Phil Murray

Phil Murray was a coal miner from Pennsylvania who rose to high distinction in the American labor movement. He was vice president of the UMWA, president of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and president of the CIO.

When the CIO launched its organizing drive in the steel industry, John L. Lewis appointed Murray as chairman of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC), which ultimately led to the creation of the USWA.

When Lewis stepped down as president of the CIO in 1940, Murray was elected as his successor.