Reuther, Victor G. (Victor George), 1912-2004

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Victor George Reuther (January 1, 1912 – June 3, 2004) was a prominent international labor organizer. He was one of three Reuther brothers (Walter and Roy) who were lifelong members of the U.S. labor movement. His older brother Walter became the president of the United Auto Workers union (UAW) and Victor became the head of that union's Education Dept. and an organizer on the international level. He was a proponent of social democracy.

He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Anna (Stocker) and Valentine Reuther, a socialist brewery worker who had immigrated from Germany. His father was a union activist and supporter of Eugene Debs, a socialist candidate for the presidency. He attended college as a freshman at West Virginia University in Morgantown.

Later, at the urging of his brother Walter, he attended what is now Wayne State University. Subsequently, he then joined Walter on an extended trip to Europe and Asia, when the brothers worked in the Gorky Automotive Plant. The Reuthers were eventually blacklisted and expelled from the Soviet Union after leading a strike, demanding safer working conditions.

Returning to the United States in 1936, Victor took a job at the Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Company, in Flint, Michigan. It was there that he started to organize the workers into a union that would eventually become the UAW. Reuther lent his support and leadership to the 1936 General Motors Strike where he faced down the billy clubs and tear gas of the violent pro-company police. He was famous for driving around Flint in a car with a loudspeaker mounted on the roof, encouraging the striking workers who were occupying the factories. Reuther was then 24.

The strike was eventually settled in February 1937, with many gains for the workers, but Victor had to leave town with his wife, Sophie (the union's first female organizer), to evade a warrant that had been issued for his arrest by a GM-owned judge.

He and Sophie ended up in Anderson, Indiana, to support another strike taking place there and another battle against thugs, corrupt police, and public officials "in the pocket" of the corporations that were determined to wipe the union out.

The United States entered World War II on December 7, 1941, and for millions of American workers, industrial production was converted to supplying war material. Reuther was among the first to sense the waste and extravagant spending that the large corporations were engaging in now that they were getting lucrative military contracts. Reuther went to Washington, D.C., and informed the Roosevelt (New Deal) Democrats of the idle machinery and infrastructure that could be turned over to military production, and subsequently there were much stricter controls on how, when, and where government allocations to private corporations could be spent.

After the war, Reuther traveled to Germany and was instrumental in the reorganization of its labor unions. Through the remainder of his life he continued to be a strong supporter of the union movement in Germany and the rest of Europe.

In 1947, his brother Walter was elected as the president of the UAW. Shortly after that Victor became the head of the union's Education Department. He was a vocal advocate of the recruitment of women, minorities, and young people into leadership positions for the union. Reuther saw the positive results that offering further education to the rank-and-file workers would bring to the workplace and to future generations of workers.

An attempt on his life took place in his own Detroit home in 1949. While he was reading a newspaper, a shotgun-wielding assassin fired at him through a closed window, hitting Reuther in the face and upper body. Waking in the hospital Reuther told his surgeon, "Take my eye, or my arm or leg, but spare my tongue. I've got a living to make."

Reuther lost an eye and the partial use of one arm but survived. The gunman was never caught. Even though the Detroit police had some very good eyewitness accounts and descriptions, they never followed up successfully on any of the leads. His brother Walter had earlier survived an April 1948 incident in which he was hit by a shotgun blast through his kitchen window. Reuther happened to turn towards his wife, and was hit in the arm instead of the chest and heart. That crime also was never solved.

Reuther recovered from the assassination attempt and continued to lead the union's Education Department for several more years. He was eventually named the UAW's International Director. He was active in the labor movement of many European countries, and became very well known in the Canadian union scene. His brother, Walter, was killed in a plane crash in 1970, and in 1973, Victor decided to retire and write his memoir "The Brothers Reuther and the Story of the UAW," which was published in 1976.

He continued to speak at union conventions and rallies and earned much respect for his unyielding view that working people should always be making gains in terms of wages and working conditions. During the separation of the UAW and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) in the mid-1980s, he was fully supportive of the Canadian workers' motives.

He felt that the UAW had been giving too much in the way of concessions to the US corporations, and it was his belief that the Canadian union would set a good example for their US counterpart. He remained active well into his declining years and died in Washington at the age of 92.

