Doug Fraser - A UAW Giant

I remember Doug Fraser very well. His name has been synonymous with my arrival in Detroit, working through the UAW and the automotive industry for years. He garnered the utmost respect because of his efforts for working people. It is with deep regret that I post this blog entry with the announcement from the president of Wayne State University that Mr. Fraser has "left the building." I extend condolences to his family and relatives.

"Today we join thousands across the state of Michigan and the nation to mourn the loss of former United Auto Workers President Doug Fraser, a legend in labor circles and a strong supporter and friend of Wayne State University. Mr. Fraser died on Saturday at age 91.Mr. Fraser was born in Scotland but his family moved to Detroit in 1922. He began his career at 18 in a Dearborn machine shop and was promptly fired for union organizing. Two years later he was hired as a metal finisher at Chrysler’s DeSoto assembly plant in Detroit and the following year he began his career with the United Auto Workers. Within six years Mr. Fraser began the first of three terms as Local 227 president. His skills as a negotiator were obvious during a 104-day strike against Chrysler, and he caught the attention of then-UAW President Walter Reuther, who asked Mr. Fraser to become his administrative assistant.He steadily moved up the ranks at the UAW and was known as a man of integrity and a tough opponent at the bargaining table. Mr. Fraser was a passionate union leader and served as president of the UAW from 1977 to 1983, a time during which he led national contract negotiations that resulted in greatly improved benefits for workers. When the Chrysler Corporation was near bankruptcy (1979-1981), Mr. Fraser convinced UAW members to accept contract concessions that are credited with helping keep the the company afloat.

When he retired from the UAW, Wayne State University was fortunate to have Mr. Fraser join our faculty as a professor of labor studies, an affiliation he maintained for more than a quarter of a century. He could frequently be found working in his Reuther Library office, not far from the library’s Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues, which was created in 1997 with gifts from the UAW, General Motors, Chrysler, Ford Motor Co. and other organizations and admirers.

Mr. Fraser devoted his life to improving the workplace by ensuring workers receive fair pay, enjoy job security and are in a safe environment. He believed everyone must be treated with dignity and respect at work, and his example is one we all can follow.

The University will be working closely with Doug’s wife of forty years, Winifred, also a member of our Wayne State University family, and representatives of the UAW in planning a memorial service here on the Wayne State campus. We have lost a great friend and visionary – his leadership will be sorely missed.

Irvin D. Reid
President, Wayne State University

Powered by Qumana