Verle Hemeke was raised in the United States in the early 1900s. His father established the Shingle Weaver's Union. Hemeke became active in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America until he was expelled in 1954 because of government suspicions of political subversion. He was nominated for the Progressive Party ticket in 1948 to run for State Senator under Roosevelt. Later as a democrat running against Henry Jackson in 1950, Hemeke received radio coverage and publicity for the labour cause. In his retirement from union politics, he wrote an autobiography and toured labour conventions as a speaker.
From the description of Verle Hemeke fonds. 1986-1987. (University of British Columbia Library). WorldCat record id: 606463305
