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Title: UAW VICE
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE: LEONARD WOODCOCK FILES Type : Records Dates: 1950-1970
Size : 42 Linear Feet ID #: 734-uaw OCLC: ©Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs |
Ø Subjects Ø Containers [Large file] Ø Index [Large file] |
HEFA.01e.update
Leonard Woodcock was born in Providence, Rhode Island on February 15, 1911. His early education was in British schools as his family lived then in Northampton, England. They came to Detroit in 1926.
Woodcock attended Detroit City College (now WSU) and then the Walsh Institute of Accounting. His first job was at the R.G. Dun Cigar Company. By 1933 he was working at the Detroit Gear Company and had joined the AFL.
In 1938 Woodcock became education director of the Wayne County CIO Council. He was assigned to the UAW‑CIO Region ID staff in 1940, and given the job of organizing General Motors Fisher Body in Grand Rapids. He worked as a punch press and dynamometer operator for Continental Aviation from 1944 until 1946, When he returned to the UAW‑CIO staff‑as administrative assistant to its newly elected president, Walter P. Reuther.
From 1947 to 1955 Woodcock served as director of Region 1D and of the American Motors Department. He was elected a vice president in 1955 and simultaneously served as director of the Agricultural Implement and Aerospace Departments. He remained vice‑president and director of the UA14 General Motors Department until May 1970 when Reuther was killed in a plane crash and Woodcock was elected to succeed him as UAW president.
Woodcock was involved in many civic activities, including committees on education, housing, employment, social security and mental health. He was a member of the World Automotive Council and the International Metal Workers Federation. He served on several state and federal government task forces and commissions, and was an elected member of the Wayne State University Board of Governors from 1954 until 1970.
This collection relates to Woodcock's activities as UAW Vice President from 1955 to 1970, his involvement with UAW negotiations, the aerospace industry, and General Motors. Also included are files concerning his many non‑union activities, especially his service to the Wayne State University Board of Governors.
Aerospace companies
GM negotiations
Union Jurisdictions
WSU Board of Governors
Irving Bluestone Douglas Fraser
Larry Gettlingger Emil Mazey
Ernest J. Moran E.S. Patterson
Victor Reuther Walter P. Reuther
Steven 1. Schlossberg Nat Weinberg
Transferred
Three storage boxes of periodicals, pamphlets, and books have been transferred to the Archives Library. The Archives Audio‑Visual Collection has received two storage boxes of photographs.
Leonard Woodcock: Presidential Papers 262-uaw
UAW INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD ORAL HISTORIES
84 Manuscript Boxes
Series I, General Union Files, 1955‑1970; Boxes 1‑35 Correspondence, clippings, memoranda, minutes, press releases, reports, and studies covering many union related topics. To Series
Series II, Jurisdictional Files, 1950‑1970; Boxes 36‑44 Correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other materials relating to the relationship of the UAW with other unions. To Series
Series III, General Motors Negotiations, 1951‑1970; Boxes 45‑53 Correspondence, notes, memoranda, reports, newsletter, clippings, press releases, and other material relating to contract negotiations between the UAW and General Motors Corporation. To Series
Series IV, Aerospace Files, 1957‑1969, Boxes 54‑57 Correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, newsletters, clippings, and press releases relating to the UAW and aircraft and aerospace companies, and particularly to contract negotiations. To Series
Series V, UAW Internal Studies, 1957‑1967; Boxes 58‑59 Studies commissioned by the UAW, and performed by Lou Harris and Associates or Oliver Quayle and Company, primarily concerning attitudes of the rank and file membership. To Series
Series VI, Union Correspondence, 1955‑1970; Boxes 60‑63; Incoming and outgoing correspondence, and invitations, which relate to Woodcock's work as UAW Vice‑President. To Series
Series VII, Articles and Speech Notes, 1956‑1970; Boxes 64‑70; Notes and drafts for articles and speeches and background research materials. To Series
Series VIII,Organizations and Activities Files, 1957‑1970, Boxes 70‑78; Materials relating to activities such as task forces, committees, and commissions, with which Woodcock was involved outside his union work. To Series
Series IX, Wayne State University Board of Governors Files,1955‑1970; Boxes 78‑82: A subject file concerning many topics with which Woodcock was involved during his years as an elected number of the WSU Board of Governors. To Series
Series X, Personal Correspondence, 1956‑1970; Boxes 83‑84 Correspondence and invitations either relating to Woodcock's civic activities or personal matters. To Series