Quotations ~ Charles H. Pillard
ut what does the adversity that existed one hundred years ago have to
do with today? In that century, we and our forebears fought and sacrificed
to reduce the hours of labor, to bring workers into an economic class where
they and their families could live in dignity. We have earned benefits which
protect us from financial disaster, provide for our retirement, and make
possible the time off to enjoy our share of the good life. We have secured
both in our contracts, and as a matter of public policy we have promoted the
precept that we are entitled to a safe place to work; and we have provided
for both our social and economic security.
Now we see all of that under attack. We see the systematic dismantling of the security we have won over this past one hundred years. We need to rekindle the spirit of our founders, because our mission is no different now from what it was then … The battle ground may look different, and the weapons used against us may be more sophisticated: but our mission hasn’t changed. We still strive to earn for our members their rightful place in society.”
Former IBEW President
Charles H. Pillard, 1986
International President Emeritis Charles H. Pillard in 1991
In June of 1961 Brother Pillard was appointed as a member of the International Executive Council (IEC). He was appointed International President by the IEC in 1968, and held held that position until his retirement in 1986, when he was succeeded by John J. Barry. Brother Pillard served as International President Emeritus from 1986 until his death in 1999.
International President Emeritus Pillard served in many capacities including AFL-CIO Executive Council, Labor Advisory Committee for the State University, Agriculture and Technical Institute of Alfred, New York; Mayor’s Committee on Automation and Vocational Planning for the City of Buffalo; the Economic and Redevelopment Board of Erie County; and as a trustee of the United Fund for Buffalo and Erie County. He was first vice president and member of the Board of Governors of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department; first vice president of the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department; vice president and member of the Executive Council of the Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO; member of the Executive Board of the AFL-CIO Public Employees Department; served on the Board of Directors of the AFL-CIO Labor Institute of Public Affairs; and was on the Economic Policy Committee of the AFL-CIO. He was also co-chairman of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry; served on the Board of Governors of the United Way of America; a member of the advisory Committee for U.S. Trade Negotiations; and sat on the Board of Directors of the Occupational Health and Legal Rights Foundation. In addition to this, Brother Pillard recieved may awards from many organizaions.
This brief biography was adapted from the 1999 IBEW Journal article "A Tribute to Charles H. Pillard" where more detail to his very interesting life can be found.