Thomas, R. J. (Rolland Jay), 1900-1967

Hide Profile

Roland Jay Thomas (June 9, 1900 – April 18, 1967), also known as R. J. Thomas, was born in East Palestine, Ohio. He grew up in eastern Ohio and attended the College of Wooster for two years. The need to help support his family caused him to leave college and go to work. In 1923, he moved to Detroit, where he worked in a number of automobile plants.

He became active in efforts to organize the automobile industry and was the president of Chrysler Local 7 when it affiliated with the United Auto Workers (UAW) in 1936. He was a leader of the 1937 Chrysler sit-down strike and that same year was elected a vice president of the UAW. He assumed the presidency in 1938 after the president, Homer Martin, was ousted.

He was president until 1946. During this period, the UAW developed into a dynamic, stable union. He lost the presidency to Walter Reuther in 1946, but was elected first vice president. Within the UAW, Thomas had led a CPUSA-affiliated faction that supported the Soviet Union, while Reuther led a liberal and progressive faction that opposed the Soviet Union. During the WWII and until 1946 in the UAW, the Communists had outnumbered the liberals in the Executive Committee; but by 1947, as U.S.-Soviet tensions grew, workers' support of the Communists waned. A series of bitter internal disputes led to Thomas losing the office of the vice presidency in the following year's election, with most of the leading Communists replaced, in what became known as "the biggest setback of all time for the Communists in the American Labor Movement." After his defeat in 1947, he was named assistant to Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) president Philip Murray. With the merger of the AFL and CIO in 1955, he served under George Meany until his retirement in 1964 due to ill health.

