Thomas Lloyd Pitts (December 30, 1914 – September 1, 1971) was an American labor union leader. He served as President of the California Labor Federation from 1950 to 1960, then as Executive Secretary-Treasurer from 1960 to 1970.[1]
Thomas L. Pitts | |
|---|---|
 Pitts c. 1960 | |
| Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation | |
| In office 1960–1970 | |
| Preceded by | C. J. Haggerty |
| Succeeded by | John F. Henning |
| President of the California Labor Federation | |
| In office 1950–1960 | |
| Preceded by | John F. Shelley |
| Succeeded by | Albin J. Gruhn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Lloyd Pitts December 30, 1914 De Soto, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 1, 1971 (aged 56) Kelseyville, California, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) |
Lula Mae
(m. 1933, divorced)Mary Louise
(m. 1948; div. 1950)Gwen |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Labor leader |
Pitts started working as a truck driver at 17, and in 1936 became a business representative for the Los Angeles Freight Drivers' Union.[2]
As leader of the California Labor Federation, Pitts worked to unionize farmworkers and fought against the Bracero Program.[3]
References
edit- ^ "T.L. Pitts, State Labor Leader, Dies". San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco. 1 September 1971. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Transformation Of Labor Day Hit By Pitts". The Sacramento Union. Sacramento. 5 September 1960. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "THOMAS L. PITTS, 56, COAST LABOR CHIEF". The New York Times. New York City. 3 September 1971. Retrieved 10 September 2024.