José López Papers

José “Joe” López (1932-1985) was born and raised in Cayey, Puerto Rico. He was active in the Hispanic community throughout his life as a labor organizer and community leader. After graduating high school 1949, López moved to New York City where he worked at Keg-O-Products Corp., a lamp and shade shop under Local 3, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

In 1950, López enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served in the 65th Infantry as a Platoon Sergeant in Korea and was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon discharge, he returned to the electrical industry and became a Shop Steward in the BAL Division of Local #3, serving on the Negotiating, Advisory, and Pension Committees. In 1958, he travelled to Puerto Rico as part of a study tour and upon returning helped to establish the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society (S.I.E.S) of Local #3. The society is a fraternal organization for Hispanic members of IBEW Local 3. López served as President of the Local #3 S.I.E.S. from 1960-1971 and in 1967, he assisted in the founding of the Santiago Iglesias Credit Union. He served as its President for four years and as Treasurer for two years. In 1966 he was appointed to the State Board of Social Welfare by New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller. In addition, he also served as Board Member of the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs, the Hispanic Labor Committee, and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Puerto Rican Folklore Fiesta, and as an organizer of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. In 1967, AFL-CIO President George Meany appointed López as Field Representative of Region # 7, which encompassed New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. From 1968 through 1970, he was appointed to assist the United Farm Workers during their boycott of grapes. Through leafleting, speeches and fundraising, López helped organize consumer and union-member support, which helped contribute to farm workers in California securing their first union contract in 1970. López was a graduate of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies at SUNY Empire, earning an Associate’s Degree in Labor Studies. He was a loyal and dedicated union activist and leader who was always held in high esteem by his colleagues in the trade union movement. López was survived by his wife Gloria and children Nilda, Edwin and José.