William Trautmann
Encyclopedia
William Ernst Trautmann was founding General-Secretary
of the U.S.
Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW) and one of six people who initially laid plans for the organization in 1904.
He was born to German parents in New Zealand
in 1869 and raised in Europe. After completing a brewing apprenticeship in Poland, he worked as a masterbrewer in Germany
before being expelled for labor activities. In 1890 he moved to the United States, where he joined the Brewers Union. Trautmann was a key figure in the United Brewery Workers' Union
in Milwaukee and the editor of the United Brewery Workers' German-language newspaper, Brauer Zeitung. He was expelled from that union for his participation in the founding IWW convention. In 1905 he joined with other industrial unionists to found the Industrial Workers of the World. Between 1905 and 1912 he mostly worked in the field as an organizer. In 1912 he broke with the IWW leadership over strike tactics and the alleged misuse of funds collected for the "Bread and Roses" Strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1913, Trautmann joined the so-called yellow IWW created by the Socialist Labor Party — which later became the Workers' International Industrial Union
(WIIU) — as a "full-time propagandist".
In 1922 Trautmann published a novel, Riot
, drawing on his experiences as an IWW activist during the Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909
in McKees Rocks
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
).
General Secretary
The office of general secretary is staffed by the chief officer of:*The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace...
of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW) and one of six people who initially laid plans for the organization in 1904.
He was born to German parents in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 1869 and raised in Europe. After completing a brewing apprenticeship in Poland, he worked as a masterbrewer in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
before being expelled for labor activities. In 1890 he moved to the United States, where he joined the Brewers Union. Trautmann was a key figure in the United Brewery Workers' Union
International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drink and Distillery Workers
The International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drink and Distillery Workers was an labor union in the United States. The union merged with the Teamsters in 1973.-Early history:...
in Milwaukee and the editor of the United Brewery Workers' German-language newspaper, Brauer Zeitung. He was expelled from that union for his participation in the founding IWW convention. In 1905 he joined with other industrial unionists to found the Industrial Workers of the World. Between 1905 and 1912 he mostly worked in the field as an organizer. In 1912 he broke with the IWW leadership over strike tactics and the alleged misuse of funds collected for the "Bread and Roses" Strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1913, Trautmann joined the so-called yellow IWW created by the Socialist Labor Party — which later became the Workers' International Industrial Union
Workers' International Industrial Union
The Workers' International Industrial Union was a Revolutionary Industrial Union active in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia...
(WIIU) — as a "full-time propagandist".
In 1922 Trautmann published a novel, Riot
Riot (novel)
Riot is an historical novel based upon the Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909 by William Trautmann, a founder of the U.S. Industrial Workers of the World ....
, drawing on his experiences as an IWW activist during the Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909
Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909
The Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909, also known as the "1909 McKees Rocks Strike," was an American labor strike which lasted from July 13 through September 8. The walkout drew national attention when it climaxed on Sunday August 22 in a bloody battle between strikers, private security agents, and...
in McKees Rocks
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
McKees Rocks, also known as "The Rocks", is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the south bank of the Ohio River. The borough population was 6,104 at the 2010 census.In the past, it was known for its extensive iron and steel interests...
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
).
External links
- William E. Trautmann Papers at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan