"At
about this time [1934], in McKeesport,
across the bridge from Duquesne, Joseph
Baron, six-foot son of the old union veteran of the 1919 strike,
lived on the hill (on Archer Street) in the 10th Ward and worked for the
McKeesport Tin Plate Company. Joe's buddies on the job and in the
community had long ago nicknamed him "Honest Joe." It
followed quite naturally that he should be selected as a union leader --
one whom they trusted. Under his leadership and with the active
assistance of Earl Forebeck; Willie Brown, a black worker with a sharp
wit and keen sense of social concern; Steve Kiki; Eddy Wadek and several
others, McKee Lodge No. 161 of the AA [The Amalgamated] was set up.
Their action was soon followed by the men
in the National Tube Mill. Tony Lang,
Al Spivak, Pete
Brletic, and Rocky Doratio (who
retired in 1969 with 46 years and 8 months of service). They, too,
set up a Lodge, and George Lesko was
elected President."
Source: Powers, George. (1972) Cradle
of Steel Unionism: Monongahela Valley, PA., (p. 42-43).
East Chicago: Figueroa Printers, Inc. |
