and played golf.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Zielinski, Graeme (June 14, 2001). "Union Leader James Suffridge Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Nominations to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Board of Directors. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1970.
  3. ^ "UFCW mourns Vernon Housewright". UFCW Action. 14: 4. 1992.
Trade union offices
Preceded by
W. G. Desepte
President of the Retail Clerks International Union
1944–1947
Succeeded by
Vernon Housewright
Preceded by
C. C. Coulter
General Secretary of the Retail Clerks International Union
1947–1953
Succeeded by
Vernon Housewright
Preceded by
Vernon Housewright
President of the Retail Clerks International Union
1953–1968
Succeeded by
Preceded by
William A. Lee
J. Scott Milne
American Federation of Labor delegate to the Trades Union Congress
1954
With: Paul L. Phillips
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, and Technical Employees
1964–1970
Succeeded by