Tom Short (unionist)
Thomas C. Short (born 1949) is a former American labor union leader.
Born in Cleveland, Short became a stagehand for the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. In 1968, he followed his father and grandfather in joining the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.[1] In 1975, he was charged with assaulting the reporter Jay Bacchus when he crossed a picket line, for which he was fined $800. In 1980, he was indicted, along with his father, accused of embezzling union funds, but the charges were dropped.[2] He was elected as an international vice-president of the union in 1988, and then in 1993 became the union's general secretary-treasurer. He was elected as president of the union in 1994.[3]
As leader of the union, Short signed a large number of agreements. He set up a Political Action Committee, and persuaded the United Scenic Artists to reaffiliate to the union. He also introduced the Individual Retirement Plan for union members on the West Coast.[1] The LA Times described him as "often is more ally than adversary to management".[2] Under his leadership, membership of the union increased by more than 50%.[4] In addition, he was elected as a vice-president of the AFL-CIO.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Tom Short". AFL-CIO. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ a b Verrier, Richard (February 6, 2007). "A union boss with some A-list clout". LA Times. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 30, 2008). "I.A.T.S.E. President Short Likely to Step Down". Playbill. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ a b Simmons, Leslie (July 31, 2008). "IATSE president Thomas Short retires". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 July 2023.