John Nelson: The First Union Leader GE Fired

During the McCarthy era, General Electric embarked on a purge of union activists accused of Communist ties. Among the first to fall was John Nelson of Erie, Pennsylvania. Nelson had led United Electrical Workers Local five oh six, winning real gains for GE workers on wages and safety.

GE fired him after he was accused of Communist ties. Nelson denied the charges and fought back. The United Electrical Workers, itself a union that had refused to sign anti-Communist loyalty oaths, represented him in court and defended his civil liberties throughout the ordeal. Nelson died in nineteen fifty-nine at just forty-two years old, still fighting. His case illustrated how Cold War political pressure was used to break labor organizing, one fired activist at a time.