United Arborean Workers of Astoria

United Arborean Workers (UAW)

Logo of the United Arborean Workers Headquarters of the United Arborean Workers.
Full name	United Arborean Workers of Astoria (UAWA)
Motto	An injury to one is an injury to all
Founded	August 4, 1898 as the Brotherhood of Arborean Cutters, Fellers and Millers
Members	163,034
Journal	The Arborean Voice
Affiliation	Confederation of Astorian Trade Associations and Labor Organizations (CATALO)
Key people	Anthony Bell, President Emily Harrington, Vice President Walter Roberts, Secretary-Treasurer
Country	Astoria
Website	www.arboreanworkers.org

United Arborean Workers of Astoria (UAWA) commonly shortened to United Arborean Workers (UAW) is the dominant industrial union of the timber industry and other sectors such as aluminum, defense, construction, and metalworking. With 163,034 members, it is the largest private-sector union in Astoria and the second-largest union overall. Established in 1898 as the Brotherhood of Arborean Cutters, Fellers and Millers (BACFM), it is the oldest continuously active labor union in Astoria. Since 1961 the union has been affiliated with the Confederation of Astorian Trade Associations and Labor Organizations (CATALO), and was previously affiliated with the Union of Astorian Labor Organizations (UALO) from 1919 to 1961. It is the largest affiliated union within CATALO.

The UAWA maintains a strategic alignment with the Progressive–Labor Party (PLP), agreeing with the party's platform on labor law and economic policy. Despite this alignment, the UAWA is notably opposed to any additional regulations on the timber industry. The union advocates for preserving the existing regulatory framework, arguing that further restrictions could negatively impact the industry and its workforce. Due to its presence in the utilities sector, the UAWA is supportive of nuclear energy and maintaining the national network of dams.

History

The UAWA's origins can be traced back to the late 19th century, a period of rapid expansion of the timber industry in Astoria. As logging operations grew, so did the demand for skilled labor, leading to the formation of the Brotherhood of Arborean Cutters, Fellers, and Millers (BACFM) in 1898. The union quickly became a powerful voice for workers in the timber industry, advocating for improved wages, safer working conditions, and the end to excessive working hours. In 1903 the organization was renamed to the Arborean Workers Union.

In the early 20th century the AWU organized strikes that disrupted Astoria's largest and most influential industry in terms of trade. The union's aggressive stance and willingness to engage in direct action led to significant victories, icluding; five-day workweek (1943), paid vacation time (1953), paid time off (1954) and sick leave (1958). The AWU was instrumental in securing the 40-hour workweek for workers in the wood industry, as well as weekend pay, overtime pay, and the introduction of seventh day triple pay, a unique concession that provided triple wages for work done on the seventh consecutive day.

During Great War, the AWU expanded its influence by organizing workers in the burgeoning aluminum and defense sectors, positioning itself as a key player in Astoria's industrial landscape. In 1919, the union affiliated with the Union of Astorian Labor Organizations, which allowed it to extend its reach into other metalworking and construction industries. Following the Great War, the post-war economic boom and decreased labor supply served as a boon for workers in Astoria. With an ongoing global timber shortage the AWU organized the 1942 timber strike, that resulted in the the establishment of pensions and employer provided healthcare.

In 1958 the union rebranding itself as the United Arborean Workers of Astoria (UAWA) to reflect its broader membership base. In 1961, the UAWA became a founding member of the Confederation of Astorian Trade Associations and Labor Organizations, following the merger of Confederation of Astorian Trade Associations and the Union of Astorian Labor Organizations.

As of 2023, with 163,034 members it is the second largest union in Astoria, the largest in the private sector. It is a major trend-setter in national bargaining, having essentially established sectoral collective bargaining in the timber industry.

Organization structure

National executive

The National Executive Board is made up of the president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and other executive council members.

The president is the highest-ranking officer in the UAWA and serves as the chief executive, responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the union, implementing policies, and representing the union in negotiations and public forums. The vice president assists the president and may assume the president’s duties in their absence or passing. The vice president also leads specific initiatives or departments within the union, such as organizing new members or handling public relations. Both the president and vice president are elected by the union’s membership and typically serves a four-year term.

The secretary-treasurer manages the union's finances, including budgeting, dues, and reporting to the federal government. Executive council members are the district chairs elected across the country.

Administrative areas

Each geographic region within Astoria is subdivided in administrative areas represented by a district chairs, who coordinates the activities of local branches, ensures compliance with national policies, and represents regional interests at the national level. District chairs serve on the National Executive Board as members.

District chairs are responsible for the establishment and maintenance of grievance and safety committees, which work to improve health and safety, lead contract negotiations, or organize a political action. Grievance and safety committees are composed of elected members from local branches within the region and work closely with the district chairs.

List of leaders

Presidents, vice presidents, and secretaries of the
United Arborean Workers of Astoria

Year	President	Vice President	Secretary
1898–1906	John McCulloch	William Thompson	George Saunders
1906–1914	Samuel Mitchell	Thomas O'Neal	Charles Watson
1914–1922	Robert Harrison	Edward Carmichael	Frank Harlan
1922–1930	James Bartlett	Harold Wilkins	Albert Pritchard
1930–1938	Henry Matthews	Frederick Turner	Walter Ellsworth
1938–1946	Joseph Wallace	Arthur Browning	Richard Stanley
1946–1954	Howard Caldwell	Ernest Langston	David Whitaker
1954–1962	William Harrington	Kenneth Phelps	Lawrence Winslow
1962–1970	Charles Monroe	George Henderson	Raymond Aldridge
1970–1978	Thomas Brewster	Donald McKinley	Robert Sherman
1978–1984	Richard Hastings	James Caldwell	Edward Townsend
1984–1992	Michael Davenport	William Hughes	Margaret Reynolds
1992–2000	Patricia Anderson	Ronald Whitmore	Katherine Foster
2000–2008	David Fletcher	Linda Thompson	Elizabeth Maxwell
2008–2016	Susan Blake	Daniel Sullivan	Nancy Carpenter
2016–present	Anthony Bell	Emily Harrington	Walter Roberts

Newsletter

Established in 1902, The Arborean Voice is the UAWA's official newsletter that serves as the official publication of the union and is a key communication tool for union's membership. It provides news and updates on labor issues, union activities, and industry developments, keeping members informed about critical matters affecting the workforce. The Arborean Voice also features articles on policy changes, legislative updates, and collective bargaining agreements. In recent years the newsletter has become available online.

See also

• Labor unions in Astoria
• Labor unions in the Kingdom of Sierra
• International Brotherhood of Longshoremen
• International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen