Cornelius Joseph "Neil" Haggerty (January 10, 1894 – October 10, 1971) was an American labor union leader. He served as President of the California Labor Federation from 1937 to 1943, then as Executive Secretary-Treasurer from 1943 to 1960.
C. J. Haggerty | |
|---|---|
 Haggerty in 1937 | |
| Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation | |
| In office 1943–1960 | |
| Preceded by | Edward D. Vandeleur |
| Succeeded by | Thomas L. Pitts |
| President of the California Labor Federation | |
| In office 1937–1943 | |
| Preceded by | James Edward Hopkins |
| Succeeded by | Anthony L. Noriega |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cornelius Joseph Haggerty January 10, 1894 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1971 (aged 77) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Peggy Kelleher |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Labor leader, civil servant |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1917–1921 |
| Rank | Chief Carpenter's Mate |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Born in Boston, Haggerty worked briefly as a singer before completing an apprenticeship as a lather. He joined the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers' International Union in 1915. He served in the United States Navy during World War I, then returned to lathing, moving to Los Angeles in 1921.[1][2]
Haggerty began working full-time for his union as an organizer on the West Coast, later becoming a vice-president of the union. In 1933, he was elected as president of the Los Angeles Building and Construction Trades Council. He became president of the Californian State Federation of Labor in 1937, and then secretary in 1943.[1][2]
During World War II, Haggerty served on the War Manpower Commission, and the executives of the Office of Price Administration and the Civil Defense Council. In 1960, he became president of the Building and Construction Trade Department of the AFL-CIO, in which role he often came into conflict with Walter P. Reuther. He opposed wage controls, and argued for the training of more black construction workers. He retired in 1970.[1][2][3]
Haggerty also served on the Californian State Board of Education. He died in 1971.[1][2]