Poles Together

Leo Krzycki (1881-1966) was one of the most talented speakers in the
union movement, and only John L. Lewis (1880-1969), considered the most
skillful orator in the union movement, could surpass him. While he was
described as "one of the most dramatic men in the American Labor movement,"
Krzycki has generally been ignored by historians and writers. Today, no one
in the labor movement remembers him.
"There was no one like him," exclaimed Mrs. Mildred Jeffrey. "He was a
real orator; a very effective speaker who could make rousing speeches
bringing people to their feet. Whenever they needed a speaker, they called
on Leo." Accordingly, Krzycki has been recognized in every labor who's who
since 1925.
No labor organizer has made such large contributions to the formation of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA), the steel workers, the
rubber workers, and the auto workers as Krzycki. For over five decades he
dedicated himself to securing social justice for the American worker through
the union movement as well as the Socialist Party. Krzycki proved to be a
premier organizer who met regularly with workers; walked the picket lines;
and was arrested on several occasions. Unlike other union leaders who
directed strategy from their offices safely ensconced from the battle lines,
Krzycki struggled in the trenches, in the front lines, personally leading
rank and file workers.
A product of Polonia (Latin describing the Polish American community),
Krzycki was molded by his Polish American environment. Born in Milwaukee,
Krzycki learned early of the brutality inflicted upon striking workers.
"The story of Grandpa Martin Krzycki's association with the steel workers at
the Bay View rolling mills was told many times, of workers beaten and
bloodied strikers gathering at Martin's saloon during the strike in 1886 and
of 'matkas (mothers)' coming there tearfully seeking word of their sons and
husbands," recalled Gene Krzycki. Fired at the age of fifteen while leading
a lithographers walkout of teen-age press tenders in Milwaukee, Krzycki was
blacklisted two years.
Later he began his organizing career on behalf of unions. Initially, he
was a member of the Lithographers Union becoming a vice president in the
International President Lithographer Press Feeders Union. A founding member
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in 1914, Krzycki
enjoyed a life-long, collegial relationship with President Sidney Hillman.
Promoted from chief labor organizer to the Executive Board of the
Amalgamated in 1922, Krzycki became a vice-president eleven years later.
Naming his first son, Eugene, for Eugene Debs and his second son, Victor,
for Congressman and socialist leader, Victor Berger, Krzycki joined the
Socialist Party in 1908. Elected twice on the socialist ticket, he
served as a Milwaukee alderman and then under sheriff. Running for Congress
with Berger, he too was arrested in 1918. He ran again for Congress and also
the...