Herbert Zam

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Herbert Zam (October 21, 1900 - January 14, 1992) was an American socialist activist and trade unionist.

Biography

Zam was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and joined the Young People's Socialist League while in high school. [1] Zam became a follower of Jay Lovestone, joining the Communist Party (Opposition) in 1929 after Lovestone's expulsion from the Communist Party. [2] In 1935, Zam broke with the Lovestoneites and joined the Socialist Party. [3]

Within the Socialist Party, Zam was a member of the Clarity faction, which opposed collaboration with the American Labor Party. [4] He became the main editor of Socialist Review, the Party's official journal. [5] In 1936, following discussions with members of the Communist Party, Zam helped to merge a Socialist union with a Communist supporting labor union, resulting in the creation of the United Office and Professional Workers Union. [6] In the late 1930s, Zam left the Socialist Party. [7] Zam later worked for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, managing its Retirement Fund. [8]

References

  1. ↑ Feuer, Lewis S. (1969). The conflict of generations : The character and significance of student movements. New York: Basic Books. p. 425.
  2. ↑ Chester, Eric Thomas (2004). True mission : Socialists and the Labor Party question in the U.S. Sterling, Va.: Pluto Press. p. 160. ISBN   9780745322155.
  3. ↑ Alexander, Robert J. (1981). The right opposition : The Lovestoneites and the International Communist Opposition of the 1930's. Westport: Greenwood Press. p. 69.
  4. ↑ Warren, Frank A. (1974). An Alternative Vision: The Socialist Party in the 1930's. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 84. ISBN   0253305209.
  5. ↑ Goldwater, Walter (1964). Radical Periodicals in America, 1890-1950. New Haven: Yale University Library. p. 39.
  6. ↑ Egbert, Donald Drew; Persons, Stow, eds. (1952). Socialism and American Life. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 382.
  7. ↑ Epstein, Melech (1959). The Jew and Communism: The story of early Communist victories and ultimate defeats in the Jewish community, U.S.A., 1919-1941. New York: Trade Union Sponsoring Committee. p. 204.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Dwight Edwards (1949). Collective Bargaining and Market Control in the New York Coat and Suit Industry. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 80.
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