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17 January, 2001The former UAW president and member of the IMF Executive Committee was 89 years old.
USA: It is indeed with sorrow that the IMF learned of the death of Leonard Woodcock, former United Auto Workers president and member of the IMF Executive Committee, on Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He would have turned 90 on February 15.
Leonard Woodcock was very well-known to trade union leaders and working people the world over. He served as UAW president from 1970-1977, succeeding Walter Reuther upon Reuther's death in a 1970 plane crash, and carried on the challenging task of leading the highly influential trade union during one of the most difficult times in its history. There was, for example, in 1970 the 67-day national strike against General Motors, the longest ever, winning for the UAW the restoration of full cost-of-living protection, as well as the "30-and-out" retirement provision for rank-and-file workers, which offered full benefits after 30 years on the job to all workers no matter their age.
Leonard was very active internationally in trade union work and participated in many IMF meetings and conferences. He also served as president of the IMF Automotive Department.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Leonard Woodcock as U.S. representative to the People's Republic of China, where upon normalisation of diplomatic relations in 1979 he became the first U.S. ambassador, a position he held until 1981 when Carter left office.
On behalf of over 23 million metalworkers worldwide, the IMF extends its sincere condolences to the family of Leonard Woodcock and to the UAW.
Leonard Woodcock was very well-known to trade union leaders and working people the world over. He served as UAW president from 1970-1977, succeeding Walter Reuther upon Reuther's death in a 1970 plane crash, and carried on the challenging task of leading the highly influential trade union during one of the most difficult times in its history. There was, for example, in 1970 the 67-day national strike against General Motors, the longest ever, winning for the UAW the restoration of full cost-of-living protection, as well as the "30-and-out" retirement provision for rank-and-file workers, which offered full benefits after 30 years on the job to all workers no matter their age.
Leonard was very active internationally in trade union work and participated in many IMF meetings and conferences. He also served as president of the IMF Automotive Department.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Leonard Woodcock as U.S. representative to the People's Republic of China, where upon normalisation of diplomatic relations in 1979 he became the first U.S. ambassador, a position he held until 1981 when Carter left office.
On behalf of over 23 million metalworkers worldwide, the IMF extends its sincere condolences to the family of Leonard Woodcock and to the UAW.