Cole, Archer, 1917-1994.

Labor activist and educator; born in New York City, but lived in New Jersey from 1946; became a member of the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) while working nights for Western Union; received a B.A. in economics from City College of New York, 1939, and pursued graduate study there; worked as a UE organizer in Newark and later served as the UE's organizing director for New Jersey and New York; was employed by UE Local 485 as an organizer and business manager by 1949 (when the UE was expelled from the Congress of Industrial Organizations) and continued to work for that Local, becoming an organizer for it after its incorporation into the International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (IUE) in 1956; invoked the Fifth Amendment in 1957 when testifying before a U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee; was then suspended from the IUE; worked next at a printing company and became a labor lobbyist on a variety of issues; taught in the labor studies program at Rutgers University; served on the New Jersey Economic Recovery Commission, the New Jersey Employment Security Council (seven years as chair) and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Unemployment (appointed 1984); became employed again by the IUE, serving successively as International Representative, 1967-1977, Treasurer, 1977-1980, and President, 1980-1982, of District Three; became the IUE's Director of Organization; also served as vice president and then president (1984-1994) of the New Jersey Industrial Union Council.

Fuller name (used early in his career): Archer R. Cole.

Earlier name (before legally changed): Archer Cohen.