Ross Rieder was a labor activist and historian from Washington state.
Ross Rieder | |
---|---|
Born | 1940 Yakima, Washington, U.S. |
Died | December 14, 2021 | (aged 80–81)
Organization | Pacific Northwest Labor History Association |
Known for | Labor activism |
Biography
editRoss K. Rieder was born in 1940 in Yakima, Washington, to Frances Rieder and Rolla Rieder, Sr. He spent his childhood in Yakima, Damascus, and San Jose. In 1962, he graduated from Linfield College with a degree in music education.[1][2][3]
In 1962, Rieder began teaching music and eighth grade chorus at Evergreen Junior High School in Everett, Washington. He became involved in his union, the Everett Federation of Teachers (American Federation of Teachers, Local 722). He served as president of the Washington State Federation of Teachers from 1968-1975.[1][2]
After his term as WSFT president, Rieder continued his career in the labor movement. From 1977 to 1979, he worked as a negotiator and organizer for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 17, and he was Political Action Director at the Washington State Labor Council from 1979 to 1986. He worked as an organizer for the Snohomish County Labor Council from 1991 to 1997. Rieder was also involved in the production of numerous publications and media programs about the labor movement and its history.[1][4][5][6][2]
In 1977, Rieder worked with Ottilie Markholt and a group of local labor activists and historians to establish the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association. Rieder was elected the PNLHA's first president, and he remained in that role until his retirement in 2015. As president, he produced the PNLHA's newsletter "Urban Work," led the PNLHA in sponsoring an annual labor stage at the Northwest Folklife Festival, oversaw annual conferences, produced the PNLHA's annual labor history calendar, and produced labor history walking tours in Seattle and Tacoma.[1][4][5][6][2][7][8]
Rieder retired from the PNLHA in 2015. He died on December 14, 2021.[1][2]
Further reading
edit- Ross Rieder collection, approximately 1884-2020. 8.53 cubic feet. At the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
- Pacific Northwest Labor History Association records, 1947-2015. 2.19 cubic feet. At the Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Remembering the life of Ross Rieder". obituaries.seattletimes.com. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b c d e McIntosh, Don (2022-01-19). "Ross Rieder, 1940-2021". NW Labor Press. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies (2021). "In Memory: Ross Rieder, 1940-2021". Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, University of Washington.
- ^ a b "Ross Rieder collection - Archives West". archiveswest.orbiscascade.org. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b Groves, David (2022-09-06). "Join PNLHA in celebrating the life of Ross Rieder on Sept. 10". The STAND. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b admin (2022-01-14). "Lifelong union activist, historian Ross Rieder passes away at 81". The STAND. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Report of the Secretary-Treasurer". Pacific Historical Review. 62 (2): 221–231. 1993-05-01. doi:10.2307/3639912. ISSN 0030-8684. JSTOR 3639912.
- ^ Jacoby, Daniel (April 2000). "1999 Pacific Northwest Labor History Association Conference". International Labor and Working-Class History. 57: 117–119. doi:10.1017/S0147547900212799. ISSN 1471-6445.