James A. Williams | |
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 Williams at a rally for Obama in 2008 |
James A. Williams Sr. (born 1951) is an American labor leader. [1] After serving in the U.S. Army, Williams worked his way into politics and labor unions. [2] [3] He served in positions in Local Union 252 and on boards of various unions and companies. [3] Williams is the former president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), which he led from 2003-2013. [2]
Williams grew up in North Philadelphia and Kensington, Pennsylvania. [1] He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1968. [3] Following his high school graduation, Williams embarked on his professional journey as an apprentice with Glaziers, Architectural Metal and Glass Workers Local Union 252 in Philadelphia. [2] [4] He then served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 during the Vietnam War. [3] Upon returning home in 1971, he completed his apprenticeship and worked as a skilled journeyman glazier. [2] Williams later accomplished a significant personal milestone by completing his college degree in 2004. [3]
Williams is part of a family with long-standing involvement with union work. [1] Williams' grandfather worked as a union housepainter. [1] Similarly, Williams’ great-grandfather and father were both union glaziers. [1] Additionally, his son, Jimmy Williams, became president of IUPAT in 2021. [1]
In 1975, Williams was elected as the president and business manager of Local Union 252. [1] He held this position while co-chairing their Pension, Annuity, Health & Welfare, and Vacation Funds, and he also served on numerous boards, including a position on the Philadelphia Private Industry Council. [3]
Williams served from August 1994 – 1999 as the Allied Region General Vice President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), a prominent labor organization with over 140,000 members in the construction industry across the United States and Canada. [3] Williams was then elected as the General Secretary-Treasurer of IUPAT, where he served as a trustee on multiple pension funds. For example, he played a major role on the IUPAT Local Union and District Council Pension Fund, IUPAT Industry Pension Fund, and the IUPAT General Officers, Staff, and Employees Retirement and Pension Fund. [3]
In April 2003, he was unanimously elected as the general president of the IUPAT by the union's General Executive Board. [2] As president of IUPAT, Williams salary increased significantly, earning a top 15 wage for union leaders across the United States at the time. [5] On June 8, 2005, he was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and the Advisory Board of the AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust. [3] Williams retired as the president of IUPAT on April 1, 2013, replaced by IUPAT Executive General Vice President Ken Rigmaiden. [4]
Williams had a strong relationship with politician Howard Dean during his presidential campaign in 2004, advocating for him in multiple rallies. [6] At the time, Dean was the governor of Vermont. [7] As president of IUPAT, Williams introduced Governor Dean in his address to union members, where he discussed a range of topics including the domestic policies of the George W. Bush administration and employment concerns. [6]
After serving in the U.S. Army, James Williams was awarded two Bronze Stars, the Army Accommodation Medal, and an Air Medal. [3] Williams also received the Vietnam Veterans Labor Leader of Year award in 1992. [3]
