Frank Rosenblum (1888 – February 9, 1973) was an American labor unionist. Rosenblum grew up in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

, where he worked as a cutter in the men's clothing industry. He moved to

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

in 1908, and became active in the

United Garment Workers of America The United Garment Workers of America (UGW or UGWA) was a United States labor union which existed between 1891 and 1994. It was an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor. History The UGWA was formed in New York in April 1891 and led a ...

. He was the secretary of the strike committee during the 1910 Chicago garment workers' strike, and was the first worker to be sacked from Hart Schaffner Marx during the action. In 1914, the United Garment Workers barred more radical delegates from its convention. Rosenblum attempted to have the delegates seated, but gave up and led the majority of the union's members to found the new

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA) was a United States labor union known for its support for "social unionism" and progressive political causes. Led by Sidney Hillman for its first thirty years, it helped found the Congress of Indus ...

. He organized new locals of the union across the Mid West. In 1940, he moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

to become executive vice president of the union, then in 1946, he was elected as its secretary-treasurer. In this role, he focused on developing the union's social insurance program. During the 1950s, Rosenblum was a vocal opponent of

McCarthyism McCarthyism is a political practice defined by the political repression and persecution of left-wing individuals and a Fear mongering, campaign spreading fear of communist and Soviet influence on American institutions and of Soviet espionage i ...

. He later opposed American involvement in the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...

, and was active in the peace movement. He finally retired from his union post in 1972 and died the following year.

References

1888 births 1973 deaths Activists from Philadelphia Trade unionists from Pennsylvania Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America people Vice presidents of the Congress of Industrial Organizations {{trade-unionist-bio-stub