Poles Together

Leo Krzycki (1881-1966) was one of the most talented speakers in theunion movement and only John L. Lewis (1880-1969) considered the mostskillful orator in the union movement could surpass him. While he wasdescribed as one of the most dramatic men in the American Labor movementKrzycki has generally been ignored by historians and writers. Today no onein the labor movement remembers him. There was no one like him exclaimed Mrs. Mildred Jeffrey. He was areal orator; a very effective speaker who could make rousing speechesbringing people to their feet. Whenever they needed a speaker they calledon Leo. Accordingly Krzycki has been recognized in every labor who's whosince 1925. No labor organizer has made such large contributions to the formation ofthe Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA) the steel workers therubber workers and the auto workers as Krzycki. For over five decades hededicated himself to securing social justice for the American worker throughthe union movement as well as the Socialist Party. Krzycki proved to be apremier organizer who met regularly with workers; walked the picket lines;and was arrested on several occasions. Unlike other union leaders whodirected strategy from their offices safely ensconced from the battle linesKrzycki struggled in the trenches in the front lines personally leadingrank and file workers. A product of Polonia (Latin describing the Polish American community)Krzycki was molded by his Polish American environment. Born in MilwaukeeKrzycki learned early of the brutality inflicted upon striking workers.The story of Grandpa Martin Krzycki's association with the steel workers atthe Bay View rolling mills was told many times of workers beaten andbloodied strikers gathering at Martin's saloon during the strike in 1886 andof 'matkas (mothers)' coming there tearfully seeking word of their sons andhusbands recalled Gene Krzycki. Fired at the age of fifteen while leadinga lithographers walkout of teen-age press tenders in Milwaukee Krzycki wasblacklisted two years. Later he began his organizing career on behalf of unions. Initially hewas a member of the Lithographers Union becoming a vice president in theInternational President Lithographer Press Feeders Union. A founding memberof the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in 1914 Krzyckienjoyed a life-long collegial relationship with President Sidney Hillman.Promoted from chief labor organizer to the Executive Board of theAmalgamated in 1922 Krzycki became a vice-president eleven years later.Naming his first son Eugene for Eugene Debs and his second son Victorfor Congressman and socialist leader Victor Berger Krzycki joined theSocialist Party in 1908. Elected twice on the socialist ticket heserved as a Milwaukee alderman and then under sheriff. Running for Congresswith Berger he too was arrested in 1918. He ran again for Congress and alsothe U.S. Senate on the Socialist ticket. Working with all of the celebratedSocialist leaders of the XXth century like Debs Morris Hillquit BergerNorman Thomas Hoan Oscar Ameringer Powers Hapgood Krzycki became amember of the Executive Board and then its national chairman. Gene Krzycki revealed that the closeness of Berger must have felt to myDad and his family was expressed in the token of gifts like the silvercommemorative cup (see photo) a wooden play pen on casters and tricyclebestowed upon Victor Krzycki. As testimonial of his rhetorical skillsKrzycki joined Thomas and Theodore Debs in a Debs Commemoration Dinner. Using his Polish language skills Krzycki traveled to the variousPolonian centers of clothing workers organizing and resolving strikes.Polish Professor Adam Walaszek documented the many Polish locals of theAmalgamated which also included Ukrainians and Russians. Often Krzyckic