His life and roles in the United Automobile Workers are documented through several archival collections at the Walter P. Reuther Library. Materials include personal papers, such as correspondence and notes, as well as administrative files relating to his activities in various UAW departments. Researchers are encouraged to find the collections at its website

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Cole, David Lawrence, 1902-1977. Series 2, Subseries 1. Miscellaneous commissions and boards files, 1942-1976. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Williams, Albert Kempton, 1907-1980. Papers, 1932-1959. Wayne State University
referencedIn Labor Leadership Assembly for Peace. Records, 1960-1972. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Chester Bowles papers, 1924-1982 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn G. Mennen Williams and Nancy Quirk Williams oral history project, 1980-1982 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Richard Charles Boys papers, 1942-1964 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Chester Bowles papers, 1924-1982 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Moran, Ernest J., 1911-. Ernest J. Moran papers, 1942-1973. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Reuther, Roy, 1909-1968. Papers, 1924-1971. Wayne State University
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
referencedIn Hoffman, Claude E., 1896-. Claude E. Hoffman papers, 1934-1952, (bulk 1935-1938). 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 The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Blair Moody Papers, 1928-1954, 1934-1952 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records 1920-1968 (bulk 1950-1968) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers. President's Office. General reference files of George L-P. Weaver, Assistant to President, 1945-1960 (bulk 1956-1960). Rutgers University
creatorOf Michigan Historical Collections. G. Mennen Williams and Nancy Quirk Williams oral history project, 1980-1982. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Wilkie, David J. Papers of David J. Wilkie, 1925-1963 (bulk 1940-1949). Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Margaret Bayne Price Papers, 1918-1969, 1947-1968 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Smith, Hilda Worthington, 1888-. Papers, 1837-1975 (inclusive), 1900-1975 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Walter Francis White and Poppy Cannon papers Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
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 International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. War Policy Division. Women's Bureau. UAW War Policy Division - Women's Bureau records, 1942-1945, (bulk 1944). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Edwards, George C. (George Clifton), 1914-1995. George C. Edwards, Jr. papers, 1921-1970, (bulk 1938-1963). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers. President's Office. International affairs files of President James B. Carey, 1939-1965 (bulk 1957-1962). Rutgers University
referencedIn Leonard, Donald S. (Donald Sparling), 1903-1976. Donald S. Leonard papers, 1925-1966. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Cormier, Frank. Frank Cormier and William J. Eaton papers, 1967-1972. Wayne State University
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Region 1A. UAW region 1A records, 1946-1961, (bulk 1950). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Generations of Auto Workers: Anderson, Indiana, 1930-1982 Indiana University, Bloomington. Center for the Study of History and Memory
referencedIn Dollinger, Genora Johnson. Individual labor activists. California State University, Long Beach
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 Kemsley, William George, 1908-. William & Ann Kemsley collection, 1943-1961. Wayne State University
referencedIn Ruth Fischer papers, 1925-1961 (inclusive) 1940-1961 (bulk) Houghton Library
referencedIn Donald S. Leonard Papers, 1925-1966 Bentley Historical Library
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 McLanahan, C. Jack (Charles Jackson). Papers, 1927-1963. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Papers of Margaret Earhart Smith, 1940-1978 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, 1837 (1900-1975) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, 1927-1964. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 14 (Toledo, Ohio). UAW Local 14 records, 1935-1956. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Paul Field Sifton and Claire Sifton Papers, 1912-1980, (bulk 1925-1971) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn George W. Pray Papers, 1844-1890 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Leggat, Al, 1914-. Oral history interview with Al Leggat, 1959. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Krane, Jay B., 1923-. Jay B. Krane papers, 1948-1961. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Paul Blanshard Papers, 1912-1979 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 78 (Detroit, Mich.). Records, 1938-1968. Wayne State University
referencedIn Jacob Potofsky presidential correspondence, 1946-1974, 1960-1970 (bulk) Cornell University Library
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 650 (Lansing, Mich.). UAW Local 650 records, 1937-1964. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Fenster, Leo, 1910-. Leo Fenster papers, 1943-1977, (bulk 1945-1967). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Hardy, William. William Hardy papers, 1937. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 887 (Los Angeles, Calif.). UAW Local 887 records, 1938-1972, (bulk 1941-1967). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Wolf, Herman. Herman Wolf papers, 1924-1958. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf Martin, James Joseph, 1916-. Correspondence, with Agnes Inglis, 1947-1951. University of Michigan
