At the 1956 convention of the United Steelworkers of America, a two dollar per month increase in dues was proposed and met with revolt by some of the delegates from Pittsburgh area locals. In response to the increase, a Dues Protest Committee was established making McKeesport, Pennsylvania, its national headquarters. USW International President David McDonald initially attempted to end the revolt by claiming that it was unconstitutional on the grounds of creating duel unionism within the USW; however, the revolt leaders refused to back down. The issue spilled over into the 1957 international union election which saw opposition candidates from the Dues Protest Committee, many of which came from the union's rank and file membership, attempt to oust the current officers. This marked the first time in the union's history that there was an opponent to the incumbent president, McDonald having been named president by the USW executive board after the death of founding president, Philip Murray, in 1952. Although all but one of the candidates from the Dues Protest Committee lost in the election, the surprising number of votes received by presidential candidate and committee leader Donald Rarick sent a strong message to USW leaders that an enraged rank and file faction could lead to change and uprising within the international union.
From the description of United Steelworkers of America Dues Protest Committee scrapbook, 1956-1957. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 726226197
