William H. Sylvis was born in Pennsylvania, the second of ten children. To help his family he was sent to another family who woud support him for his work. As a teenager Sylvis became an iron molder; a very dangerous job which consisted of working with hot metal in furnaces and living in compony houses. As an iron molder Sylvis joined the local union, but felt that the union should be a national organization not a local one. So on July 4th, 1859 Sylvis created a connvention for all iron molders in Piladelphia which lead to the formation of the Iron Molders' Intrrnational Union in 1860. Sylvis would serve as president of the IMIU for five years.
In 1866 Sylvis set his sights on a national union to unite all trades. That year he helped form the National Labor Union and serve as its president in 1868. Unfortunately in 1869 while sitting at his desk preparing a speech Sylvis fell ill. Five days later he would pass away. Afterwards the National Labor Union slowly dissolved and became no more.
For more information on William H. Sylvis visit: http://www.laborsolidarity.info/index-2.html
In 1866 Sylvis set his sights on a national union to unite all trades. That year he helped form the National Labor Union and serve as its president in 1868. Unfortunately in 1869 while sitting at his desk preparing a speech Sylvis fell ill. Five days later he would pass away. Afterwards the National Labor Union slowly dissolved and became no more.
For more information on William H. Sylvis visit: http://www.laborsolidarity.info/index-2.html