creatorOf Boys, Richard C. (Richard Charles), 1912-1975. Richard C. Boys papers, 1942-1964. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Reuther, Victor G. (Victor George), 1912-2004,. Oral history interview with Victor G. Reuther 1963. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Economic History of Indiana in the Twentieth Century, 1976-1980 Indiana University, Bloomington. Center for the Study of History and Memory
referencedIn Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.). Washington Office. Congress of Industrial Organizations Washington Office records, 1950-1956, (bulk 1952-1955). Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Carolina Symposium. Records of the Carolina Symposium, 1927- 1986. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Harris, L. mss., 1931-1977 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Special Projects Dept. UAW Special Projects Dept. records, 1945-1973. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Crockett, George W.,. Oral history interview with George W. Crockett, Jr., 1968. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Chiakulas, Charles, 1917-1968. Charles Chiakulas papers, 1941-1968. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Sifton, Paul Field, 1897-1972. Paul F. Sifton and Claire G. Sifton papers, 1912-1980. Library of Congress
referencedIn Brookwood Labor College (Katonah, N.Y.). Brookwood Labor College records, 1921-1937. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
referencedIn Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records 1920-1968 (bulk 1950-1968) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Addes, George F., 1910- person
associatedWith Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. President. corporateBody
associatedWith Bennett, Harry Herbert, 1892- person
associatedWith Blanshard, Paul, 1892- person
associatedWith Bowles, Chester, 1901-1986. person
associatedWith Boys, Richard C. (Richard Charles), 1912-1975. person
correspondedWith Brookwood Labor College (Katonah, N.Y.) corporateBody
correspondedWith Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters corporateBody
associatedWith Carolina Symposium. corporateBody
correspondedWith Chiakulas, Charles, 1917-1968. person
associatedWith Cole, David Lawrence, 1902-1977. person
associatedWith Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.). Washington Office. corporateBody
correspondedWith Cormier, Frank. person
associatedWith Crockett, George W., person
correspondedWith Edwards, George C. (George Clifton), 1914-1995. person
correspondedWith Fenster, Leo, 1910- person
correspondedWith Fischer, Ruth, 1895- person
associatedWith Ford Motor Company. corporateBody
associatedWith General Motors Corporation. corporateBody
associatedWith Hardy, William. person
associatedWith Harris, Leon A. person
correspondedWith Hoffman, Claude E., 1896- person
associatedWith Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory corporateBody
associatedWith Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations (University of Michigan-Wayne State University) : Unionism in the Automobile Industry Project corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 78 (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 14 (Toledo, Ohio) corporateBody
correspondedWith 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 650 (Lansing, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Local 887 (Los Angeles, Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Region 1A. corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Special Projects Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. War Policy Division. corporateBody
correspondedWith International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. War Policy Division. Women's Bureau. corporateBody
associatedWith International Union, United Automobile Workers of America (CIO). Local 174 (Detroit, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith Jackson, Gardner, 1896-1965. person
correspondedWith Kemsley, William George, 1908- person
associatedWith Krane, Jay B., 1923- person
associatedWith Labor Leadership Assembly for Peace. corporateBody
associatedWith Leggat, Al, 1914- person
associatedWith Leonard, Donald S. (Donald Sparling), 1903-1976 person
correspondedWith Levinson, Edward, 1901-1945. person
associatedWith Martin, James Joseph, 1916- person
associatedWith Martin, Warren Homer, 1902-1968. person
associatedWith McLanahan, C. Jack (Charles Jackson) person
associatedWith Michigan Historical Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith Moody, Blair, 1902-1954 person
correspondedWith Moran, Ernest J., 1911- person
correspondedWith Nation (New York, N.Y. : 1865). corporateBody
associatedWith Pray, George Washington, 1825-1890 person
associatedWith Price, Margaret Bayne, 1912-1968 person
sibling of Reuther, Roy, 1909-1968. person
sibling of Reuther, Walter, 1907-1970. person
correspondedWith Sifton, Claire, 1897-1980 person
correspondedWith Sifton, Paul Field, 1897-1972 person
associatedWith Smith, Hilda Worthington, 1888-1984 person
associatedWith Smith, Margaret Earhart, 1902-1960 person
correspondedWith Strachan, D. Alan (Douglas Alan), 1903- person
associatedWith United States. War Production Board. corporateBody
associatedWith White, Walter Francis, 1893-1955. person
associatedWith Wilkie, David J. person
correspondedWith Williams, Albert Kempton, 1907-1980. person
correspondedWith Wolf, Herman. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Russian 19 VE
Washington, D. C. DC US
Wheeling WV US
Detroit MI US
Flint MI US
Anderson IN US
Subject
Archival resources
Automobile industry and trade
Automobile industry workers
Automobile supplies industry
Collective bargaining
Congresses and conventions
Depressions
Industry
Interviews
Labor
Labor laws and legislation
Labor movement
Labor unions
Labor unions
Labor unions
Labor unions and communism
Oral history
Sit-down strikes
Skilled labor
Strikes and lockouts
Wages
Working class
Occupation
Automobile industry workers
Union Leader
Union organizer
Activity

Person

Birth 1912-01-01

Death 2004-06-03

Male

Americans

English

Information

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