William J. McCarthy (trade unionist)
William J. McCarthy (born September 2, 1919 in Boston , † November 19, 1998 in Arlington , Virginia ) was President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1989 to 1991.
biography
McCarthy was born in Boston and was a member of the “Teamsters” at the age of 17, as he was a professional driver on the Boston - New York route. After spending ten years behind the wheel, he was hired by the Teamsters at Local 25 in Boston in 1946 , which at the time had about 7,000 members, making it the union's largest branch in New England . He rose quickly and became president of the "Local 25" in 1955 and vice-president of the entire union under Frank Fitzsimmons in 1969 .
As Vice President, the Presidency of the Teamsters came within reach for him. McCarthy had apparently not forgotten the events surrounding the disappearance of former President Jimmy Hoffa, and as his possible presidency slowly became more concrete, he acted accordingly.
In 1984 the FBI was able to record a conversation between him, Jackie Presser (successor to Fitzsimmons ) and the Mafioso Anthony Salerno ("Fat Tony") and John Trolone ("Peanuts"). Jackie Presser himself is known to act as an informant for the FBI.
McCarthy said he needed the decision of a Mafia boss before he could advance further in the Teamsters . And although the New York Times reported on the conversation in 1988, he became President of Teamsters in 1989 . Obviously, this was not a good starting point for exonerating the union from existing allegations of connection with La Cosa Nostra .
In view of this' finding of the president 'by Mobster , which was documented for the first time, a court in 1991 ordered the election of the president of the transport workers' union by its members.
In this election by 1.6 million members, McCarthy then lost to Ron Carey , who had presented himself as a reform candidate.
William J. McCarthy died on November 19, 1998 at the age of 79 at Symmes Hospital in Arlington, leaving behind his wife, a brother (John), two daughters (Rosemary Treacy, Anne Prendergast), two sons (Chalsea and Lawrence), and eleven grandchildren.
Web links
- New York Times "Teamsters and Mobster Linked" July 29, 1988
- Associated Press. "Teamsters Leader William McCarthy Dies at 79" on November 21, 1998
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Presser | President of the " Teamsters " Union 1989–1991 |
Ron Carey |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | McCarthy, William J. |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American union leader |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 2, 1919 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Boston |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 9, 1998 |
| Place of death | Arlington ( Virginia ) |