Poles Together

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