He was married to Mildred Wettergren on August 7, 1937. and they had one child, Frank. R. J. Thomas died in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1967.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Germer, Adolph. Papers, 1898-1966. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Cleveland, James M., 1911-. Oral history interview with James M. Cleveland 1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Mason, Hodges. Oral history interview with Hodges Mason, 1967. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.). Executive Board. Congress of Industrial Organizations Executive Board minutes, 1938-1955. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 1565 (Waterbury, Conn.). Records, 1941-1976. Wayne State University
referencedIn Gallagher, Daniel M., 1908-. Daniel M. Gallagher papers, 1934-1947. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn DiGaetano, Nick, 1893-1982,. Oral history interview with Nick DiGaetano, 1968. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Levinson, Edward, 1901-1945. Edward Levinson papers, 1910-1945. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Hammond, Matthew B., 1904-. Oral history interview with Matthew B. Hammond 1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Billups, Joseph, 1893-. Oral history interview with Joseph Billups, 1967. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Tuttle, Frank, 1885-. Oral history interview with Frank Tuttle. 1959. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Carey, Ed,. Oral history interview with Ed Carey, 1963, Apr. 24. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Ross, Harry E. Harry E. Ross papers, 1912-1962. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Marquart, Frank, 1898-. Oral history interview with Frank Marquart, 1968. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Mortimer, Wyndham, 1884-1966,. Oral history interview with Wyndham Mortimer, 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Marquart, Frank, 1898-. Oral history interview with Frank Marquart 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 400 (Detroit, Mich.). UAW Local 400 records, 1941-1966, (bulk 1942-1961). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn National Broadcasting Company, Inc. Selected radio broadcasts, 1935-1950. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
referencedIn Lyons, George, 1904-. George Lyons papers, 1940-1964. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Martin, Warren Homer, 1902-1968,. Oral history interview with Homer Martin, 1959. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (University of Michigan-Wayne State University).Unionism in the Automobile Industry Project, 1959-1963 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Frankensteen, Richard T., 1907-. Oral history interview with Richard Frankensteen, 1959. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 212 (Detroit, Mich.). UAW Local 212 records, 1937-1965 (bulk 1937-1957). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Addes, George F., 1910-. Oral history interview with George F. Addes, 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Morris, Ken,. Oral history interview with Ken Morris, 1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Battle, Robert, 1917-. Oral history interview with Robert Battle, 1969. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Kraus, Henry, 1905-. Henry Kraus papers, 1926-1960, (bulk 1935-1944). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn National Broadcasting Company, inc. National Broadcasting Company, inc. selected radio broadcasts, 1935-1950 [sound recording]. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Zaremba, John, 1894-1963. John Zaremba papers, 1935-1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Crockett, George W.,. Oral history interview with George W. Crockett, Jr., 1968. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Region 8. UAW region 8 records, 1941-1970, (bulk 1952-1968). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Arthur H. Vandenberg papers, 1884-1974, 1915-1951 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Piconke, Joseph, 1909-. Oral history interview with Joseph Piconke. 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 57 (Fort Wayne, Ind.). UAW Local 57 records, 1933-1980. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn J. B. Matthews Papers, 1862-1986 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Ferris, Joseph,. Oral history interview with Joseph Ferris, 1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf Thomas, R. J. (Rolland Jay), 1900-1967,. Oral history interview with R.J. THomas, 1963. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (University of Michigan-Wayne State University). Unionism in the Automobile Industry Project. Unionism in the Automobile Industry Project interviews, 1959-1963. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Smith, Samuel D., 1902-. Oral history interview with Samuel D. Smith. 1959. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Ganley, Nat, 1903-1969,. Oral history interview with Nat Ganley, 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Bartee, John, 1904-. Oral history interview with John Bartee, 1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 341 (Indianapolis, Ind.). UAW Local 341 records, 1937-1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 664 (North Tarrytown, N.Y.). UAW Local 664 records, 1939-1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf Thomas, R. J. (Rolland Jay), 1900-1967. Reminiscences of Rolland Jay Thomas : oral history, 1956. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Jensen, Martin,. Oral history interview with Martin Jensen. 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Williams, Albert Kempton, 1907-1980. Papers, 1932-1959. Wayne State University
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 9 (South Bend, Ind.). UAW Local 9 records, 1933-1963. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 216 (South Gate, Calif.). UAW Local 216 records, 1937-1961, (bulk 1937-1946). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Swanson, Carl,. Oral history interview with Carl Swanson, 1960. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Strachan, D. Alan (Douglas Alan), 1903-. D. Alan Strachan papers, 1940-1977, (bulk 1947-1973). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Addes, George F., 1910- person
associatedWith American Federation of Labor. corporateBody
associatedWith Bartee, John, 1904- person
associatedWith Battle, Robert, 1917- person
associatedWith Billups, Joseph, 1893- person
associatedWith Carey, Ed, person
associatedWith Chrysler Corporation. corporateBody
associatedWith Cleveland, James M., 1911- person
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.). Executive Board. corporateBody
associatedWith Coughlin, Charles E. (Charles Edward), 1891-1979. person
associatedWith Crockett, George W., person
associatedWith DiGaetano, Nick, 1893-1982, person
associatedWith Ferris, Joseph, person
associatedWith Ford, Henry, 1863-1947. person
associatedWith Ford Motor Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Frankensteen, Richard T., 1907- person
correspondedWith Gallagher, Daniel M., 1908- person
associatedWith Ganley, Nat, 1903-1969, person
associatedWith Germer, Adolph. person
associatedWith Hammond, Matthew B., 1904- person
associatedWith Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (University of Michigan-Wayne State University) : Unionism in the Automobile Industry Project corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 1565 (Waterbury, Conn.) corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 9 (South Bend, Ind.) corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 212 (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 216 (South Gate, Calif.) corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 341 (Indianapolis, Ind.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 400 (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 57 (Fort Wayne, Ind.) corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 664 (North Tarrytown, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Region 8. corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile Workers of America (CIO) corporateBody
associatedWith Jensen, Martin, person
associatedWith Kraus, Henry, 1905- person
correspondedWith Levinson, Edward, 1901-1945. person
correspondedWith Lyons, George, 1904- person
associatedWith Marquart, Frank, 1898- person
associatedWith Martin, Warren Homer, 1902-1968, person
associatedWith Mason, Hodges. person
associatedWith Matthews, J. B. (Joseph Brown), 1894-1966 person
associatedWith Morris, Ken, person
associatedWith Mortimer, Wyndham, 1884-1966, person
associatedWith Murray, Philip, 1886-1952. person
associatedWith National Broadcasting Company, inc. corporateBody
associatedWith North American Rockwell Corporation. corporateBody
associatedWith Piconke, Joseph, 1909- person
associatedWith Reuther, Walter, 1907-1970. person
correspondedWith Ross, Harry E. person
associatedWith Skeels, Jack W., person
associatedWith Smith, Samuel D., 1902- person
correspondedWith Strachan, D. Alan (Douglas Alan), 1903- person
associatedWith Swanson, Carl, person
associatedWith Toomey, John, person
associatedWith Tuttle, Frank, 1885- person
associatedWith Vandenberg, Arthur H. (Arthur Hendrick), 1884-1951 person
associatedWith Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs. corporateBody
correspondedWith Williams, Albert Kempton, 1907-1980. person
correspondedWith Zaremba, John, 1894-1963. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Detroit MI US
Muskegon MI US
Columbiana OH US
Subject
Archival resources
Automobile industry and trade
Automobile industry workers
Interviews
Labor
Labor laws and legislation
Labor leaders
Labor movement
Labor unions
Labor unions
Labor unions
Labor unions and communism
Migrant labor
Oral history
Race relations
Sit-down strikes
Skilled labor
Strikes and lockouts
Wages
Working class
Occupation
Automobile industry workers
Union Leader
Union President
Activity

Person

Birth 1900-06-09

Death 1967-04-18

Male

Americans

English

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tz461c

Ark ID: w6tz461c

SNAC ID: 85667254