David Dubinsky, one of the immigrant Jews who led the successful fight four decades ago to end sweat-shop conditions in American industry, resigned yesterday as President of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. The 74-year-old Jewish labor leader had led the 447, 000-member ILGWU for 34 years.
Born in Brest Litovsk, Russia, Dubinsky became a master baker at 15 and was elected assistant secretary of the baker’s union. Within a year, he was arrested for union activity and exiled to Siberia. He escaped and made his way to Russian Poland and from there boarded ship for the United States. After working at a variety of menial jobs in New York City he joined the Cutters Local of the then 11-year-old ILGWU, rising steadily to the presidency.
During his 34 years, the union made many notable gains including the first garment industry pact for a 35-hour week, the first employer-contributed fund for worker vacations, health and welfare funds, retirement funds and severance pay.
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