Trailblazer Archives - New Jersey Globe

Labor Leader: Fay was elected Local 825 leader for life

September 7, 2020 12:50 am

Joseph S. Fay (1892-1972) spent decades as one of New Jersey’s most politically influential labor leaders, but a scandal that landed him in prison also changed the outcome of a race for governor of New Jersey. Fay was the business...

Labor Leader: Carl Holderman was a founder of the CIO

September 7, 2020 12:11 amSeptember 7, 2020 12:41 am

New Jerseyan Carl Holderman (1894-1959) was one of the founders of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1934 and spent more than five years in Gov. Robert Meyner’s cabinet. Among Holderman’s lasting legacies in New Jersey: he was among...

Labor Leader: ex-Yankees pitcher later served as N.J. Commissioner of Labor

September 7, 2020 12:08 amSeptember 7, 2020 12:20 am

Before Bill Bradley, there was Harry C. Harper. Known as “Hackensack Harry,” Harper spent ten seasons as a major league baseball pitcher. The big left-hander was the starting pitcher for the New York Yankees game six of the 1921 World...

Labor Leader: James Mitchell and Raymond Donovan

September 7, 2020 12:07 amSeptember 6, 2020 7:18 pm

Two New Jerseyans have served as U.S. Secretary of Labor, both construction company executives named by Republican presidents for their close ties to organized labor. James P. Mitchell (1900-1964) grew up in Elizabeth and worked in the administration of President...

Labor Leader: John J. Giblin served as State Senator, Essex County Freeholder

September 7, 2020 12:05 amSeptember 6, 2020 12:23 am

John J. Giblin (1909-1975) was one of New Jersey’s most powerful labor leaders, serving as president of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68, chairman of the national union, Essex County Freeholder and State Senator. Giblin was the patriarch...

Labor Leader: George Norcross spent 16 years as South Jersey AFL-CIO president

September 7, 2020 12:04 amSeptember 6, 2020 12:24 am

George E. Norcross (1928-1998), the father of a U.S. Congressman, the managing partner at a major New Jersey law firm, and the state’s most powerful Democratic powerbroker, spent his career as a labor leader. Norcross served as president of the...

Labor Leader: Louis Marciante headed the NJ AFL for 27 years

September 7, 2020 12:03 amSeptember 6, 2020 12:24 am

Louis P. Marciante (1898-1961) was the president of the New Jersey American Federal of Labor (AFL) from 1934 until his death of a heart attack at age 62 amidst a stressful merger between the AFL and the Congress of Industrial...